Masks. This Prof says if everybody wore one it would stop the virus in its tracks.

[DonPablo]

guardian opinion piece link

It's all so confusing, right at the start of all this we were told masks were pointless. The article says that when South Korea enforced mask wearing their death rate and tragectory, which did look like Italys, dropped right off.

Anyone want to discuss this with me? Should we all be wearing masks?

I think we should.

I 100 percent think we should.

Where are the stats for South Korea pre and post wearing masks?

There could be other things at play. Change in reporting, out and out lying about data, earlier measure taken that are only just now helping.

I have no idea about face masks and wether they help or not.

I do think that implementing face masks will make some people who have symptoms, think it's ok to go out. And make other more complacent about social distancing, the hand washing etc.

I think theres likely pros and cons.

I do too, it's pretty compelling isn't it?

It’s very confusing as it seemed the advice for a while was that it wouldn’t help. Also we have been told that a piece of fabric won’t make a difference; it has to be a fitted medical mask which are in short supply and must (rightly) be kept for medical staff - but this article suggests even a scarf around the face will block transmission. It’s such an easy, simple thing to do so if there is a chance it helps, why wasn’t this pushed from the start? Not for the public to buy up the ones needed in hospitals, but just to wrap a scarf around our faces when out?

I think masks have the potential to have a big impact if used properly because not only do they help to redirect droplets but they can protect others from you if you have CV and don’t know it.

But, I think the main reason they won’t endorse there use here is because there is no where near enough for the NHS as it is and people would start hording them for themselves leaving even less for healthcare workers. But you can always take the advice used in America (never thought I would say that!) and make your own face covering.

Where the heck would we get them from anyway? I can’t get any gloves!

Also for the people who do think it has benefit, theres nothing stopping them getting one and using it now.

Just please dont use medical grade ones. Hospitals are struggling with PPE as it is, the last think they need is people stockpiling these.

@Shitsgettingcrazy that's what I thought before this article. But the article says that research shows that a piece of cloth stops 100% of coronavirus. So even if people who were ill wore one and went about their business theur wouldn't infect anyone else. He does say it has to be with all of the measures in place too, like social distancing and handwashing.

But S Korea don't have an economic lock down, just enforced mask wearing.

Didn’t see the link that says much the same 🤦‍♀️😅

I live in the Middle East and it’s currently mandatory to wear a mask. The police are literally going into supermarkets and giving on the spot fines to people not wearing them.

They are readily available here though and due to the often dusty weather, it’s actually not uncommon to see people wearing them even at the best of times.

He's clear that we shouldn't use the type of masks that medics need. We could use a bandana or an old T shirt. As simple as that. Astonishing really.

I do too, it's pretty compelling isn't it?

My job entails working with a verifying data. I have seen hundreds of ways it can be manipulated to tell a certain story.

It's not that I think its compelling. It's that I automatically question any data.

Like the Germany death rate. While people keep saying it's really low is down to their health care, the fact that they are complying better with the rules etc. However they report death from covid, separately to death with covid. which is why their numbers are lower

But the article says that research shows that a piece of cloth stops 100% of coronavirus.

If that's the case, why are medical staff all over the world not just using pieces of clothes over their face. I get they have more exposure that most of us. But medical grade facemasks being in short supply, wouldnt be a huge issue if it stops 100%.

Again as I said, I have no idea. I have not look at the date for or against.

If it make people feel safe, but not complacent, I dont see the issue with them at all.

I think it would be good if we did wear them (proper surgical masks) from the point of view that if someone is infected, then wearing a mask helps prevent them from spreading that infection. I’m sure lots of people out and about have the infection but don’t realise, or have had the infection and are still shedding the virus. This article suggests they would be beneficial www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0843-2 . However, realistically, they would have to be supplied by the government as most people can’t get hold of them and medical staff need to be prioritised.

I appreciate your point. But for the sake of cutting up an old T shirt or two, it seems like one of the most inexpensive things we could actually try that may have a profound effect.

Not as difficult to source as hundreds of thousands of tests or as expensive as getting all of those test done and analyzed.

I guess I'm feeling a bit frightened and thought this article offered some hope. Such a simple thing.

The reason, I think, medics need proper masks is that some of the procedures they perform aerosolise the virus. Which is more dangerous than just emitting droplets.

But not all medical perform those procedures.

As I said, if you can make one or get hold of a face covering and it makes you feel safe, then people should do it. I agree.

I do disagree its stops 100% of Corona and I have a healthy around of skepticism around countries reporting numbers.

Fair enough, but the article says In a paper published in Nature on Friday, a five-year study from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Maryland has found that a simple non-fitted mask blocked 100% of coronavirus droplets and aerosol which I find hard to disagree with. A 5 year study!

Just been made compulsory to wear one in public where I am too (Italy). If no mask is available, they are suggesting homemade ones or even using a scarf (as long as it covers mouth, nose and chin).

I was listening to Edwina Curry on radio 4 last night. She was saying look look look if non key workers want masks then there are many available on Amazon. She read out the listings of all the super quality masks available!

She had failed to appreciate that of the hundreds listed on amazon, once you click on the product you find they are all either out of stock or can't be delivered
for weeks.

To be fair, she wasn't saying everyone should wear them. She was arguing with someone who said that the public should be able to buy them.

Her complete lack of understanding made me so annoyed. Get in the real world Edwina!

Stupid question but can you talk with a mask? I’m a civil servant still going to work in a busy office and all our usual public interaction has been switched to over the phone. Not sure how a mask would work.

100% seems unlikely to me but I am willing to accept they reduce the risk, presumably if coughing or sneezing into a tissue helps then this is effectively walking around with a large tissue in place to make sure you do that.
I might start wearing a scarf when I go out. Haven't been so far. It can't do any harm, I'm not going to change other behaviours.

Not being able to smile at staff in co-op will be odd but i suspect they'd prefer I cover my face.