Masks

[SMJYellow]

I know the jury is out on the wearing of masks for the public in public/indoor environments.

In the news, there's talk about asymptomatic spread. Also I read that the virus spreads in the usual way via droplets from coughs and sneezes. I also read it can be spread by breath and just my talking. I mean, that's fairly scary. Can colds spread like that.

I know we had issues of PPE for the healthcare professionals. I don't see any harm in fabric/cloth/reusable masks, especially masks with a filter pocket.

I reckon it's only a matter of time before the government will recommend the wearing of cloth masks for the public when in indoor public environments.

(a little of topic - I bought some fabric masks from sewers on etsy for the family and my mother turned her nose up at them. She wants the surgical masks. If you're lucky to find them, there's price gouging going on. I'm slightly upset about that. I meant well and she snubbed me. The masks I bought aren't good enough for her. I will be using them myself).

I think I meant fibreglass there, apologies

Thanks @StrawberryJam200 wouldn't have occurred to me to check that!

Report today it enters through the eyes too. Full on Perspex visor required now!

The reports about the virus entering the eyes surely it's more of a reason to cover up with masks - to reduce droplet transmissions.

Masks won't stop you getting it but they might reduce the possibility of you spreading it, particularly if you are showing no symptoms yourself.
Yes, there's a risk of lulling yourself and other people into a false sense of security.
Wash immediately after use. Change regularly. Wash your hands after touching. Store in a plastic bag when you take it off. Use something like a coffee filter or a dried up fragrance free baby wipe as a filter. Even kitchen roll.
Absolutely not a thing to protect you. Maybe a thing to reduce the risk you pose to other people.
Easy to make yourself.

www.euractiv.com/section/coronavirus/opinion/facemasks-against-covid-19-why-slovakia-became-the-trailblazer/

The problem with masks is that they give many people a false sense of security. They think it's OK to hug friends and family if they wear masks.

But you also have to take them off correctly, wash them between uses and make sure you wash your hands after handling them and before touching your uncovered face. Otherwise you've potentially got a contaminated item attached to your face which you contaminate yourself with in the process of taking it off.

Members of the public absolutely should not be using 'proper' disposable masks meant for medical staff, care workers and others like retail staff who need protection while at work. There simply isn't the supply available and we've all seen the litter they produce due to a minority just dropping them all over the place.

The same goes for gloves. Most members of the public simply don't understand how to wear them effectively. Once you've touched something wearing the gloves, everything else you touch is now potentially contaminated, so unless you're changing them very regularly, eg on exit from the supermarket before getting in the car, you're still at risk of contaminating yourself. Much better to just keep washing your hands.

We would need a very detailed public information campaign on the correct use of PPE before it is actually worth doing as a widespread protection measure for members of the public.

You're right, Barbara. But as it is so alien to all of us, a public information film would be a good idea. And then we all have a UK based resource to follow.
It wouldn't be difficult to produce one.

We've ordered some cloth ones from Etsy in preparation for them to become the norm.

When I do go back to work then it'll be via public transport. I'd like to do my bit and not spread whatever germs I do have in a metal tube.

Trouble is the amount of people I've seen wearing them then touching their face and adjusting them , my mum see a lady in the supermarket the other day. She removed it to cough then put it back on

Again a public information film could address proper use and limits of its protectiveness.

Don't buy. Make.

I'm making a batch for family with massive provisos about use and effectiveness. One of them offered me money. Obviously I said no.

I have a mixture of cotton masks (some bought, some made) and paper ones. I am in Italy and we have to wear them to go shopping or anywhere where you are close to others. I wanted to make some with two layers of cotton and a filter but tbh even two layers of cotton is quite hard to breathe through especially now it's hot outside.

If other countries have seemingly managed to handle this situation more effectively in some ways - shouldn't we be taking note of how and just seeing if we can do the same...

Vietnam - on the border with China:

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/viet-nam/

My understanding is that if you wear one you're less likely to pass on the virus. The main things that will help you stay safe however are remaining at a distance from other people and washing your hands regularly/not touching your face. Masks may help with not touching your face if you do this sub consciously.

@bellinisurge

Agreed a public information would be good... one just showing the simple measures we should be taking...

Making and wearing a homemade mask - particularly when shopping or on public transport

Regularly washing hands

Working at home and staying at home as much as possible

Social distancing of at least 2m

@Easilyanxious I guess that just shows the common misunderstanding that the wearer is protected by the mask rather than those around them.....

@StrawberryJam200

There is some evidence they can protect you also, but they are much more about protecting others.

Most of the developed world has spent the last 2 months making, encouraging and educating on masks

~ apart from some Asian countries where it was already the norm due to SARs. And even there they have been equipping every resident.

So maybe not too difficult for the UK to get some knowhow... google translate …. ?

It would be easier to teach people how to use masks properly if the government hadn’t already confused people by lying and saying they didn’t protect the wearer.

Seems in UK most people would rather argue til they are blue in the face that masks are useless, at best dangerous...… Well, maybe wait a year and look back on this....

The Document has finally mentioned masks ...

The biggest effect of masks is to prevent the wearer from infecting others, but of course they also protect the wearer to an extent. Even the UK government has been saying from the start that you should wear one if you are caring for a sick family member. Which wouldn't make a lot of sense if masks did not have any protective effect for the wearer.

page 27 - "face-coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstances"

"Even the UK government has been saying from the start that you should wear one if you are caring for a sick family member." You do not know to start with (or maybe at all) that someone is sick with covid.

Johnson with his love of Churchill could really get behind the campaign for people to start making masks if he wanted to:

dig-for-victory.org.uk/growing-advice/dig-victory-leaflets-ww2/