Mask mandate fallacy

A mask may not be as effective as you think it is, and it's not the mask's fault. It's the human wearing it.

Isn't it interesting that since mask use has increased infection rates and deaths have also increased. But people, especially the "experts", blame the increase on people not wearing masks, people being casual in groups, and students returning to school. While all of these are factors, I believe improper mask use, poor masks/face coverings, and increased complacency with mask use (basically the human factor) all contribute to the ineffectiveness of masks. A Pew Research study on mask use at the beginning of the summer had a graph at the end of the article that showed an increase in deaths in counties where increased mask usage was reported. An interesting correlation, most likely not the mask's fault but the wearer's. https://fulnessoftimes.blogspot.com/2020/06/is-increased-mask-use-related-to.html 

Supporters of mask mandates point to studies about the efficacy of mask use. The problem is these studies are too often in lab conditions and do not reflect the nuances of everyday real life.

Many of those who use masks are not trained or educated in proper donning and doffing, and thus tend to touch their faces more and can end up exposing themselves more than if they just kept a good social distance, washed their hands frequently, and didn't touch their faces. 

Masks are rarely cleaned or replaced as recommended and are frequently touched. Many who use "masks" use face coverings that aren't very effective or which can actually cause more droplets. Neck gaiters and bandanas are among these ineffective face coverings, which, in some cases, can be worse than not wearing a mask. 

In the study, reported by CNBC and others, "The neck gaiter, which was made of polyester spandex material, performed the worst in the study, actually producing more particles than speaking with no face covering at all" (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/11/study-bandanas-and-neck-gaiters-not-effective-as-surgical-face-masks.html). Additionally, "a bandana tied to cover the nose and mouth only offered slightly more protection than no mask at filtering particles." Here's the actual study https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/36/eabd3083 

How many "masks" do you see that are bandanas, neck gaiters, a t-shirt pulled over the mouth, or some other flimsy material? I don't know what the percentage is, but it's not a small number.

But there's a real problem with mask wearing that puts everyone at risk. Masks are treated like some kind of panacea. Many who wear masks seem to treat them as some kind of permission to act normal, and social distancing becomes less likely, even though noses may be uncovered or the covering isn't effective, or the mask isn't in contact on the face around the nose and mouth. People want normalcy and masks seem to give them excuse to be in close contact, to be and act more "normal". 

It'd be better if social distancing and proper hand washing were more strongly encouraged. 

Mask mandates also encourage mask nazis who take it upon themselves to act as vigilantes to shame, blame, and report those who, for whatever reasons--personal or medical-- do not wear a mask. 

Mask mandates further increase the already deep division in society. 

Masks can cause more harm than good for some people. Masks further instill and increase fear of illness, especially among children, when there are other things (not just illnesses) that pose a greater threat to public health and wellness (such as driving, drug use, alcohol, and even unhealthy eating and sedentary life habits) but there are no government mandates to increase or protect the public health from those threats. 

The real reasons to wear a mask is if the person is knowingly around a high-risk individual or if the person is ill and has to be in public. In these cases you should be doing more than just wearing a mask.

Dr. Fauci has said the overwhelming majority of people recover from COVID-19 which doesn't give credence to support a mask mandate. 

Those who want a mask mandate are fearful and want to believe masks can make things "normal", yet many supporters would balk at mandates that might restrict them from other things that pose a greater personal and public health risk. The fearful like mask mandates, and politicians do too, because it seems like they're doing something.

Another problem with mask mandates, especially in public areas, is they ignore the CDC exposure limitations. You are "exposed" if you're within 6 feet of an infected person(s) for a cumulative 15 minutes or more. 

How often are you around the same person, within 6 feet of them, when you are in a store? Maybe if you're waiting in line to checkout...oh, but wait, they have social distance markings to help you keep separation so you're NOT within the exposure radius of a potentially infected person. So masks in stores don't make much sense. 

Now, I'm not saying masks aren't useful, because they are when used properly. It's just that masks are not the ace card that many seem to think they are. Masks can reduce your risk of becoming infected--they're more effective at keeping you from spreading something to someone nearby--but only if you're not touching your face (nose/eyes), you wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, and you keep socially distant from others, and only if you're wearing a mask that is effective at reducing particulates from entering your airway.

Our elected officials  forget they are not elected to protect the health of the people; there is nothing in the Constitution that gives them that right. Politicians are elected to protect our Constitutional rights and liberties, not to infringe on them.

Mask mandates are an opiate that numbs people to more effective and efficient prevention methods.

Rather than mandate infringements on personal rights and liberties by requiring mask use, the better, more effective "mandate" would be the following:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Even Dr. Fauci says to "Just focus on washing your hands." (https://www.yahoo.com/now/fauci-just-focus-on-washing-your-hands-174323153.html)
• Don't touch your face, especially your nose and eyes.
• Keep your social distance, 6 feet or more from others especially if you don't know their health status.
• If you're feeling unwell, stay home and keep away from others. If you absolutely have to be around others, you are the one who needs to wear a mask.

So, wear your mask if it makes you feel better, but realize it's the other things that will really make a difference.