CDC Says Healthy People Shouldn't Wear Masks for Protection from the Coronavirus

A question was asked on Good Morning America by correspondent T.J. Holmes on Thursday, February 27, 2020. Holding one face mask in his hand, T.J. asked, "If one person is sick and one is healthy, which person should get the only available mask?" Those who say the healthy person should get the mask are wrong. T.J. explained why the sick person should get the mask and why it could do harm to the healthy person.

The public has been frightened into wearing masks. They are misinformed and think the mask gives them protection when they are doing more harm than good. Besides, many people wear the mask incorrectly, and they don't always fit properly around the face to provide enough protection. People tend to use their hands to scratch underneath the mask. Several experts have reported that masks are not recommended for healthy people. They should be used on those who are sick and those who are treating the sick.

Experts Say Who Should Wear Masks

The Center for Disease Control (CDC), experts, and healthcare professionals agree that those who are healthy should not wear masks thinking they will be protected from coronavirus and other respiratory illnesses. Those who are already sick should wear masks to prevent spreading the virus through their coughs and sneezes. A face mask should be worn by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This will protect others from the risk of getting infected from the sick person.

Many experts have confirmed that masks for the healthy are unnecessary. One expert is Dr. Henry Wu, assistant professor of infectious disease at the Emory University School of Medicine and former medical epidemiologist at the Center for Disease Control. He told ABC News, "Masks are not recommended for general protection if you are not ill."

Dr. Jonathan Grein, a board-certified infectious disease physician and director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told ABC News that wearing masks are not necessarily beneficial to many people who wear them if they are not sick.

The experts agree that wearing the mask could be more harmful than helpful. Dr. Grein contends that the mask itself can become contaminated and become a source of infection. He cautions that if you wear a mask, don't keep touching it and your face under it.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says a healthy person should wear a mask only if he is taking care of a sick person or a person with symptoms of the coronavirus. The organization concludes that masks are only effective when used in combination with regular hand washing.

Protection Without a Mask

CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat gives good advice about protecting yourself because no one knows exactly what will happen concerning the coronavirus outbreak. She advises people to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze and cough. She also said people should stay home when they are sick and wash their hands.

ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton who appears regularly on Good Morning America says you can protect yourself by following basic common-sense precautions. She advised washing your hands regularly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds after going to the bathroom, before eating, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Remember to avoid touching your face and mouth. Avoid being around sick people, and stay home when you are sick.

Sellers Overcharging for Masks

The coronavirus epidemic has spread and continues to spread rapidly not just in China where it started but all over the world. There is a rapid increase in sales of face masks because people are afraid of the coronavirus. Sellers on Amazon set their own prices for products. Some third-party sellers are overcharging for masks up to 400 percent. Amazon has issued a stern warning for the company's sellers to stop taking advantage of frightened people by overcharging for masks.

It was reported that a box of 100 medical face masks that was only $5 is now $15. A box of 20 particulate respirator masks used to be $17 sells for $70, which is four times what they cost before the coronavirus epidemic.

Some celebrities have begun posting photos on social media of them wearing masks while traveling thinking they are protecting themselves from the coronavirus. Actresses Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow posted on Instagram the types of masks they wore while traveling.

Viewers were quick to point out that Hudson was not wearing the right kind of mask. In fact, she would have been better protected by not wearing one at all. Singer and actress Selena Gomez also recently posted a photo of herself at an airport wearing a face mask.