Ridgeway - 4/21

Ridgeway - 4/21

by Chanse Ridgeway -

My question for today is:


Obviously not everyone knows that masks are not 100% effective with controlling whether or not you become infected with COVID-19 if for example, someone around you has it and coughs, sneezes, etc. You are still likely to become infected. It honestly sparked my curiosity. If I were to ask someone I met tomorrow that is wearing a mask, if they genuinely believe that the mask they are wearing will protect them, what will they say? Will they become defensive? Deny the possibility they get it due to all of the "precautions" they are taking?

I've always been a fan of avoiding mass hysteria whenever possible. Is this what is in plan? If the general population of the United States knew or even dug a bit deeper into the information about COVID-19 and how it is transmitted, what would happen? From what I recall, it was never told that everyone should wear a mask. Yes I'm sure it was broadcasted that it would help, but I do not think there was a significant, forceful broadcast telling everyone sternly that they should wear one. Does wearing one diminish the chances? Yes, does it stop it? Obviously not, I think that the big role masks play is giving the population a sense of security and safety, where otherwise if people truly knew, maybe there wouldn't be.

Now obviously, not everyone is going to freak out once they know/learn about it, but my question is based on the information we learned yesterday with 1B, and the morning class, what do you think the general population would do? How did you take the news? Shamefully I was a bit shocked. As a firefighter and EMR I should know that it does not 100% protect me or the people around me, but why did that not occur to me? Maybe it was because of what I was hearing on the news, or possibly see monkey do? Just very curious and thoughtful on the subject

Re: Ridgeway - 4/21

by Barbara Christie-Pope -

There is a lot of misinformation out there.  When we are told to wear masks, we trust that the mask is doing something.  And, actually, it is but it is behavioral not protective.  Wearing a mask is intended to remind us that we are vulnerable, not safe.  Yes, people are tending to think that the mask is a physical barrier against infection.  You are correct.  Wearing a mask gives one a sense of security and safety.  The CDC now recommends wearing a cloth mask in public.  So far, 7 states have made wearing a mask mandatory.  The theory is that the mask will not prevent YOU from being infected but might decrease the chance that you will infect someone else.  It is the same reason you wear a mask as an EMR.  Your mask is not to protect you but to protect your patient from you.