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Wearing masks - changing policy

GDB2222
GDB2222 Posts: 26,348 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
edited 2 April 2020 at 12:31PM in Coronavirus Board
I think we all know by now that getting hold of a mask capable of protecting the wearer is well-nigh impossible for the public at the moment, and it's extremely hard to get a good enough fit for it to do any good, anyway.

However, there's a change in policy being mooted, that we should all wear loose fitting masks. This is not to protect the wearer, but to reduce the spread of infection *by* the wearer. These masks don't have to be virus-proof. They just need to trap airborne droplets of moisture when the wearer exhales.

Has anyone here tried constructing such a mask? It should be pretty simple with a sewing machine, or even with a needle and thread if you have enough patience.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/all-uk-hospital-staff-and-patients-should-wear-masks-says-doctors-group

Personally, I thought this was perfectly obvious, and I don't know why it's taken so long for WHO to even think about changing its policy.

No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?

Comments

  • afis1904
    afis1904 Posts: 348 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Asking people to make their own (because of no supply) whilst also requiring one in some public places is a disgusting policy and I hope it never gets implemented here.
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,348 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    afis1904 said:
    Asking people to make their own (because of no supply) whilst also requiring one in some public places is a disgusting policy and I hope it never gets implemented here.
    I tend to agree with you. Nevertheless, voluntarily wearing a mask you've made yourself, with a view to protecting others - that strikes me as rather a decent thing to do.  
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • afis1904
    afis1904 Posts: 348 Forumite
    100 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    GDB2222 said:
    afis1904 said:
    Asking people to make their own (because of no supply) whilst also requiring one in some public places is a disgusting policy and I hope it never gets implemented here.
    I tend to agree with you. Nevertheless, voluntarily wearing a mask you've made yourself, with a view to protecting others - that strikes me as rather a decent thing to do.  
    Not disagreeing with that but I've seen some places force mask wearing when there is no supply which is quite irresponsible.
  • I've commented on a different thread that it's been suggested that buffs are a good alternative to masks as they can be washed.
  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I've commented on a different thread that it's been suggested that buffs are a good alternative to masks as they can be washed.
    And as has been discussed there, mask won't be enough unless the whole population wears them.
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