Masks

Away With The Fairies wrote:

I originally thought that masks were for sick people, I changed my mind. But probably won't go out buying masks because I don't like seeing doctors/nurses without them, so don't want to take them when there's already a shortage. I will be wearing masks that I've made myself. Some protection is better than nothing.

Exactly. Cloth masks are far superior than nothing. But we need critical mass otherwise it's pointless. Essentially, most people in publics spaces need to be wearing them.

You haven't indicated what that has to do with anything.

Does anyone know where you can buy FFP2 masks online or anywhere? also called duck masks? I am a Health care worker and I prefer them than surgical masks which are advocated by WHO and HSE , but I feel safer with FFP2. trying everywhere online but no joy

Lots of sweat shops all over Asia making sub standard fake masks. Some might come with the virus!
Better to stick with reputable brands with EN 14683 standard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--pwI4E9tsk

Japanese experiment and micro droplet theory that virus can spread during conversation. This may explain the spread in say business meetings and over dinner.

Masks can reduce the risk.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vBvFkQizTT4

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

Does anyone know how to stop glasses fogging up when wearing face masks?

If it is the surgical mask, make sure it's tightly fitted by crimping the wire at the top. Some doctors put a strip of extra surgical tape across top to help, and rest bottom rim of glasses on top of mask. Otherwise, make the lower band/tie looser so air you breath out goes out through the bottom and side.

SuperRabbit wrote: »

Why should we wear masks?

To stop us infecting anyone else.



So wearing a mask doesn't stop me catching it?

No, it doesn't.

So as a med person I pop into someones room for less then 30 seconds I shouldnt bother gowning up and putting on mask and gloves?

There is a reason we do this, to prevent cross contamination and to prevent us getting anything



So, if it doesnt stop me catching anything why do med staff wear them prior to pandemic?

I was taught infection control and prevention of cross contamination and one the most imprtant things was a mask to stop me getting anything.


Covid19 aerosol following cough can hang in air for upto to 3 hours. So I will rely on my trainging and experience and continue to wear them.

By the way, this question was asked at the end of last nights health briefing and the answer was fudged so the public wouldnt be buying masks.

Masks also protect against viral load. There is increasing evidence that lower viral inoculation of COVID-19 could potentially result in a milder illness. If you are wearing a mask and exposed to the virus your body would most likely inhale far less viral particles due to the mask's protection giving your immune system time to react before becoming overwhelmed by the otherwise potentially trillions of viral particles you could inhale without wearing a mask. Even a surgical mask or a home made mask is useful for this reason.

Then there is the aspect of aerosolization with increasing evidence (most recently in the New England Journal of Medicine) that the virus can survive in air for up to 3 hours. This is in laboratory conditions so whilst in the real world, it may not last that long, it could still linger for quite some time (for example in a supermarket aisle where someone has previously sneezed). A surgical mask might only be partially effective towards this and an N-95 or higher rated mask would be much better (with goggles). Hopefully once the frontline staff increase their stock, these will be made available again to the public (of course with full preference to providing for all frontline staff first).

I would expect to see European governments do a complete U-turn on the mask issue in the coming days and weeks. I have been rather shocked at how we have been endlessly told masks do not offer much protection and should not be worn. Sure, if there is a short supply then at least come clean with it and say stocks were inadequate and frontline staff require them so please don't hoard them. I am sure most people would comply and in the mean time people could even make homemade masks as they are doing in the Czech Republic.

Personally, I have been wearing a mask since several weeks whilst in the supermarket. Now, I also wear eye goggles too (the eyes are another major point of entry for the virus).

If you happen to have an N-95 mask or greater, they offer high protection and can be reused as long as they remain intact and the filter undamaged. Apparently they are good for 8 hours of consecutive use so you can wear them for a short amount of time (for example at the shops) and then reuse them again if you are careful with them. The mask itself is a source of infection after wearing and must be taken off correctly. If reused, it should not be reused for a number of days as viral particles may be on the surface of the mask and could infect you if worn again. There is still study being done on the lifespan of this virus on different surfaces so personally, I would not wear the same mask again for 9 days.

Surgical masks should not normally be reused as the fibers tend to become weaker more quickly. Anway, there is a lot of misinformation out their about masks and their effectiveness but the bottomline is that whilst not fool proof, they do offer considerably greater increased protection.

Obviously masks help also stop the spread of the virus from those that already might have it and not realise (or realise) but apart from what I stated above about viral load above, if everyone simply wore a mask I bet our infection rate would drop substantially as has been the case in several Asian countries.