Fact Check: No, Face Masks Alone Cannot Help In Preventing COVID-19, Viral Post Is Missing Crucial Context

New Delhi (Vishvas News): A post going viral on social media questions why people should get away from hospitals and nursing homes if masks work. And if masks don’t work, why don’t we get off of our children. Vishvas News investigated and found that the claim is missing some context. In order to prevent coronavirus masks are recommended along with social distancing and proper hand hygiene.

Claim

A claim shared on Facebook reads: “If masks work, then let family back into hospitals and nursing homes to be with their loved ones. If they don’t work, get them off our children. Someone is lying…” The archived version of the post can be checked here.

Investigation

Vishvas News investigated and found that as per the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC), “Social distancing should be practiced in combination with other everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, and frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

A mask is NOT a substitute for social distancing. masks should still be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet apart, CDC suggests.

The bottom line is that even though a mask helps to reduce the spread of the virus, but it should be coupled with proper handwashing and social distancing as well.”

Vishvas News spoke to Dr. Nikhil Modi who is a Pulmonologist and also taking care of COVID-19 infected patients. As per him, “only masks cannot prevent you unless you follow other preventions as well. We need to do social distancing and proper handwashing as well in order to prevent the virus.”

The post is shared on Facebook by a user named Penny Wiens-Normandeau. We scanned the profile of the user and found that the user is based out of Princeton.

Conclusion

No, face masks alone cannot help in preventing COVID-19, it should be coupled with proper handwashing and social distancing. The viral post is missing some crucial context.

Disclaimer: The #CoronavirusFacts database records fact-checks published since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic and its consequences are constantly evolving and data that was accurate weeks or even days ago might have changed. Remember to check the date when the fact-check you are reading was published before sharing it.

Tags

• Coronavirus
• CoronaVirusFacts
• COVID19