Life threatening risk of repeatedly wearing same face mask confirmed

[webfact]

 

Repeatedly wearing the same face mask can put you at risk of serious, possibly fatal illnesses, due to the build-up of bacteria within the mask. Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Centre has confirmed that this is true information and cited data from the Health Department of the Public Health Ministry.

 

Following the widespread circulation of this warning online, the department explained that surgical face masks should not to be washed and reused, as they are considered to be infectious waste. Therefore, such masks should be disposed of properly in a trash can with a lid.

 

Face masks made from cloth, however, should be washed every day, with either soap or detergent, and allowed to dry in sunlight.

 

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Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/life-threatening-risk-of-repeatedly-wearing-same-face-mask-confirmed/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-22

 

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[Dmaxdan]

That's a blow. After two years it may be time to buy a new one.

[Will B Good]

Life threatening risk of repeatedly wearing same face mask confirmed by Thai mask manufacturers.

[473geo]

Have a couple of cloth ones washed every time after use, I do the same for other masks a couple of times, used for a ten minute bike ride to the farm. Not too concerned about this announcement ????

[richard_smith237]

This was highlighted at the very beginning and was one of the initial concerns of the WHO who at the beginning of the Pandemic contradicted the CDC regarding mask wearing.

 

The concern of the WHO was that there was no ‘mask education’ i.e.

- Masks would created extra hand to face contact

- Masks would be worn repeatedly and act as a viral pool

- Additional hand to face contact picks up the viral pool and transmits it

- Masks would carry bacteria and other viruses 

- Masks would be swapped

- Masks would be re-worn (as this article suggests)

- Masks would not be disposed of properly risking spread of virus

 

 

Its common sense, face masks need to be changed regularly - But, this message has not really been driven home properly.... its all a little late now as the pandemic reaches its sun-set period (if there is no further ‘blow up’).

 

 

[KhunLA]

I wear the same one, usually, as only have 2.  Cosmetic only and don't do much except make my face sweat.  I could probably blow out candles with mine. ????

 

What idiot would wash a surgical mask anyway ?  Silly news-blip as don't think anyone is that stupid.  People here must love reading themselves being quoted.

 

A side thought to all this silliness.  At Pizza Co last night for our NY pizza fix, and noticed the 'sanitized' packaging of fork, knife & napkin being placed in plastic for dine in customers.

 

Being done on front counter, strangely, in lull of highest traffic area, by employee wearing his chin diaper.  Each napkin handled by him (no gloves), knives & forks in a basket standing up, so he had to grasp the non handle part of each, yes, the part you use or stick in your mouth, and place handle first in the plastic bag.  Newer, sanitized world is not better, and more plastic for the landfills and sea.

 

Personally I don't care, as long as he washed his hands after using toilet.  I've worked in enough kitchens, knowing if I was the least bit paranoid, I'd never eat in a restaurant.  Thought that was so anti sanitizing, and in public view was the surprising part.  Guess no where to do it in the back, though plenty of tables empty.  

[JAFO]

25 minutes ago, 473geo said:

used for a ten minute bike ride to the farm.

You wear a mask on your bike ride?  I dumped that idea a long time back. No one around, social distancing requirements met. I carry it with me, toss on when I get near people or enter a business or store.. 

[richard_smith237]

22 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

the 'sanitized' packaging of fork, knife & napkin being placed in plastic for dine in customers.

22 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Newer, sanitized world is not better, and more plastic for the landfills and sea.

 

I’ve never witnesses such flagrant use of single use plastics as I have in this last year.... its utterly ridiculous. 

 

I’m not anti-plastic - its an excellent material... but gawd, eating with a plastic knife and fork in quarantine etc when we could simply wash our own metal knife and fork up is utterly moronic... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ralf001]

Does this mean I should buy a new one ?

[Excel]

Apparently accidentally swallowing them can be harmful too ????

[KhunLA]

37 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I’ve never witnesses such flagrant use of single use plastics as I have in this last year.... its utterly ridiculous. 

 

I’m not anti-plastic - its an excellent material... but gawd, eating with a plastic knife and fork in quarantine etc when we could simply wash our own metal knife and fork up is utterly moronic... 

 

Big fan of plastic myself, vs paper substitute for any or its use.  Just wish they would actually recycle the recyclables.  Plastic use has got to be 10 fold since the 'situation'.

 

On topic ... what about the discarded mask litter, and damn embarrassing.

 

Don't know what the rest of the world is like, litter wise, but people here have no respect for their country.  That & smog are my only major pet peeves.

[86Tiger]

 

 

As long as it saves me from the COVID all is good.

[Moonlover]

My one stop solution to this simple. Don't wear one. I hate wearing them, I hate seeing others wearing them and I hate seeing them littering the environment.

 

It's my opinion that masks and all the other disposable PPE will cause more damage to the environment and hence to us than will the virus itself.

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

My one stop solution to this simple. Don't wear one. I hate wearing them,

I hate wearing them too... but do so out of consideration for others. 

 

I see no harm in wearing them on the BTS, the bus or in a taxi etc... 

 

13 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

I hate seeing others wearing them and I hate seeing them

Especially if doing so riding a motorbike without wearing a motorcycle helmet.

 

In contrast to your dislike - I am happy if others are considerate of others in crowded areas. 

 

13 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

littering the environment.

This is an issue, but the selfish ayholes who are littering are doing so with all the other litter... masks are simply more noticeable because of what they are and the current situation. 

 

13 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

It's my opinion that masks and all the other disposable PPE will cause more damage to the environment and hence to us than will the virus itself.

Masks as pollution are not going kill millions of people - thats just silly. 

 

But, there is no excuse for the incorrect disposal of masks.... we just need intelligent policy recommendations for a responsible society rather than a draconian set of blanket rules. 

 

IF we feel slightly unwell (feverish or have the snivels) wear a mask and protect others or stay at home. 

 

This isn’t just for covid its for any respiratory illness - If we have a cold or the flu, but still test negative for Covid-19 that should not mean we can go on the BTS without a mask and spread that cold or flu to others... we should still be responsible and considerate. 

 

Thus: we (society) need to be encouraged - IF we feel unwell, wear a mask to protect others. 

 

 

IF a person feels its within their rights not to wear a mask they should also recognise its their right not to be exposed to someone else who is unwell and refuses to wear a mask..

 

Be a considerate member of society - thats all. 

 

 

 

 

[daveAustin]

They’re gross and cause more issues than they’re worth. Yes in shops and on public transport, NO while out and about, on the beach, a 1000 yards from any other human etc etc. Get with it Thailand. Embarrassing. 

[vandeventer]

1 hour ago, JAFO said:

You wear a mask on your bike ride?  I dumped that idea a long time back. No one around, social distancing requirements met. I carry it with me, toss on when I get near people or enter a business or store.. 

Wearing a mask is good on a bike but only when they are burning off. As for covid if you are wearing a full face helmet who can see you? Besides when you are the  driver in a car and alone you don't need one so what is the difference?

[Meat Pie 47]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I’ve never witnesses such flagrant use of single use plastics as I have in this last year.... its utterly ridiculous. 

 

I’m not anti-plastic - its an excellent material... but gawd, eating with a plastic knife and fork in quarantine etc when we could simply wash our own metal knife and fork up is utterly moronic... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well come to OZ in WA we just banned all plastics from next month no plastic at all

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

Well come to OZ in WA we just banned all plastics from next month no plastic at all

Banned single use plastic, not all plastic.

[Guderian]

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

the department explained that surgical face masks should not to be washed and reused, as they are considered to be infectious waste. Therefore, such masks should be disposed of properly in a trash can with a lid. Face masks made from cloth, however, should be washed every day, with either soap or detergent, and allowed to dry in sunlight.

And what about those of us wearing non-cloth and non-surgical face masks, hm? I find my own version of the face mask easier to breathe in and much longer-lasting, lol.

 

[onthedarkside]

A meme post and a post with unsubstantiated medical advice have been removed.

 

[Almer]

3 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

That's a blow. After two years it may be time to buy a new one.

Don’t need to buy new, there are thousands on the floor

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

That's a blow. After two years it may be time to buy a new one.

Nah just reverse it and get another two years.

[hotchilli]

41 minutes ago, Guderian said:

 

And what about those of us wearing non-cloth and non-surgical face masks, hm? I find my own version of the face mask easier to breathe in and much longer-lasting, lol.

 

Do what you think best.

[theonetrueaussie]

It literally costs 40thb for a box of 50.....so less then 10USD for a years worth.....

[ChrisKC]

2 hours ago, JAFO said:

You wear a mask on your bike ride?  I dumped that idea a long time back. No one around, social distancing requirements met. I carry it with me, toss on when I get near people or enter a business or store.. 

Same here, since it all started. I always take my mask but around my neck and only in the event of me stopping and being close to others would I then wear it properly. In any event, how can I possibly be an infection risk, either from giving or receiving when I am travelling at 25kph with nobody around me except passing traffic?

 

As a matter of interest, I have worn a mask while biking, when the air quality was very bad, but this only rarely!

 

Anyway, it interferes with my breathing!

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

risk of serious, possibly fatal illnesses, due to the build-up of bacteria within the mask.

Please note - this has nothing to do with Covid-19 which is a virus.

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Does this mean I should buy a new one ?

No, it means you should buy a whole box of them at a time instead of just a few.

[realfunster]

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

It's my opinion that masks and all the other disposable PPE will cause more damage to the environment and hence to us than will the virus itself.

Ya reckon ? 

[poohy]

Hang my cloth one on motorbike handlebar it gets aired washed sanitized by sun its not doing too bad for 2 years old really

[NatureFilm]

I worry, that soon we will read:

 

"Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Centre has confirmed that - more people have died from wearing face masks than from Covid infections - and cited data from the Health Department of the Public Health Ministry."