Face masks : youtu.be/2_8hojsF-nY - PMRGCAuk
Face masks
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I have grave doubts as to the value of non-symptomatic people wearing masks. They may even introduce a risk factor if the wearer thinks they are protected and as a result becomes less consistent in their hygiene and self-distacing measures.
If someone is symptomatic of a cold/flu then their wearing a mask has been shown to reduce the risk to others. However, if you think you have the symptoms of Covid 19, you shouldn't be wearing a mask to go out in public - you should be self-isolating at home and the only outside contact you should have is with the healthcare services by telephone. That is the most effective way of protecting others.
cnet.com/how-to/homemade-fa...
The only easily obtainable mask that would protect you is the one designated N95 and there is now a world-wide shortage so that even the medical staff who NEED them (as opposed to WANT them) can't have them. So please don't try to get or hoard them. Where I live all the building sites donated theirs to the hospitals dealing with Covid 19 patients.
Fabric masks rapidly become saturated with the water vapour we breathe out and become ineffective even at the role they can play and must be changed and disposed of. If you have Covid 19 that has now become clinical waste. The material is not suitable to filter the viral particles as they are far too small and they also don't fit snugly around your face - so they leak. Both ways - you breathing out sends viral particles round the edge of the mask and you breathing in sucks air in through those gaps. The N95 masks are fitted for each person - to be sure there are no gaps.
People who are not used to wearing masks tend to fiddle with them - and one of the things we are told we should not do is touch our faces except with clean hands because the virus enters the body through the mouth, nose and eyes. Even if that mask had fulfilled its expected role, it is now contaminated with virus - now on your hands and transferred over your face.
I know there are mixed messages out there - our local online paper had a video of how to turn mens boxer shorts into a head and face mask, to be followed two days later by the local health minister in a Q&A session explaining why it WASN'T very useful wearing these improvised masks. They can only be used once anyway - then must be removed and given a hot soapy wash before using them again. In removing them you have potentially contaminated the rest of your head and shoulders, hands and clothes. The procedure for donning PPE items is strictly applied, to avoid exactly that.
Use fabric masks if they really make you feel happier - but don't think that they absolve you or anyone else from observing social distancing - keeping 2m from anyone outside your immediate household if you do go out for essential shopping, wearing gloves where appropriate and washing your hands with soap, sanitising if you have no soap and water when out. But above all - STAY AT HOME, especially if you are older or have an existing condition that makes you more at risk if you were to catch Covid 19.
We have been specifically advised by Public Health in Nova Scotia NOT to use home made masks, for the very reasons you list. I've only seen one person wearing a mask, a young man walking proudly down the middle of the sidewalk not giving way to anyone. I had to step well into the street to get far enough away from him.
Hi LPL, as this is covid19 related post the replies to this post will be turned off. You can discuss such issues on the covid 19 thread but please don't post the video again. Thanks.
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