Wear masks in public says WHO, in update of COVID-19 advice

[Tony125]

Despite becoming a 'political issue,' new research shows effectiveness of masks in limiting spread of COVID-19

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/despite-becoming-a-political-issue-new-research-shows-effectiveness-of-masks-in-limiting-spread-of-covid-19/ar-BB1616Ib

 

According to data collected by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, there is no question about the practicality of wearing masks when it comes to saving lives.

“Our conclusion from that — and it’s pretty consistent with what other studies are drawing as their conclusions — is that even with lower quality masks used in the general population, you can get a very substantial reduction in the transmission,”

[Tony125]

239 Experts With 1 Big Claim: The Coronavirus Is Airborne

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/239-experts-1-big-claim-151916602.html?.tsrc=notification-brknews

 

The coronavirus is finding new victims worldwide, in bars and restaurants, offices, markets and casinos, giving rise to frightening clusters of infection that increasingly confirm what many scientists have been saying for months: The virus lingers in the air indoors, infecting those nearby.

[johnpetersen]

2 minutes ago, Tony125 said:

239 Experts With 1 Big Claim: The Coronavirus Is Airborne

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/239-experts-1-big-claim-151916602.html?.tsrc=notification-brknews

 

The coronavirus is finding new victims worldwide, in bars and restaurants, offices, markets and casinos, giving rise to frightening clusters of infection that increasingly confirm what many scientists have been saying for months: The virus lingers in the air indoors, infecting those nearby.

The claim is controversial but definitely merits a lot more attention.

[Tony125]

No, Face Coverings Don’t Cause Carbon Dioxide Poisoning. Five Mask Myths Debunked.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/no-face-coverings-dont-cause-carbon-dioxide-poisoning-five-mask-myths-debunked/ar-BB16uqsV?li=BBnb7Kz

[Tony125]

Face Masks Protect You More From COVID Than You Thought, Doctors Say

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/face-masks-protect-you-more-from-covid-than-you-thought-doctors-say/ar-BB16ylTh?li=BBnba9O

[Tony125]

Vid shows how to make a surgical mask fit better.

 

[MaxYakov]

On 7/10/2020 at 12:21 PM, Tony125 said:

Face Masks Protect You More From COVID Than You Thought, Doctors Say

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/face-masks-protect-you-more-from-covid-than-you-thought-doctors-say/ar-BB16ylTh?li=BBnba9O

Yep. The surgical/medical masks keep one's nose from getting sunburned (if worn correctly) and one's lips from getting chapped (maybe). Will they stop a virus hitchhiking on a particle of phlegm or dust? Will a cyclone fence stop a mosquito?

 

 

Edited July 12, 2020 by MaxYakov

[nauseus]

2 hours ago, MaxYakov said:

Yep. The surgical/medical masks keep one's nose from getting sunburned (if worn correctly) and one's lips from getting chapped (maybe). Will they stop a virus hitchhiking on a particle of phlegm or dust? Will a cyclone fence stop a mosquito?

 

 

SIlly. Cyclone fence. Sillier.

[MaxYakov]

13 minutes ago, nauseus said:

2 hours ago, MaxYakov said:

Yep. The surgical/medical masks keep one's nose from getting sunburned (if worn correctly) and one's lips from getting chapped (maybe). Will they stop a virus hitchhiking on a particle of phlegm or dust? Will a cyclone fence stop a mosquito?

 

 

SIlly. Cyclone fence. Sillier.

Silly, huh? Have you ever seen a medical/surgical mask or cloth mask marked N95/PM2.5? From my observations, most people are wearing masks that were not designed to protect the wearer and, even then, many are not wearing them properly (not covering the nose, for example). I suspect that many that have worn the wrong type of mask or were maskless have ingested the virus as a result.

 

I rest my case.

 

 

Edited July 12, 2020 by MaxYakov

[nauseus]

6 minutes ago, MaxYakov said:

Silly, huh? Have you ever seen a medical/surgical mask or cloth mask marked N95/PM2.5? I rest my case.

Will a cyclone fence stop a cyclone?

[MaxYakov]

12 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Will a cyclone fence stop a cyclone?

Duh. Like the medical/surgical/cloth (non-95/non-PM2.5/cloth masks) it wasn't designed to stop one. It wasn't designed to stop mosquitos either.  

Edited July 12, 2020 by MaxYakov

[nauseus]

2 hours ago, MaxYakov said:

Duh. Like the medical/surgical/cloth (non-95/non-PM2.5/cloth masks) it wasn't designed to stop one. It wasn't designed to stop mosquitos either.  

Medical face masks are designed primarily to protect patients from infections. In the Covid context, they help to stop infection spread from carriers to others. The chances of carriers (infectious people) infecting others are much less if those carriers use masks. That is all.   

[Tony125]

[DavisH]

11 minutes ago, nauseus said:

Medical face masks are designed primarily to protect patients from infections. In the Covid context, they help to stop infection spread from carriers to others. The chances of carriers (infectious people) infecting others are much less if those carriers use masks. That is all.   

There's probably some cut off percentage where total mask wearing becomes ineffective in slowing infection. In most US states there are not up to that percentage yet. But still I see 80%+ wearing masks in bkk, and certainly in most large shops. And ll students and teachers are wearing them all day now as well. 

[JonnyF]

The rest of the world could have told the WHO this in March.

 

It's time to defund the WHO (along with the BBC). The man in the street with a bit of common sense could do more good.

[drbeach]

Huh. That's interesting. Cambodians and Laotians have barely worn them to begin with, does that mean these countries will suddenly find themselves having to wear face masks for the first time since the crisis began, despite Laos having zero active cases?

 

How about Vietnam, which was VERY strict early on in the crisis, but has since eased off? Will they once again be required to wear them?

 

Thailand has been pretty strict enforcing the rule for entering certain businesses and on public transport. I guess this will re-enforce the message.

[nauseus]

1 hour ago, DavisH said:

There's probably some cut off percentage where total mask wearing becomes ineffective in slowing infection. In most US states there are not up to that percentage yet. But still I see 80%+ wearing masks in bkk, and certainly in most large shops. And ll students and teachers are wearing them all day now as well. 

Not really, as long as there are infectious people around.

[MaxYakov]

There seems to me to be quite a bit of silliness regarding mask usage on this thread (and in the world in general, now that I think about it). So I'l begin with some pertinent quotes and links to articles from some authoritative sources (or maybe not so authoritative in the case of one of them at least) followed by my experience in Bangkok with a certain type of mask. This is a quote from a WHO PDF document [link] titled: Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19:

 

"Definitions

 

Medical masks are defined as surgical or procedure masks that are flat or pleated; they are affixed to the head with straps that go around the ears or head or both. Their performance characteristics are tested according to a set of standardized test methods (ASTM F2100, EN 14683, or equivalent) that aim to balance high filtration, adequate breathability and optionally, fluid penetration resistance.(34, 35)

 

Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR), or respirators, similarly offer a balance of filtration and breathability; however, whereas medical masks filter 3 micrometre droplets, respirators must filter more challenging 0.075 micrometre solid particles. European FFRs, according to standard EN 149, at FFP2 performance filter at least 94% solid NaCl particles and oil droplets, and US N95 FFRs, according to NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84, filter at least 95% NaCl particles. Certified FFRs must also ensure unhindered breathing with maximum resistances during inhalation and exhalation. Another important difference is the way filtration is tested; medical mask filtration tests are performed on a cross- section of the masks whereas FFRs are tested for filtration across the entire surface. Therefore, the layers of the filtration material and the FFR shape, ensuring outer edges of the FFR seal around wearer’s face, result in a guaranteed claimed filtration when worn compared to the open shape, or leaking structure, of medical masks. Other FFR performance requirements include being within specified parameters for maximum CO2 build up, total inward leakage and tensile strength of straps.(36, 37)" (Red emphasis is mine)

 

The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in their article "N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Face Masks" [link]

 

N95 Respirators Not for Use by the General Public

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that the general public wear N95 respirators to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including coronavirus (COVID-19). Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

 

Do you get the idea that N95 respirators are more effective that medical/surgical masks and that the general public should not use them because of a potential supply issue?

 

Finally, there's this useful UK Guardian article (gratuitous link for left-leaners) What kind of face mask gives the best protection against Covid-19? [link] which states (among other things like how to make a cloth mask ????):

 

"Does it matter what sort of mask you wear?

Yes. Different types of mask offer different levels of protection. Surgical grade N95 respirators offer the highest level of protection against Covid-19 infection, followed by surgical grade masks. However, these masks are costly, in limited supply, contribute to landfill waste and are uncomfortable to wear for long periods. So even countries that have required the public to wear face masks have generally suggested such masks should be reserved for health workers or those at particularly high risk." (Again, red emphasis is mine).

 

My Empirical Experience with Using FFR type Masks in Bangkok

 

I began over ten years using FFR type (N95/PM2.5 equivalent) masks while cycling in Bangkok to protect my respiratory system from air pollution from motor vehicles and other sources. Then I began wearing the FFRs full-time when out and about in the winter months as protection against the severe air pollution. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, I didn't have to change my modus operandi at all.

 

The type of mask I use is readily available (or was) at HomePro and other places so I'm not restricting supply to medical personnel by using them. I also have retained all of my previously used/worn out masks so it has not been a "recycle/environmental" issue (so far). I use a single mask for around 2 months. They come with a spare filter element which a augment with another layer of PM2.5-capable filter material. They are classified as "dust/fume" masks and their primary use is for people in a dusty or otherwise contaminated work environment (such as Bangkok in general).

 

Long story, short: I have had not even one incident of a "cold" or "flu" or any other respiratory issue in the last 3 1/2 years or so since I have been wearing the FFR type mask whenever I'm out and about in Bangkok. I used to get at least one cold every six months or so in Bangkok and they were horrible. I have been doing a fair amount of what I call "anti-social distancing" over the past recent years, but that's another story but that may have assisted in the avoidance of respiratory issues,

 

I apologize for the length of this comment. I hope it was useful and might even help readers avoid respiratory issues from various sources in the future.

 

Any questions? - Feel free to PM me.

 

 

Edited July 12, 2020 by MaxYakov

[Geordie59]

On 6 June 2020 at 12:29 AM, zeamonkey said:

Most people in Australia has never worn a mask. WHO, f#%k off with your scaremongering fear porn. 

Do you thunk Australia has handles CV well?

No I Munich and no vaccine in sight. Can they keep the country closed for ever?

Edited July 13, 2020 by Geordie59
Autocorrected

[Geordie59]

13 minutes ago, Geordie59 said:

Do you think Australia has handles CV well?

No immunity and no vaccine in sight. Can they keep the country closed for ever?

As the edit button isn't working for me this is how my post above should have read. 

[Tony125]

On 7/12/2020 at 12:11 PM, MaxYakov said:

Yep. The surgical/medical masks keep one's nose from getting sunburned (if worn correctly) and one's lips from getting chapped (maybe). Will they stop a virus hitchhiking on a particle of phlegm or dust? Will a cyclone fence stop a mosquito?

 

 

The CDC Just Issued This Big News About Face Masks

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/the-cdc-just-issued-this-big-news-about-face-masks/ar-BB16Jq97?li=BBnb7Kz