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Comment by tantalor | Hacker News Reader

The "only" is a typo.

> "There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there's some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly," WHO executive director of health emergencies Mike Ryan said Monday. - https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/...

WHO has been saying "uninfected" people should not wear masks from the beginning. That's bad advice unless you're trying to save masks for medical works which makes it a well-intentioned untruth. Either way I don't like YouTube deleting a video that contradicts this WHO "advice".

Thanks for explaining, I didn't know that. That advice is certainly bad. I agree with your take.

Nope, check the link.

No I mean it is a typo on the WHO page, I sent them feedback suggesting this phrasing:

"Wear a mask if you are healthy and you are taking care of a person with COVID-19."

It’s a bit presumptuous to assume that the WHO has a typo in a document like this. Besides their messaging has been consistent.

Anyone can make a mistake.

I've worked at large government agencies. These things are reviewed and signed off by dozens of people before posting.

Besides, like I said this is not the only place they've said this. They've been consistent in down-playing the importance of masks.

How do you know they made a typo, rather than that's what they meant?

Hanlon's Razor

Perhaps it's neither malice, nor stupidity, but rather... just a different opinion to yours?

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