Scotland and face masks - how when there are none?

cognoscenti

Nicola Sturgeon in her wisdom is recommending that Scots wear face masks when shopping and travelling to prevent the virus.
One small problem - unless you either want to spend an absolute fortune from what very few places will sell you one that works and that actually have any you ca't buy them.
Do-it-yourself ones have been tested and found to be useless and the single-use surgical ones don't stop the virus, so where are these masks going to come from? 

bradders1983

It is only a recommendation, the government know there arent any going spare and that is why it isnt law...because they would have to find a load from somewhere.

Thrugelmir

Plenty of unsuitable counterfeit product circulating out of China. 

cognoscenti

bradders1983 said:

It is only a recommendation, the government know there arent any going spare and that is why it isnt law...because they would have to find a load from somewhere.

So why recommend something you know you can't get?

Thrugelmir

Self publicity. 

neilmcl

cognoscenti said:

Nicola Sturgeon in her wisdom is recommending that Scots wear face masks when shopping and travelling to prevent the virus.
One small problem - unless you either want to spend an absolute fortune from what very few places will sell you one that works and that actually have any you ca't buy them.
Do-it-yourself ones have been tested and found to be useless and the single-use surgical ones don't stop the virus, so where are these masks going to come from? 

She hasn't recommended wearing face masks, she said face coverings. Most types of simple face covering are sufficient to limit the spread if used correctly and used by all. Remember wearing a mask is about preventing the spread of the virus from an infected person not about stopping you from getting it. You don't need to be wearing FFP3/N95 masks in the general community nor should you be trying to get hold of these.

[Deleted User]

I think it’s face covering (scarf, t-shirt, bandana) not face mask. Personally I would just use a covering and not deprive the NHS of something.

cognoscenti

neilmcl said:

cognoscenti said:

Nicola Sturgeon in her wisdom is recommending that Scots wear face masks when shopping and travelling to prevent the virus.
One small problem - unless you either want to spend an absolute fortune from what very few places will sell you one that works and that actually have any you ca't buy them.
Do-it-yourself ones have been tested and found to be useless and the single-use surgical ones don't stop the virus, so where are these masks going to come from? 

She hasn't recommended wearing face masks, she said face coverings. Most types of simple face covering are sufficient to limit the spread if used correctly and used by all. Remember wearing a mask is about preventing the spread of the virus from an infected person not about stopping you from getting it. You don't need to be wearing FFP3/N95 masks in the general community nor should you be trying to get hold of these.

No, face coverings are not sufficient to limit the spread so even saying that is pointless.
There is no evidence whatsoever to support that and no research suggesting any benefit from face-covering.

Research has been done on a variety of coverings from a bandana upwards and they are pointless because the particle size of the virus is far smaller than any of the coverings could stop & that includes vacuum cleaner bags etc.
That applies whether you are infected or not since no face protection is one-way only.

Do a web search for "the-materials-that-filter-particles-best-in-homemade-masks-testing-2020" and see for yourself.

Unless you're in a medical setting face masks are potentially more harmful than beneficial for a number of reasons, rendering even FFP3/N95 masks pretty pointless in a general setting.

cognoscenti

GabiB said:

I think it’s face covering (scarf, t-shirt, bandana) not face mask. Personally I would just use a covering and not deprive the NHS of something.

I can appreciate that some people feel the need of a safety blanket or to feel that they're protecting themselves/others but it's a false sense of security according to research.

unholyangel

Have you actually read the guidance they published? Or just some daily rags take on it? You don't need to respond to that, I already know the answer as the guidance specifically tells you by face covering, they do not mean surgical or medical grade masks.

The guidance was actually to remind those currently wearing face coverings that the evidence supports them being of limited use, it does not mean they will not get the virus or that they should not adhere to social distancing or that they should not wash their hands thoroughly or that they should be venturing outside unless its essential. 

Guidance here for anyone who wants a read.

neilmcl

cognoscenti said:

GabiB said:

I think it’s face covering (scarf, t-shirt, bandana) not face mask. Personally I would just use a covering and not deprive the NHS of something.

I can appreciate that some people feel the need of a safety blanket or to feel that they're protecting themselves/others but it's a false sense of security according to research.

It's not about protecting yourself, it's about protecting others from you.