Masks

However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection or source control, and other personal and community level measures should also be adopted to suppress transmission of respiratory viruses. Whether or not masks are used, compliance with hand hygiene, physical distancing and other infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are critical to prevent human-to- human transmission of COVID-19.

AUDI20 wrote: »

However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection or source control, and other personal and community level measures should also be adopted to suppress transmission of respiratory viruses. Whether or not masks are used, compliance with hand hygiene, physical distancing and other infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are critical to prevent human-to- human transmission of COVID-19.

Masks are the only NPI measure that actually deal with source control. They stop the virus coming out. All the other measures are delayed responsive measures to the virus being active in the Environment. Your spew is nearly as washy as Leo Stay Firm 2 socks when in convo with PK tonight.

It is also important that we get the message right, wearing a facemark is not a magic shield. It is not as effective as physical distancing, it is not a substitute for washing your hands, respiratory etiquette, all those things.

His claim that wearing a mask is not as effective as physical distancing is pure makewakey, ain't no science behind that. Nothing is a substitute for washing your hands, washing your hands is washing your hands. All those things, pure nothing, he spews pure wish wash. He's just lucky he stopped at those things because if he got going about sneezing into his sleeve I would be pressing the red button right now.

If you could have only 2 measures you could practice what would they be and why?

Snow Garden wrote: »

Out of curiousity, where do ye buy masks? Chemists/Online/Supermarkets?
I haven't seen them on sale to be honest. Haven't been in a chemist since March either I suppose.

Buy them online through ETSY website (reusable ones). Dunnes were selling masks as well.

dfx- wrote: »

Face coverings is a very general term - you could use a scarf.

FFS. Clothes is a general term, that could mean a sock that goes on a foot or an underpants that covers your balls and ass.

Face Coverings are quite specific, the first word is a clue.

RoYoBo wrote: »

This is what makes sense to me - there has to be some decent enough protection for mask wearers, especially if they also wear glasses. I don't expect it to be foolproof, but even a reduced chance might be a good 'selling point' for wearers. enough to encourage the use of them anyway.

Can you purchases ordinary glasses anywhere that have normal non prescription glass in them. I don't mean from an optician. I am surprised that some bright spark is not already selling these as a protective measure.

Probably make a fortune....

weldoninhio wrote: »

Dublin Bus hasn’t been social distancing.

Yes they have, they have limited passengers to 17 down from 67.

They could do that because passenger numbers were down 90+% because of the restrictions.

They now see that isn't feasible given more volumes of people will need to use the services, so they want face coverings mandatory just like they have done in over 50 countries, the UK being the latest.

Sorry again what is your actual opposition to a very simple device that has been proven to work at this stage without any shadow of a doubt?

You think it makes you look like a wally, it fogs up your glasses, mental health, something, something, something?

They are not valid reasons.

ShyMets wrote: »

However exceptions would need to be made for those with special needs/autism who are unable to wear face coverings

Of course, and people who have no ears will be exempt.

Now unless we are a nation of special needs and earless unfortunates, achieving 95% plus compliance on transport should not be a problem.

It's a red herring argument pushed from start by a the Health Minister who from the start is talking people out of wearing masks all though his department "recommends" them.

People who can't wear masks for whatever valid reason should not be expected to wear masks, it's a given. Everybody understands that.

It fogs up my glasses or makes me look like a wally are not valid reasons.

weldoninhio wrote: »

Phase one over. More people have been working for the last month. More and more shops are open and opening. Dublin Bus hasn’t been social distancing. People have been flocking to beaches, house parties, parks, family and friends. And again no spike, despite every time something hit the headlines, the chicken littles wailing and gnashing about the impending spike. All the evidence points to the fact that the next month will pass off without incident. You’ve been proven wrong again and again and again. Have you gotten any predictions even half correct??

Effectively close contact has stopped between people since March. Even with activity returning, people are keeping distance, no hand shaking and being more cautious.

Most people are having respect for others.
Of course you will hear about a party here and a party there or a few groups at a beach. But the vast majority of people are taking the advice seriously. Herd acceptance.

Now that we back semi-normal there will be closer contact and that's where face masks come in handy.

I and others used masks when we had a meeting yesterday. 5 of us in a room for a meeting that could not be done virtually and in some parts we had to be beside each other, and as such the masks just gave confidence / comfort.

And that's what they assist in - where distancing is not possible, the masks provide some protection. Such as passing people in the aisle of a shop, transport and in certain workplaces

I've been busy last week, so reacting to old posts. This one is really yummy.

trapp wrote:

There is a time and place for masks.

Yes, that's correct.

That time was end of March 2020 and everywhere indoors everywhere in Ireland. Especially care homes and hospitals.

trapp wrote:

Mostly in Ireland it's just being overly dramatic and not needed.

Dramatic my foot.

If we had masks (and closed borders) we could have saved 10k people hassle of going through Covid, hundreds dying and avoided completely shutting down the whole economy for so long in the most stupid way and destroying people's jobs and businesses while making a 35 billion debt!

The HSE and Gov have failed spectacularly and this has to be repeated until it cuts through. They are clowns and unable to govern and manage agenda entrusted to them.

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

We're in for a sh!t winter if this still lingers on. Covid19 + colds + flu.

There's going to be more out sick, and how can anybody trust the tests when there's false negatives.

Surely masks will help with all this?

You keep going on about all these false negatives, They are a miniscule percentage. If we adhere to distancing, hand hygiene etc and wear masks, if we wish, then the occurrences of flu should also be contained.

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

30% isn't miniscule.

It's not always possible to maintain distancing so how is wearing a mask optional.

You're way out of date. Current testing estimates false negatives at less than 5%.

You wear your mask and keep your distance as best you can. You really need to relax about this.