Reply To: N95 masks with exhalation valves

Yserbius123,

“That’s probably why they claim that the communication about masks is “confusing” as they think that something said by Fauci in February of 2020 is still nogeya despite him having explicitly retracted in multiple times.”

I work in a field where complex, rapidly changing, and frequently vitally important information is communicated to the general public. When the public is confused or misunderstands the information and guidance, or even when leaders who received the information and have action plans fail to act appropriately and then try to blame their own failures on “poor communication”, we see that as our responsibility, and work to improve how we communicate that information. The communication of Covid-19 information and guidance by government agencies at every level and political or non-political bent throughout this pandemic was an abjectly shameful, disgraceful failure, and it is chutzpah to turn around and blame the general public for that.

“The valve mask thing was said in mid-2020. I believe it was retracted later that year.”

Show me, or give me search terms that would allow me to find this retraction. And if you’re correct, it is exhibit 3948593425 of the poor communication of guidance. I’ve searched a few times and information is either vague or recommends against valves, as it protects the wearer but allows unfiltered exhalation into the environment. And, despite your phantom retraction, mask mandates that expired as late as Spring 2022 (and even current mandates per CTLAWYER) continued and continue to forbid N95s with valves.