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Comment by graposaymaname | Hacker News Reader

Quoting from the WHO/emergencies website[1]

> If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

The World Health Organization still recommends that you wear masks only if you're taking care of someone with COVID-19. Why is it so?

Like if the evidence is so clear, why aren't they advising the general public about this? (PS. non-native english speaker, ignore poor english)

[1]https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2...

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When all is said and done a serious re-evaluation of the WHO’s mission and actions during this pandemic needs to take place. When the world needed them most, they failed spectacularly.

In mid January they said that China had no evidence of human to human transmission despite Taiwan telling them otherwise, probably due to political reasons. They refused to declare a pandemic weeks after it was clear it was one, and even now they still insist on ignoring the data we have around masks.

The WHO is, unfortunately, not a reliable source. They've repeatedly lied throughout the course of this pandemic. This is probably a well-intentioned one to preserve the global supply of masks, unlike previous lies which served only to make China look good, but the bottom line is that you shouldn't trust what they have to say.

CDC has said the same. Now people defend them saying they lied because they didn't want the public to hoard them but mask supply chains have been effected since probably January. I went to multiple Home Depots (upstate NY) end of February and they all told me they've been out of stock for more than a month. We couldn't hoard them even if we wanted to. Why even lie? It's pretty damn infuriating. Sk, HK, and Taiwan all have it under control because people there have been a lot more careful. They don't leave the house without a mask. Meanwhile in NYC, people were all casual about it up until maybe last week. Partly because of the delay in government response.

I myself have quoted the WHO and asked my friends not to wear them unless they're sick. Shouldnt have :(

Even in HN, until last week there were many articles linking to studies which said that surgical masks were not proven to reduce your chances of getting the virus.

Maybe to prevent a rush on surgical masks so that they are kept for health workers who need them the most?

But then they could advertise using home made masks no?

That's another lie. Go to HD or Walmart and ask them how long they've been out of stock for. There was never a rush in the US. Healthcare workers should have their own supply from hospitals.

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