You Can’t Get Legionnaires’ Disease From Masks
The Claim
Wearing a face mask can give you Legionnaires’ Disease.
News posted on
Emerging story
In summer 2020, users on social media began circulating a claim that wearing a face mask can cause Legionnaires’ disease.
Misbar’s Analysis
According to the CDC, Legionnaires’ disease is a “serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in mist or accidentally swallow water into the lungs containing Legionella.”
This seems to imply that wearing a mask could actually protect you from Legionnaires’, since it would guard you from mist containing the bacteria. Further, Legionella.org has said on their site that it is impossible to contract Legionnaires’ from wearing a face mask.
The rumor likely started because the pandemic shutdown has led to Legionella bacteria growth in stagnant water systems.
However, wearing a mask will not increase your chances of contracting Legionnaires’.
