If fsce masks become compulsory?

[Plump82]

Is there anywhere that shows you how to use them correctly?

Is it true that once you take it off it can't be used again? So if you say had to go to work you would need one for going to work and back home?

Do the homemade ones need a filter?

Sorry for all the questions. Im just concerned if they do become compulsory that i dont use them correctly and then the whole thing is pointless.

[ginghamstarfish]

They don't need a boil wash, handwashing in soapy water, air dry then iron, or machine wash with your usual laundry.

[ginghamstarfish]

@Plump82 I've read a lot about this, and put in a printed slip with each mask I make, saying it should be changed at least every two hours, used one carefully removed by the ties or elastic and put in a sealed bag if you can't wash it immediately. Wash hands, then put on clean mask, and so on.

[Plump82]

@starduststatic it was an hour i heard which would just about work for me if I only put it on at the station and took it off as soon as I was out at the other end. Personally I hope they don't become compulsory as I dont believe they do much use. But its good to be armed with dos and donts if they do!

[Starduststatic]

I would only use a fabric one once before boiling or washing btw, they should withstand a lot of cycles, although the elastic might fray.

[Starduststatic]

The cotton doubles with the filter pockets can be boiled for 5 minutes if you don't want to keep washing them, so shouldn't need too many. Apparently an hour is the very max before they become too damp to be effective, but as we are supposed to only be out and about for short periods it seems feasible. Obviously people working and those out longer for exercise etc would have different considerations.

[Plump82]

@ginghamstarfish I had a Google but couldn't find out any info on how many times a washable mask could be worn before washing it. I dont have Facebook so unfortunately can't check any groups.
@noeuf I saw a woman fiddle about with her vape with rubber gloves on. Thats the issue with gloves and masks, it makes some people think they're invincible!

[SouthWestmom]

I queued behind a woman wearing a mask yesterday. She kept moving it to one side to vape. Made me laugh so much I had to silently shake rather than alert her

[Meredithgrey1]

Whilst in this thread does anybody know about masks not being recommended for people with asthma

When Nicola sturgeon recommended then for certain places (public transport etc) I think she said that asthmatics wouldn't have to - I mean, she didn't make it compulsory anyway so no one has to, but she specifically mentioned asthmatics and children under two as not being covered by the recommendation.

[bellinisurge]

For the inner filter that is. Which seems a bit "put a paper bag on your head in the event of a nuclear strike "

[bellinisurge]

CDC says use a coffee filter. I've seen the suggestion of a dried out unused baby wipe.

[bellinisurge]

Nothing you can make will be hospital grade . I'm making some for us because I can sew. I've told dh just to use a scarf. He has a shemaugh thing which would work in the same way any cotton face covering would work which is not very well. And only better than nothing if you don't kid yourself you are protecting yourself.

[ginghamstarfish]

Google the topic OP, there is a great deal of info around. I've been making masks for weeks now and there are so many groups on FB etc, with much discussion of different styles, how to care for them etc. BTW the ones linked to - 7 layers seems a bit excessive! Not sure how you would breathe, it seems to be mostly recommended that 2 layers are sufficient, perhaps with a removable filter.

[TheCanterburyWhales]

There are many different kinds. Some protect the wearer more, some are to prevent the wearer from sneezing and coughing over others.
Here (Italy) we've been in them (and gloves) for weeks- not compulsory, though some places won't let you in (some food shops) unless you're wearing one and all shop workers have been in them for about 2 months.
We have homemade cotton ones. If you have homemade washable ones, advice here is to put a tissue inside then you can wear the mask more than once.
As we enter "stage 2" on Monday with more places opening up, and people being allowed out again to do more than shop, I have a feeling the mask wearing will become more strictly insisted on.

[WhiteChocTwix]

Sorry wrong thread!

[WhiteChocTwix]

"that's a really important question"!

[redtickreturn]

I wear surgical masks all day at work and it's vile. Suffocating, dry, hard to talk excessively without feeling breathless etc. Whatever is over your face will become quite damp unless you do nothing in them so they will need changing regularly, probably every couple of hours.

I won't be wearing them outside of hospital as I don't believe anything other than medical masks offer the protection that isn't offset against how relaxed it makes people feel and they stop social distancing, hand washing etc.

[QualityFeet]

Teaching in a mask? It would be soggy pretty quick🤔

[RingtheBells]

Nothing is really going to be that good so I would probably wear what is most comfortable, easy to wash and cheap.

[NoMorePoliticsPlease]

I see the charcoal filter in the etsy ones are not approved medically

[bellinisurge]

I'd rather make than buy. At least I'm not wasting my money and know what I'm getting.

[bellinisurge]

I meant to add it also reduces ever so slightly the spread of your "droplets ". It's not a fix all. At all.

[bellinisurge]

I agree it doesn't "protect" you and it barely protects others from you. But it appears to do the latter a bit in so far as it makes you remember not to touch your face. But if you don't use it properly, it can make you more at risk.

[Coffeecak3]

Hope this link works.

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=525241098400814&id=100027447856111

[NoMorePoliticsPlease]

They are of minimal use except in extremely close proximity wher socail disatncing cant happen. They are largely ineffective unless used as in hospitals. I think they will mostly be optional

[FliesandPies]

So some conflicting advise here about how often they can be used before being washed?

I think that's always going to be the way with all such CV-related things!

Personally I would wear the mask for a day, putting it on and taking off as appropriate then wash and hang up to dry at the end of the day, for next day's use.