C.D.C. Weighs Advising Everyone To Wear a Mask (nytimes.com) 240
Widespread use of nonmedical masks could reduce community transmission. But recommending their broad use could also cause a run on the kind of masks that health care workers desperately need. From a report: Should healthy people be wearing masks when they're outside to protect themselves and others? Both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly said that ordinary citizens do not need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. And as health care workers around the world face shortages of N95 masks and protective gear, public health officials have warned people not to hoard masks. But those official guidelines may be shifting.
On Monday during the coronavirus task force briefing, President Trump was asked whether Americans should wear nonmedical masks. "That's certainly something we could discuss," he said. "It could be something like that for a limited period of time." Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the C.D.C., confirmed in an interview with National Public Radio on Monday that the agency was reviewing its guidelines on who should wear masks. Citing new data that shows high rates of transmission from people who are infected but show no symptoms, he said the guidance on mask wearing was "being critically re-reviewed, to see if there's potential additional value for individuals that are infected or individuals that may be asymptomatically infected." The coronavirus is probably three times as infectious as the flu, Dr. Redfield said.
On Monday during the coronavirus task force briefing, President Trump was asked whether Americans should wear nonmedical masks. "That's certainly something we could discuss," he said. "It could be something like that for a limited period of time." Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the C.D.C., confirmed in an interview with National Public Radio on Monday that the agency was reviewing its guidelines on who should wear masks. Citing new data that shows high rates of transmission from people who are infected but show no symptoms, he said the guidance on mask wearing was "being critically re-reviewed, to see if there's potential additional value for individuals that are infected or individuals that may be asymptomatically infected." The coronavirus is probably three times as infectious as the flu, Dr. Redfield said.
Mask? Where Can I Get One? (Score:5, Insightful)
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It depends on the quality of the mask. Some are more expensive and have replaceable filters and valves to allow better air flow. So should you wear a mask, well a good one will reduce your exposure to all sorts of pollution, many kinds of microbes and keep you safe from facial recognition. Will it become publicly accepted to wear a face mask, it really depends how it spreads at the moment. It is still in the minority and does not seem to be catching on at all but it might.
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You make one. Since the main purpose is to protect other people when you cough, it doesn't have to be very good.
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Re: Mask? Where Can I Get One? (Score:2)
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Probably because they're being constantly exposed to sick people coughing and sneezing. But without also having proper eye protection the masks aren't going to be particularly effective.
The discussion is around having everyone wear a mask as many people who are carriers of the virus may not have symptoms. The mask is to limit how far the virus is projected when a person coughs or sneezes. Here's an older publication [nih.gov] that states that water droplets can be projected 6 meters from a sneeze and 2 meters from a cough. I've read newer publications that stated that it's 8 meters for a sneeze and 6 for a cough. Plus the droplets can stay suspended for up to 10 minutes. A mask made out of something
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It's just a numbers game.
For now your main worry is touching contaminated surfaces -- "fomite transmission". People like the technician administering the COVID-19 test obviously are getting coughed on by sick people -- droplet transmission. Aerosol transmission is a theoretical possibility, but experts seem to think it is not a practical concern for most people.
But when we start up the economy, it's going to be a whole new ballgame. You won't be able to distance yourself like you do now, or avoid touchin
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Aerosol transmission is a theoretical possibility, but experts seem to think it is not a practical concern for most people.
Dangerously obsolete misinformation [google.com] there.
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Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.
Stretch out with your feelings.
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I guess I could back order a few for delivery in September.
If you had any sense, you would have spent $5 to buy a pack years ago.
Dealing with a crisis by running to the store at the last minute doesn't work because everyone else is doing the same.
As a prepper, let me once again say "I told you so."
I have masks, TP, and everything else I need. And since I accumulated my stash during times of plenty, I am not adding to the problem by rushing out to buy supplies, thus depriving others.
Your failure to prepare was not only foolish, but it was also selfish.
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Still can't resist.
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Preppers can't win - made fun of when right, made fun of when ... not right yet.
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Preppers can't win
Preppers always win.
If there is a crisis, we are prepared.
If there is no crisis, we save money by buying in bulk.
When peanut butter is on sale, you may buy an extra jar. I buy an extra case.
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And since I accumulated my stash during times of plenty, I am not adding to the problem by rushing out to buy supplies, thus depriving others
Your failure to prepare was not only foolish, but it was also selfish.
I don't know, it still sounds like hoarding to me. I'm pretty certain that there's people that need those masks more than you right now. Good for you for being prepped up though. Just don't think you get to run around calling other people selfish because you started hoarding first. Responsible? Yes. Selfish? If you're not out there helping then don't get all high and mighty on others. There's people out there with a lot less doing a lot more than you.
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I'm pretty certain that there's people that need those masks more than you right now.
My actions had nothing whatsoever to do with the current mask shortage, other than alleviating it by not buying during the shortage.
you started hoarding first.
Buying during times of plenty is not "hoarding".
If everyone had done what I did, there would be no shortage. If even half the people had prepared, there would likely be no shortage.
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If you had any sense, you would have...
~Shanghai Bill
blahdeeblah...not have supported herd immunity models based on colonial ledgers and inventories to assert maintaining open borders and the vectors of airline profits were simply a "WASH".
Your failure to prepare was not only foolish, but it was also selfish.
~Shanghai Bill
Selfish is advocating for policy with demonstrable harm and hiding behind children as a defense. Selfish doesn't begin to describe it. Reminding people of why unicode doesn't matter and why feeding trolls is counter-productive is one thing. Shaming? You are genuinely righteous about your record of prediction? A "WASH". How
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The wack jobs are the ones who dig an underground bunker and fill it with 40 years of MREs and a million rounds of 5.56.
I only buy stuff I am going to eat whether there is a crisis or not: Lentils, soybeans, flour, oatmeal.
I cycle through my stash about once a year.
My spouse is Chinese, so we use the flour to make jjiaozi, boazi, mantou, etc. We use the soybeans to make soymilk and tofu.
I only have 500 rounds of 5.56mm. My family goes to the range twice a year, so we cycle through that once a year as well.
Re:Mask? Where Can I Get One? (Score:4, Insightful)
wouldn't society at large be better of if you gave them all to medical personnel?
Not necessarily. Normal hospital procedure is one-time-use for masks. They wear them, discard them after an hour, and pull a new one out of the box.
When they started to run out, they decided that the "normal" procedure was stupid and wasteful. So they now sterilize and reuse the masks.
If I had donated my masks early in the crisis, I would have just extended the period of wastefulness.
Doesn't that make you the selfish person for hanging on to those masks?
I am not claiming to be perfectly altruistic. Just better than you.
Everyone is better off because of my preparations. Since February 1st, I have bought no TP, bleach, sanitizer, paper towels, or any other supplies. I have bought no eggs (I have chickens), or any non-perishable food. Only milk and produce.
If everyone had prepared as I did, there would have been no shortages of anything.
What have you done?
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I ordered a few dozen during the Camp fire two years ago, to cut the soot and smoke. Thankfully, they keep.
In a month, masks will be plentiful and available in designer styles and colors. Wear one EVERY time you're out in public. This is going to be the "new normal".
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I would donate them, but the box is opened and the local hospital won't take them that way.
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All that costs billions, and it's all gone under single payer. Factor in all uninsured who won't go to the doctor because of cost the cost productivity, and even those with insurance who end
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Also, having single payer does not exclude having additional insurance. In countries with single payer there is still a vibrant third party insurance that people get. In Taiwan it is not uncommon to hold insurance that covers optional portions of procedures, or stays beyond what the single payer system covers. In this system there is a minimum care for everyone, and if people want Cadillac coverage they can still get it.
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Re:Mask? Where Can I Get One? (Score:5, Interesting)
In Australia, this actually happened; a major retailer in China ordered their Australian branches to quickly send home every mask they could get, and lots of other medical supplies as well. (This was back when the PRC was lying about the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus. Which they still are.) And because it's China, the "fake media" is mostly ignoring this.
The Chinese government lies. It always has. Chinese people are fine, but the Chinese Communist Party needs to be eliminated.
Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)
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Coumo originally reported that masks were and other shit was disappearing, nurses report saying yeah they stash things and take things home. Trump says, I heard shit is walking out the backdoor and someone (the news) should investigate.
Everyone says orange man bad in the same article where they outline that yeah.... shit is walking about the back door... but but but.... orange man bad.
Re:Mask? Where Can I Get One? (Score:5, Informative)
orange man bad.
Yes. Orange man is inept. He sat around for 2 months and didn't try to stock up on essentials such as masks. In fact, Trump ignored warnings and shipped medical supplies including masks to China early on!
Dereliction of duty. The managerial and intelligence failure of the century.
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Even a bit less than on average. It looks strange, but probably the quarantine prevents the spread of other infections as well: the flu, the hepatitis, etc. Also less traffic and aerial accidents.
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Nah, binary man is right in this case.
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print $2 trillion we don't have
Those two are mutually exclusive.
Re:Mask? Where Can I Get One? (Score:5, Insightful)
Quote me Amadaeus (Score:2)
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National debt has nothing to do with the population of the planet. And everything to do with governments wanting to spend money without raising taxes to match the increased spending.
That said, it's pretty much impossible to run an exact balance of income and outgo, what with unexpected things happening now and then. And it's better f
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Oh yeah.... deflation is horrible..... You could put away 100$ when you are 21 (equivalent of 100 loafs of bread let's say) and by time you are retiring at 65 that could turn into 10,000 loafs worth at constant deflation.... nobody would want that amirite!?!? After all, our goal is to slave away our entire lives and then be dumped in some ditch somewhere to die horribly when we get old, isn't it? Except the 1%ers, they deserve to live carefree all their life and have everything they could ever dream of.
Infl
Re:Quote me Amadaeus (Score:4, Insightful)
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Deflation is horrible because it means you won't have a job.
For you to have a job, a business needs to grow (or a new on be created) to create a new job. For businesses to grow, they generally need to borrow money. Lending money to a business is always risky. Why would you take the risk of loaning money to a business when it can just sit in the bank and gain in purchasing power.
This isn't speculative. Japan battled deflation for over 20 years, and while they had wonderfully high savings rates, their eco
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Explain how population is connected to the national debt?
I said this in January. (Score:2)
Don't wear one into a bank. (Score:2)
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As a long time proponent of people wearing a face mask when having a cold I'm surprised transparent face masks aren't common. They would make it not only possible to walk into a bank but also make it easier to normalize its use in society as a whole.
Even common colds not serious enough to make staying home an option can have economic side effects, a face mask would not only reduce spread via aerosols and fluids but also serve as an indication to reduce social contact with the wearer. Making it taboo to snee
Any face covering helps (Score:5, Interesting)
Even a bandana or shirt wrapped over your face reduces the amount of droplets you spread if you cough. Its an easy near zero-cost / effort way to reduce the growth rate of the virus.
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Seriously. Plus it keeps you from touching your face.
[John]
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Seriously. Plus it keeps you from touching your face.
[John]
That is probably the best effect it has for protection you. May make a significant difference.
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I'm not sure it's the case that it stops you from touching your face. I've seen people with surgical masks constantly fiddling with and adjusting them, even running their fingertips under the mask's edge.
If you think to yourself, "I wouldn't do that," when I point this out people don't realize they're doing it.
If you do wear an improvised mask, it needs to be generously sized and comfortable. You need to be extra-careful about hand hygiene too because you will be fiddling with it.
I'm thinking maybe putti
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Seriously. Plus it keeps you from touching your face.
People can still rub their eyes, which is the worst thing they can do.
I see some people wearing safety goggles along with their masks, which is a smart thing to do.
Condition yourself not to touch your face. If you have an itch you can't resist, then use a tissue or sanitize your hands before rubbing.
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Even a bandana or shirt wrapped over your face reduces the amount of droplets you spread if you cough. Its an easy near zero-cost / effort way to reduce the growth rate of the virus.
Plus there's the added benefit of less prep needed, should you decide to rob the place!
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Home work (Score:3)
Thank goodness I was doing my own home work last year -- hate drywalling. Happen to have a stash of N95 masks because of it. Who knew?
I've kept enough for my wife and myself -- donated the other boxes I don't need to local hospital...
Make your own (Score:4, Informative)
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Of course they work. The question is how well. (Score:5, Insightful)
Absolutely they work, or medical staff wouldn't use them.
But the CDC didn't want the general public hoarding N95 masks, which is understandable. So they said masks don't work, which of course just added to the confusion.
The thing is, it's not a question of N95 or nothing. Different masks provide different levels of protection, both from droplet and aerosol spread.
It's like social distancing. If you can't maintain a 6 foot distance, that doesn't mean it's not worth having a 5 foot distance. And a 5 foot distance is better than a 2 foot distance, etc. The same is true with masks.
Even if a non-N95 mask only cut the spread by 10%, that's 10% better than nothing, so why not add it to the list of precautions?
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But finding masks is not going to be easy. I have 3 that are really old (15 years>), the elastic seems ok, but suspect it could break on me.
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Re: Of course they work. The question is how well. (Score:2)
Skip the elastic and make cloth ties. More comfortable anyway.
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It's like social distancing. If you can't maintain a 6 foot distance, that doesn't mean it's not worth having a 5 foot distance. And a 5 foot distance is better than a 2 foot distance, etc.
How about licking? Asking for a "friend".
Re:Of course they work. The question is how well. (Score:5, Insightful)
N95 masks do not protect anyone when used the way laymen want to use them.
People want to throw on masks and go about their business for hours at a time without having to think about them. They want to be able take them off when they feel safe and put them back on again when they're nervous.
That's completely different from the way medical professionals use masks. Used the same way and for the same purpose and length of time, and with all the other protective gear and precautions, of course an N95 mask works just as well for a layman as an expert.
The CDC and WHO were not being deceptive or obtuse when they said N95 masks have limited utility for laymen who want to protect themselves. They were being truthful and pragmatic.
We're now talking about a different kettle of fish: protecting others. That's a judgement call too because improper mask use endangers users.
Re:Of course they work. The question is how well. (Score:4, Insightful)
Ideally you aren't close enough that a face shield is strictly necessary. Ideally you arent intubating a patient or testing them or otherwise having people cough in your face. The idea behind wearing a mask is also primarily to keep from infecting others if you are infected and don't know it yet, you don't need a face shield for that unless you are spraying blood from your eyes in which case, really, stay home.
Its been shown that countries that have adopted mask use among layman have had a much better time flattening the curve, maybe its just correlation but under the circumstances it seems like something we should be doing to keep our level of infection below the threshold of what hospitals can handle
That said the number of people I have seen wearing dust masks upside-down is crazy
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It's almost 20% better than nothing if you and the person nearest you are wearing them—barriers work on the way out AND on the way in.
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No (Score:2)
From the expert opinions I've read, masks for healthy people are at best harmless "I'm doing something" measures, but far more likely counterproductive. You may be wearing it wrong, you will probably fiddle with it, it doesn't protect your eyes, the false sense of security will lead to carelessness, etc, etc..
The CDC has not exactly covered itself with glory. They need to follow the example of more successful countries, in how to deal with Corona. AFAIK, nowhere does that include getting healthy people to w
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People in Asia do a lot of things out of superstition. Some of these are born of poor infrastructure and clearly have evolved. I've learned never try to talk science with their weird beliefs because it won't do anything. A lifetime of belief won't be countered even with the most intelligent.
Masks stop the spread of the disease if you are infected, but do little to stop infection. Now, if everyone wore a mask regardless of infection status then yes there would be a slight reduction. Except, COVID is extremel
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This is terrible, terrible advice.
You can be a carrier without showing symptoms. So if everyone was wearing masks, it's likely it would cut down on some transmission rates.
Making the case that people shouldn't use masks "because they'll wear them wrong" is...Jesus fuck. "Some of the general public may not use them correctly so no one in the general public should wear them"...I shouldn't have to explain what is wrong with that logic. It's a fucking mask. It's not hard to use them correctly, and if there's
YES (Score:5, Informative)
None of the BS about masks being somehow WORSE are based on any actual evidence whatsoever that I have seen.
It's very simple. Even the "official" advice says that sick people should wear masks to prevent spread. But we don't know who is sick! There are tons of asymptomatic carriers. Therefore everyone should be wearing them in public. This practice is ABSOLUTELY widespread in "successful" countries, and we should be copying them.
Yes, high grade masks like N95 should absolutely be prioritized for healthcare workers (and then other essential workers) over the general public. But even simple homemade masks are far better than nothing [smartairfilters.com]. Here is the key point: even if it doesn't protect the WEARER very much, it protects OTHERS.
Source: https://www.sciencemag.org/new... [sciencemag.org]
Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/a... [straitstimes.com]
- Here's an article from The Lancet urging health authorities to reconsider their position on masks: https://www.thelancet.com/jour... [thelancet.com]
- Here is a great video from the Czech republic about their success with masks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
- Germany is in the process of making masks mandatory when shopping (article requires translation): https://www.derstandard.at/sto... [derstandard.at]
- They are now mandatory in Bulgaria:
Might be airborne (Score:5, Interesting)
The University of Nebraska has released a preprint paper with evidence that COVID-19 is airborne. To be more specific, they collected air from the hallways outside of COVID-19 patient rooms, and that air tested positive for the virus. Additionally, it appears that the amount of virus they detected in the patient rooms and air was independent of how symptomatic the patients were. They also collected positive air samples from patients who did not cough at all while the air samples were being collected. All of that directly (and indirectly, in the case of asymptomatic patients appearing to shed just as much virus into their surroundings) seems to support that COVID-19 is airborne, and is released into the air just by normal breathing.
Study: https://www.medrxiv.org/conten... [medrxiv.org]
Further, the CDC is stating that the "6 foot" rule is basically based on 1930s science, and that modern studies show that aerosols (from coughing and sneezing) have a range of 27 feet. Which really is a fairly obvious thing.
As an addendum, yesterday the WHO announced, again, that COVID-19 is NOT airborne. However, considering that as recently as mid-January the WHO was parroting China's lie that COVID-19 was not contagious from person to person, well, I take zero stock in anything the WHO has to say.
https://twitter.com/WHO/status... [twitter.com]
So wearing masks is not a bad idea at all.
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Further, the CDC is stating that the "6 foot" rule is basically based on 1930s science, and that modern studies show that aerosols (from coughing and sneezing) have a range of 27 feet. Which really is a fairly obvious thing.
Where did they say that? I didn't see it mentioned in any of the links you provided.
(Not that I am challenging you and don't believe you... I actually do. I just want something to point to.)
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Where did they say that? I didn't see it mentioned in any of the links you provided.
Sorry, I attributed that incorrectly. It is MIT research showing that pathogen-bearing droplets can travel up to 27 feet, and that the "6 foot" figure came from the 1930s.
https://jamanetwork.com/journa... [jamanetwork.com]
Re:Might be airborne (Score:4, Insightful)
The abstract does not say how they tested for the virus. Is it through PCR of its RNA, or actually testing if the virions are indeed still infectious.
This reminds me of the cruise ship tests that detected the virus up to 17 days.
If they are testing using PCR for the RNA, then yes, everything will have that where patients were. That does not mean that this debris is in an infectious state with the surface proteins retaining their shape. It just means that there were lots of virus particles here at some point.
This is not to say that the virus is really contagious. It is. But the evidence stated above is not enough to conclude that it is airborne like anthrax for example.
The sheer rise in the number of cases that we see can't all be attributed to people within 6 feet of someone who is coughing, or surfaces touched by them within 3 days. There has to be some other mechanism that explains all that. It may well be airborne, but we need hard evidence on how far and for how long.
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"Air samples that were positive for viral RNA by RT-PCR were examined for viral propagation in Vero E6 cells. Cytopathic effect was not observed in any sample, to date, and immunofluorescence and western blot analysis have not, so far, indicated the presence of viral antigens suggesting viral replication. However, the low concentrations of virus r
Did a lobbyist do this? (Score:2, Informative)
They're useful for healthcare providers because it's kind of hard to stay 6' away and treat patients.
They're useful for the sick because it make it slightly harder for them to spread the disease.
Everyone else is just taking masks away from the above two groups.
This is all very, very well known. There is no way that this isn't a manufacturer or
Be Like Dread Pirate Roberts (Score:4, Interesting)
The CDC was discouraging average people from wearing masks to protect themselves from the Wuhan coronavirus because they _KNEW_ that there weren't enough masks for everyone, and they wanted to save them for actual medical personnel.
But masks help BOTH WAYS - you're less likely to catch the disease if you're wearing a mask, and if you're already sick, you're less likely to SPREAD the disease. Pretty soon, masks will be plentiful, and available in designer patterns and colors. At least one firm will print a mask with an image of your face that's good enough for an iPhone to recognize it and unlock.
Coronaviruses like these run in cycles; here in the USA, we're _HOPING_ that summer weather will knock it back. But it will very probably return in the autumn, and I think this is going to be the "new normal".
Wear a mask and gloves whenever you're out in public. EVERY TIME.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
Fezzik: "Why are you wearing a mask? Were you burned by acid or something?"
Westley: "No, it's just they're terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future."
Be like Dread Pirate Roberts. Wear a mask when away from home.
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I'm not sure how wearing a mask like the Dread Pirate Roberts will actually protect you from anything - other than possibly sunburned eyelids.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ONp5... [blogspot.com]
"something we should be discussing" (Score:2)
Sounds like leadership to me.
Classic problem (Score:3)
Having your general population wearing masks and taking precautions is working to limit the spread of the virus in Asia. CDC has contradicted itself multiple times during this pandemic. Don't listen solely to the CDC, do your own research and then decide. Keep in mind the CDC has always had a number of acceptable deaths for every virus outbreak. They don't care about you, me or anonymous coward, they only care about large numbers of deaths.
hoarders need punishment (Score:2)
Types of masks (Score:4, Informative)
Gas masks are designed for this. (Score:3)
Gas masks AKA full coverage respirators are DESIGNED for this sort of thing. Study military literature (NOTHING by reporters or other lesser creatures or anyone subject to current political pressure) then make up your own mind.
BTW the Cold War was over before the Air Force fielded fit test machines though we expected to get smegged by Soviets, Norks etc. Standard cursory checks will ensure seal (snug your head harness like you mean business!).
Nitrile gloves and full coverage clothing are your friends. Study self-decontamination and how to clean gas masks.
Note "expired" filters only lose their chem warfare agent neutralizing ability, not particulate filtration ability, which is why training filters work fine in the tear gas training chamber.
Ignore civilians, train like a soldier (literally, the manuals abound online), and stay protected.
Anyone here can spare ten or more hours to get CBRN smart so do it.
If you cherish beards and thick hair, consider if vanity is worth your life. I shave that trifling shit.
There aren't many masks left but some remain. Study how to buy quality masks with NATO standard canister filters. Their metal case is easy to decontaminate as are the masks.
Re:Chinese Origin Viral Infectious Disease - Try # (Score:5, Interesting)
When are we going to hold the Chinese accountable for originating and spreading this plague?
It's certainly time to practice some social distancing between our economy and China's. If nothing else, it's time do ban offshoring manufacture of medical equipment, supplies, and pharmaceuticals. It's not acceptable that all the masks used in America are made in China.
Re:Chinese Origin Viral Infectious Disease - Try # (Score:4, Insightful)
As a European, I have to second this. It is quite disconcerting to notice that our manufacturing is now completely done in Asia, which means that now that we need mask, hand sanitizer, respirators, ... we have to wait for the Chinese and the Russians to be kind enough to send us help. The EU government is always touting its own horn about how important they are, but right now they are nowhere to be seen.
I have a feeling that this crisis will be a wake up call and a serious catalyst for anti-globalization. Or maybe I'm just naive, and everybody will go back to where things were as soon as professional sports starts again.
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Move the slider above the postings over one notch to the left. Magic.
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OK, I did this and now only my low-quality post remains. :(
Re:Chinese Origin Viral Infectious Disease - Try # (Score:5, Insightful)
OK, I did this and now only my low-quality post remains. :(
Same for everyone else. The only reason anyone is bothered by the garbage anonymous post is because YOU responded to it.
You are the problem. Stop feeding the trolls.
Re:Make your own mask! Even a hankerchief would he (Score:4, Informative)
A handkerchief would absolutely not help. Cloth coverings *increase* your risk. There is actual science on this. The cloth doesn't prevent viral passage, but does provide a handy-dandy warm humid atmosphere in which viral concentrations can accumulate.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go... [nih.gov]
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The strange thing is that ref. 7 in that article, being cited to support the idea of worse performance by cloth masks, actually shows that cloth masks (4 ply cotton) actually perform well compared to synthetic fiber: "Reusable cotton fabric masks were as effective as synthetic fabric masks when made to a good design." - https://bjssjournals.onlinelib... [wiley.com]
The paper that you cite (MacIntyre et al. 2015) is misleading to the point that I almost suspecting that the "Big Mask Industry" is behind it.
1. It doesn't
Re:Make your own mask! Even a hankerchief would he (Score:5, Interesting)
A handkerchief would absolutely not help. Cloth coverings *increase* your risk. There is actual science on this. The cloth doesn't prevent viral passage, but does provide a handy-dandy warm humid atmosphere in which viral concentrations can accumulate.
This paper was for health care workers using cloth masks, not the general public. These are different use cases. One is meant to protect the wearer, the other is to protect everyone who is around the wearer.
While water droplets and viruses can obviously pass through a cloth mask, it will dramatically decrease how far the virus is projected into the surrounding environment when the wearer sneezes or coughs. It would also cut down on how aerosolized water droplets are when the wearer coughs/sneezes. So it would decrease projection and how much time the virus remains suspended in the air. Trying to filter out a virus with a mask while inhaling is much different than trying to limit how much/far it is spread.
Moisture retention is not the same for a nurse working a 10+ hour shift vs. someone wearing a cloth mask to the grocery store for an hour.
The paper also mentions reuse being an issue. But it doesn't mention if it's reuse after washing/sterilization or if the mask is tossed into a storage locker at the end of a shift and reused the next day.
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One more note: over here (East/Central Europe) everyone wears masks. And I mean everyone. Including news anchors, reporters, city officials and politicians. Including teachers in education programs on TV. Including chefs on cooking shows. Everyone.
Yes, there is shortage (it's getting better in last days). People make them at home (thanks, granny). Community centers make/collect/redistribute them. Mask vending machines pop up.
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Yeah, but *these* cotton masks will contain cushiony lumps of chopped up polyurethane foam!
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Bullshit. The link you gave [nih.gov] compared good masks vs. mere cloth masks — not, contrary to your implication, bad mask vs. no mask:
Further down it points out:
So, don't reuse it (without washing or s
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Yeah, and really no. I found out about this article from the medical director of a leading pulmonary centre, whose advice to me on the basis of it was unequivocal: don't wear cloth masks. So, I'll trust him over you. And if you want to trust your own reading rather than mine, that's fine. But a cloth mask will not prevent particles getting through (the article says 97% of particles penetrated) and conversely will provide them with a warm moist environment in which they can survive to infect you.