Thread by @DrMStiegler

Mixed messages on personal masks, simplified (a #COVID19 thread):

Personal masks level up #socialdistancing.

When we absolutely can't #StayHome, my mask protects you a bit, and your mask protects me a bit.

As @Surgeon_General says, it's not a substitution. It's a boost.

A personal mask is not the same as a medical mask, and they have different purposes.

True, a bandana or cloth mask won't filter out airborne particles. Unless you are a healthcare professional taking care of someone with #COVID19, you probably don't need that.

A regular medical/surgical mask is designed to protect the environment from the person wearing it.

It's to protect your wounds and surgical incisions from the nurses and doctors caring for you. It helps them keep their droplets to themselves.

If you're sick, same idea.

That's why it's similar for the public to wear a personal mask made of cloth or a medical mask. It's to help you keep your germs to yourself.

If someone sneezes or coughs directly into your face, it might block a droplet or two. But that's gross, so stay at least #6feetapart.

In a perfect world with a surplus of PPE of all kinds, our healthcare professionals would have far more #PPE than just N95 masks.

And our citizens would all have medical or cloth masks - they do about the same thing while you're out in public.

But since we have a serious #PPEshortage for our healthcare professionals

And we don't fully understand the behavior of #COVID19 droplets/aerosolized particles

And many sick people will recover at home

And healthy people want to stay healthy and help #FlattenTheCurve

Don't get all confused about the details and the stuff that isn't likely to make a big difference.

Focus on the basics.

Keep #socialdistancing and #WearAMask in public, but don't panic or horde respirators. And don't forget to #WashYourHands

(end of thread)