Should You Be Wearing a Face Mask? Why Not?

[EngMac]

This might be worth reading.

peoplespharmacy.com/article...

[Jonathan_C]

We need this whole thinking to shift from 'can a mask protect you from infection' to 'masks stop infected people from spreading it, so if everyone wears a mask the virus will not spread'.

It is so simple for eastern societies to understand this and buy into because they think in the collective interest. But in the west, where individual rights are sacrosanct if you propose this then you get "this is the first step toward authoritarianism"

And they are really not difficult to make.

[Desanthony in reply to Jonathan_C]

You cans till get the infection from transferring with hands to your face. Masks have to be worn properly and put on and taken off properly to stop transferance from hands etc. Also, the virus can get in through the eyes. Also as we have seen here recently people are wearing gloves and then just throwing them away in the street thereby giving the virus a chance to spread. They should be bagged and binned. Again people think that just wearing masks and gloves means they don't have to wash their hands and adhere to social distancing rules - but these must still apply. A very interesting piece on More or Less on BBC Radio 4 and World Service this week.

[MarkS]

The latest issue of New Scientist has an article on whether face masks work against the coronavirus and if you should wear one.

Their conclusion is that the evidence suggests there may be a small benefit to wearing some kind of face covering. They do seem to prevent sick people from spreading the virus, but the evidence is weak and inconsistent. There is enough evidence to support mask-wearing for some frontline staff, such as those working in public transport or supermarkets, as well as vulnerable people who temporarily enter high-risk environments like hospitals.

If you do want to make your own mask, then vacuum cleaner bags seem to be most effective.

The article is here:

newscientist.com/article/22...

[BobD Volunteer in reply to MarkS]

A mask will not cover your eyes. That is why PPE for front line staff must include lexan face screen.

[10gingercats in reply to BobD]

Wrap around sunglasses may also help?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to 10gingercats]

Maybe but you look stupid at night. lol 😂

[10gingercats in reply to BobD]

May add a feature to banging my pots and pans at 8.p.m on a Thursday.

[Desanthony in reply to 10gingercats]

I like it! think I will do it this week.

[Auriculaire in reply to BobD]

stupid is a better look than the pallor of death. DIY masks are better than nothing. We have some left over from sanding. They are not really washable but left out in sunshine for several hours should sterlise them of virus.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Auriculaire]

Any body who has ever worn "safety glasses" whilst grinding will atest that they do not work. If metal particles can find a way into your eyes just think what a sneaky virus can do.

[irene75359]

Downstairs my dining table has been turned into a production line. I am making 30 three-layer masks for friends and family. The three layers comprises two very close woven cotton and the third cotton jersey. I have had to purloin some of my husband's t-shirts as I didn't have cotton jersey. So to answer your question, I am going to be wearing a mask as soon as I am finished making them. And yes, Bob is right, the eyes aren't protected but I wear sunglasses.

These measures mightn't stop me getting the virus, but then again it just might!

[Hidden in reply to irene75359]

I’ve gone back to wearing glasses from contact lenses even if it is only to stop me fiddling with my eyes when having my daily exercise.

[Finvola]

I think it is logical that a correctly-worn mask will offer more protection to everyone than open mouths and noses - perhaps full of virus - breathing, coughing and sneezing. The people used to dealing with viral diseases at the CDC certainly think so.

It's mask for me regardless of what I look like.

[Auriculaire]

The advice against masks was illogical. Given that it has been known for some time that people shed virus before they are symptomatic the sensible thing is to assume that everybody is potentially infected and breathing the virus out and a mask helps them control their virus shedding. The truth is that the government knew the masks did not exist for the general population so they told porkies. Given aerosol spread mask wearing is probably as much if not more important than hand washing for preventing transmission.

[jwsonoma]

Here are my thoughts:

Certainly the front line medical community have exponential risk compared to the rest of us and need to be the priority in receiving protection. With out training a lot of people will think they are protected when they are not. I think when there are enough n95s or equivalents it will be recommended every one wear one when this is over. Never place your safety in some one elses hands.

I used to manage a Respiratory Protection Program for a group of quarries and associated businesses. The program was to prevent employee exposure to hazardous dusts (asbestos and silica), vapours, mists, fumes etc. Federal Mine Safety, Fed and California OSHA have very strict regulations which require extensive plans and training. I was certified by Mine Safety as a trainer and used to train and fit test.

The n95s have multiple layers and are difficult to breath through. Thus the exhaust port (that also means the n95 does not protect others just yourself). OSHA requires a medical cardio clearance before an employee can be fit tested and an annual due to the extra strain of breathing on the cardio system. The biggest thing in wearing this type or any type of respirator is a good seal. As it is difficult to draw air through the thick filter it will seep in around the sides if there isn't a good seal. No facial hair or stubble is allowed. Different sizes must be available to fit different face shapes and sizes. California OSHA will fine a company $18,000 if there is an obvious violation in compliance.

Besided industrial exposure the regs also apply to nurses working in TB wards where the virus hangs in the air and has a very contageous non symptomatic phase.

Combined with hygiene protocols the n95 mask is very effective in protecting the nurses who are exposed on the wards.

Medical masks, bandannas, scarves don't have the seal or filtering capacity for fine particles but in my opinion and after 30+ years managing a plan if you absolutly have to go in to a public place and don't have a respirator I would recommend wearing anything that can help filter. It is better than nothing and at least will stop some of the larger particles.

Getting to a store and home without cross contaminating and either exposing yourself or bringing the virus into your house is very challenging. I have a great reusable n95 I used out side to filter all the smoke from the fires in Northern California. It is brown on the mask part from the accumulated smoke. So I use it along with gloves and an out layer of clothes that doesn't come into the house. I have a credit card stuffed into a pocket, my key fob and iphone are in disposable plastic baggies and I carry disinfecting liquid into the store which I use multiple times.

I have to assume there were invisable clouds of virus in the air and on everything so I was exposed and everything is contaminated including the groceries, bags, car, clothes and especially my shoes. I leave the mask on until I get home and remove it out side with due care because if there is virus in the air it will have accumulated on the outside of the mask. Some things I leave in the garage, some I rinse in a bucket of chlorine water, some I spray. I wipe down the parts I touched in the car but avoid using it for 10 days to be safe. I change in the garage, wash up including my face. Take stuff into the house and put it way. I wash my hands multiple times, shower and treat my under garments as possibly contaminated. I wipe every handle and knob I touched. My goal is to leave the virus out side. We treat all mail and packages as contaminated as well.

I still know I haven't got it right but I know I have reduced my exposure considerably.

I have been doing this since Feb. I still plan how I am going to do it better.

The only sure control is avoidance so I really minimize my trips.

I though I would pass this along. Search TB Respiratory Protection Plans (RPP) on google or Youtube. There will be plenty of how too demonstrations and lengthy written programs.

None of us are on this board because we are the epitome of great health so please take care and question if everything you are told makes sence including this post.

Cheers

[Desanthony in reply to jwsonoma]

That's great jwsonoma, Hope you stay safe. Can't wait to get out of this as have been unable to travel fora few years now. We made our first journey from UK to Florida in 4 years to see our grandchildren a year ago last December but couldn't go last year as I had just had a new knee. I do hope we can go soon and start going to Lake Tahoe skiing with my son - keep trying to get him to move to California but no joy yet. Got to think of these things we dream of at times like these.