If masks work. Most places are supposedly covid safe. Why are cases rising.

[LetsPlayAGame20]

Genuine question that's juts popped into my mind.

Surely if cases are rising and majority are following rules. Why are cases rapidly increasing

I have worked in schools for many years and have a business based in schools. I can assure you that schools are not ‘Covid safe’ and there is massive amounts of transmission in schools. Nothing will stop the acceleration of cases now apart from some sort of online learning and money pumped into schools to allow for part time, distanced schooling. University students all need to be sent home and study from home.

Local shop staff not wearing masks , nor are many customers

@DumplingsAndStew it says he's in hospital in Watford where he is on a work project.

[quote FatGirlShrinking]@DumplingsAndStew it says he's in hospital in Watford where he is on a work project.[/quote]
I thought that just meant he was based there, so had returned there from his holiday. I guess its open to interpretation but he said he was ill on holiday and got worse after returning home, so I figured he hasn't been back to work since flying back. Could be wrong though, I read very literally.

There's a huge desire to see "bad" people as spreading the virus recklessly. Not see that most transmission happens in domestic settings when people do ordinary close-contact interaction or receive personal care. People like having a villain 'out there' rather than assess risk objectively.

Also masks aren't cure alls, and hand-washing is quite unimportant to respiratory viruses. Although handwashing will stop you getting sick bugs which is nice.

Simple answer. Because its a microscopic virus doing what it does best.

More complex answer, the lack of an efficient and quick testing system has meant that people who were symptomatic have been able to pass it on. (Test process in Tier 2 have been taking longer than 4 days - meaning infectious people in high risk areas able to infect others) - this lead to exponential growth and once this happens - its then almost impossible to contain - without literally locking everyone up again.

Whilst I think suppression of Covid is very important (because novel virus leads to huge knock on issues as we have seen) - its also important to remember that passing it on is really not that dissimilar to flu or a cold - and we don't forensically disect where we picked up any other virus from in this way - its easy to demonise groups of people, or point the finger at schools and political decisions - and in reality it's and age old battle of human v virus.

@Showchin2, where did you get that picture? I keep looking but can't see that piechart or a similar list for UK. Cheers.

Viruses are micro, in fact nanoscopic. The cloth masks that Auntie Maureen makes and sells on FB are completely permeable to viruses, as are the standard surgical masks.

That would be so if viruses travelled through the air on their own. The fact that they do in fact travel encased in larger droplets means that masks still do have an important role to play.

I recommend to watch Ivor Cummings on YouTube. He explained it all very well.

No he didn't. Why listen to people with zero infectious disease expertise rather than people who actually do?

"deeply pseudoscientific and dangerous rubbish" a doctor: mobile.twitter.com/juniordrblog/status/1305861383607771137

"ridiculously wrong - in just about every way" a virologist:
mobile.twitter.com/MackayIM/status/1305982534530990081

"has shown himself to be scientifically illiterate over many years." another doctor:
mobile.twitter.com/MedCrisis/status/1306277327165427714

sonorouschocolate.com/covid19/index.php?title=Cummins-2020-09-08

Basic health measure like mask wearing and hand washing do suppress the virus, and we need to continue with those.

But we really need to also be looking at why tramsission is so high in socially deprived areas. There is a lot of sociatal inequality at play here and these are the issues that need examining. Years of austerity have a lot to answer for.

Masks aren't 100% safe and there are still lots of locations they're not worn (and about 20% of wearers still not covering their nose, which is where the virus takes hold ). I don't think it was ever suggested they'd prevent any rise in numbers, but they could stop them from rising as fast as they otherwise might.

People are not following the rules:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54146870

Police Scotland called to 405 house parties over weekend

Police officers were called out to 405 house parties across the country over the weekend following reports of breaches of coronavirus rules.

Six people were arrested and one fixed penalty notice was issued, Police Scotland said.

Not just Scotland I'd like to point out but just an example of what is happening.

Masks aren't very effective but the research shows they offer a slight net positive effect.

Because most cases are coming from places where people aren't wearing masks perhaps. Education and workplace settings are the cause of most new cases. The only time anyone wears a mask in my office is if they're seeing clients from outside. Otherwise everyone is just trying not to get too close to each other and most are still sharing the usual kitchen facilities. Not to mention that loads aren't wearing masks in situations they're meant to, or wearing them incorrectly and leaving their nose uncovered.

I'm torn between kids being asymptomatic and so not getting tested and bringing it home and just the general 'if I wear a mask I'm ok' thing people seem to have and then just everyone being out and about. It's always going to be safer if oure at home and so you've no chance of being near another person as opposed to you being near and trying to keep your distance

Ps I believe house parties are a cause too but not to the effect that most people do, I dont think every case is caused by a young person at a party

Because a lot of people haven't strictly followed guidelines since we were told a few weeks ago that restrictions were loosened. Also there are some areas of society where it is difficult to stick to rules - schools for example, people going to work, using public transport. obviously pose risks.

I have a 78 year old cousin who, with her partner of similar age, did not go out for months, had things delivered etc. Then things loosened up and they went out, being careful; both now have Covid-19.

I get your point. If masks and social distancing work, cases shouldn't get out of control...The evidence is really unclear about masks though.

jessstan2
Hope they're okay

If you look at the evidence - the highest rate of transmission is in the home - that's where people generally don't wear masks. It's where people will prepare food for each other, share a bathroom, share a bed, cuddle their children, etc.

The second place is schools. Children don't generally wear masks in the classroom, and we can all see in the media what's going on on University campus around the country at the moment. Schools as set up at the moment are not enforcing social distancing. Face masks are in the corridors in Secondary schools, and in many primary schools it's not at all.

The third place is care settings, where cases are high and PPE, although necessary, is not 100% protective. We do know that care homes are particularly vulnerable for transmission despite PPE, strict cleaning procedures etc.

Source: Weekly Covid surveillance report by Public Health England.

@KatherineJaneway

Police officers were called out to 405 house parties across the country over the weekend following reports of breaches of coronavirus rules.

Six people were arrested and one fixed penalty notice was issued, Police Scotland said.

That's ridiculous. Everyone should know the rules. That should have been at least 405 fixed penalty notices.

Covid secure is just a slogan that offers a false sense of security. The virus will spread indoors especially where there’s no distancing and masks aren’t worn.

Masks and distancing reduce the risk but they can’t completely eradicate it. Where masks and distancing aren’t in place indoors (homes, schools...) then aerosol transmission can occur.

This BMJ chart shows the differing risk in different settings.

The second place is schools.

Do you any reference for this? I know there are plenty of cases in schools but as all children go to school that's not surprising and doesn't imply it is spread around schools.

Do you have any reference for this?

Weekly Covid surveillance report by Public Health England and various supporting data.