To wonder whether buying face masks is sensible or not

[movingdilemma1234]

So I've just bought a couple of packets of masks from ebay.
I'm aware of the advise that hand washing is the most useful precaution against viruses and, of course, I'll contuse to do this as per usual
However this virus appears to be gathering speed at an alarming rates.
But will I look like I'm neurotic if I start wearing a face mask in Sainsburys?
Will face masks be the new stock piling for Brexit?

So, facemask in Sainsburys. The trolley? The food? The cash and your change?

Good hand washing should be enough at this stage.

But they will be in vaccum packed in a sterile packet I think you are overoverthinking it.

As long as you've gone for the ones that are 100% airtight, you'll be fine.

Took me a while to realise that you didn't mean the pampering kind...

Oh my I am a bit dim no don't wear a face mask in sainsbury a virusresearcher on Bbc news yesterday was saying facemasks are making no real difference.

There are multiple types of masks and not all are suitable to filter out viruses! To have a mask fit properly without any air gaps, there is actually a 2 day course to learn how to fit them properly. Sounds extreme, but when working with certain chemicals, compounds in laboratories with diseases etc its vital that no air gets in. There are also certain ways to remove the mask, without contaminating yourself from the outside of it! Masks are also ineffective when wet from moisture/breath etc, so need to be changed on a very regular basis to be effective.

Yes, a basic mask might stop you rubbing your mouth and nose (a common way to contract a virus from another person), but in terms of stopping aerosolised virus from being breathed in, its unlikely to be very effective, unless a certain viral rating, fitted correctly and decontaminated correctly after use.

a virusresearcher on Bbc news yesterday was saying facemasks are making no real difference.
I've also seen this but then had read that as this virus is infectious before symptoms show it couldn't do any harm and, at the least, would protect other people from catching it if I had it and didn't yet know
So many people around the world wear masks and I assume they must offer at least a bit of protection.

So I guess I'm going to look very odd in Sainsburys tomorrow!
I may second think this now

You're kidding? Wearing a face mask in the uk? Why?

Does the listing say what country they were made in?

Good grief

A lot of people in China wear face masks well when I’ve visited in the past they have, weren’t much help to them really were they?

Honestly if the virus arrives in the U.K. tomorrow a face mask isn’t saving anyone......

Face masks only actually provide air particular protections for maximum of two minutes. The nhs only wear them to protect themselves from fluid splashes. There is specialist masks that would protect you however these as a pp states need training on and also cost £80 per box (nhs worker here).

Please don’t bother

The face masks you see tourists wearing are not effective at stopping you catching a virus and are usually worn in places like China when you have a bug to prevent you contaminating other people. Good hygiene procedures are all you can really do at this stage. I work in London and have a little bottle of hand sanitiser and tissues in my bag, I haven’t had a big in four years even with all the public transport

OMG. Are you serious?

If you're that worried, have your home hermetically sealed and don't go out again.

I saw two women wearing face masks in M&S yesterday. We have a lot of Chinese students at one of the universities here, and it’s common to see masks worn by them for cycling, but I have never seen a person indoors with one before.

In china the staff in hospital was wearing bio hazard gear a flimsy facemask while you touch stuff isn't going to cut it as a pp said handwashing is better.

You know face masks like that is to prevent you spreading germs rather than you picking them up right?

Now if the OP had suggested they were worried about air pollution and particulates, they would have been on much firmer grounds ...

I live in Asia and it is well known that unless you buy the industrial strength masks, they are worthless.

People wear them more as a courtesy, like "I'm sick and trying not to spread it" but they don't actually work on any level.

Handy if you look like shit and want to cover your face though.

Ordinary face masks like you see people on the news wearing or even operating theatre masks are ineffective after just a few minutes, they would be pointless (and you would look daft) in the supermarket. In the NHS we have specific filter masks for wearing when dealing with flu patients and these have to be specially fitted to be effective

Yes we have a lot of chinese students here so you see people in facemasks sometimes.

You'd be safer doing an internet shop rather than expecting a mask to protect you in Sainsbury's. You are more likely to catch something from the trolly or basket handle as they are never cleaned.

I always see loads of people in London wearing facemasks - up to now most likely for pollution, maybe hayfever. But now with this virus, I shall be joining them - just ordered some. The haters can laugh, i dont care.

The air quality in a lot of the Asian countries where masks are worn is very poor due to high levels of pollution from traffic and industry. In my experience masks are worn either to protect against poor air quality in busy cities or as already stated they’re worn by those with colds so they don’t infect others. They’re not worn day-to-day to ward off illnesses and they’re not worn as commonly as the media would have you think.

You will look completely bonkers if you wear a face mask out shopping tomorrow and honestly, there is nothing to suggest you are at risk of picking up a dangerous virus. The coronavirus is largely in China, the likelihood of you catching it are minuscule - you’ll be far more at risk of having a car crash driving to the supermarket than you will be of catching a dangerous virus.