Will you be wearing a mask?

I think the government could bring in a rule making them compulsory for those using shops and public transport.

The government won’t tell you to wear a mask because they would have to pay for them

Of course they wouldn't be expected to pay for them!

What a strange idea .

Here in Portugal where we open up for starters on Monday, the mask will be compulsory. We have to buy our own or make our own, they are available. Hand sanitiser is also available.

Why should we rely on our governments to pay if it’s compulsory? All sounds a bit nanny state. We need to be sensible, be kind to each other, help each other u TIL this crisis passes.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZtEX2-n2Hc

We have masks already, hubby used to wear them for his work.
I have only been out twice in the last few weeks but yes I did wear one.
I don't see how it cannot protect you from others, it's got to be better than not having one one.

I’m not a healthcare worker, so no, not until we’re told by the WHO and our own NHS to do so, and then only after having been given clear and precise instructions as to what sort to wear and how to use them to ensure they do more good than harm.

The NBACC (National Biodefence Analysis and Countermeasure Centre - a US government research laboratory), as reported in the Telegraph on 18 April, has apparently claimed that:

"Sunlight and high temperatures help stop the spread of coronavirus on hard surfaces, according to preliminary results of a study for the US Government.

"Covid-19 also struggles to survive on surfaces in high humidity, the results suggest, adding to hope that a summer heatwave could help ease the health crisis.

"A briefing by scientists working on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security at the White House reportedly found the risk of “transmission from surfaces outdoors is lower during daylight”.

“Sunlight destroys the virus quickly,” reads the document, initially leaked to the Yahoo News website.

"The results cautioned, however, that enclosed areas with low humidity, such as airplane cabins, “may require additional care to minimise risk of transmission.”...

If this report is found to be reliable and accurate and supported by other scientists, then it would appear that telling people not to go out, especially when it is very sunny, may be the opposite of what should happen.

It does seem quite logical though that being near to people who may possibly be infected should be avoided, but especially in confined indoor spaces.

It seems that there is still a lot to learn about this virus and we may be getting things wrong. It was reported in the I today that "Doctors on the frontline of China's battle against Covid 19 are increasingly baffled by a growing number of cases in which patients appear to have recovered but continue to have the coronavirus in their blood [some 70 days later]."

The government won’t tell you to wear a mask because they would have to pay for them. I have bought one for my husband and I from EBay .

Hello
If the masks you can buy are a kind of one way only couldnt you wear them back to front to give protection from the outside?
If you are unwell, and if you have a cough or sneeze then wear the normal way round.
Stay safe everyone xx

There is a style that has a panty liner inside of it, you remove it and bin it before washing the mask, not sure how breathable the mask would be though, the coffee filter is a good idea, again removable.
Thanks for the links 13nana

Hi not sure of the rules around links but I have put 3 in that may be of interest

In the UK if we assume that everyone we meet outside has COVID and we all wear general purpose home made (not medical grade) masks it makes it harder for them to spread COVID to another person. It slows the spread, it won't stop it but keeps the rate steady so the hospitals don't get overwhelmed. It will not however stop you getting it but it could reduce the likelihood. This is and interesting article about this concept;

www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/need-powerful-people-movement-support-wearing-face-masks-uk/

There are lots of patterns out there but fabric-wise you need to be careful and not make yourself ill. This article advocates quilting cotton as one of the best fabrics, (I cannot see its safe to start cutting up hoover bags!) just remember any more than two layers is hard to breathe through. Also you want to be able to boil wash it once used to keep it clean.

www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html

there is also quite a nice fitted mask tutorial here which I have made;

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t_Gz3lGwF8

Food for thought, stay safe out there

As soon as I am able to go out I’ll wear them, I cough a lot as I have Asthma so it might avoid anyone having a go at me and I will feel safer, I have some disposable ones and I’m going to get the sewing machine out today and make some Fabric ones, I can make DHs from old tee shirts.
No matter what the experts say something over your nose and mouth must surely stop some bugs getting through and in the Autumn there will will be Flu to deal with as well.
I really think that the advice to us will change once the NHS has a steady supply of their PPEs sorted and more become available for Joe Public.

They only tell us they are not useful because they want to keep enough supplies for health care workers.? so I’d rather wear one just in case.

Yes

If I ever went out I''d wear one as I sometimes get bouts of sneezing and don't always get to my handkerchief in time.

Oooh they are really nice. I'd like ones that said BACK OFF on mine though. I have noticed if you do wear one peopke tend to keep away from you so thats a good enough reason for me

I wear them in the supermarket as we are allowed out food, pharmacy or exercise. I also use latex gloves. It gets a bit hot!
I made several using a pattern from youtube. I had spare bits of cotton and I used fusible interfacing for a lining as it is non woven. They need something like that or bugs can get in or out. They can be washed after each use.

If the Health Organisation and government recommended them yes, otherwise no. I think I will always be more aware of needing more personal space and don't know if I could go to massive events again. At this stage I just don't know.

If you have had a bad cold, coughing and sneezing, then you really shouldn’t be going out shopping MOnica.

It’s ok for you to say it’s not Covid, but if I were shopping and someone, even 2 metres away, was coughing and sneezing, even with a mask on, I would not feel very happy I can tell you.

I will only wear one if I become infected and only then inside my own home to protect others .
I work for a Chinese company and was given a batch of medical masks at the start of lockdown along with 70% sanitizer.
As they are only effective for 15 minutes or so my stash isn’t going to last long .

For those of you who wear them already when out and about . How to you change them safely and where do you dispose of them and wash your hands ?

I wonder if all those “top doctors and scientists” who say gloves and masks are useless ( who are they? Let’s have a name check) would recommend surgeons, doctors, nurses, carers, bus drivers, etc not to wear them? It’s because our government don’t have enough to go round the front line that they aren’t recommending them for others. Which is fair enough, but they should say that instead of pretending otherwise.
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Ive started making masks from woven fabric from mexico.beautifull designs lots of colours to cheer us up during these dark days of the virus.some go to spain and island mauritius where some of my cousins live

No

I watched a video on "how to make a facemask",then made one using double thickness J cloth,lined with a panty pad,(to absorb moisture,I haven't worn it yet as it's "just in case"

No, and I don't wear gloves.
The received wisdom (from top doctors and scientists) say and show that wearing gloves means you transfer germs/viruses from surfaces onto your gloves and from there onto every other surface you touch, including your face.
If you want to take your glove off for any reason you will transfer virus to the hand.
There was a video on YouTube showing what happens.
Just wash your hands twice when getting home (I do) then wash your face in fresh water with soap.
I wipe my keys with a Dettol wipe after washing my hands then wash hands the second time. Only takes a minute to do it all.
Take my jacket/coat off and hang it up but I don't go OTT. Just the hand washing us important. The face mask...no.