I agree. I don't have a proper mask. I have a builder's mask I use when sanding. Should I wear it, I don't know. I don't see how a mask can't help protect you. Like you I want to delay getting it, for the reasons you give. I've been home a week now but have to go out for a prescription soon. I'm going to wear gloves and coat. I might wash coat when back home (needs it anyway). I've also got a fleece with a cowl neck and I'll be using that to protect my nose and mouth. I'll also be keeping a safe distance and using the self-service checkouts. If I can get away with shopping once a fortnight I will but it depends on whether the stuff you need is there when you go.

I totally agree with everything you said. I wish everyone as vigilant as you. I suspect too that you're right, we will all get this and have to process it and want to be able to access appropriate treatment, if necessary, when we do. Sending you hugs and keep safe and well wishes x

I’d rather use a mask than not use a mask, even in the face of scientific evidence proving that they are utterly useless because if I get this virus it is highly likely that it will kill me. Nipping out for milk in a weeks time gives me palpitations and a mask would help with that at least! I’m glad to read that some people are taking this situation seriously (I’ve disinfected the mug don’t worry lol)

What are you hoping to achieve by wearing a mask?

For the most part, masks only stop you from spreading your own germs to others, not the other way around.

A mask capable of protecting yourself from others needs to 1. be handled extremely carefully to not be contaminated and 2. be a specialist product, not just any old shit you have lying around. As you can imagine, specialist masks are in high demand, even the NHS are running low on stock of their PPE in areas, therefore you won’t be able to get your hands on one (or if you can you’re depriving medical staff who have a greater need.)

Wearing a scarf around your mouth/nose gives you F all protection

Masks make a big difference, as long as they’re worn properly.

Don’t listen to the gov on this. There’s a worldwide shortage of masks so they’re telling the public they don’t work for anyone other than health professionals.

Everyone in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong etc are wearing them in public...the places it’s actually under control.

I wondered about this too. I am stuck at home. My family members who go to the supermarket are wiping the trolley handle and using hand gel. I'm insisting on them changing their clothes but would rather they showered too and possibly wore masks. Please could you link to the video of the doctor explaining that people should shower?

The one thing I'm not sure about though is whether it's really going to be better to get the virus in a few months. At the moment most hospitals still have some empty slots in ICU and free ventilators (with a few exceptions); three or four months down the line, this is actually less likely to be the case.

I agree with @defthand

Here's some factual information on diy masks

smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

I have seen a few people out in masks and have used mine in the supermarket when shopping. Before that I was using my scarf over mouth and nose. I feel that having my scarf higher during winter has cut down on colds so to me it does help.
Did feel a bit hot wearing a mask and had to be careful about touching or moving it but just have to remember. Wanted to wear my glasses but they were steaming up. I wear gloves, not easy to remove without touching and it all gets a bit awkward with thinking about how best to remove coat and sort shopping. Some people don't seem to employ any precautions, it is so frightening. Stay safe and protect yourselves even if it seems ott.

I have masks and glasses/goggles. Proper FFP2/3 ones that I got way back in January, before anyone accuses me of taking stock away from the NHS. I stay with someone who has lung cancer. The stares and sometimes abuse I get for wearing them are unreal. I don't care. It's nonsense that masks 'don't work' , why have some countries made it mandatory then?? We in the UK don't have enough stock even for the NHS, that's the only reason our leaders are saying they 'don't work'

Yes to mask and gloves if you have them. Put them one when leaving car and bin them before entering your car.
Do NOT use your reusable bags www.city-journal.org/banning-single-use-plastic-bags-covid-19
Many states in the USA now ban their use.

Other considerations:

• Wear glasses (sunglasses, normal glasses)
  
• Close house door with foot
  
• remove all your clothes and shoes and do not touch for 24 hours
  
• I wear a cap with hair under, so no need to wash hair every time.
  
• put keys in bowl and spray with alcool
  
• wash hands like there is no tomorrow
  
• if possible wipe down what you bought.
  

I am currently sewing my own. They take about 10 mins on the sewing machine. There are loads of youtube tutorials.

Any mask is better than nothing. I am sick of the abuse I get for wearing them. Not scared to go to the shops because I have masks and goggles, but I am wary of the abuse I get each time. Feels like going into a war.

Fel sorry for us retail staff who have to work through this and customers not keeping there distance from us or others. I told several to keep there distance from me yesterday

According to a Guardian article, you have a fifth of the chance of getting the virus if you wear a mask.

People are being discouraged from wearing them because there is a shortage and it's most important NGS staff have them. But if you already have one or can make your own, then clearly that is sensible.

LeGrandBleu thank you for all the info. Do you have a link for the mask pattern that you mention?
Thank you all for the very useful advice.
Very useful post OP.
In the country I’m originally from, they started nearly 2 weeks ago advising people to wear masks if available but clarifying it does not stop you from catching it. They also strongly advised changing clothes as soon as you get back home. A dr. There mentioned making a diy mask from antibacterial wipes which you cut a hole in at each end and place over the ears and the amount of cleaner within that fabric is not as harmful if only worn for a short period of time - I think it’s meant to trap some particles as they reach the face (but of course it is not ideal so I’m not sure it would be the perfect solution, you can still in breath in and if you have asthma etc most strong cleaning agents can be harmful for breathing).
As a minimum, we should use a paper towel when touching things in the supermarket and in fact we should avoid going to the supermarket. Never touch face (anyone else getting better at this? I found it very hard to retrain myself) and always, always wash hands.
Cleaning agents 70%+ alcohol solution, 10% bleach solution or 1 (or 5? Can’t remember) % peroxide solution. So clean as normal, disinfect, wipe dry as these can and will damage a lot of surfaces. Be careful with your smartphone and ipads and macbooks as the above can cause serious damage on some items.
Disinfect everything all the time: glasses, glasses cases, keys, phones, ipads, computer keyboard/ mouse, fridge door handle, kettle handle, oven handle, cooker buttons, phone charging cables, toaster and coffee machine buttons, all door handles, light switches including from lamps and corded ones, remote controls, door bell button, hard floors, bathroom and kitchen taps, toilet lever or button, toilet seat, everything you regularly touch by hand. Edges of doors and cupboard doors etc.

Also, again info from my mum based on their local advice, with any normal mask, if becomes more ineffective as it gets wet which it does when you breathe especially the diy store type of masks.
It’s all so confusing! I just want to hug everyone in the world and keep them all safe.
Take all precautions you can and insist your family does the same.

I’ve got an ffp3 mask (a few) and wore it yesterday. I’ve previously been fit tested so know how to put on and handle, it felt a good seal. I handled it carefully when taking it off, it’s now sat in a bag and after a week if I need to I’ll use it again.....which I know isn’t ideal at all but I have a very limited number

Masks with appropriate filters do help, but the Govt was concerned about its worldwide shortage and advised people against buying them.

why on earth are people attacking people for wearing face masks? probably tbat people got off the Internet, NHS isnt struggling for face masks because Gary got 5 off Amazon , its because they arent being supplied and supported properly by the government.

VivaLeBeaver - do you think keeping it in a bag is sensible? Genuine question, I just wouldn't know how to handle a mask that's been worn.

What about wiping down shopping?
This is bothering me.
Should we be doing it?

Am looking at ditching re usable bags for the duration.

It pains me to do this, but think disposable is the best way of ensuring no cross contamination.

Unless anyone has scientific information?

I went to the supermarket yesterday for the first time in about a week. I put hand gel on then rubber gloves, wiped down the trolley etc. Didn't take my bag or purse, just one card so it was easier to clean. Went by myself.

I saw so many whole families in there! Just wandering about as normal, no gloves or anything. Mum, dad and kids so there was no childcare need involved in them all being there, clearly just treating it like a little trip out.

It wasn't especially busy (late-ish Sunday evening) so that was good and I could stay well away from people, but loads of people weren't remotely trying to keep distance in the queue and aisles. I was really shocked and the whole thing made me very uneasy.

RickoShay there’s nothing stopping you for plastic packaging but the advice is that as long as you wash your hands you should be OK. There’s no evidence yet that it transmits through eating (presumably because when you ingest food any potential viruses are swallowed as opposed to being breathed in through airways?).

It’s not the UK Gov saying masks do not protect you, it’s the WHO. The WHO also say that wearing gloves is no better and could be worse than just washing bare hands. Go here:
www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

And here:
www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public