Masks - yes or no?

@SimonZ your profile doesn't show a general location so I really don't know where you are.

 

I think its obvious from my posts in this thread that I'm in the UK as I've referred to it quite a few times, and I don't think they have many supermarkets in the third world, but I may be wrong. Anyway, all I want to know here is, does anyone think a mask is a bad idea, and if so why? If you think that's a bad question, fair enough.

 

[QUOTE="'IF'? wearing one might afford some protection, then surely it's wise to give it a go. We are all in this together. So, so sadly so many innocent people have died. Please friends.. Stay Safe and lets hope we will will all be here next year, with soil under our finger nails etc.[/QUOTE]

I think this hits the nail on the head personally. These are terrible times, and the virus doesn't care about our opinions. Surely the important thing is just pulling together and doing whatever possible to try and fight it. We will all have different ways of doing that. And yes, let's hope we can all look back at this thread in a year's time when it is just a bad memory, with happier things to be spending our time on.

 

Simon in one of your posts you mentioned that gaps around masks may or may not be a problem. Two army guys were in the supermarket today, not wearing masks but one of these.....

Biker Military Mask Tube Headband Scarf Outdoor Sport Bandana Face Shield | eBay

.....Khaki coloured of course to match their uniform. I've bought two although they won't be much use when I have a haircut.

 

You didn't buy them from there did you?

 

No, why?

 

China

 

I bought on Ebay but mine are coming from the Midlands. It doesn't state where they were made but they're washable anyway.

 

Mine was made in Turkey. T'other Half uses a Harley Davidson bandana.

 

[QUOTESimon in one of your posts you mentioned that gaps around masks may or may not be a problem. Two army guys were in the supermarket today, not wearing masks but one of these.....
[/QUOTE]

Thanks. Gaps cause jets of leaked breath, so on a train for example its better to sit opposite rather than in front of or behind someone in a mask. However, by adjusting the wire at the top you can fit it more snugly, reducing the gap around the nose and almost entirely sealing the sides. I'm doing this before going out, and only touching the inside.
Unfortunately when I bought a washable mask, the strap snapped. I can't risk this happening on a day I need one to get to work, so I've decided for now to stick with disposables. I may get a permanent one and keep disposables in reserve. I also lack a washing machine, so was having to wash it in the sink. This meant it often wasn't quite dry when I needed it, which I gather can also be a health hazard. Also I hated potentially contaminating my sink, no matter how much detergent etc I poured in there on cleaning it.
I appreciate you pointing these things out, but I don't think I'll be buying one. I prefer the disposables as they're small, and as they are quite a common design they don't stand out. I am instinctively a mask loather, try as I may I can't be one of those people who has embraced them and sees them as a fashion item. I'm glad some can, as it reduces the "stigma" and will hopefully help normalize a potentially life-saving practise (and there are some super masks being worn by some!) but I want this whole thing to be over as quickly as possible, so I can consign mine to the dustbin of history, and as long as I feel the need to wear them I want to do so as little and as unobtrusively as possible. They often frighten children and are a barrier to facial communication, which in these hard times can be an even more vital tool. A smile goes a long way, as they say. I'm even on the look out for see-through masks but can't find any in the UK yet.

 

I've been out round the supermarket this morning so I thought I'd do a quick mental survey, nothing scientific.
I'd estimate that about 25%of people were wearing a mask, of that 25% I recon 20% had it pulled down over the mouth and not over the nose.

 

Non-medical masks do not have the 3rd layer on it that is the waterproof shield to stop the cough droplets from getting through to your mouth and nose.

I am a care assistant have cared for those with covid, watched then pass away and also tested positive for covid myself.

The medical masks are supposed to be worn for 4 hours without being touched or taken off. If they are touched or taken off they are contaminated and must be thrown away and a new one put on.

I laugh at the people who comment on people still wearing their masks while driving as they could be going to another shop for all they know and only have one mask and don't want to contaminate.

I personally don't think masks should be worn in public specifically for the reason above as I have seen it first hand where the masks are continually touched or removed!

Also you should never were gloves when out shopping. I don't know how many people I have seen wearing gloves walking around touching everything then reaching into their pockets for their phone, using their phone then putting it back in their pocket. The phone is now contaminated aswell as the pocket. They then leave the shop pack away their shopping in the boot remove their gloves, sanitise their hands then reach into their pockets for the germ covered phone!