CDC needs to fully explain about wearing masks; instead of giving partial information

The CDC has guidelines about the coronavirus and about wearing masks that does not explain everything completely.   We need to know about the effectiveness of cloth masks, against aerosols.  Because the CDC says cloth masks protect against droplets, but experts say the virus is airborne (in aerosols), which can pass through the mask.

“…fabric masks may reduce the transmission of larger respiratory droplets…(but) There is little evidence regarding the transmission of small aerosolized particulates of the size potentially exhaled by asymptomatic or presymptomatic individuals with COVID-19. https://www.nap.edu/read/25776/chapter/1#6

The CDC also says wearing a mask protects other people from us, if we are asymptomatic. But wearing a mask does not protect us from catching the virus from someone else. What mask can protects us from getting the virus?

Something is missing in the explanation about the virus, and the use of masks and hand sanitizers.

I have purchased several different ear loop masks, and some fabric masks.  Recently I saw some ear loop masks that have the statement “fiberglass free” on their boxes.  Does that mean the masks I originally bought are made with fiberglass?  Is that why they make my face itch when I wear them?  Am I breathing fiberglass fibers?

One mask I bought was antimicrobial, and has the statement on their box saying, “This mask…does not protect users against bacteria, viruses, germs…” Does that mean that other masks I have, that are not antimicrobial, promote bacteria growth? Are antimicrobial masks better and safer for people who work all day?

The CDC should explain these things.  They should also explain why we are told not to touch the front of our mask when we remove it.  If our mask is contaminated, wouldn’t our face and hair and clothes also be contaminated? Why would the contamination only be on the front of our mask, and nowhere else? Should we shower and change our clothes after coming home? 

If respiratory droplets fall to the ground, as the CDC says, why would they be on the outer suface of our face masks at all?  

The CDC guidelines do not tell the whole story. 

Since we are supposed to wash our hands and use disinfectant on all the surfaces we touch, does that mean the virus only gets tranerred to surfaces we touch? If we wash our hands and do not touch our mask, as they advise, why would the virus be on any surface?

Some informaton is missing here.

I recently heard on the news that many hand sanitizers are being recalled because they contain a poison called methanol.  But the news did not mention anything about masks that are not sanitary. One box of face masks I was going to buy had the words "non sterile" and "not a medical device" on the cover. What does it mean if the mask is not sterile?    

I want a sterile mask to put on my face when I am breathing through it all day.  Wouldn't anyone want this?  

Another other thing the CDC needs to explain is why they list coronavirus deaths so far THIS YEAR as 132,366, but say nothing about the 250,000 deaths that occur EVERY YEAR from medical errors. 

“250,000 deaths per year are due to medical error in the U.S. Their figure, published May 3 in The BMJ, surpasses the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) third leading cause of death — respiratory disease, which kills close to 150,000 people per year.”  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/study_suggests_medical_errors_now_third_leading_cause_of_death_in_the_us

Jeanne Coppola

Jeanne Coppola grew up and spent most of her adult life in the Collinwood neighborhood, after she graduated from Collinwood High School. Her interests include art, writing, and advocacy for animals, humans and the environment.

Read More on Opinion
Volume 12, Issue 8, Posted 6:19 PM, 08.10.2020