Coronavirus - masks

[percheron67]

Hello, I have prepped in case of a week or so confined but I haven't bought any masks - have other Mumsnetters bought them?

Are they not supposed to be a bit pointless

I would try posting in Coronavirus rather than relationships.
I have a few paper masks but not many and no more heavy duty. Would rather stay in. I’m working on the likelihood that we’ll all get it.

We're just moving this over to the right topic now.

Not sure why this is in relationships, but masks are useful if you're isolated and need to open the door to deliveries.

Look up how to use them and how to dispose of them properly.

I have a box of fifty.

You'll struggle to get them now. You might get hold of some of the reusable ones - they're about £25 each but last for about a month.

You ideally want FFP2 or FFP3. DIY stores will be your best bet

My husband bought some last week (I think he's crazy fwiw!) - the ones that actually work were going out of stock everywhere and for silly money on amazon. He got his in Screw Fix of all places. Level 3 protection.

No, there’s no need to wear a mask and it won’t do you much good if the aim is to protect yourself from infection. Viruses can pass through them fairly easily. You would be more likely to infect yourself taking the mask on and off, adjusting it, etc with dirty hands. Plus it only covers your mouth and nose, but not your eyes.

I work in public health. I do have lots of clinical grade disinfectant (I have this normally, great for sickness bugs), but no masks. I work in central London. If things get bad enough I need to protect my face, I’ll be staying home. Within a household, if one of you gets sick, it’s fairly likely all of you will unless you have some technical knowledge of infection control, which the average person just doesn’t have.

The best thing you can do is lots of hand washing, minimise contact with others, and keep yourself as healthy as possible (eat well, sleep, don’t smoke so your respiratory health is good, take inhalers if you are asthmatic, keep up on other long term conditions).

I bought some in January anticipating this and a shortage. However from what I’ve read they’re no good in protecting you. The virus can also go in via the eyes and you have to correctly wear, carefully remove and safely dispose of a mask and replace often. Mostly they’re worn to protect others if you’re infected, but again depends on correct use of. Most UK stock is probably produced and imported from China, hence the shortage so the availability might nit change any time soon.

I don’t understand why people are stockpiling masks. They are next to no use. The purpose of them is if you are ill you don’t pass on the infection. Then they are for health workers who know how to use them properly and will change them every few hours. They are the ones who will need them.

Apologies for wrong posting.

They are next to no use. The purpose of them is if you are ill you don’t pass on the infection.

These two sentences are contradictory.

If you get told to stay at home and isolate, then it's sensible to use one if you open the door for a delivery etc. That was why I bought some a month or so ago.

In that situation I would not open the door. Groceries should be left on the doorstep if you are self isolating.

I should have been clearer. Technically that is what the masks are best for but if you are ill with Coronavirus then you shouldn’t be out in public. Therefore, masks are no use and should be left to the health workers who are frontline staff and need them more.

Wearing a mask won't do that much to protect you. But it will reduce the amount you spread your germs around on coughing or any other exhalation.

It's good to think of others

Yes if you are ill with Coronavirus but then you should be at home! Not coughing on others in public...

Correct - but if you start coughing during your working day, you might still need to use public transport to return home to begin your isolation.

Or you might want to be selfless and do it anyhow (as people can be infectious before symptoms, but are still exhaling (including when speaking)

And it's a damned good prop to help keep fingers away from face (an action which is part of official advice)

Apparently you touch your mouth area more while you rearrange the mask.Hand washing far more important and effective than masks.

The single use blue masks create moisture from breathing and are more likely to pick things up if you are in public.
Builders are having difficulty buying their PPE safety equipment to work, because everyone is buying masks they very likely dont need and will never use.

Yep and dentists too.

I have masks, a variety. I've read all the "masks are useless" stuff, but still think that they will offer some protection if worn correctly. If they fit well, are put on and removed correctly (numerous youtube videos show how).
If they offered no protection why would health professionals wear them? I suspect the no mask stance is more to do with the government and NHS not being in a position where they cant supply the public, so they say they're useless to reduce demand?
Obviously no mask offers 100% protection, but nothing does.
Hand washing etc is also a great idea!

There is a difference between "ill with coronavirus" and "self isolating due to potential contact" though.

If they offered no protection why would health professionals wear them?

They do protect in the short term, however they aren't meant to be worn for a long time. They are also generally used to protect the patient from any bugs the HCP may have.

Yes I do think people need to stop stockpiling masks and thinking they will protect them. Many experts have been on the news recently explaining why.

I think people get a false sense of protection from them. Mask on, I’m protected. It isn’t the case. I haven’t bought any and won’t be.

Now if only I could get hold of some hand gel though!

I have some left from a pack I used for DIY, I would only wear them if I had to though as I don't think they are much good.