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Original poster

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

164 replies

DonPablo · 05/04/2020 07:09

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?

OP posts:
Shitsgettingcrazy · 05/04/2020 08:41

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

That's exactly it. Part of a bigger picture.

But not 100 effective on their own.

Not sure anyone has claimed handwashing is 100% effective. Depends on how it's done.

LaurieMarlow · 05/04/2020 08:43

Why wouldn't we do things that are worth a shot? It's not exactly pie in the sky stuff.

I’m not saying it’s not worth a shot.

But claiming it’s 100% effective isnt credible and won’t help you make your argument.

SmileEachDay · 05/04/2020 08:43

Nature magazine has published some absolute nonsense science in recent years. I’d ignore them entirely.

Masks are highly effective at catching droplets, so infected people wearing them is a good idea.
They don’t, however, make much difference if you’re walking around - they don’t cover your eyes and they don’t prevent surface transmission.

Stay at home. Wash your hand often. Don’t touch your face when you’re outside.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 05/04/2020 08:48

With masks being such a hot topic, I think it should be pointed out that the advice is not to wear a mask if you have existing breathing/lung problems. That's been the case for a long time and it hasn't changed because of Covid 19. It's worrying that some experts are saying everyone should wear one.

Original poster
DonPablo · 05/04/2020 08:49

@LaurieMarlow it's not my argument! I'm not a scientist, just interested in this!

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 05/04/2020 08:52

@DonPablo

Don't be daft, how can there have been a five year study on coronavirus when it's only just existed for 6 months? 🤷🏼‍♀️

VenetoResident · 05/04/2020 08:55

@Shitsgettingcrazy - have you got a link for the Germany info? I tried to find one but couldn't.

In Veneto masks and gloves are now compulsory in shops. I bought a reusable mask for about £10 this week. They had been unavailable for weeks. I have no idea what standard it is, but I'm happy to wear it as everyone else is. I'm planning to spray alcohol on it and leave it in the hot car between uses. The shops now have boxes of gloves and hand gel back in stock.

Reading this about viral load means the masks make sense - even if you get it, it might not be as bad as it could have been.

But it means if someone in your house gets it, isolate them as much as possible. I'd probably keep them to one en-suite room whilst they had symptoms.

Original poster
DonPablo · 05/04/2020 08:55

Did you read the article? I didn't write it BTW.

OP posts:
VenetoResident · 05/04/2020 08:56

@Soontobe60 - there are several types of coronavirus.

PestymcPestFace · 05/04/2020 08:57

Chinese research on masks and an incredibly simple one to make with cupboard stuff.
www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3050689/how-make-your-own-mask-hong-kong-scientists achieves 80% effectiveness of surgical masks.

VenetoResident · 05/04/2020 08:57

@Bamboozledandbefuddled - have you got a link for that?

Redwoodmaz · 05/04/2020 08:58

I read that the cloth face masks aren't effective at preventing the passing on of the virus. However tight fitting gas mask types with filters - like used in the war, could be.
In Asia they are far more concerned about wearing masks when they are ill and don't want to pass on colds etc. And the air pollution can be pretty bad there too.

Shitsgettingcrazy · 05/04/2020 08:59

have you got a link for the Germany info? I tried to find one but couldn't.

I can try find one. It was about 2 weeks ago.

PestymcPestFace · 05/04/2020 09:10

In the Czech Republic mask wearing whilst outdoors is compulsory.
In Austria you have to wear a mask in the supermarket. Lots of German friends are also making and wearing masks.
www.dw.com/en/countries-taking-a-fresh-look-at-face-mask-guidelines/av-52987003

Staypositivepeople · 05/04/2020 09:18

Thankyou op for this article,much appreciated,I don’t read the guardian so I would not of seen it
I’ve ordered some bandana type scarfs for my family ,they go round your neck and over your mouth and nose
Really appreciate the heads up of this article,many thanks indeed op 💐💐💐💐

PestymcPestFace · 05/04/2020 09:21

About German death rates
www.dw.com/en/is-comparing-coronavirus-death-rates-futile/a-52952738

Badoukas · 05/04/2020 09:24

I'm with you DonPablo. Compulsory mask wearing for everyone in public. Or at least covering with whatever available. Plus keep all other social distancing rules in place.

feelingverylazytoday · 05/04/2020 09:24

I'm going to start wearing one while I'm in shops.
There's some tutorials on youtube using pieces of kitchen roll (the idea is it's a non woven material), would think that one of those plus a piece of fabric over the top would offer at least some protection.

lljkk · 05/04/2020 09:25

So does that mean that the South Korea app that tracks if you were near a case and the free easily available testing & the vigorous contact tracing & them closing schools since weeks ago didn't matter?

I'm not buying that claim.

This is recent, this week, shot of South Korean's enjoying the nice weather (Reuters). I don't see anyone wearing masks. so not fully universal in public spaces.

Masks. This Prof says if everybody wore one it would stop the virus in its tracks.
BamboozledandBefuddled · 05/04/2020 09:27

@VenetoResident Here's one www.healthline.com/health/coronavirus-mask I've also seen it on either Asthma UK or the British Lung Foundations website but couldn't find it quickly.

Soontobe60 · 05/04/2020 09:29

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

When you actually start to dig deep about this person, you can see he is an entrepreneur who also has a website from which he is making a shit load of money about mask making. The studies he cites on this website are very clear in that they all say that in the testing, home made masks did not stop the spread of viral particles to the extent that PPE medical masks that were correctly fitted, ie completely sealed to the face, did. Even then, the wearing of such masks only limited the spread of particles from the wearer. No mask prevents the spread of the virus TO the wearer.
This man has a vested financial interest in advocating the wearing of masks.

Staypositivepeople · 05/04/2020 09:32

Does anyone know
Which countries now have enforced mask wearing ,and has it made theIr death rate go down

Shitsgettingcrazy · 05/04/2020 09:35

@Staypositivepeople no country has introduced facemasks exclusively. So impossible to tell, if its masks, something else of a combination or measures taken

Soontobe60 · 05/04/2020 09:36

@BamboozledandBefuddled

Good link. If only everyone would take note.

One means of virus transmission that everyone is overlooking is via surfaces. When I went to the supermarket, there were many shoppers wearing masks and gloves. But they were touching surfaces, adjusting their masks repeatedly (thereby causing cross contamination) then on leaving the shop taking their gloves off and dropping them in the floor by the trollies! How is that safe? I even saw two women lower their masks and give each other a kiss when they met?.? Idiots.