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Comment by asdkjh345fd | Hacker News Reader

On their website and twitter and through press outlets like CNN:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/world/coronavirus-who-masks-r...

"There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit."

That is completely and totally wrong. It is INSANE to suggest something so horrifyingly stupid and dangerous with a virus that has a two week asymptomatic, contagious incubation period. All the infected but don't know it yet people would lower the number of people they infect massively if they work masks. Every single country where mask wearing in public is the norm has a much lower fatality rate than every single country where it is not the norm.

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Does that say it's harmful to wear masks? The WHO's guidance has been that it isn't necessary for individuals to wear medical PPE. There are valid concerns about this, both related to shortages and improper care.

>Does that say it's harmful to wear masks?

Yes, it does. "In fact, there's some evidence to suggest the opposite". But that is irrelevant, since that is not what I claimed. I said the WHO says masks don't work. I quoted them saying it to CNN for you, and linked it. How much more in denial can you get?

>The WHO's guidance has been that it isn't necessary for individuals to wear medical PPE

I just showed you their guidance, which says they will not help. The overwhelming evidence unanimously says that it does help.

>There are valid concerns about this, both related to shortages and improper care.

There are not. There is no shortage of cotton fabric. Improper use of masks is still superior to no masks.

There is, as far as I know little to no scientific evidence that cloth masks are effective at reducing the spread of covid-19 This would make the who's statement factual.

There's conjecture, and maybe some empirical evidence about cloth masks, but it's weak.

There is overwhelming evidence. Dozens of studies, all show significant reduction the spread of viral diseases simply by tying a folded piece of cotton over your face. And if you need to back peddle this hard, maybe you should be so quick to snark in the first place?

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