OT: When you go out, are you wearing a mask?

I get all my medical advice from cute little story boards on facebook too!

The WHO said this week not to wear them. Now they may or may not change their recommendation today or this weekend, or next week, that we probably should wear them maybe. Yet we are supposed to take Laredo Texas and their world renown medical staff's own recommendations and Mgteich who I guess is also a world famous infectious disease Dr. over the World Health Organization.

Of course the WHO has used China as the model for how to contain this disease, while it now appears China is having outbreaks in other cities and they never really did contain it, they just lied about containing it so they could put their population back to work to save their economy.

Now we aren't supposed to be using Ibuprofen, but we aren't sure, and that may change this week.

People are scared, even the WHO doesn't know what really works yet, and we are weeks into an outbreak that will probably get worse over the next few weeks. Listen to the Dr.s and try to minimize all social contact, and wash your damn hands. Realize you probably won't die if you get this, and lots of people won't even know they have it.

moosekill said:

I get all my medical advice from cute little story boards on facebook too!

The WHO said this week not to wear them. Now they may or may not change their recommendation today or this weekend, or next week, that we probably should wear them maybe. Yet we are supposed to take Laredo Texas and their world renown medical staff's own recommendations and Mgteich who I guess is also a world famous infectious disease Dr. over the World Health Organization.

Of course the WHO has used China as the model for how to contain this disease, while it now appears China is having outbreaks in other cities and they never really did contain it, they just lied about containing it so they could put their population back to work to save their economy.

Now we aren't supposed to be using Ibuprofen, but we aren't sure, and that may change this week.

People are scared, even the WHO doesn't know what really works yet, and we are weeks into an outbreak that will probably get worse over the next few weeks. Listen to the Dr.s and try to minimize all social contact, and wash your damn hands. Realize you probably won't die if you get this, and lots of people won't even know they have it.

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Honest, thanks. Personally, having had the virus a month ago I actually go along with all the recommendations to not scare the crap out of little old ladies when I’m out and about when I don’t believe I’ll get the virus again this go around. I’m more bothered by allergies at the moment.

I have a mask labeled N95 that I had owned and used previously (working under my car). I use that when I go to the grocery store, in combination with some nitrile gloves (again, previously owned and opened for various household purposes, so not something that can be donated to a hospital).

I'm preserving the mask by spraying it down with alcohol between uses.

Additionally, I only wear specific clothing when going to the store, and remove it before entering my house and launder it immediately.

It may be overkill, but I'm trying to put as many different layers of protection between me and the virus as possible. Use of a mask in addition to handwashing and distancing seems worth it, based on the research I've done.

I apologize if this offends someone, but "not scaring people" during a pandemic seems pretty counter intuitive to me. My goal is not to be infected so I don't infect my family or end up taking up a spot in a hospital Also, I live in Fairfield County, CT - the virus is very prevalent here. Most importantly, I have young children at home, including a 6 mo. old baby. They're relying on me to get food, and I'm doing it as safely as I know how.

Deus Irae said:

I have no problem getting 6 feet of spacing.

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I have one of those too...just in case!


But yes, I have been wearing my reusable mask with N99 inserts. I originally bought them for yard work last fall...guess I have esp.

I'm personally not going to buy a mask. I have no business buying a mask that could be used for medical professionals. Unfortunately there are some things that I need to do that make it unavoidable to go out. Personally I feel great and I limit my activities to running and going to costco.

My friends uncles family did get this and they are recovering so its not a death sentence but it does take a toll on you. They still can't taste food. So that's a thing...

mgteich said:

I think that this is really easy to understand, and obviously be discussed by everyone one television today.

THE OLD RECOMMENDATION
Sick people should wear surgical or cloth masks to protect others. N95 masks are not recommended for general use.

NEW INFORMATION
20-25% of those who are infected don't show symptoms. Those who do show symptoms are contagious 2-3 days before showing symptoms.

NEW RECOMMENDATION (not by CDC yet)
Everyone should wear a surgical or cloth masks when outside of their houses. Even any homemade mask will help.
==

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You'd think so. Apparently it's not though. Look no further than this very thread to see that.

Give Kraft A Hand said:

I'm personally not going to buy a mask. I have no business buying a mask that could be used for medical professionals. Unfortunately there are some things that I need to do that make it unavoidable to go out. Personally I feel great and I limit my activities to running and going to costco.

My friends uncles family did get this and they are recovering so its not a death sentence but it does take a toll on you. They still can't taste food. So that's a thing...

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Yeah someone did an interview I forget with who and I saw it on twitter...3 weeks later and even after recovered they can't smell or taste. I hope for some this isn't permanent for some..

FirstAndGoal said:

Talking about n95 masks. I do not count those cloth/surgical as any serious self protection. Only effective to avoid spread from the wearer

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That is helpful as well...unless you only care about yourself.

ForThoseAboutToRock said:

I have a mask labeled N95 that I had owned and used previously (working under my car). I use that when I go to the grocery store, in combination with some nitrile gloves (again, previously owned and opened for various household purposes, so not something that can be donated to a hospital).

I'm preserving the mask by spraying it down with alcohol between uses.

Additionally, I only wear specific clothing when going to the store, and remove it before entering my house and launder it immediately.

It may be overkill, but I'm trying to put as many different layers of protection between me and the virus as possible. Use of a mask in addition to handwashing and distancing seems worth it, based on the research I've done.

I apologize if this offends someone, but "not scaring people" during a pandemic seems pretty counter intuitive to me. My goal is not to be infected so I don't infect my family or end up taking up a spot in a hospital Also, I live in Fairfield County, CT - the virus is very prevalent here. Most importantly, I have young children at home, including a 6 mo. old baby. They're relying on me to get food, and I'm doing it as safely as I know how.

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SCARING OTHERS

We should be scared by anyone without a mask. As folks have said for weeks, we should consider anyone we see to be a carrier and stay far away. Is being 6 feet from someone who sneezes enough? It certainly isn't in any enclosed space, such as a hospital room. Have you ever walked outside with a breeze indoor face. Would you feel comfortable if someone gave a big sneeze in your direction? How far would be to feel comfortable.

As has been the case for centuries, relatively more youth feel that they are invincible and that isn't their job to protect others.

How many on this board have already said that "I wouldn't wear a mask under any circumstances". How many point to the lack of this being required as proof that masks won't help, an obviously illogical position.

mgteich said:

SCARING OTHERS

We should be scared by anyone without a mask. As folks have said for weeks, we should consider anyone we see to be a carrier and stay far away. Is being 6 feet from someone who sneezes enough? It certainly isn't in any enclosed space, such as a hospital room. Have you ever walked outside with a breeze indoor face. Would you feel comfortable if someone gave a big sneeze in your direction? How far would be to feel comfortable.

As has been the case for centuries, relatively more youth feel that they are invincible and that isn't their job to protect others.

How many on this board have already said that "I wouldn't wear a mask under any circumstances". How many point to the lack of this being required as proof that masks won't help, an obviously illogical position.

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I am scared of and for the Presidential Task Force that appears everyday on a platform without masks or social distancing.

Clonamery said:

I am scared of and for the Presidential Task Force that appears everyday on a platform without masks or social distancing.

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Do you live in DC? Are you going to be in contact with any of them? If not, I would suggest on things that you can control.

And yes, the optics are terrible. And the attitude toward masks in juvenile. They don't want us to wear masks for any length of time. I guess that most of Asia is composed of idiots who wear masks very often while in public. There is a reason that we will have 50,000 deaths from the flu this season. [but that discussion is for another day]

mgteich said:

Do you live in DC? Are you going to be in contact with any of them? If not, I would suggest on things that you can control.

And yes, the optics are terrible. And the attitude toward masks in juvenile. They don't want us to wear masks for any length of time. I guess that most of Asia is composed of idiots who wear masks very often while in public. There is a reason that we will have 50,000 deaths from the flu this season. [but that discussion is for another day]

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I was being sarcastic because they absolutely cannot lead by example.

The Brandon Five said:

That is helpful as well...unless you only care about yourself.

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Coronavirus RESPECTFUL Discussion Only! (Mod edit: Closed)

My wife is also a healthcare worker who, although is not directly in the fight, gets exposed to supposedly healthy patients daily.

Maybe I'm not doing enough in your eyes but I haven't had a day off in over a month and catch about 3-4 hours sleep but I'll leave it at that... you guys enjoy yourself with your self-righteousness. I'm out. I have actual things to do.

FirstAndGoal said:

Coronavirus RESPECTFUL Discussion Only! (Mod edit: Closed)

My wife is also a healthcare worker who, although is not directly in the fight, gets exposed to supposedly healthy patients daily.

Maybe I'm not doing enough in your eyes but I haven't had a day off in over a month and catch about 3-4 hours sleep but I'll leave it at that... you guys enjoy yourself with your self-righteousness. I'm out. I have actual things to do.

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So how does wearing a non-N95 mask hurt anyone?

Well per the WHO, it tends to make people feel they are protected or they are protecting others, when they really aren't. So they go out, don't wash their hands, get closer than they should to others and overall, don't practice social distancing, and the masks do nothing to keep the viruses from either being transmitted or from getting transmitted from you. Tomorrow the WHO may change their mind, but as of today, no matter what all you immunologists say, they don't recommend them.

moosekill said:

Well per the WHO, it tends to make people feel they are protected or they are protecting others, when they really aren't. So they go out, don't wash their hands, get closer than they should to others and overall, don't practice social distancing, and the masks do nothing to keep the viruses from either being transmitted or from getting transmitted from you. Tomorrow the WHO may change their mind, but as of today, no matter what all you immunologists say, they don't recommend them.

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Who was saying it was a good idea to do any of that?

If you read what the World Health Organization has published, this is why they don't recommend wearing them currently. They say they don't work and people who are using them are much more likely to ignore the social distancing etc. I am simply quoting what they say for you people who don't read or believe them, once again going back to all of your vast knowledge on pandemics.
Or you could argue that the asians all wear them so it must be good. Of course this disease came from asians eating bats and dogs, so I am not sure I would recommend them as experts.

I've changed my position from whatever I posted on the first page or 2 of this thread. My mom, who is a very high ranking nurse at a hospital serving a community of 150k+, is now telling me I should be wearing a mask in any sort of confined or crowded public space. Not saying her opinion is the be all end all of public health policy, but I trust her.

Don't need one if you're just walking around a suburban neighborhood, and I don't plan on going out at all, but if I do need to pop over to the grocery store or gas station I'll definitely be sporting a mask.

moosekill said:

Well per the WHO, it tends to make people feel they are protected or they are protecting others, when they really aren't. So they go out, don't wash their hands, get closer than they should to others and overall, don't practice social distancing, and the masks do nothing to keep the viruses from either being transmitted or from getting transmitted from you. Tomorrow the WHO may change their mind, but as of today, no matter what all you immunologists say, they don't recommend them.

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Yup

How stupid does the WHO think people are? They are so stupid that they will think that by wearing a bandana, they should stop all the protections recommended and, in many cases, required by law.

And just BTW, after THIS crisis is over, will you be looking to the WHO to manage our health care and dictate US health policy.
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Right now (and in the future), people will be looking to see the recomendations of our city councils, governors, federal experts and lots of other experts.

What we will NOT do is to search the world to find someone who agrees with us, and ignore all the rest.