Fauci: No Evidence for Double Masking Effectiveness

Matt Margolis, PJ Media: Fauci Concedes 'There’s No Data That Indicates' Double-Masking Is Effective

Last week, Dr. Anthony claimed on NBC’s “Today” that wearing two masks “just makes common sense.”

“I mean, this is a physical covering to prevent droplets and virus to get in. So if you have a physical covering with one layer, and you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective,” Fauci said. 

One is generally sufficient

A week earlier, the New York Times had called the practice of double-masking a new “fashion trend” and a “sensible” and “easy way” to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19, but Fauci’s remarks really set off an intense public debate over whether Americans should start double-masking, after being told for nearly year that wearing a single mask and social distancing was adequate, which also came after Fauci told the American people in March 2020, “There’s no reason to be walking around with a mask.”

 

If you’re getting confused, you’re not alone, because a mere five days after saying that double-masking was “common sense,” Fauci seemed to walk back that statement.

“There are many people who feel, you know if you really wanna have an extra little bit of protection ‘maybe I should put two masks on.’ There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s no data that indicates that that is going to make a difference. and that’s the reason why the CDC has not changed their recommendations.”

Of course, the science behind recommendations for masks was always fairly weak and rested mostly on common sense; what studies there were showed a rather modest benefit and mask mandates do not seem to have changed the course of the pandemic perceptibly. I don't mind wearing a mask in situations where it's appropriate, but I prefer to avoid situations where one is  likely to benefit from them. On the other hand, there are plenty of people who I think would benefit from double, triple and even quadruple masks, never mind the resultant breathing problems. These include Toni Fauci, Shep Smith and Joe Biden.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Hedley Lamarr Presents The Teutonic Titwillow, Lili von Shtupp!  ready and willing.