Making the wearing of a mask manditory

[weepingwillow22]

Has anyone else noticed the worldometer projections for UK deaths have changed significantly since the relaxation of restrictions last week?
covid19.healthdata.org/united-kingdom

The deaths are now predicted to be back up to 800 a day by november with a second peak in cases surpassing the first one.

The graphs do however show that this can be avoided if mask wearing is made compulsory.

AIBU to think that the wearing of a mask or visor (excepting those eho cannot wear them for medical conditions) should be made manditory in all indoor public places in order to avoid this second peak.

If cases rise again to the extent projected here another national lockdown will be required resulting in more job losses, school closures and unnecessary deaths.

Surely the wearing of a mask is a small price to pay to avoid a second peak particularly as the scientific evidence now points to it being highly effective in preventing asymptomatic spread.
www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent

If homemade was any good, government would have jumped all over this. Imagine how much they could save every year if your home made ones were useful? They could just chuck them in with the bedding, nightwear and towels patients use wash and re-distribute

I am afraid this isn't true. When I started working for the NHS 20 years ago, all sorts of things were sterilized/ reused unfortunately far more is now disposible as cheaper to just throw it away than properly clean and sterilize.

Can anyone explain the not re-using masks guidance? I'm talking about the disposable type masks, not the washable ones.

If the virus can survive on material for around 72 hours, I'm struggling to understand why you couldn't leave the mask for a week and then wear it again? It's a genuine question, I'm not trying to disobey the recommended guidance.

@JMG1234

Can anyone explain the not re-using masks guidance? I'm talking about the disposable type masks, not the washable ones.

If the virus can survive on material for around 72 hours, I'm struggling to understand why you couldn't leave the mask for a week and then wear it again? It's a genuine question, I'm not trying to disobey the recommended guidance.

You can just leave it for a few days and wear it again www.today.com/health/reusing-face-masks-how-remove-clean-store-safely-t180985

Thank you, that's a helpful article!

Even though I really want to wear one, I feel self conscious because of how few people are wearing them. I am sure that a lot of people will not wear one for the same reasons. If they are compulsory, people will be less self conscious.

Countries that imposed mask wearing from the start have had much lower death rates, that it a good enough reason for me.

www.google.com/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/7075024/mask-wearing-fewer-coronavirus-deaths/amp/

I just heard 80% reduction if we all wear one, 20% to 30% to wearer. But R4 person said for example at start.

Are those figures current?

Mask wearing is only one part of the picture though. It's not like every country is exactly the same bar mask wearing. There are multiple social and economic factors at play. It's not right to directly compare countries. (never mind the difference in the ways deaths are recorded, I'm holding out until we have the total deaths in 2020 in every country compared to average deaths).

@Birdsong20 I agree with this, it is a reasonable change. It was interesting to see Boris wearing one finally. He picked a really horrible one. Macron picked a much cooler one!

I'm holding out until we have the total deaths in 2020 in every country compared to average deaths).

Holding out to wear a mask? Till the end of the year? And you have total proof?

I'm wearing mine on the off chance tbh.

On public transport fair enough but I really find them claustrophobic and painful on the back of my ears so I would avoid shopping completely. It's quiet and civilised here, so don't see the need. I had c19 so probably immune anyway

actually @okiedokieme it's about protecting others. Not yourself.

The comments on the DM story on this, following the announcement that they will probably be made mandatory, are something to behold.

Calling them muzzles, threatening violence to shop staff who try to enforce it, predicting riots.

Some people are very het up over small pieces of cloth.

Assuming masks are readily available, wearing them indoors should not be an issue.

Guidance is changing all the time based on evidence. The fact that it has changed is not a reason to disregard it.

The virus is still here, albeit at a low level. If we take sensible precautions, we can keep it that way. If we don’t, there is a high likelihood of a second wave.

For those who doubt it, I would love to know your rationale?

Can anyone explain the not re-using masks guidance? I'm talking about the disposable type masks, not the washable ones.

Studies have shown the virus can live on the 3 ply surgical masks for 7 days. They can however be reused upto 5 times if you either place them in a paper bag for a week or tumble dry on hot for 30 minutes. I work in a clinical setting and this is the guidance we have been given should supplies run low.

If Oakie has had the virus she may have also had the antibody test. If those results are clear then who is she protecting? @sleepingpup

I'm lucky that now i can wear one so i have done in shops, not outside for walks through. That defeats the fresh air object and i social distance.

I'm careful with the mask but i see loads of people using incorrectly and not social distancing with them. They can wear correctly and social distance but choose not too. I don't know if they think they are protected by the mask because surely if it was less concern of the virus they'd not wear at all? So i can only guess they think it protects them. Other countries can do it but even there it's not all getting it right. Countries with those who wore masks preCovid it's not surprising they do it well but I've seen photos from my Canadian and American cousins where they are 'socially distancing' (leaning on each other, no gaps) and pulling masks down to smoke, have a lollipop and eat. Not just them either but friends and neighbours they tag too, so big false sense of security there. Especially a video of a neighbour blowing out his candles on a cake and then sharing it!

I do feel there should have been a bigger media campaign- tv, radio, YouTube etc- on how they protect and how to use for the UK i think. And the question is curious why they may be promoted indoors but not in schools secondary, restaurants or pubs? Plus if it's aerosols worry how can will contemplate gyms opening when people respire more there then anywhere else? And i do want gyms opening btw, i can't wait, but you do respire more there.

Then she's the lucky one. @canigooutyet

But it's not clear yet how long the antibodies last I'm sure you know that.

Lots of scientific chatter and articles on T cell immunity being more relevant than antibodies at the mo, so even if your antibody tests are low/negative lots of potential that you may still have resistance. It's very interesting.

Yes I am aware, just in the same way if a miracle happened and a vaccine was made there will be question marks about the length of time.

@Infullbloom thank you for mentioning that you are advised how to re-use.

For more info about how medical staff have been advised such as re-using as a last resort, what to look out for etc in terms of damage. CDC and other countries also say this to their medical staff.

www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Cloth-face-masks-in-case-shortage-surgical-masks-respirators2020-03-26.pdf

So which do you follow?

The advice medical staff have been given to help protect others that says no and would rather them re-use even if the equipment might be a bit worn than say yea pop your home made on.

Or the advice the public have been given which doesn't mention the concerns

@sleepingpup

Then she's the lucky one. *@canigooutyet*

But it's not clear yet how long the antibodies last I'm sure you know that.

The poster may be indeed lucky. But what about answering the actual question? @sleepingpup

If Oakie has had the virus she may have also had the antibody test. If those results are clear then who is she protecting?

In the country I'm currently in masks have been mandatory for a couple of weeks but not enforced. Because they do make me feel claustrophobic and I have asthma I admit to only wearing one in busy shops where social distancing can't take place.

The number of people wearing masks is increasing....probably around 45-50% though so are the infection rates.

The poster may be indeed lucky. But what about answering the actual question? @sleepingpup*

Ok @canigooutyet keep your hair on.

Probably no one. As you know. Because at that moment in time Oakie has nothing to transmit. But as I said no one knows how long that lasts. So you keep on wearing till that knowledge is available.

Which takes us back to which do you follow?

The advice for medical people?
The advice for Joe Bloggs?

And if that poster wouldn't be protecting anyone then why should they and others be vilified as posters have done on here? NHS staff for example get regular anti-body tests, along with known patients at least that is what I have experienced. Why should they feel forced into following?

The op asked about making them mandatory. 68% so far agree with this. Some don't want the exceptions and are quick to say shut and put it on. or stay inside and have even incorrectly said it's wear one or face a fine.

I'm slowly going through the list of 50, I am still trying to find clear evidence that shows these home made ones are effective enough to outweigh the risk.

Why should people who are struggling financially be forced into something they cannot afford?

Yes I know they are free to make and people are donating them.

Say your average worker is out of the house 10 hours a day. Advice says change every 30 minutes, although this can be less because if they sneeze or cough they have to be changed. (how many will still cover their face with their elbow this the protection of the mask).

That is still 20 face coverings. They need to be properly cleaned so that is additional money to find.

How many were relying on foodbanks before CV?

Many don't even have washing facilities at home - broken, in temporary accommodation etc.
The homeless community if they become mandatory outside as some also want how would that happen.

It's not quite as clear cut as put it on and shut up.

But hey what do I know? I'm the conspiracy theorist, selfish person with MH who should go away and stop over complicating things.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jul/09/how-to-stop-your-glasses-steaming-up-and-19-other-essential-facts-about-face-masks