Do you think we should be wearing face masks? And if so why aren't more people doing it?

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

That's all really...just interested in others opinions..

Even the masks made out of socks? I don't want to get a false sense of security. If someone official was to come on TV and give clear instructions I'd take that more seriously.

I'm in Germany, where it has been compulsory to wear a mask (a scarf or bandanna will do as well) on public transport, in shops, doctor's surgeries etc. for a month now. I bought a good number of cloth masks on the internet, and you can buy them in lots of places locally now. I have some colourful ones as I thought I might as well make a fashion statement. I'll buy some more if I see some I like.

Honestly, I thought it would bother me a lot (I wear glasses and if I don't put on the mask a certain way, they fog up), but even after a month it already has become routine. I have at least two masks in my handbag when I go out. They have to be washed at 60°C in between, so I collect a good number and wash them all once a week or so. It's really no big deal.

Ah so Germany had made them compulsory? Germany where this whole situation has been managed a dam site better than here? 8000 or so deaths compared to how many here?...I’m with Merkel on this one.

If masks are to be mandatory they will need to be government supplied.
You don't need to wait for proper masks to arrive or for nanny bojo to provide you with them - YouTube all the different ways of folding cotton scarves with hair scrunchies, pop a sheet of kitchen towel inside and you're good to go. Take responsibility.

You know if you have lung disease wearing a mask is not advised.

The problem with just looking on the Internet and YouTube is

A. Many of us don't have the time to do our own extensive research

B. The Internet is also full of people peddling crap like drinking bleach or shoving it up your arse to cure things

Most people have no idea how to wear and remove a mask properly, so that renders them ineffective. I wouldn't wear one because I cannot bear anything around my mouth/throat and I would puke. Even the thought of it makes me feel really queasy. I imagine it is much the same for people who are claustrophobic.

For those who think we should be wearing masks, how do you propose we eat and drink in a restaurant when they reopen?

Public transport yes because you're spending time sitting or standing next to other people.

Supermarket no because you're just walking past people.

I've been told by the government I shouldn't wear one at work (in a school). Yet it's suggested I wear one elsewhere when social distancing isn't possible. So which is it?

I'm also hearing impaired, so if they do become more common, unless everyone else is prepared to learn sign language, I'm not going to be hearing anything anyone is trying to say to me.

For those who think we should be wearing masks, how do you propose we eat and drink in a restaurant when they reopen?

Well over here, you either use a napkin or carry a plastic bag, you take off the mask, keep in the bag or wrap in the napkin, eat/drink, clean your hands and put it back on (or if you're not using a reusable one - bin the old one and put on a new one)

It's back to just using common sense;
walking my dog on a quiet road = don't wear a mask,
heading into the city on public transport or walking in populated city street = wear a mask.
going into a doctors, shop or private business that asks for masks = wear one.

It's about limiting the exchange of fluids in crowded or populated areas, it means you can be closer than 2m which in some circumstances is necessary or just part of getting back to 'normal' . The mask isn't a magic wand, it's part of steps such as taking temperatures, hand sanitizers, not sharing meals,

Nope!

I live in part of Germany where there have been very few cases, and there are a lot of people who think the virus is a hoax (or something along those lines). Masks are mandatory here on public transport, in shops etc., and so most people wear them. If the masks were not mandatory, people would not wear them, as the anti-maskers would make fun of them, or they would be afraid of that happening, or embarrassed to look as if they were especially scared.

If they're not mandatory, people will avoid them as much as they can.

These are cloth masks. I've made a dozen of the things out of old t-shirts. You can then take several with you to replace as needed and give them a hot wash in the evening.

@DarkMutterings how do you chat with people in the pub and restaurants? I have a deaf friend, how will she lip read with us in public places?!

As an example, the cinemas have just reopened here. You wear a mask to go in the cinema and get your tickets, and can then take it off once you are sitting in your assigned seat. Put it on again to go out of the cinema, take it off when you get outside. Put it on when the tram is coming, take it off when you get off the tram.

how do you chat with people in the pub and restaurants?
You're only allowed to go into restaurants with people in your "circle". In the restaurant, once at the table, you take off the mask.

In restaurants you're not wearing one, they can only book to 50 capacity, maximum number of people is 8 (was 4 up to recently). In fairness servers wear them so that would be hard for her. Pubs similar smaller gatherings, less people, bar staff in masks.

But in fairness since SARS a large chunk of people wear masks each flu season anyway so it really isn't an issue.

It's not perfect, you still see people having a fag or talking on their phone with their mask wrapped round their chin but walking in the city, lifts, public transport, queuing in smaller spaces - most folk are in them.

can only book to 50% capacity,

also @bulletjournalbilly if your friend is worried, she could also think about putting the free Google Transcribe app on her phone just in case. It writes out what people are saying and has some settings to ignore background noise etc. Don't know how good it would be in a very noisy setting, but it's pretty good when it's quiet.

*The problem with just looking on the Internet and YouTube is

A. Many of us don't have the time to do our own extensive research

B. The Internet is also full of people peddling crap like drinking bleach or shoving it up your arse to cure things*

I don't think advice about how to fold a bandana would be harmful though, do you? Anyway, it's more about taking responsibility - wear a mask/don't wear a mask, buy one/make one, do what feels right for you. When people bang on about the government providing masks, where do they think the money comes from? How much would be wasted on admin? Do you want to put money in China's coffers for masks? Personally, not a b**lock!

I don't think it should be compulsory.

Some deaf people rely on facial expressions to communicate, if they are made compulsory how do we get around that 🤔

I should add, I think they give a false sense of security. In the supermarket a couple of weeks ago, a lady wearing a mask couldn't have gotten any closer to me. Arm to arm, skin on skin close. It didn't bother me but I did think what the hell is the point in wearing a mask if you're happy to come that close anyway.

I've come across plenty of people without masks coming too close to me. If someone is going to come too close, it's better for me if they are wearing a mask.

I helped an old lady who was about to collapse the other day, and I have to say that I felt pretty bad I wasn't wearing a mask at the time, with her being old. Couldn't just let her collapse and whack her head on the ground, though!

Some deaf people rely on facial expressions to communicate, if they are made compulsory how do we get around that 🤔

I've seen a few clear ones made by charities for that reason but obviously they need everyone to be wearing them.