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?

Maybe we should not be arguing about whether a home made mask stops 100% of droplets 100% of the time. If it can be shown to stop 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% most of the time then it would presumably be worth wearing as it would significantly mitigate the risks

If a study shows that something stops 100% transmission it is worth looking into.

Because of the rate is less than that the whole study would need to be questioned.

100% stop in transmission from wearing a bit of t shirt over your mouth is a hefty claim. And if it is true the, yes, we should be wearing them.

Imagine you are an asymptomatic carrier of the virus. Imagine you are the covid patient, but you're not a patient because you feel fine. Wearing a mask protects other people. Other people wearing a mask protects you.

masks4all.co
I feel these people overstate the effectiveness. Good tips on a bandana mask etc.

It is a heft claim. I like the way you put that. It's what made me start a thread (which I rarely do!).

@DonPablo I don’t think that mask aren’t helpful but you seem to think it is some type of miracle drug which it is not. There are many ways that masks can even become a source of infection when people touch them with dirty hands then put them on their faces.

They clearly are t 100% effective, otherwise we wouldn’t have HCP getting it.

When I go shopping I wear gloves and a scarf covering my nose and mouth. Just took them off when I got home and threw them in the washing machine. Mind you I get hayfever I try to do this anyway as I get a really bad ticket throat.

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

I think they did more than just masks.

I hope I am being clear. I am not saying the claims are falseor saying they wont help.

But I think theres big questions to be answered and lots if potential gaps/data manipulation that should be considered. Especially when something say it prevents something 100%.

And people still need to keep up with all the other things like washing hands, not touching your face, social distancing etc.

Would stop droplets and catch coughs as an emergency measure to protect others

@cinammonbuns that made me chuckle. I don't think it's a miracle cure. I just read the article this morning and thought wow, what a simple thing. I wonder if any mumsnetters wanted to chat about it? Because it seems like decent science and a simple additional measure to add to the arsenal.
But, yeah, if it was a miracle cure, it'd be pretty easy to implement. Save the proper masks for the front line and we can all rip up a t-shirt or whatever and contribute to preventing the spread of the virus. And I'm an optimist. I'd love a miracle cure, that's for sure.

They clearly are t 100% effective, otherwise we wouldn’t have HCP getting it.

HCP also wash their hands, does that mean hand washing doesn’t work 100% and therefore we shouldn’t do that either..

It’s all part of the jigsaw to help prevent the spread

The study probably didnt account for human error, either.

The pill is much more effective in a controlled study than it actually is in real life. Because you need to take into account people taking it incorrectly, forgetting, taking medication they dont realise impacts it, sickness bugs etc.

People will refuse where they shouldnt. Not wash their hands before putting it on etc.

@LaurieMarlow the article isn't saying that. It's saying that if everyone wore one, it would stop the virus in its tracks. It's not about protecting individuals, its about everyone doing it to stop the spread.

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

So this is a study of mainly Corona virus's which are not Covid19, as that is the new strain? Maybe it was effective with the other strains but not so this one. I though masks had been dismissed as the Covid19 droplets are so tiny they can get through the fabric?

I think we should but they don’t have enough PPE for NHS staff and so won’t endorse it because there’s not enough to go round.

The article says we should save the proper masks for the front line health workers and everyone else can wear a homemade one.

DonPablo a miracle cure would be lovely but ain't happening. Every little bit in the arsenal helps. Totally agree.

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

This isn’t true by the way...

Oh it’s not even for Covid. That’s not particularly helpful then, infection rates vary wildly.

If a mask makes you feel safer then by all means wear one. But ensure you watch an accredited video on how to put on PPE and how to remove it. And remember to either dispose of the mask or wash it on a hot wash, not reuse it.
I was shopping in Tescos on Friday and there was a number of people using masks. They were constantly touching their masks with their hands which defeats the object. Also men wearing FFP3 which have a seal, it’s only effective if you are clean shaven. They are pointless with a beard.
Remember that it may slow down the virus expelled when you cough or sneeze but it will not filter out virus that are suspended in the air you breath in. If you touch the mask or bandana with a contaminated hand you will breath in the virus you have transferred. So it is only protecting those around you and not protecting you.
Assume everyone around you is infected.

I'm a carer for a shielded person. Medical masks are almost impossible to get hold of. Everytime I go shopping and see someone wearing a medical mask, I get rather irate.

I've made my own masks.

Simple pleaty one thestitchingscientist.com/2020/03/how-to-sew-a-face-mask.html easy to make.

Shaped www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/ best for small noses.

Shaped www.unitypoint.org/cedarrapids/sewing-surgical-masks.aspx easy to make and accommodated a good range of nose sizes.

I also semi strip in the doorway at work and then wander around in ancient maternity dress and slippers, paired with a high tight bun I look amazing

You'd think that, but a professor of virology is saying its worth a shot. Why wouldn't we do things that are worth a shot? It's not exactly pie in the sky stuff. Covid is a coronavirus after all. Or do we wait and wait for concrete, irrefutable evidence? I'm not being argumentative, just up for a discussion. We need something else judging by our death rate and lack of exit strategy for the current lockdown.
Maybe it's clutching at straws. But we definitely won't know if we don't try is where my mind goes with this information.

They clearly are t 100% effective, otherwise we wouldn’t have HCP getting it. they’re more effective to the wearer from spreading it, rather than to stop them from catching it.

** From The Guardian article:
"We can also see dramatic results when a country changes its policy on masks. Masks were hard to come by in South Korea until late February. Then the government stepped in and ensured a supply for every person in the country. Up until then, South Korea showed a similar-shaped exponential trajectory to Italy. After that point the exponential growth slowed, and today the number of active cases is decreasing. There is no economic lockdown there."**

This is blatantly wrong. Lee Min-Ho and other Korean superstars made wearing masks really fashionable in across Asia. Commuters in South Korea have always worn them - those who can’t wear the designer ‘respirator style’ ones often wear surgical ones. I am guessing SK just made sure masks were available to the poor which is a very different policy decision.

Whether we should or not, there aren't enough for everyone to buy.