Altered Photo Shows Mask-Wearing Beachgoer
The Claim
A photo shows a woman wearing a mask while swimming in the ocean.
News posted on
Emerging story
A series of photos have been circulating on social media this week, which appear to show people swimming in the ocean wearing face masks. Users are shocked at the supposed lengths that these beachgoers are going to protect themselves, with users commenting, “Just stay home.”
Misbar’s Analysis
At least one of these photos has been altered. A reverse image search reveals the original photo on a stock image site of the woman in the red bathing suit, without a mask. The mask also looks misaligned on her face as if superimposed.
The photo series is circulating in the midst of a surge in cases of the COVID delta variant. In response, the CDC has issued new recommendations for mask-wearing, which mostly emphasize the importance of wearing masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Current data suggest that the risk of transmission in outdoor settings such as the beach is much lower than was previously thought, with less than 10% of infections occurring outdoors.
Public health officials discourage wearing a mask during activities in which it might get wet, as it may make it harder to breathe, and reduce its effectiveness.
