Wonderful News - No more face masks

I wouldn't have got this far without having to go into hospital and have always been treated well there, so yes, I do have respect for medical staff. It was my understanding that they had such busy work lives during the current crisis that they didn't have time for playing sports, socialising, etc (mentioned on the previous page).

I certainly didn't think patients could go in hospital without facemasks - it's bad enough visiting, let alone staying in one. On the odd occasion I've had to visit during the past two years, I've been met with a sea of face masks. So, given that almost everybody who goes in a hospital is wearing a mask, why are hospitals such hot-spots for covid, considering that masks are supposed to be so effective?

Yes, some medical staff obviously catch covid outside the hospital environment, but I'd guess that many more catch it at work. Ergo, face masks are pretty useless.

AGAA4

My DD is a nurse and is regularly infected by germs brought home by her son, who attends nursery. No
Covid thankfully but many medical staff have children.

Both my nephews, who are doctors, have caught Covid from their children.
I hope this helps to explain it LilacChaser.

It really shouldn't be allowed, should it (AGAA4*

NHS staff having their own children, they are renowned germ factories.

My DD is a nurse and is regularly infected by germs brought home by her son, who attends nursery. No
Covid thankfully but many medical staff have children.

Both my nephews, who are doctors, have caught Covid from their children.
I hope this helps to explain it LilacChaser.

Germanshepherdsmum

What do you mean? A patient in a hospital bed isn’t wearing a mask (except perhaps an oxygen one in ICU) so can transmit and catch covid. And it’s already been pointed out to you that NHS staff do have lives outside hospital.

Yes the patients are wearing masks - at least DH had to.
They are frequently tested for Covid too.

I hope you never need NHS hospital treatment LilacChaser. You seem to have no respect for the medical staff.

LilacChaser

Blondiescot oh, excuse me, I thought they were so busy they only had time to go to work and then collapse into bed!!

Are you for real? They are exhausted - often almost to the point of collapse - but they still have to travel to and from their work, eat (and therefore shop), maybe take their children to and from school and try to fit in a myriad of other everyday essential tasks.

What do you mean? A patient in a hospital bed isn’t wearing a mask (except perhaps an oxygen one in ICU) so can transmit and catch covid. And it’s already been pointed out to you that NHS staff do have lives outside hospital.

Germanshepherdsmum FGS! They're all wearing masks in hospitals so why aren't they working!

Blondiescot oh, excuse me, I thought they were so busy they only had time to go to work and then collapse into bed!!

From other patients perhaps?

MayBeMaw You also seem to ignore the fact that surgeons in particular wear masks to avoid breathing germs or viruses on to their patients and thereby maintaining a sterile atmosphere.

Then why, if all patients are wearing masks, and the doctors, etc are wearing them to prevent breathing germs or viruses on their patients, are all these patients catching covid in hospitals? If their facemask are oh, so effective?

LilacChaser

Snowberry As I've said, three times now on this thread, will somebody please sensibly explain to me how so many surgeons, doctors, nurses, etc, etc are off work with covid if their facemasks are so effective?

Because they do have lives outwith their work! Doctors, nurses, hospital staff - they all still have to do normal everyday things like shopping, commuting to and from their work, maybe playing sports, socialising etc. They're not cooped up in a hospital or medical centre 24/7.

You also seem to ignore the fact that surgeons in particular wear masks to avoid breathing germs or viruses on to their patients and thereby maintaining a sterile atmosphere

I don't know if the surgeon adjusted her mask before she got closer to me; as I said, my eyes were shut.

She was so lovely, I didn't mention it but perhaps I should have done.

LilacChaser

Snowberry As I've said, three times now on this thread, will somebody please sensibly explain to me how so many surgeons, doctors, nurses, etc, etc are off work with covid if their facemasks are so effective?

It’s to do with viral load , LilacChaser.
If you are exposed to infection -and potentially a high one, as medical professionals are generally in close proximity to their patients- over a continuous period, such as 12 our shifts, day in, day out, your chances of catching the virus are many times higher than, for instance being on a bus or half an hour or in a shop for 15 minutes.
You also seem to ignore the fact that surgeons in particular wear masks to avoid breathing germs or viruses on to their patients and thereby maintaining a sterile atmosphere.

LilacChaser

Snowberry As I've said, three times now on this thread, will somebody please sensibly explain to me how so many surgeons, doctors, nurses, etc, etc are off work with covid if their facemasks are so effective?

Because masks aren't 100% effective. Medics are much more likely than the average person to be exposed to infected people. That doesn't mean that masks don't have any effect.

Josieann

TillyTrotter

This may seem barmy ……..
but you raise a good point Lilac . Could the virus infect us through our ears?
We have not been asked to cover them, and they are another “orifice” into our bodies?

I rather like those furry ear muffs, they'd do the job!

Yes, it's possible that Covid can infect people through ears, but unlikely. That's because the surface of the outer ear canal acts as a protective barrier like skin, whereas the tissues lining the surface of the nose, mouth, and eyes are mucous membranes (, which are an easier way for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, to enter.

Kali2

In the middle of surgery? Don't think so.

Obviously not!! ???
They were consultations.
If it was the middle of surgery I hope either DH or I would have been out cold under anaesthetic!

One did carry out a small procedure though. I had my eyes shut tight during that so I don't know where the mask was.

In the middle of surgery? Don't think so.

LilacChaser

Snowberry As I've said, three times now on this thread, will somebody please sensibly explain to me how so many surgeons, doctors, nurses, etc, etc are off work with covid if their facemasks are so effective?

Two surgeons we've seen recently were wearing their masks over their mouths only, they had slipped down and didn't cover their noses.
One kept pushing his back up and then touching things eg pens etc.

Josieann

TillyTrotter

This may seem barmy ……..
but you raise a good point Lilac . Could the virus infect us through our ears?
We have not been asked to cover them, and they are another “orifice” into our bodies?

I rather like those furry ear muffs, they'd do the job!

Speak up please, I can't hear you!!

TillyTrotter

This may seem barmy ……..
but you raise a good point Lilac . Could the virus infect us through our ears?
We have not been asked to cover them, and they are another “orifice” into our bodies?

I rather like those furry ear muffs, they'd do the job!

This may seem barmy ……..
but you raise a good point Lilac . Could the virus infect us through our ears?
We have not been asked to cover them, and they are another “orifice” into our bodies?

Snowberry As I've said, three times now on this thread, will somebody please sensibly explain to me how so many surgeons, doctors, nurses, etc, etc are off work with covid if their facemasks are so effective?

Repeated studies have demonstrated that masks reduce the spread. Over 100,000 cases reported today. Where's the science for saying now's a good time to reduce mitigation?

Gagajo it does seem the logical answer as their protection rate is I believe around 95% if worn correctly.
The government are not suddenly going to change their mind masks will go
I have considered one but as I actually have Covid at this moment so picking up some extra antibodies I will stick with the blue surgical if I feel the need. But although I am old I am not vunerable as such