So any old mask Is protective now? FFS

[HMSSophie]

Did I dream that, back when this all started, we were assured by the government that non clinical masks did nothing to protect us because the virus was so tiny it would pass straight through, and that anyone who thought that clipping on their "decorators mask" to pop to Tesco's was a good idea, was in fact a fool, a panic monger and, to be honest, rather an embarrassment to the nation?

So how come I saw someone telling me on Tv last night that even a double -folded piece of cotton would foil 99%'of virus spores (or whatever they are called).

Which is it? This government is unbelievable!!

raven thank you

So from a moral perspective, we shouldn’t buy the top type? This is the most common and affordable type I have seen.

you say this with the authority of some who has evidence of this. What source are you citing?

The numerous threads here.

🤣🤣 All the world’s an expert. However, if you wanted to delve a little deeper into recognised knowledge, You could read up on the Milgram Experiment and all the subsequent work by psychologists that has been done on obedience since. You’d find plenty to both back up my assertion that people can and do follow instructions when those instructions are given with authority, and to prove that it is very easy to fall into the trap of believing something because your peers told you it was so.

@LilacTree1 The top left type are meant to be thrown away after each use. The home-made ones you can make yourself out of an old t-shirt (or just wrap a scarf round your face), and you can wash them after use - hot wash - and/or disinfect/iron them to kill off the virus.
People are also making the home-made ones here and selling them online for about 6 eur each. I've got a sewing machine and have been making them for nothing for the family.

raven thank you.

In reality, I think it’s going to be difficult for Tube commuters to wear any type as they will get damp, but also, anyone still in work will be struggling a bit to wash a mask and have it dry by the time they get home. So they’ll end with disposables, if it’s made mandatory to wear them on the Tube.

• I should say by the time they leave for home!

Most people are just washing them once a day. But if you have a cotton mask, you can wash it under a hot tap and leave it an hour, and it's fine to wear it a bit damp (dries out from the heat of your face too). I've made mine from some old sports clothes so far, the quick-dry type.
People are wearing a total mixture here. I saw a bloke on a bike in some sort of gas mask! But all the normal ones are meant to do is catch the spit when you're talking, so it doesn't fly as far.

Thanks ravenmum

I’m going to get flamed but I was pondering this on my exercise

If wearing a mask protects others from your, er, expulsions, then no wonder some people wearing them don’t worry about social distancing. Why would they?

Also, in terms of expelling particles while speaking- people rarely speak on the Tube, so makes no sense to make them compulsory. They can still cough or sneeze into an elbow.

Sneezing into a mask - ugh.