'Better than nothing': Thailand encourages cloth masks amid surgical mask shortage

[webfact]

'Better than nothing': Thailand encourages cloth masks amid surgical mask shortage

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

A woman shows a face mask she made in a workshop, during the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand March 9, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's health authorities are encouraging people to make cloth face masks at home to guard against the spread of the coronavirus amid a shortage of surgical masks.

 

Thailand, which has reported a total of 70 cases, put surgical masks and sanitizers under its list of controlled goods last month, as the spread of the coronavirus led to shortages in stores.

 

The shortage of surgical masks prompted the Thai government to approve a 225 million baht (£5.6 million) budget last week for government agencies to produce 50 million cloth masks in a matter of days for nationwide distribution.

 

Cloth masks are enough to prevent people from catching the virus via droplets from coughing or sneezing, said Panpimon Wipulakorn, Director-General for the Department of Health.

 

"The droplet from coughing and sneezing is around five microns and we have tested already that cloth masks can protect against droplets bigger than one micron," Panpimon said, adding that the masks needed to be washed daily.

 

The official herself appeared in a public health ministry video teaching people how to make cloth masks at home. Workshops have also been set up nationwide to help produce the masks.

 

Many Thais answered the government's call by getting together in small groups at community centres around the country to make masks from cloth and distribute them to others for free.

 

It did not take long for Phongsai Kaewvichit, a 63-year-old retiree, to make one.

 

"I'm making these cloth face masks for my family and relatives because I can't find the surgical masks anymore and the price is very high," said Phongsai.

 

"I think it is better than nothing because at least it can protect me from people's saliva in close contact."

 

(Additional reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-12

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[EricTh]

I already have cloth masks that I bought many months ago but these aren't good enough.

 

I have been going to several pharmacies in Chiang Mai to get the better surgical mask and all of them told me that there is no stock.

 

 

[Tayaout]

Before the "it's useless brigade". 

 

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/testing-the-efficacy-of-homemade-masks-would-they-protect-in-an-influenza-pandemic/0921A05A69A9419C862FA2F35F819D55

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2440799/

 

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/n95-mask-surgical-prevent-transmission-coronavirus/?rel=1

[MaxLee]

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

'Better than nothing': Thailand encourages cloth masks amid surgical mask shortage

Yeah, I bet, the hospital workers will be glad to hear that.....

[JustAnotherHun]

Other countries are far ahead in unsing cloth masks...

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, Tayaout said:

Before the "it's useless brigade". 

 

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/testing-the-efficacy-of-homemade-masks-would-they-protect-in-an-influenza-pandemic/0921A05A69A9419C862FA2F35F819D55

 

 

This one looked at the ability of the mask to block the coughed out secretions from the wearer, not to protect the wearer from airborne virus materials....  Even so, not exactly a ringing result:

 

Quote

 

Both masks significantly reduced the number of microorganisms expelled by volunteers, although the surgical mask was 3 times more effective in blocking transmission than the homemade mask.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better than no protection. 

 

Whatever happened to the government's announced plans in the past week or so to deliver to drug stores nationwide tens of thousands of surgical masks for the public to use.  I've yet to see or hear of ANY availability from that supposed effort.  More happy talk, more than likely.

 

Edited March 12, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, MaxLee said:

Yeah, I bet, the hospital workers will be glad to hear that.....

 

I THINK the government's latest idea is, let's save the drugstore "surgical" masks for the medical staff, and let the peon public make their own cloth masks...

 

Because apparently, neither of group is going to be able to access much in the way of N95 masks, which are the most effective of all.

 

And the government can't even seem to provide enough of the regular drugstore masks to keep up with public demand, even though that particular product is still manufactured locally here.

 

 

[saengd]

Those guys who are selling the masks in bulk overseas need to be put against a wall, starting with anyone in gov. who participates, its unconscionable.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Blah blah blah... talk talk talk... produce NOTHING!

 

 

Meanwhile, maybe the police need to consult with the Deputy Ag Minister about this related story:

 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Tayaout]

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

This one looked at the ability of the mask to block the coughed out secretions from the wearer, not to protect the wearer from airborne virus materials....  Even so, not exactly a ringing result:

 

 

Whatever happened to the government's announced plans in the past week or so to deliver to drug stores nationwide tens of thousands of surgical masks for the public to use.  I've yet to see or hear of ANY availability from that supposed effort.  More happy talk, more than likely.

 

The second link found that hand made mask do protect the wearer but all mask might not be effective at preventing patients from spreading secretions. Both study seems to suggest that a hand made mask is still better than no protection. 

[monkfish]

I'd say surgical mask is probably the lowest standard you should consider but yes probably better than nothing in an emergency case.
But don't worry they promised to have 5m ready soon.

[Chazar]

22 minutes ago, Tayaout said:

The second link found that hand made mask do protect the wearer but all mask might not be effective at preventing patients from spreading secretions. Both study seems to suggest that a hand made mask is still better than no protection. 

sticking  your  hand  in  front  of  your  gob  will  do  the  same

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

26 minutes ago, Tayaout said:

Both study seems to suggest that a hand made mask is still better than no protection. 

 

That part, I believe!  Provided the mask is washed and disinfected daily!

 

Otherwise, it becomes a walking germ reservoir...

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Guess the Japanese customers are going to face increased competition and pricing pressure now in the Thailand used women's undies market....  Gotta love that cotton!   

[Tayaout]

7 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

That part, I believe!  Provided the mask is washed and disinfected daily!

 

Otherwise, it becomes a walking germ reservoir...

 

I would not use them either since I still have better options. 

[Don Mega]

Just ordered a few of these, should work a treat keeping the flu droplets at bay.

 

 

[UKresonant]

My take on it is...

Without thinking about it, you often touch your face and eyes frequently, the face mask and perhaps glasses shall cut down the number of times your fingers will touch your face after touching potentially touching an infected item when out and about. Just count how many times you touch your face in a given time. If you are out and about don't touch your face until you sterilise your fingers with the widely available ???? alcohol hand gel, or wash your hand first.

Masks and glasses are good for this over and above the filtration or stopping droplets, unless your disciplined not to touch things, and then touch your face.

Go on time yourself, until you next touch your face or eyes????!

[rtco]

Masks mask bl@@dy masks ... 

 

From WHO:

 

• If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
• Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
• Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

[alex8912]

15 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I THINK the government's latest idea is, let's save the drugstore "surgical" masks for the medical staff, and let the peon public make their own cloth masks...

 

Because apparently, neither of group is going to be able to access much in the way of N95 masks, which are the most effective of all.

 

And the government can't even seem to provide enough of the regular drugstore masks to keep up with public demand, even though that particular product is still manufactured locally here.

 

 

Well that’s what is going on in the states. Even two weeks ago I went to several large chain drug stores and they were sold out ( hand sanitizer as well) so I drove to a surgical supply store and the boss there told me that wholesalers are selling to Drs and hospitals only and I could not buy any. Can you imagine now?  In Hong Kong last week masks were for sale everywhere as well as hand sanitizer. Hong Kong has very few cases. Hmm??

[PerkinsCuthbert]

The balance of best informed opinion, based on all known science, is that face masks are useless, and may even contribute to the spread of viruses through the continuing usage of old masks. A quick search of such sources as the US CDC, the WHO and others will confirm this, but go ahead and wear one if you feel compelled through fear, herd instinct, social pressure or government edict.

Edited March 13, 2020 by PerkinsCuthbert

[Venom]

Won't help with the horrendous 2.5 PM air pollution debacle that's inundated Thailand over the last 5 months! 

 

Maybe they could stop the burning in view of the mask shortage/hording? Nope, not a goddamn chance...???? 

[monkfish]

I have a few N95 masks if I spray them with Alcohol and dry them in the Sun would that be enough to disinfect then for reuse?
So far only used at immigration for a few hours as loads of Foreigners packed together.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

Well that’s what is going on in the states. Even two weeks ago I went to several large chain drug stores and they were sold out ( hand sanitizer as well) so I drove to a surgical supply store and the boss there told me that wholesalers are selling to Drs and hospitals only and I could not buy any. Can you imagine now?  In Hong Kong last week masks were for sale everywhere as well as hand sanitizer. Hong Kong has very few cases. Hmm??

 

Yep, re the N95 masks in the U.S., even hospitals are having hard times getting supplies. And the CDC, because of that reality, just recently revised their guidelines for medical staff allowing them to not have to change the masks as frequently as they would have under the prior guidelines, and also to use some types of masks that weren't previously certified for medical use.

 

The feds and the states are doling out N95 masks to hospitals from their inventory supplies because the hospitals often can't get them from their regular commercial suppliers. But if things continue deteriorating and get as bad as is currently being forecast, something is going to have to give. Because the inventory supplies on hand aren't nearly enough to meet what likely will be the future needs.

 

Already, apart from the masks, lots of places in the U.S. have run out of hand gels, other cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc etc..., meaning online sources are sold out and store shelves are empty at any given time. And we're only in the early stages of the outbreak in the U.S. I don't live there now, but I'm worried for my family members who do.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

7 hours ago, Tayaout said:

All I see is some claim made by a newspaper with not link to any study. 

 

I'm waiting for someone to explain to me the illogic of that kind of argument about N95 masks...

 

The news media who say... yes, the N95 masks are helpful in preventing medical staff from getting exposed to the CV from CV patients they're treating. But no, those same masks somehow aren't effective when a member of the general public wears them out in public.  That simply makes no logical sense.

 

The only unspoken argument I can imagine that would explain that kind of position is the notion that medical staff presumably have been trained on how to properly wear and fit the N95 masks so they can be effective. But, the unspoken argument being, the average citizen is somehow to stupid or ignorant to learn and follow the same fit/wear procedures.

 

I think the reality of the situation is, there's a worldwide supply shortage right now of the N95 masks, and the government and medical authorities understandably want to have enough of a supply of them to provide to frontline medical staff. And that would be much more difficult to do, if they were to admit to the general public that they could be protected by wearing those same masks. So as a result, their recommendation is, the general public doesn't need them.

 

 

[tuktuktuk]

4 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I'm waiting for someone to explain to me the illogic of that kind of argument about N95 masks...

 

The news media who say... yes, the N95 masks are helpful in preventing medical staff from getting exposed to the CV from CV patients they're treating. But no, those same masks somehow aren't effective when a member of the general public wears them out in public.  That simply makes no logical sense.

 

The only unspoken argument I can imagine that would explain that kind of position is the notion that medical staff presumably have been trained on how to properly wear and fit the N95 masks so they can be effective. But, the unspoken argument being, the average citizen is somehow to stupid or ignorant to learn and follow the same fit/wear procedures.

 

I think the reality of the situation is, there's a worldwide supply shortage right now of the N95 masks, and the government and medical authorities understandably want to have enough of a supply of them to provide to frontline medical staff. And that would be much more difficult to do, if they were to admit to the general public that they could be protected by wearing those same masks. So as a result, their recommendation is, the general public doesn't need them.

 

 

My daughter is a pulmonologist.  She says they only wear them (N95 masks) for minutes at a time and then dispose of them immediately as a biohazard.  She says if you wore one in the cautious way they do for even 20 or 30 minutes it would end up dislodged and driving you crazy.  Kind of impractical for a run through the market or a shopping trip to the mall, but still probably better than a simple surgical mask.  Kind of expensive too.  Right now they're at least $10, maybe they were $5 in bulk before.

[PerkinsCuthbert]

16 minutes ago, tuktuktuk said:

My daughter is a pulmonologist.  She says they only wear them (N95 masks) for minutes at a time and then dispose of them immediately as a biohazard.  She says if you wore one in the cautious way they do for even 20 or 30 minutes it would end up dislodged and driving you crazy.  Kind of impractical for a run through the market or a shopping trip to the mall, but still probably better than a simple surgical mask.  Kind of expensive too.  Right now they're at least $10, maybe they were $5 in bulk before.

One major problem with customary use of masks is that the wearer is constantly adjusting it, thereby risking transfer of any infection from hands to face and potentially nose and mouth. Again, the best advice from medical professionals is that masks are generally not recommended for outwardly healthy people.

[ThaiBunny]

5 minutes ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

Again, the best advice from medical professionals is that masks are generally not recommended for outwardly healthy people.

MAY (only may) be effective against spreading the virus if you already have it. Otherwise completely useless for everyday wear

[Chazar]

4 hours ago, alex8912 said:

Well that’s what is going on in the states. Even two weeks ago I went to several large chain drug stores and they were sold out ( hand sanitizer as well) so I drove to a surgical supply store and the boss there told me that wholesalers are selling to Drs and hospitals only and I could not buy any. Can you imagine now?  In Hong Kong last week masks were for sale everywhere as well as hand sanitizer. Hong Kong has very few cases. Hmm??

hk is  very  small america is very  big go figure

[Stargeezr]

It was impossible to get a mask in Hua Hin for most people except, the businesses

who seemed to have their magic suppliers, also the local military, police, and

the hospital staff. Same for Bangkok, most expats, and foreignors bought before arriving.

  The rest of us are lucky if we can find them anywhere.

Geezer

[Chazar]

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

But, the unspoken argument being, the average citizen is somehow to stupid or ignorant to learn and follow the same fit/wear procedures.

or  that doctors and staff are way  more  likely to come into contact with people who  have it and closely so