Verafiles, a Filipino verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network Code of Principles, was one of the first to address the claim in January after the vice mayor of Manila, Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan, incorrectly demonstrated how to wear a surgical mask. Several fact-checkers have debunked the claim, clarifying that disposable medical masks should always be worn with the white, absorbent layer facing inward. Fact-checkers debunk the mask reversal claim “The filtration efficiency and protective ability of a medical face mask is compromised when the mask becomes wet, torn or dislodged,” PriMed states. Medical masks are made to be fluid resistant, with the waterproof layer on the outside to “minimize the amount of fluid that could transfer from the outer layers through to the inner layers as the result of a splash or spray,” in accordance with the American Society of Testing and Materials standards. PriMed, a leading medical mask producer, explains the importance of proper mask usage on its website. Disposable masks’ fluid-resistant layer should face outward Seto also stressed the importance of wearing a face mask with the metal wired edge on top and disposing of used masks without touching the outside. “You see it has the blue color on the outside because it is waterproof and then you have white on the inside because it is absorbent,” he said. April Baller explains the inside of the mask “is usually the white side.” In the World Health Organizations instructional video “ When and how to wear medical masks to protect against coronavirus,” Dr. Medical experts say masks should always be worn colored-side-out Similar posts making the same claim have been appearing on social media since January. When she learned this was inaccurate, the Facebook user removed the post, which had nearly 10,000 shares. The user told USA TODAY that the sign had been posted in her doctor's office. On March 15, a Facebook user posted an image of a sign depicting a common disposable mask and instructed people to wear masks with the “White side out: Filter- When (you’re) not sick and want to keep virus out” and “Blue side out: to keep germs in when (you’re) sick.” The claim that disposable masks should be reversed depending on the health of the wearer persists despite fact checks finding otherwise. And some state and local governments are requiring masks or cloth face coverings while out in public in certain circumstances.Īmid the many conversations about face masks, misinformation about proper use continues to spread. On April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its stance to recommend voluntary use of face masks in public. COVID-19 cases exceed 600,000 and deaths surpass 25,000, mask use is becoming increasingly common. AP The claim: Disposable masks should be worn white-side-out to keep COVID-19 outĪs total U.S.
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