Sorry......more mask talk

I agree with you Monica. We have no way of knowing if someone has genuine reasons for wearing a lanyard. It's easy for those who can wear masks to say that those who can't shouldn't be going out shopping etc, doing their best to have some normality in their lives.

Less judgement and more compassion is needed.

People with existing health problems were asked to shield during lock down, ie not just lockdown, but do not leave the house. Many of us must have friends who are shielding still.

I therfore do not think it unreasonable in this case to say to people who cannot wear masks that they should therefore shield themselves by not going anywhere requiring masks. I think this is particularly needful because many of these people cannot wear masks because they have respiratory problems - which meaans they are in much greater danger should they catch the disease.

If I couldn't wear a mask, nothing, but nothing would tempt me to go anywhere near a venue where I would be expected to mask up. It would be basic self protection.

I really like those 3D type fitted fabric face masks made of 3 layers of fabric that they sell at Redbubble because you can match the mask to a t shirt or a dress and keep others safe as well. You can also get sewing patterns to make this type.

I find the paper masks uncomfortable and I don't think they are safe. My son visited a factory in China where they were being made and he said it was very dirty, with masks dropped on the floor and then packed. Also, they often don't fit properly and are often incorrectly disposed of as well, a risk to our wildlife.

Switzerland tested masks for aerosol leakage. All the fabric masks they tested failed the tests. Half the paper masks also failed. Lidl paper masks, shockingly, was one of the brands that passed.

I'm off to Lidl tomorrow.

The masks have to have three layers in Wales so any I have made of cotton have had an interfacing in the middle.

Infection has spread since the introduction of masks and social distancing has been reduced to 1metre+
People are constantly fiddling with their masks touching inside and out of the masks then handling items in store touching the trolley etc. This is spreading the infection.
People seem to think that by wearing a mask they are immune. You are not.
I am unable to wear a mask. I have been verbally abused despite having a disability lanyard.
I shouldn't have to explain to complete strangers why.
Would any of you who are criticising people like me go up to someone in a wheelchair or mobility scooter and ask them why they are using it?
I used to be a very outgoing person full of fun and involved in lots of different activities.
I no longer go out.
My confidence is zero.
Thank you to all of you who show compassion to people who are unable to wear a mask or visor.

Sweetchile I totally agree with you, no -one should be verbally abused for any reason, but if masks are considered essential to slow transmission of the virus and those who cannot wear masks are more likely to have respiratory diseases, which make them more vulnerable COVID, I do not think that whether they have a lanyard or not, that they should go places where masks are required. In lockdown those most vulnerable were told to shield and not leave the house. I do not think those who cannot wear masks should shield, but under the circumstances I simply think that they should stay away from any situation where masks are mandatory.

If wearing a mask protects you from covid then why are the numbers of cases rising. It really is all a load of rubbish.

Can you explain to me why countries that do embrace the wearing of masks have a lower infection rate, then? I’m quite happy to respect that you can’t wear a mask if you don’t poo poo the reasoning behind the wearing of them.

My daughter in law has severe asthma and lung damage and she wears one with no fuss. She can’t understand why people with asthma wouldn’t wear one as it doesn’t affect her in the slightest other than the same slight discomfort we all feel wearing them. Thankfully the country her and my son now live in is covid free, so life goes on as normal there. My son sent me a picture of him at a rugby match with a crowd of thousand of people ?

Well said quizqueen.
People please realise. Masks do not stop you getting covid.
I didn't say what my problem was MOnica you have wrongly assumed that all people who do not wear masks have chest problems and have shielded this is not the case

Gagajo, I didn’t know that re cloth masks! I’ve been wearing rather fun leopard print ones, but sounds like they may not be particularly effective from what you have said

Callistenon The hairdresser I use has been very conscientious right from square one. Before the Hairdressers’ Association (if that is what it is called) advised masks as well as visors, she wore a mask with her visor because she realised the potential risks.

Ask around and see which hairdressers are following the rules before you give up altogether.

As far as mask wearing goes, I think it is a great shame that more emphasis is not given, via public information platforms, on the correct way to wear and clean masks. Despite masks being advised since March, even on here, some people still think the mask is for their own protection, not to protect others. Maybe if that were pushed harder, there would be fewer people not wearing masks because they think they are accepting the risk for themselves not putting others at risk.

Masks are just a line of defense that need to be used in conjunction with other things; distancing, hand washing, ventilation etc. No one says that they offer 100% protection. But it really annoys me that I'm doing everything I can to protect myself and those around me only for people to say mask wearing is rubbish. It all goes back to the WHO saying the virus wasn't airborne I'm afraid.

I have sewn my tubular scarves into three layers so I don't have to re-adjust them each time I pull them up. I now just have to lift the sides in a similar way to putting on a mask. Easier in fact and they stay put beautifully.

My DD2 has masks which can be nipped in to the top of the nose to stop specs misting up. But its sewn in. Anyone have any ideas what I can use which would be similar?

Thanks Tweedle.
I'll ask my friend what precautions her hairdressers are taking, although I had got used to the way mine cut it.
He does tend to cut it too short, however, so it's not down to my shoulders yet!

Masks are better than no mask and, unless they are the proper surgical masks, probably won't offer 100% protection to others.
But self-distancing, wearing a mask and handwashing should all help stop the spread.

My understanding was that masks protect other people; they're not being imlemented to protect the wearer..

even though i am exempt from wearing a mask i do wear a face shield .i sometimes put on a homemade mask if i am in a place with too many people.makes me think of a young man was refused permission to get on a bus .i'm exempt he yelled .said he had asthma/ ok says inspector show me inhaler/letter of disability. no he yells . i give you a mask says me holding up a new packet(sealed)... no he yells i'm effing exempt .cant be says transport police why are you not out of breath with all that shouting..still didnt let him on ..till he bought a mask. or myfreebie... told everyone to eff off and was arrested..

Me neither DillytheGardener, until I read the report. I have 2 cloth masks which I've stopped using as a result.

Sweetchile, if you're at risk and are out and about without a mask, you're putting yourself in unnecessary danger. FYI, people only fiddle with masks & find them awkward until they get used to wearing one. I wear one all day while teaching and often find I'm still wearing it once I get home, having forgotten to take it off. Oh, and I have several risk factors, including asthma, which is precisely why I wear a mask.

I am not convinced they work, especially the thin home made or fashion ones, but as it makes others feel better I wear one.

This study from July recommends the wearing of masks and states that cloth masks are effective.

Cloth face coverings, even homemade masks made of the correct material, are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 - for the wearer and those around them - according to a new study from Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science.

The general public does not need to wear surgical masks or respirators. We find that masks made from high quality material such as high-grade cotton, multiple layers and particularly hybrid constructions are effective


www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-07-08-oxford-covid-19-study-face-masks-and-coverings-work-act-now

As a slight deviation from masks I am getting rather angry at the total disregard of the latest rulings on Covid distancing. I’m in a university city and the rate of infection has risen dramatically. The whole city is on high alert. However, apart from myself, it appears that everyone else is just carrying on as normal. The rules for this area are no mixing indoors of households but all my neighbours are coming and going with friends and family. I even have friends who are very blase about the whole thing and are just ignoring the latest ruling. I don’t think many people even realise to be honest.

It just makes your heart sink.
Some people will be blasé until they or someone close to them catches it. Then they will probably have a mild dose but will have passed it on.

Sweetchile I didn't say all non mask wearers had respiratory problems, I said they were more likely to have them, which is not the same thing. But it doesn't change my belief that if you cannot wear a mask you should not go into places where they are required.

I have worn a mask and gloves when in internal public spaces since the start of lockdown in March. I have chronic rhinitis and sneeze a lot. Having had to sneeze into my sleeve on my first visit to a supermarket after lockdown then blow my nose, then dig in my handbag to get the hand sanitiser out and use it and then trying to make sure the sleeve I sneezed into did not touch anything. I decided it was simpler if I wore a mask - and it is.