Coronavirus is airborne - mask up

[parietal]

I recently commented on a thread about hand-washing that the coronavirus is airborne and a bunch of people jumped on to argue. Here, I want to make the case that this thing really is airborne and that is what we need to focus on

Back in Feb / March, we did not know much about the virus but now there is more and more evidence that this thing spreads through the air. Not just big droplets on surfaces, and not just someone coughing in your face. Just breathing the same air as an infected person is enough to spread the virus.

Most of these papers are from
twitter.com/AliNouriPhD/status/1305899457540771847?s=20 who is a molecular biologist. I'm just summarising them here

1. In a call centre in Korea, 1 person infected 94 out of 216 colleagues on the same floor. The people who caught covid worked in the same room but at distant desks. Others on the same floor (sharing lifts & bathrooms) did not catch it.

2. Restaurant in china with 5 big round tables. 3 tables had a re-circulating aircon system above all 3 - one covid case at the middle table spread to 9 people at the other 2 tables. But there were also 2 tables on a different aircon system and none of the people at those tables got covid.

3. In Starbucks in Korea, one lady with covid spent an hour chatting to a friend. 26 people in the same starbucks got infected BUT the 4 employees (who were wearing masks) did not
   edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-08-25-20-intl/h_d88a8d6e5ee96dd569bd1be5d494de45

4. the virus has been captured in air at least 5m from patients and can survive for 16 hours in the air

The more we understand about the virus, the better we can defend against it. And all this data suggests that the most important thing is don't breathe the same air - big open spaces with fresh air are good. And if you can't stay in an open space, wear a mask.

Well, I really am sorry that happened to you, and I have seen a lot of the vile comments that are made. I think that attitudes to people with disabilities, visible or invisible, the elderly, the simply deemed 'old' at 50 or 60, the writing off of the 'vulnerable' at whatever state of health they may actually have otherwise, and whatever age they might be, and who they are, is absolutely disgusting and incomprehensible in a sane society. It's really frightening.

the comments on here grated because DH is mask exempt. Im not against mask wear but just think the exempt should be left alone. If those of us who can wear them do that is enough to make a difference. Its the same with supermarket workers. There will be some who can and some who cant.

Totally agree with your post of 2.14

Yeah, I see what you mean. If it was up to me the title would read, "The virus is airborne - mask up, if you can."

I just feel so sad. All over the world, people are bravely going out to work in people-facing roles, keeping things going, whether they work in hospitals or supermarkets or on the transport system or schools, and being exposed to this thing, which may or may not kill them in a horrible fashion. I don't want good people to die before their time because they or some others thought the whole coronavirus thing was a beat up. Anyway, I hope you and your DH stay well.

Same to you and yours @cbt944

@HeIenaDove

that’s a rather selfish, bitter and twisted way to approach life methinks

Its almost as if actions have consequences.

The action of having children? Of not having children? What on earth are you on about?

The actions of treating ppl who are exempt like shit because they cant wear a mask.

The only people I know who have exemption cards don’t have any reason to have them, they are clear that they are against wearing them full stop (and don’t believe in the pandemic ).

This makes it difficult for those who genuinely can’t wear them.

What makes it difficult for people who genuinely can't wear them is not the piss takers, it's the self-appointed mask police.

They could very easily just stop.

Helena what does that have to do with childless people gloating when schools are shut? It isn’t solely parents criticising people for not wearing masks, any more than all childfree people are nobly defending people with invisible disabilities who can’t wear masks.

I just cannot see what one thing has to do with the other, aside from you wanting to stick the boot in to parents and using this as an excuse. Plenty of parents are rape/DV survivors, should they gloat when schools are shut too, or should we point and laugh at them for being fucked in two ways?

There have been plenty of parents on here sticking the boot into people who cant wear masks.

With me so far?

Some of those who cant wear masks will be childless or child free.

Im being as clear as i can.

These are the ones who may resent any legislation that may come in which may favour parents.
When they have spent the last few months having the boot stuck into them they might not be too willing to make those sacrifices if they are asked.

@LangClegsInSpace I totally agree. The "its the piss takers" rhetoric was/is the same one used for disability benefits.

So you can certainly spot the right wingers who now suddenly want to embrace socialism. Because individualism doesnt really work during a pandemic.

Jay Rayner
@jayrayner1
·
Sep 23
This just in. If your car is chauffeur-driven you will not need to wear a mask. A cynical person would point out that this means the cabinet, being driven around in government cars, have exempted themselves. But I am NOT that cynical person. We're all in this together. and so on.

twitter.com/jayrayner1/status/1308778234172108800?s=20

All in this together folks All in this together.

Even mask wearing has been very slow to get in place here.
Dear jenny harries said there was no evidence.
It's common sense! Anything that moves, covid drops is going to help disperse and move it.

I wish the students that can wore masks in class, so many sneezes, cough...

I hope their chauffeurs go on strike.

The people championing the rights of many not to wear masks. I think you are doing them a disservice. If they can't possibly wear a piece of light fabric over their mouth and nose for 30 minutes in Asda, how on earth will they cope with being on a CPAP machine for days as a time, or intubated in intensive care. Even if they aren't hospitalised, struggling to breathe on days 8-14 at home alone won't be a picnic.
Seriously, unless you have COPD, severe asthma or a similar condition, protect yourself from getting a very busy respiratory infection. Wear a thin mask when you are inside or close to people for your own sake.

We wear masks to protect others @DianaT1969 no?

I can't wear a mask= I'm willing to increase my risk of catching Covid and spending time in ICU on a ventilator, or with a CPAP covering my face and mouth for days in hospital, or at home struggling to breathe without help.

Let's support people with COPD and other serious health problems to be able to go mask free, by wearing masks to protect them and ourselves.

Let's support people with COPD and other serious health problems to be able to go mask free, by wearing masks to protect them and ourselves

I thought thats what we were doing.

@HeIenaDove

There have been plenty of parents on here sticking the boot into people who cant wear masks.

With me so far?

Some of those who cant wear masks will be childless or child free.

Im being as clear as i can.

These are the ones who may resent any legislation that may come in which may favour parents.
When they have spent the last few months having the boot stuck into them they might not be too willing to make those sacrifices if they are asked.

Like I said, this sounds very bitter and twisted. Being generous, it’s just odd and not well thought out.

Most people are grown up enough to not think like this.

Weird that you have said “parents” have stuck the boot in. I don’t see parents as the common denominator. May as well say “people with brown eyes” or “people who live in villages”.

Can’t you see it’s a flawed argument?

Very odd!

Im grown up enough thank you. Im simply pointing out if people cant take it then they shouldnt dish it out.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-54283453

Asda mask row: Man with dementia 'told to leave shop'
By Greig Watson

A woman has said she was shocked at being told to leave an Asda supermarket because her partner, who has dementia, was not wearing a mask.
Amanda Jeffrey said she was immediately challenged when the couple went into her local branch.
Staff refused to accept a "hidden disability" card carried by the couple and ordered them out of the shop.
Asda has apologised to the couple and promised they will not be challenged again.

Asda recently announced it would enforce rules on face coverings more strictly.
Mrs Jeffrey said she went into her local branch in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, on Thursday morning with her partner, Aubrey Green.
She said: "I've been getting treatment for cancer and Aubrey was diagnosed with dementia last year, so I've been sheltering.
"But we have been out a few times and not had a problem before.
"But as soon as we went through the doors a member of staff shouted over: 'Why aren't you wearing a mask?

"I was so surprised I thought they were talking to someone else.
"Once I realised it was us I said we had a hidden disability card but they said that wasn't accepted and I needed a letter from the GP.
"And all this was shouted over us, not discussed with a bit of basic courtesy".
Latest news and stories from the East Midlands
The couple left but Mrs Jeffrey said their treatment had a disturbing effect.
"I was shocked but Aubrey was left confused and agitated.
"He couldn't understand what we had done wrong and was really upset."
In a statement Asda said its staff "are fully trained to follow the latest government guidance".
"[They] will politely ask all customers to wear a face covering, unless they have a reason not to," a spokesman said.
"Clearly we got it wrong on this occasion and we have spoken to Ms Jeffrey to apologise for her experience.

Ah, but were that elderly couple childfree, Helena? Until we know that, I’m not sure whether I should be outraged on their behalf or think it serves them right for procreating.

Surely you should be asking that of Asda. They are the ones who stuck the boot in. Nice try at twisting it though.

On the tram yesterday and the 4 people not wearing a mask: a pair of teenaged girls travelling together and two separate middle aged men who looked like they weren't going to be dictated to by the sheeple.

There were a fair few others wearing masks under their noses, mind.