My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Covid

I still don't understand the face coverings thing.

143 replies

BigBreakfast · 04/06/2020 18:20

Is seems like, again, the government has gone with public pressure rather than what will actually make a difference.

The WHO says only people with illness or those caring for them should wear masks.

In all other cases, whilst it may offer some protection to those around us, it actually increases the risk to the wearer because if someone with the virus breathes near you, the droplets are "caught" by the mask and therefore spend much more time close to your face.

Also, all these people buying pretty homemade masks etc, there's no point having one mask. They need to be changed frequently, if you're to avoid increasing the risk to yourself. Always once damp, which will be quite quickly, as you breathe. And you mustn't touch them, which will surely be nigh on impossible.

Plus, they're expensive. C. £5. If you need a few each, in a family, that's quite an expense at a time when we know many families are struggling.

I'd wear one to protect others but I'm not comfortable doing it in the knowledge that increases the risk to me, which is what Jenny Harries previously told us it would do.

WHO

OP posts:
Report
Shallwedancetomojito · 04/06/2020 18:31

They actually defeat the purpose of wearing them as they can cause harm to yourself if carbon dioxide toxicity, caused by repeatedly breathing in your own exhaled CO2.

Grant Schapps has announced that face masks will be mandatory on public transport from 15th June. Then he goes onto say they're actually required.

Maybe we should all come up with a slogan to write on them. Any ideas?

Report
Shallwedancetomojito · 04/06/2020 18:33

Typo: Grant Shapps I meant

Report
Blahblahidontcare · 04/06/2020 18:45

I'm wearing a yellow bucket over my head, better air flow

Report
BirdieFriendReturns · 04/06/2020 18:46

I might pin my lips together and wear a muzzle a la Handmaid’s Tale.

Report
Shallwedancetomojito · 04/06/2020 18:53

Then I might just chop my head off, stuff it under my top and have done with it. This might even help me get a seat on the train for once.

Report
Shallwedancetomojito · 04/06/2020 19:00

Actually there are a few different types of "face masks". Whichever one could he have meant 🤔

I think I might wear this one...,

I still don't understand the face coverings thing.
Report
Floatyboat · 04/06/2020 19:16

There's lots of evidence to suggest wearing masks is useful for a population

Report
puffinandkoala · 04/06/2020 19:43

Most other European countries (as well as many others) have their populations wearing face masks in confined spaces.

Why do so many MNers think people living in England have other physiological characteristics. If it works overseas it will work here.

Report
puffinandkoala · 04/06/2020 19:44

They actually defeat the purpose of wearing them as they can cause harm to yourself if carbon dioxide toxicity, caused by repeatedly breathing in your own exhaled CO2

Of course. That's why the populations of HK and Singapore have expired of CO2 poisoning. Oh wait...

Report
BigBreakfast · 04/06/2020 20:04

Where we see pictures of people wearing them in the Far East, it is where they themselves have symptoms (of cold or flu). Healthily people don't wear them routinely.

OP posts:
Report
lifestooshort123 · 04/06/2020 20:05

If it's compulsory in certain circumstances you have a choice - wear one or stay away.

Report
covidmonkey · 04/06/2020 20:06

I am going to wear one of these:

I still don't understand the face coverings thing.
Report
bumblingbovine49 · 04/06/2020 20:07

Healthily people don't wear them routinely

At the moment they are compulsory in most public areas for everyone (including children) in many countries in the Far East

Report
Shallwedancetomojito · 04/06/2020 20:11

It makes me laugh seeing the ones driving alone in cars with face masks on, with the window up.

Report
BackInTime · 04/06/2020 20:13

I am not looking forward to wearing a face covering on a hot summers day but if that is what it takes to get back to some kind of normal then that's what I will have to do.

Report
FurForksSake · 04/06/2020 20:13

The issue is some people will go about with symptoms for various reasons, they will. Some people will be asymptomatic and shedding. If we all wear a mask we decrease the risk to each other. It along with social distancing are sensible measures and with little or no risk (there are exemptions). They tried to do it by encouraging use, but uptake was so low they didn't bother.

Out woeful record in acquiring PPE I think has delayed them bringing it in, they have said face coverings not face masks, but people will buy masks and put pressure on stocks. Right now that is much less of an issue than at peak.

Report
BackInTime · 04/06/2020 20:14

@Shallwedancetomojito This always amuses me too Grin as does people wearing gloves in supermarkets touching their faces and phones

Report
Shallwedancetomojito · 04/06/2020 20:15

Has anyone read the warning on the boxes?

I still don't understand the face coverings thing.
Report
givememarmite · 04/06/2020 20:15

In Germany they are also compulsory (I believe in all states) on public transport, in shops, schools and public offices. It is not about protecting yourself, but protecting others. And of course if everyone adheres to this then it protects you too. It's such a simple concept of doing something for others that also benefits yourself.

Report
Milicentbystander72 · 04/06/2020 20:16

My cousin is Italian and living just outside Milan where the virus was at its worst in Italy.

She's a butcher. She says everyone is out and about wearing face masks. They have to. Even their bars and restaurants are open.

Why in England do many people always have a "it'll never work" attitude, no matter what it is?

Report
couchparsnip · 04/06/2020 20:17

I wear one in shops as I have hayfever and don't want to sneeze or cough on someone. It's annoying - they make my glasses steam up - but I would rather be safe.

Report
BeforeIPutOnMyMakeup · 04/06/2020 20:17

They are face coverings to cover your nose and mouth. I wear one and help to protect you if I am or likely to be carrying a respiratory illness that can infect you, you wear one and protect me.

It is common in HK and the rest of the Far East since SARs. It is actually considered bad manners to have a cold and not wear one.

And yes it had to be explained to me by a Chinese person.

Report

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

FurForksSake · 04/06/2020 20:17

@Shallwedancetomojito

Has anyone read the warning on the boxes?

They help prevent you passing it on to others, not protect you so much. They also have to write disclaimers so they aren't sued!
Report
JellyFishSquish · 04/06/2020 20:19
Report
CaptainBrickbeard · 04/06/2020 20:23

Drivers wearing them alone in cars that I have seen are delivery drivers who are getting in and out frequently and knocking on people’s doors. I don’t laugh and consider myself superior because I spot them not taking the masks off in between drop-offs. I think they’re being sensible not handling the masks.

I can’t understand the resistance some people have to wearing masks. It’s bizarre to reject it when the countries who have made it mandatory have lower transmission rates than us. Why do people think that we are different?

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.