Quick Fact Check: Misleading Post Claiming Face Masks Alone Can Help In Preventing COVID-19 Resurfaces
- By: Urvashi Kapoor
- Published: Jan 25, 2021 at 07:19 PM
New Delhi (Vishvas News): A post has resurfaced on social media in which the user 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.
When Vishvas News earlier investigated we found the claim to be misleading. The claim is missing crucial context. The Health Ministry and Health Organizations are recommended along with social distancing and proper hand hygiene.
Claim
The post shared on Facebook by a page named BOOTS-and-SPURS 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
According to 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 CDC report also states that a mask is NOT a substitute for social distancing. masks should still be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet apart.
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 complete story can be checked here.
The post is shared on Facebook by a page named BOOTS-AND-SPURS. When we scanned the page we found that the page has 209,544 followers.
Conclusion
The post claiming face masks alone can help in preventing COVID-19 is misleading and is missing some crucial context. The post has resurfaced on social media.
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.
- Claim Review : Face Masks Alone Can Help In Preventing COVID-19
- Claimed By : FB page: BOOTS-AND-SPURS
- Fact Check : Misleading
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