Face Masks

Forget it.
If I need to hide my identity I'll wear a Halloween mask, until then I'll rely on my own face keeping away the marauding crowds.

That sounds daft. One sort protects the wearer, the other sort protects others who are not the wearer. Weird. So the mask protecting the wearer is not protecting others around that wearer? ??

No but I have bought some in case we have to - certainly wont until then - if ever.

well
A. its not compulsary at the moment
and
B. businesses local to me who are going to require them are also going to provide them (e.g hairdressers etc)

And where will some get these? Not everyone does online banking or had the ability to order online.

No. FFP3 protects the wearer
ordinary masks protect others around you from direct particles

unless tou think surgeons wear them fof no reason?

Not really notanan
Not unless they're the top end sort worn by medics...the PPI 3s or whatever they're called.

but gloves and masks are not being recommended in the same breath.

gloves reduce hand hygiene compliance

but masks are beneficial to the others around you.

I found an old email from Dec 14th 2019 to a friend who was asking why I hadn't responded to any calls or emails.
Reason was that I had what we now know to be Covid-19 but then NHS 111 told me it was a cold virus and advised to drink hot water with lemon and honey.
I thought I was dying, coughing until I retched, lost weight, no appetite and definitely no energy.
Cough persisted until tailed off at end of March.
I had no cold, just headaches, sweats when shopping and sleep sleep sleep.
That was then and I'm glad it's recorded in emails and phone calls even though I had no idea what caused it. A friend also had the same thing and we belong to the same clubs.
It was dismissed as a winter virus.
Mine started on Tues 3rd Dec as I had to put off having new bathroom lights fitted. I can retrospectively see the path in texts and
emails.
I have always been cautious but not OTT about crowds, hygiene, public transport and eating out but I still got it from somewhere and none of my friends had been abroad that Autumn.
So, despite all the hoo-ha about masks and gloves, they only offer an illusion of protection in fact gloves are more likely to transfer the virus according to scientific facts.

I bought some on Etsy. Thought it would be quicker than making my own

frankly appauled at the quality. I know etsy is hand made but surely have some pride and only SELL your makes if they are commercial quality.

one order: mask not face shaped (IKR how hard is it to make a face sized rectangle?)

another order: ties you couldnt tie! they were only about 2 inches long!

3rd order lucky.

"buy from small businesses" they say

He brought up something that I had not thought about previously. Would n't the face mask after being worn become clinical waste, and how would that be safely disposed of ?

No they are domestic waste.

Household use of nappies, sanitary towels, tissues you use to blow your nose etc all count as domestic waste.

The QUANTITIES used in medical settings combined with the higher risk of those things being infectious in clinical settings then makes those things clinical waste.

Advice is to wash used masks at 60° if it's made of cloth, or if you are using a scarf.

atvan
Imagine how many 'dry wipes' you are throwing into landfill.
Un-biodegradable. Not a great idea if everyone started that trend.

atvan. You are aware that the virus is not a bacteria?

I have friends who live in Mexico, face masks are mandatory where they are. A local industry has developed, with beautiful hand embroidered ones being sold, many in aid of charities.

I currently only go out for a walk, where I can keep my distance, and don't wear a mask.

However, if I did go into a shop, I would wear my FFP2.

And perhaps Boris can lead by example?

Yes but I have been out very little.

Really hope it is announced by Boris that we need to wear them - no exceptions. A second wave is bound to happen if we don't.

It will also stop those who are not sticking to the social distancing. Friends that go shopping, tell me some supermarkets are not reminding staff and customers to keep their distance.

I'd like to see ample supplies of masks given out to public on transport.

I'd like to see more places to wash hands etc,

Those last 2 likes I doubt will happen knowing the lack of foresight by UK gov,

made my own masks and this includes them having a pouch to insert an antibacterial wipe, this then dries and after each wearing I remove the dry wipe and throw away. I also cover the outside of the mask with antibacterial wipes when I get home and take it off, and let them dry, then again insert an new antibacterial wipe in the pouch ready to wear again. Washing hands, I think is the most important thing we can do, but I always wash my hands when I come home and especially before food preparation.

The used masks and gloves seem to be chucked down in the supermarket car parks according to social media posts, leaving others to put them in a bin.

Yes, I imagine they may become mandatory and I have managed to get hold of some (not PPE quality) in readiness.

However, if they make it mandatory, they have to ensure that there are sufficient to go round, whether they give them out or we have to pay for them.

I have also made a couple but not everyone can do this.

Neither do I GG54.

Just wash my hands well after shopping, before putting groceries etc away, and always washing hands well before touching, preparing and eating food, but did that anyway.

I did mention to my son that it might become mandatory soon to wear a face mask when going out. He brought up something that I had not thought about previously. Would n't the face mask after being worn become clinical waste, and how would that be safely disposed of ?

No, nor gloves.

I have made them in readiness, will wear for shopping, or the unlikely event of going on public transport. Have also got the perspex visors, which give more protection, if I have the courage to wear one, and getting one of DH is going to proove challenging!

No, nor gloves. Just wash hands and face with Palmolive soap when I get home. I don't wash tins or packages either.