Isn't the solution everyone in N95 masks?

[Miljea]

Just thinking....

I don't know what the transmission rate of viruses from N95 mask wearers is; I assume it's low. Am prepared for correction, here!

But, what about, instead of 'lockdown until vaccine' (whenever that might be) mass production, fit-testing and mandatory wearing of such masks for those able to do so?

It's not a great 'new normal', but surely possibly more effective than acrylic barriers?

[cotswoldsapple]

A mumsnetta posted this week this WHO guidance which was in place until January 2020

[cotswoldsapple]

It says Pandemic : Face masks for public

[MyHipsDontLieUnfortunately]

If you don’t regularly wear a face mask, they are very uncomfortable and difficult to get used too (n95 more than more basic types). Every time you touch the mask, you need to remove and disposed of it, wash you hands and start again. It isn’t feasible in this country, people won’t do it - or use them properly.
In Asia, people wear masks routinely if they have a cold/virus, so are used to them and know how they work.

So perhaps wear them or stay in.

I'm a bit fed up of excuses and reasons why not (not aimed at anyone on this thread). The only true reason why the public is not required to wear masks is because we don't have them and neither does the govt want to fund them.

[MyHipsDontLieUnfortunately]

Bold fail for the first paragraph.

[Wingedharpy]

Found my own info, thanks OP.

It's called a C U face mask and looks very simple to use.
Hong Kong folk register their details and they are delivered to them at home.
They are individually washed in soap and cold water.

There is an accompanying video showing how to use them.

Provision of these would surely be cheaper financially, than what we're currently spending on doing not very much?

[Wingedharpy]

The copper element of the mask is interesting as I remember reading in the early days that the virus only survives on copper for 4 hours.

[MRex]

Chances of our just-2 year old and little friends wearing one effectively are zero. Under 2s can't safely wear a mask at all. Work from home a lot of the time anyway and always for the rest of this year at least. Face masks wouldn't help us at all. I do think they should be mandatory on public transport though, and that might mean we could have our cleaner back safely when R is low enough.

[Ponoka7]

MRex, children under 7 don't have to wear masks. Don't you ever leave the house? I don't understand how people wearing masks wouldn't help you?

[ErrolTheDragon]

I don't think people in Japan etc wear the N95 type, do they?

If everyone who can wears a mask which reduces the chance of them infecting others if they're an asymptomatic carrier, while recognising this is imperfect and so still maintaining distancing, hand hygiene etc, then that should make a useful contribution to reducing R.

Everyone being as sensible and responsible as they can in their circumstances, basically.

n95 type masks may be useful if you've got someone in your household with CV, to reduce the chances of you getting a large viral load from them.

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

I would.just like the.option to protect myself, rather than having to hope that others will protect me ie by wearing a mask, maintaining distance, staying at home if they are supposed to.

We aren't making everyone.wear masks so people are free to choose not to, even if that puts others at risk. It would be helpful if people had the choice to wear n95 type masks, for their own protection. At least then maybe I could get back to work.

[MRex]

@Ponoka7 - We go for walks outside and that's it. I think everyone should wear masks, especially on pubic transport, I was simply saying that it wouldn't affect our life because I can't put a mask on my son so I won't take pubic transport, go to shops etc.

[Motorina]

Most N95 (and, for that matter, FFP3) masks are valved, with the valve opening on expiration. That means that they protect the user (inspired air is filtered) but do nothing at all to protect anyone else.

There are valveless N95 available, but sourcing them is interesting.

They're also hot and uncomfortable to wear for protracted periods of time, and need fit-testing to the individual. Fit test kits, chemicals, and trained staff to administer the test (takes around 20 mins) are also in short supply.

[ARoseInHarlem]

Masks don’t need to be of the level of protection and sterility as required in, say, an operating theatre or specific research labs. We know enough about viral loads and are adequately versed in social distancing for any reasonable type of mask to be enough to allow people out of their homes more than they currently are.

[Wellwhatalovelyday]

@ARoseInHarlem, so a homemade cotton mask has something to offer?

[ARoseInHarlem]

I’m not an authority, but it’s what I use to go for walks and to the supermarket. I’m not sharing a confined space with anyone for more than a few moments at a time, and I’m not touching possibly infected stuff and then touching my face. I don’t need surgical strength masks for these activities, as this corona virus needs my body to absorb more than a few droplets for me to become infected.

I won’t, therefore, be sipping coffee in Starbucks or a NT cafeteria for a long time to come, mask or no mask.

[LastTrainEast]

Whenever this comes up we hear that some people won't put them on properly and kids can't use them, but that doesn't mean they are no use at all. If it did then we should take them away from the NHS workers.

[ThisIsMeOrIsIt]

I hope they don't become mandatory. I rely on lipreading to help me communicate.

[PestymcPestFace]

A badly fitted N95 mask is fairly useless, less effective than two layers of chiffon.
In the right hands a N95 will save a health care works life but is jolly uncomfortable and will bruise their face. These masks need saving for the world's HCPs.

A fabric face covering worn by the majority of people would actually be more effective and implementable on a worldwide scale.

Make one www.unitypoint.org/cedarrapids/filesimages/Coronavirus/003902oo-1%20Olson%20Mask%20V07.pdf , buy one (£5 is a sensible price)

[PestymcPestFace]

Link for above table
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c03252#

[Hagisonthehill]

The cheapest ffp3 masks at the start of the pandemic cost £8 each,they are much more now.
They need to be fit tested for each individual or they just don't work.
I have tried 5 different kinds and non fit me d so I have a builders mask with filters as do many of my female colleagues as the disposable ones are too big.
Out of ITU and theatres we wear the waterproof masks ffp2 when treating any Covid patient.These are not fitted so don't offer the same protection.
However if everyone wore the simple cotton ones,or made some we could protect each other.(,but you need lots the change after eating or drinking or do as health staff do, don't eat and drink much)But no one outside care work mentions eye protection.

[Hagisonthehill]

For those that insist,but 1 ffp3 mask,fit it as tight as you can,wear it for 4-6 hours and then see if this is really what you want to wear with the attendant pressure sores and bruising.Even the ffp2 masks with earloops causes sores.
I don't think anyone makes them women's size despite us using 70%.
If it becomes compulsory I will make some or buy on Etsy.

[Dannn]

Yes but there aren’t enough for frontline healthcare staff never mind the general public. Also, once the mask had been worn once, if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 during that time then the outside of the mask will be contaminated so they should be single use.

Not at all realistic to suggest we should all be wearing them.

[ragged]

Singapore, HK & Japan both have rolling lockdown measures in last 6 weeks, don't they?

Korea, Singapore, Japan, HK: schools & universities have been mostly closed since March or earlier. It's not normal life at all.

I wonder how folk are coping for childcare there.

[Miljea]

TBF, I wear a FFP3 mask on a daily basis. I haven't got the slightest suggestion of 'pressure sores', and the type I wear really isn't that uncomfortable!

I have been fit tested (successfully), so I do know what I'm doing.

We reuse ours to an extent (as they are in short supply), as we know not to touch the outside of the mask as we carefully, slowly take it off and put it into a cardboard vomit bowl between use, one mask over a 4 hour period unless it gets contaminated. My customers are not symptomatic but we are doing a potentially aerosol generating procedure, hence the FFP3 mask.

The point I am making is surely, the expense and hassle of manufacturing enough FFP3, or even 2- masks, with either proper fit testing or sufficient public education has to be more cost-effective than this economy destroying lock-down?

[cotswoldsapple]

if we all did it for each other ...