First Minister recommending face covering

[Blueblackrose]

Definately seeing more people wearing masks when out shopping but i think I would feel really self conscious wearing one so not looked into it.

However after the announcement today that we should consider covering our faces I'm having a rethink. Where do you even start to get masks in Scotland though and are cloth ones that you wash recommend?

I don't really have anything to use either. Would feel a bit of a tit wearing one too

I've ordered some washable ones from Groupon just in case

I think (and I didn't hear the briefing myself so apologies if this is wrong) the guidance was to cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or similar - there's no requirement to find medical grade masks. This was advised for when in enclosed spaces like supermarkets where it's sometimes difficult to maintain 2m distance, and not for being outdoors.

I don't own a scarf either

I've got fabric so could make some, there's a few easy to follow guides.

I wonder if there's evidence that the virus lingers longer than previously thought (in the air I mean) otherwise why wear a mask. Because if you've got symptoms you shouldn't be out.

A lot of people have no symptoms though

people are DIY their own masks, i wonder if these make a difference...

Please don't use medical grade maks, save them for medical people. We have already lost twice the quantity of medical staff that Italy has.

Make your own

thestitchingscientist.com/2020/03/how-to-sew-a-face-mask.html

Scarves slip about a bit and can make you fiddle with your face. Try to make a couple of fabric masks and see what is comfortable. When we couldn't get masks at work, I made a lot and these were the two which were generally comfortable.

In countries that have done lots of testing, it has been discovered that up to half of infected people do not have symptoms. You can have it but not know, then you kill grandma.

There are hundreds of hand made ones available on Etsy. Just make sure they can be washed at 60 degrees and several layers are better than one layer of fabric.

Dh has cheapie ones through work he is wearing one out to work and the supermarket I would feel a bitof a fanny wearing one .

Dd has a few cotton scarves she rotates

A friend is making some for me. I am asthmatic though and hate having my nose and mouth covered, and my breathing obstructed. I am going to find it very difficult to wear one without triggering a panic attack at not being able to breathe easily

Our corner shop had them in weeks ago people were saying we won't be needing them !

dementedma you'd probably be best with a concertina or a duck billed mask. Google them.

Nicola specifically mentioned asthmatics as to why this was just general guidance to wear masks/scarves in enclosed spaces and not mandatory, as it was recognised that it would be difficult for asthmatics to wear masks, so shouldn't be expected to.

My DH (NHS) has to wear them at work. So far he's had skin problems round his mouth, infected and sore dry skin. Now headaches and wheezing. He managed to pick up a latex free one from a ward and that seems slightly better. I really don't want to have to wear one to be honest. It's extremely likely we've both had it though. We'll probably never be certain as we weren't tested at the time and may have had antibodies that might not last, or didn't have a big enough dose to get enough antibodies, and we don't test for that either at the moment anyway (or have a reliable test).

Therefore we are still following all the same guidance regardless. I'd really rather not have to wear a mask or a scarf.

I think the SNP guidance to wear a nose and mouth covering in certain spaces is the right call. Like previous posters have mentioned, the science suggests it doesn’t stop you catching covid-19 but if you are asymptomatic then it could reduce the chances of you passing it on.

I would like see to the wearing of masks become more acceptable and commonplace for all respiratory infections in the future though, like they do in the Far East. I regularly wear a buff and cover me nose and mouth with it when needed and find air pollution doesn’t affect me as much when I’m out cycling or walking in the city/town.

Nobody likes change and being told what to do, I certainly don’t. This is, in the greater scheme of things such a small change which could make a difference; surely that’s worth pursuing?
A lot of change comes about due to society and people changing habits rather than science (obviously there are exceptions).

With the majority of folks wearing one I think it’s fine if you are asthmatic and you cannot wear one. However, I wonder what asthmatics do in China when the have a respiratory infection: do they wear a special mask?

"SNP guidance"

Well......I'm hoping it was government rather than SNP specifically.

Relocated Scot, our State requires us to wear a fabric mask when in indoor public areas.
It is fairly easy to make fabric masks but not a lot of fun to wear one.
I felt a prat the first time I wore one but I've got used to it and everyone is doing it now ( well I saw one person without one in the supermarket and they stood out)

Oops waxonfeckoff, I’m sorry my mistake. yes it was the Scottish government rather than the SNP.

As a deaf woman, I am not happy about this guidance at all.

Its difficult enough to hear and be understood in turn without a mask covering everyone's mouths. It makes sound muffled and prevents lipreading. How the hell am I meant to communicate with my colleagues, the shop worker, or even the doctor if I get sick?

But as long as everyone else is okay, deaf people don't matter.

Wee Krankie trying to get one up on the UK government as always. So I'll hold off until the UK government tells me what to do. Thank god I can work from home for now but it means I can't go anywhere at all, not even to get my shopping. So thanks Nicola for making an already isolated woman feel even more so.

Most countries who are wearing face coverings have lower numbers of deaths.

Germany are making it compulsory now with fines for non compliance.

The evidence says it can reduce risk of the wearer passing their infection to others.

The Scottish Government guidance says clearly that it's just advice atm, that it's to be used alongside proper hygiene and that it's not for asthmatics or others with breathing issues. It's advised for in transport or shops. Not to be medical type ppe but face coverings for instance scarves or cloth homemade masks, to be washed/replaced.

I honestly cannot understand people who get angry at Nicola Sturgeon/the SNP for the above. It's following other countries' experience, anecdotal data (it seems The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Austria dropped from 90 to 10 cases per one million people, two weeks after the government required everyone to wear a face mask on April 6). It's coming from the Scottish government not Nicola Sturgeon personally

Those waiting until the UK Government catches up. Do you think they have managed things well up to now? Did you watch Panorama the other day? It won't be long before they catch up and advise on face coverings I am guessing (late as ever)

(I am not happy with Nicola Sturgeon having followed the UK as much as she has. Scotland could and should have done better. She has been trying not to rock the boat IMO but when common sense and science is being ignored the Scottish government need to do what's right when they can.)

Bonnieweelass

I'm pretty sure it wasn't personal, and based on this thread I don't think a lot of people will wear them anyway. I don't think Nicola Sturgeon (yes, that's her name) was purely aiming to 'get one over' on the UK government but if you'd rather wait for UK government advice, knock yourself out. They've called it SO well so far.

I've noticed how good the signers are at the WM Government Press Briefings compared to the one who is at every the Scottish Government Press Briefing