Masks - yes or no?

I'm fascinated by the debate over masks, and whether they are of any use reducing the spread of Covid. I am not comfortable doing so, but I've decided to resume wearing mine when visiting the shop, but only because a. Having spent upwards of 20 or 30 hours reading up on it everywhere & anywhere, I genuinely can't think of any sound reason not to, and b. even if there is only a slim chance they do any good, surely that is better than nothing?

I would like to hear from anyone who agrees with masks, vis-à-vis: why do you agree, do you think they should be mandatory, and, morally speaking, do you think those refusing to wear them are effectively guilty of risking others' safety? And I'd also like to ask anyone opposed - why? Leaving aside conspiracy theories, all I seem to find are half-answers pointing out that there are many other, more important measures like distancing and hand washing. To me, that's like saying "I won't wear my shoes today, because I've got a hat and coat instead." Equally, I'm aware some people have health-related reasons not to wear them, but can't understand why anyone who claims they exacerbate anxiety, for instance, isn't even more anxious about the threat of transmitting Covid19. I'm particularly bemused in regard to supermarket workers - so few wear them. I'm told this may be because, again, "we have other measures," or even, scandalously, that managers have banned them. But I can't seem to find any concrete reasons.

For my own part I should say I loathe and detest masks, and can't wait for further easing of restrictions, and I actually went into this research hoping desperately to find reasons masks were bad and caused risks. Yet all I've found so far are increasing reasons to wear them.

Please tell me your thoughts!

 

It is very simple and I cannot think why you are spending/wasting so much time and energy on it.

The rules and common sense and consideration for others say wear a mask. End of. OK? OK!

Any small thing we can do to save anyone from the terrible painful death that death by covid is, and save families from the appalling grief, that my family know first hand.

It should not even be a debate.

 

No they dont.

I've always avoided masks at work, dust masks that is, after a short time they go wet and soggy and breathing gets harder and harder.
You only have to hear what those who have been working in hospitals, who have to wear them all day, how uncomfortable they get.

If they make it law I suppose I will have to wear one, but until then no way.

It was 90F a few days last week, not a good temperature to have a soggy bit of paper stuck to your face or for that matter and old torn T shirt.

Most people I see in supermarkets dont wear masks, staff or customers, some wear gloves, some dont.

 

Errr..not 'end of', really. Masks are only effective if they're used properly. They're actually a menace if they're touched, fiddled with, worn incorrectly, not washed after use, disposed of incorrectly etc. etc.. There's an impressive video doing the rounds of French social media which underlines all the above. Is there something similar in UK and if so, are people who wear masks taking any notice of it?

 

Thank you, that is very interesting. I'm curious as to whether you see the sogginess/temperatures as concrete reasons NOT to wear them on health grounds, and whether these risks outweigh the risks of passing on Covid? I'm very sympathetic to the idea, but reality doesn't seem to bear it out. Clinical workers often wear masks for many hours, and my sister, a hospital receptionist, currently wears one her entire 8 hr shift. She says its very uncomfortable, but still does it, and presumably it seems a safer bet than not. Though in fairness, its probably a respiratory/N95, not one of those in common use.

 

Are you saying it is spreading due to people wearing masks?

 

I will wear one if I feel it will help keep me and others safe. My daughter only allows me out once a week, I carry a mask just in case.

You have to wear a mask on the Trains & Buses, well you do in this area.

My final thought is, if wearing a mask saves one life, then it's worth it.

 

If I was working in hospital with known virus patients I would definitely wear a mask.

I just dont think walking down the street is that dangerous.

I dont cough or sneeze , if I did I would cover my nose and mouth with a handkerchief if I was close to others, as to the suggested coughing or sneezing into your elbow, well I'm not a contortionist?

 

I wear a mask when I cannot social distance from strangers. .Not at home, not whilst driving, not out in the open and near no one.

I wear one for two reasons. 1. The off chance that I am a positive asymptomatic and could spread it to someone who is not a big strong brute with a good immune system like myself. 2. I do sneeze once in awhile any time (do you know anyone who has never sneezed when not ill?) And although I'd rather sneeze into a tissue, at least, once again, I won't be passing anything along whether real or perhaps just a fright to others.

I think it is the old equivalent of sneezing in your sleeve if you have no tissue. Although when I think about it, it's hot and short sleeves are being worn. Yuk. I haven't sneezed in any of my masks yet as I have always tried to "stifle" sneezes anyway.

I know I cannot breath as easily when wearing one so I only wear it when close to others. Oh, and I always brush me teeth before going out. Don't want to be smelling my lunches hours later

 

I always carry one on me but only wear them went social distancing is compromised. I've always worn gloves when using shopping trolleys, cashpoints, etc the only difference now is that I keep them on until I'm back at home.

Even if it only helps a titchy bit ..if everyone complied that titchy bit will only grow in size....and every increase can only be beneficial.

 

I wear one in enclosed spaces like a shop or bank, don’t go anywhere else that’s inside. Wearing a mask reduces transmission; it’s the right thing to do.

 

As we understand things, the typical face mask is just to help reduce or stop you breathing out any infection and that they do little to protect you from breathing in airborne germs.

Seem you need to go to the N95 type of masks to protect yourself from breathing in any germs.

What you do see is some folk wearing masks with exhale ventilators, so cleary those do not stop them breating out any germs.

Think either type may help contain things, but as already mentioned its how they are used that equally important.

Was in the supermarket checkout, an elderly gentleman of 80+ was just going out of the store with his trolley, mask and rubber gloves on.
He pauses, pulls down his mask, then wipes across his nose with his rubber gloved index finger and then puts the mask back on !!

 

They say a non medical mask offers no protection to the wearer but I believe it offers some. How the heck can it not? They are usually two layers of closely woven cloth.. And now it is summer, we're mostly wearing sunglasses so that would block the virus getting into your eyes too.

There are now 13 cases in my town of 200k and those 13 known positives are isolated.

A mask, hand washing or sanitizing would further reduce the odds of getting the virus.

I had two friends drop by this morning and we didn't wear masks. We somehow just naturally gravitated to standing a good 5 feet apart.

 

Thank you for this perspective. It is precisely what I'm looking for, in terms of finding some of the core moral reasons for avoiding masks. I was always convinced there must be some - that not all "anti-maskers" were bigots who don't care about or are actively happy about infecting others. I am pretty much convinced that if I were wearing a mask for 8 or 9 hours, I would at some point inadvertently touch it, which could cause all sorts of problems, so I entirely empathise with those who want to avoid them on those grounds. However, I have two questions for you:

- "actually a menace if..." surely this is on the same level as regarding knives as dangerous as they can be used to kill. A knife is morally neutral; I'd go further and say a mask is potentially a moral good if used correctly. Disagreeing with their use because may use them irresponsibly or in error is a somewhat morally flimsy position. Do you agree?

- Can you possibly direct us to this French video which sounds precisely like the sort of thing that should be widely seen, and again may target some of the essence of this issue?