What concern did some health experts have about recommending face masks?

Some health experts expressed concern that recommending face masks could lead to a false sense of security among the public. This concern arose from the idea that individuals might believe they were fully protected from illness when, in fact, other protective measures were also necessary for effective prevention. For example, while masks can reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, they are not a substitute for physical distancing, hand hygiene, and vaccination. This misunderstanding could lead individuals to engage in riskier behaviors, such as neglecting other safety protocols, thinking that wearing a mask alone was sufficient for protection. Essentially, the concern was that a reliance on masks without the context of a comprehensive public health strategy could undermine overall efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases.