Mask wearing countries have done better?

[O2Trees]

Not a regular Telegraph reader as many would probably suspect but this is an interesting perspective on the usefulness of masks.

telegraph.co.uk/global-heal...

[dembonesDAMNBONES]

I'd have thought the implication was a no-brainer...coughs and sneezes spread diseases...so if you take steps to control your own secretions, for want of a better word, then you are less likely to infect others, bearing in mind you may not be laid low, yourself, if you are lucky, but could still be carrying and transmitting the disease, unwittingly.

I wear my mask to reassure others, to make them maybe consider wearing one themselves and to stop small children from screaming. 😂😂😂

[O2Trees in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

Fantastic

[Schmicter]

I worked in an US industry that required N95 masks to prevent breathing in of silica dust . While N95 can prevent small particles from being breathed in, there is a specific training regimen of putting them on properly and regular testing to guarantee they are actually sealed where they should be. And if not done properly, there is no guarantee the stop the small particle they are made for. In fact it could be worse if particles get through and can get concentrated around your mouth and nose. So while they do work for breathing in particles, if the persons wearing them are not trained and tested regularly, they don't. Also, I would guess if they become contaminated with virus when you take them off so does everything else they touch, hands, hair, neck...etc. You would likely need to remove it and dispose then go shower. There is just so much more to them being effective than just throwing on a N95.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to Schmicter]

I couldn't agree more, but it's the best currently (or at least it was, before the bulk buying began) available and only nbc masks are more effective, which are also in short supply, as well as being expensive.

[Izb1]

On the news today , they are saying that it stops the wearing spreading the virus. I for one have worn one when going out no matter what they say, it makes me feel safe and Im sure gives me some protection for others, so I will continue x

[jmsutt73 in reply to Izb1]

Plain old commonsense should tell one that it protects both the wearer and persons they come into contact with.... I suspected the advice not to bother when all of this mess first began, meaning that I believed the government was stockpiling for healthcare workers, as they well should have.... I was fortunate to have a box full when all of this began. Three years ago when I first had symptoms of respiratory illness, my dentist gave me a full box. He said then what I was to learn, that prevention of infection is a major part of the battle of living with chronic respiratory illness. J

[Izb1 in reply to jmsutt73]

You are so right jmsutt as was your dentist, after having one major exacerbation I dont intend to have another so go along with prevention is better than cure x