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?

Soontobe60

Perhaps read your post, masks don’t work read the science
Give all you’re masks to hospitals they need them

Er why would the hospitals need them - you just said they don’t work

The masks are supposed to be single use and fitted, not one used day in day out that doesn't fit properly. Wearing an ill fitting mask will NOT stop you spreading the virus.

@loobyloo1234

I just find it exasperating that people genuinely believe that wearing the same mask repeatedly is going to give you protection. It's not a criticism, its bemusement. The whole point of self isolation is to reduce the rate of transmission. Your mask isn't going to help you much if someone coughs on you. But carry on, do what you feel is best. Personally, I'm staying put at home.

It has got to better to wear a mask than not. Perhaps people should like to make up as a hobby to alleviate lockdown boredom. But I imagine a scarf or bandana has got to better than nothing

www.thesun.co.uk/news/11186999/coronavirus-paracetamol-chicken-soup-lemonade-survivor/

This GP's husband wore a football scarf to protect himself when she caught the virus.

I just find it exasperating that people genuinely believe that wearing the same mask repeatedly is going to give you protection

Masks worn are to protect others, it’s to stop you spreading the virus to other people

@shitsgettingcrazy You keep doubting the German figures

I live in Germany and the RKI Institute (German public health authority) says

"deaths with CV are counted as being from it"

Also, despite 100,000 comfirmed cases, we have about 45% of total ICU beds vacant,
even after taking in additional critical patients from Italy and France

If everybody wears a mask, then they protect each other

Comparison of droplet transmission with / without face masks

The primary way of person-to-person corona virus transmission is via aerosols or small droplets created by breathing, sneezing or coughing.

The reach of exhaled air can be effectively reduced using a face mask as shown in the video.

Advice on masks, from doctors:

mobile.twitter.com/DrChristineMann/status/1246262176337334272

mobile.twitter.com/Craig_A_Spencer/status/1246857275488309250

I really want to wear a mask to work (teacher) but so far I haven't because I'm afraid of frightening the children. No other staff have worn one yet afaik but we aren't all on Rota together so idk for sure.

Would it be unreasonable to make and wear one?

I'm based in Asia where everyone has been wearing masks since the second there were rumors of a new SARS virus. It has been maddening to say the least to see how back home everyone confidently insisted that masks don't work, even seeing cases of Asians in the UK who were bullied for wearing them.

Now the evidence has come out confirming what billions in Asia have known for decades. I struggle to understand if the government was purposely misleading Britain because of shortage of masks, or if it was just arrogance. Could have kept so many from catching this virus sadly.

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

Can you explain a bit more about how they separate the two please? I mean I understand that you might have very mild symptoms of covid and possibly then have a completely unrelated heart attack or fall off a ladder doing DIY, but surely that sort of thing only counts for a very small minority of deaths of people who have tested positive?

If people with underlying conditions die are they recording the deaths as being due to those other conditions? Even if without covid they would still be alive, even if for a relatively short while?

I’m finding it very frustrating reading the constant comparisons between countries and their differing infection and death rates. Unless we are all testing consistently and recording deaths consistently the figures mean nothing and they don’t really help us understand how best to tackle it.

@PieceOfMaria I am afraid my job is looking at data. Not medical. I would imagine it depends what the actual cause of death is based on medical evidence and expertise. But how its decided I dont know.

As you say, in some cases it's obvious.

A pp linked an article about how they are reporting. But dont know how the decision is made.

I agree, because theres no uniform reporting, comparison is pointless and frustrating. It also means we can not say 'what x country did is the right way to deal with it and reduced death'

Theres also the differences in culture. Its bene said in italy, the older generation are far more involved with their younger family, than a lot of other countries. This (in small part) has led to their higher death rate. Because the older people were mixing with young adults and kids when they were in the early stages. They were catching it before they realised how bad it was.

Looking Canadas number I suspect they are reporting differently too. Yesterday in BBC news they were interviewing a woman.

Didnt catch who she was, but she said they had at least 600 old peoples homes had covid within them. Yet their death rate is very small. Despite older people being at risk.

Either it's going to climb alot or its they are reporting differently.