There is a debate about whether we should all wear masks when going out - not to protect ourselves so much as to protect others. This is being fought out between scientists and on the link below is a justification of the reasons why its a good idea - rebutting some of the reasons given against it. To me this makes sense - and many countries are adopting this approach. Its obviously heavier reading than a 3 word slogan or one of our tabloid "news" papers but perfectly understandable. https://www.authorea.com/users/316109/articles/446320-masks-for-the-public-laying-straw-men-to-rest of course I am prepared to be persuaded against if someone comes back with as well an argued paper explaining what is wrong with the above, but I dont expect that to happen. Id like to see a similarly argued paper on why covid was deemed not a top risk disease for medical professionals and so their need for PPE is also diminished - but I expect that's rather harder to find - much easier to say guided by Science ( the 3 word slogan again )
The popular story coming from ministers is that it helps stop the spread but doesn’t stop you getting it which I find bizarre tbh. If it’s stopping you spreading it and if every one wears one.why is it not stopping you getting it . I don’t know if it’s thick ministers or I’m just not getting it . I know what my pick is .
The theory came from the WHO (I think) but it assumes that not everyone is wearing one. I've not heard anyone say that they won't work if everyone was to wear one - as long as they are the correct specification. I read an article on it recently which I will try to find.
SAGE is against it; therefore Cummings is against it; therefore I'm all for it. EXCEPT where are all these masks coming from all of a sudden?
What it means is if you are in contact with unmasked coved carriers a cloth mask offers little protection unlike a proper medical standard mask. If everyone wears them of course it reduces your chances of getting it because those that are infectious aren’t spreading as many virus’s. So I’d go with thick ministers not that you are
They don’t need to be medical standard cotton works well The Italian must have beachwear this summer for the ladies is the trikini https://tg24.sky.it/cronaca/photogallery/2020/04/26/coronavirus-italia-trikini-foto.html#2
Wearing one won't stop YOU from catching it if an unprotected person coughs at you but it will stop the unprotected person from getting it if you cough because your germs will be trapped inside the mask. Essentially there's only any point in wearing one if you already have covid-19
Who has actually said that if everyone wears a mask of appropriate specification that it won't reduce or stop the spread? I've not heard anyone say this, no minister, official or scientist. I've heard a lot of people saying that a combination of poor quality masks / not everyone wearing them will only have a limited impact at best but that appears a logical statement to me.
That’s true but it spreads mostly due to incubating or asymptomatic people being out and about so if we all wear them that will mean that most of us are wasting our time but those unlucky enough to have it and not know are at least not spreading it further.
No they can't so you're right if everyone wore one it would help slow the spread. The only reason it's been worded how it has is I think in a direct response to someone asking 'so if I wear one I can't catch it right?' which you can as it's the other person who's key.
That's how I understand it. Not sure why that's the case though or if it's actually scientifically correct
So the govts right and I’m right ? I’ve got a headache caused by having something in common with a Tory govt
Yes you're both right but both talking about slightly different things. You're right in that if both me and you wear one mine protects you and yours protects me so we're both good. If only you wear one then I'm protected but you aren't. Or something like that Boris
Basically, I've always thought of it as 'wear a mask to protect others, wear gloves to protect yourself'.
Covid supposedly works on a three week cycle. So if the government make it mandatory for everyone out in public to cover their mouth/nose for a month (whilst still washing their hands) then a month from now cases should be non existent?
It's like most things during this crisis. The government's advice is influenced by resources, rather than it being the best thing to do. Wearing a mask can only help the situation - however small - not make it worse.