Face Masks

[retrocop]

It appears that the government has now decided that face masks have some efficacy and are suggesting it would be a condition when lock down ends for workers to wear them and when using Public Transport
Our London Mayor is now saying he will INSIST the public wear them. About 10 days ago his LT workers were crying out for them and he told them,at the time, they were not necessary but gave them gloves instead.


https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/will-we-all-have-to-wear-a-face-mask-after-lockdown-ministers-discuss-plans-to-force-workers-to-wear-protective-gear-at-work-and-on-public-transport/ar-BB12KnUf?li=BBoPWjQ

[naomi24]

I don't know why anyone argues against face masks. Whether they're effective against the virus or not wearing one can't do any harm.

[fiction-factory]

PP was adamant they don't work. The WHO was against them for general use.
But I said to PP a week or so ago that the tide is turning.
Provided they don't deplete stocks for carehomes, healthworkers etc I can see more countries adopting them for the public even if only to be seen to be doing something.

[retrocop]

Agreed.

[Zacs-Master]

There are learned schools of thought who say they do more harm than good:
https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/14/coronavirus-uk-wearing-mask-harm-good-warns-dr-hilary-12552448/

https://www.womanandhome.com/health-and-wellbeing/health-wellbeing-news/expert-masks-advice-356045/

https://www.triumvirate.com/blog/coronavirus-how-can-wearing-face-masks-do-more-harm-than-good

[fiction-factory]

I agree on balance, naomi- or at least don't feel strongly either way- but I think the argument is that they give a false sense of security and people misuse them

[Cloverjo]

My dad gave me some masks that he uses while wood-turning. I don’t know they’d be any good, and if so whether they’d protect me or the people around me.

[Zacs-Master]

It’s now established thought that they protect others, not yourself (well, not after about 10 mins and certainly not if they’re the cheap type which leave gaps around the edge).

[ichkeria]

Wearing them because they can’t do any harm seems an odd way of looking at it when you consider the overhead of doing it properly.
But it doubtless makes some people feel better. Although there have been mutterings about “false sense of security”

[woofgang]

naomi actually some kinds can be harmful. They can provide a nice damp warm place for virus to huddle right by your mucus membranes. If not properly removed and disposed of or properly cleaned they can spread the virus especially using them domestically. If not properly adjusted and constantly need readjustment or are just fiddled with, they transfer virus from the mask to the hands.

[fiction-factory]

I have noticed people wearing them when shopping too often touch or fiddle with their mask or remove it for short periods to talk

[jim360]

I may be mistaken about this but I'm fairly sure that this is a decision that would be reached because of political pressure more than anything. The "they can't do any harm" attitude is oversimplistic: anything that has only a limited effect if used properly, but may actually worsen the damage if used improperly, ought to be carefully considered. For example, wearing face masks may encourage people to be more relaxed about social distancing, which would be a clear mistake.

Only proper masks can be regarded as truly effective -- and even then they aren't perfect, of course -- and they are best left available for the frontline healthcare workers who need them most.

[woofgang]

jim I agree. I really hope that this decision won't be made on the basis that "people want us to do something" So far this has been avoided I think.

[woofgang]

Masks, even lighweight ones are hot, sticky and uncomfortable to wear. Even the medical and care staff who are used to them say this.

[gness]

Our GP, very early on, asked us to make masks for the local nurse and home care helper.
He then asked if we could make enough for the time when the whole village would be required to wear them.
He and we know that wearing a mask is for the benefit of others rather than the wearer. As Zacs says the virus can enter through the eye.
As the lockdown eases it takes just one non-mask-wearing asymptomatic person in close proximity to others to pass on the virus - if such a person is wearing a mask, then it might just reduce/remove the risk.

[jennyjoan]

sorry for regressing retro - gness what about your mother

[ToraToraTora]

the facts have not changed, most of the of face masks the public have serve no purpose whatsoever. In fact they could actually make things worse if people believe they are some kind of protection.

[gness]

Not had today's information, JJ but not eating or drinking.....just hanging on. Being such a strong woman is doing her no favours now...x

[ToraToraTora]

the virus is 1 x 10**-7 across, much smaller than the holes in most masks. It's like trying to keep a dog in a cage with 1 yard between the bars.

[NickorWan]

You cough droplets that contain the virus. You don't cough individual viruses!

[Ellipsis]

It seems to me ...

... the main reason to wear a facemask is that if you have CV-19 and don't know that you've got it (because if you knew, you shouldn't be out), it reduces the chances of you passing it on to someone else
... the main reason not to wear a facemask is that if you don't have CV-19 and have never had it then, unless you're properly trained and very competent in the use of a facemask, you're increasing your chances of catching CV-19 by using a facemask