AIBU to think the government should be letting us know this: To prevent the spread of the newer strain of Covid-19 we should be wearing medical grade masks

[Lovely1a2b3c]

A number European countries are making medical grade masks (e.g. surgical type 2R fluid-resistant masks) mandatory for people entering shops or travelling by public transport as they are more efficient at reducing the spread of the newer variant of Covid-19.

AIBU to think that the UK should follow suit, especially as we have the highest rates of the new contagious strain, which originated in Kent and which we now know is slightly more deadly.

I’ve gone back to medical grade and I forgot how fucking horrible they are!! Sweating constantly inside the mask - my cotton ones were very comfortable.

But feel safer wearing them, even if it is psychosomatic.

We have been advised at work to wear two (or three) masks. They are the standard blue ones so don’t think there medical grade. They suggested a blue disposable and a cloth one on top that wrapped tightly around the face as it’s additional layers and the different weaves of the materials make it harder for the virus particles to penetrate.

Ah. Have seen the posts about valve blockers now. Still worry most won’t use them though.
Incidentally @Havanananana I don’t think anyone thinks ‘flimsy bits of cloth’ make them immune. They think triple layer cotton masks help them reduce their chance of passing the virus to others. Which they do.

@Peppermintgreen you aren’t trying to stop virus particles, you are trying to stop the liquid droplets that carry them.

@Peppermintgreen

We have been advised at work to wear two (or three) masks. They are the standard blue ones so don’t think there medical grade. They suggested a blue disposable and a cloth one on top that wrapped tightly around the face as it’s additional layers and the different weaves of the materials make it harder for the virus particles to penetrate.

Surgical masks (the blue, type 2R) are medical masks; they're fluid-resistant and prevent droplets spreading from you to other people. They're much better than cloth masks but less effective at protecting the wearer than other medical masks.

If you want to protect yourself then a genuine KN95, FFP2 or FFP3 will be more effective even than wearing a cloth mask and a surgical mask.

[quote cardibach]@Peppermintgreen you aren’t trying to stop virus particles, you are trying to stop the liquid droplets that carry them.[/quote]
Oh that was my fault.. I know that it's the droplets that contain the viral particles but what I wrote was wrong!

@cardibach

I don’t think anyone thinks ‘flimsy bits of cloth’ make them immune

I think that there are many who do, judging by the numbers wearing pretty-patterned masks that look nice but offer very little protection to the wearer against the incoming droplets and little protection to those around them when they exhale.

They think triple layer cotton masks help them reduce their chance of passing the virus to others. Which they do

Which is correct up to a point - they do reduce the chance compared with wearing nothing - but the governments currently requiring their citizens to wear FFP2 masks, and the scientists recommending that the UK government also makes FFP2 masks mandatory, clearly don't think that the triple layer masks are effective enough.

Hi

Yes ffp3 and ffp2s are a nightmare to get at the moment!

Fabric masks with KN95 aren't proven as effective no but they are better than no filter as long as you change them regularly and wash them too

@AnneKipanki

Good luck with purchasing the real thing .

I have got some already for a vulnerable relative but if they're in short supply then surgical type 2R medical masks (which aren't in short supply and are relatively cheap these days) are better than cloth masks.

Ffp3 masks are the ones worn in ITU and are pointless to the unless you have been fit tested for one.
Also the all wards covid or not healthcare workers are wearing ffp2 what aren't fitted.Thats being challenged at the moment as so many staff are going off sick.
There is no way shops can tell what grade mask you are wearing as they all look similar.They also can't tell how many hours/days/weeks you've been using it.
So I can see the idea but it depends entirely on trust.

@Crosswithlifeatm

Ffp3 masks are the ones worn in ITU and are pointless to the unless you have been fit tested for one. Also the all wards covid or not healthcare workers are wearing ffp2 what aren't fitted.Thats being challenged at the moment as so many staff are going off sick. There is no way shops can tell what grade mask you are wearing as they all look similar.They also can't tell how many hours/days/weeks you've been using it. So I can see the idea but it depends entirely on trust.

I know three companies which are working flat out 24/7 to face fit staff to new masks they can't keep up as demand on masks is insane that NHS keep changing makes and models

I tried to buy some . ( health care industry ) from a usual supplier.
Unavailable.
6 x price before VAT .

I am currently supplied by the health board in my area .

@AnneKipanki

I tried to buy some . ( health care industry ) from a usual supplier. Unavailable. 6 x price before VAT .

I am currently supplied by the health board in my area .

I wasn't necessarily meaning FFP2/FFP3 masks; even surgical type 2R medical masks (which are available everywhere) are better than cloth masks.

@AnneKipanki I work in catering and need to get ffp2 mask for my staff. I found ff2 in stock at ffp2-mask.co.uk I ordered them last week.
The quality is really good and it is certified.