When should you wear a face mask? Who does it protect?

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   Kenna McHughposted 4 years ago

   I think some of our populace has no idea of the purpose of wearing a face mask during this pandemic. I saw a guy wearing one in his front yard with no one around. I see people wearing them when they are walking down the street without anyone near them. I see people wearing them while driving. I see people wearing them in a grocery store?  There is a grocery store forcing customers to wear them if they want to shop in their store. When do you think the face masks should be worn?

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      Al Stineposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      The face mask protects the one wearing it and the people around that person. You do not necessarily have to be in a crowded place to wear one. Some individuals are asymptomatic, meaning they might not even know they are carrying the virus around. An asymptomatic person wearing the face masks is able to restrict how far the virus can move from the mouth or nose to another person or surface. The reason the virus is spreading so fast is because most people might not be aware that they are in fact spreading it.

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      Marie Flintposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      It's more important to build a strong immune system than to wear a mask; however, if I were a business owner where I had to work with a lot of customers, face to face, I'd protect them (or at least reassure them that I cared) by wearing a mask and surgical gloves.

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         lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Regular masks do not block the virus from entry, it is like wearing a window grill to try and stop mosquitoes from entering. But, this virus, like the other flu strains is mostly spread through droplets which can be caught on the masks. So you wear one mostly for other people. That's not all though, if someone does happen to cough or sneeze in your direction the mask would stop at least some of the virus load and this gives your body time to fight against it.
         
         Even strong immune systems with a large viral load are going to struggle. They may even go into overdrive and cause collateral damage to your own cells.

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            Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            That is my point of view, too. How good are the masks? Do they work?

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               lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Yes, they do, but not the way most people think that they do.

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                  Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  I agree. I know someone who is asthmatic and can't wear the mask at all. It prevents her from breathing, and she starts coughing. Plus, she's high-risk, too.

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                     lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                     Oh.

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   bhattucposted 4 years ago

   This is only a precautionary measure and in some situations can be dispensed with. Individual judgement plays an important role.

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      Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      San Francisco's mayor said everyone has to wear a mask in the city.  My husband said the police were gun-ho in the morning enforcing the ordinance. By the afternoon, only 20% off the populace were wearing masks, and the cops didn't seem to care.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 4 years ago

   I have to share: I heard that you can go to a certain grocery store only if you wear gloves and a mask. That was a lie. When I got there everyone else was wearing clothes.

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      Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Haha.

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   NateB11posted 4 years ago

   I understood that it's necessary to wear the mask when you go into public places around other people; work, the store, etc. I imagine it would be wise to wear it when you take a walk, anytime you might encounter people.
   
   Strange side note: I can't wear a mask because I have a respiratory condition. I haven't even been in a store in at least a month, I think. I'll take my girlfriend to the store and she'll go in, wearing a mask, and do the shopping. Sometimes I do want to go grab something when she's at work and I can't . Small price to pay though.

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      Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      That's must be tough. It is good that you're taking percautions.

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   psycheskinnerposted 4 years ago

   It won't hurt to wear them too often.  It will avoid the mistake I made this morning stepping onto my condo deck and not realizing someone was standing right next to it only 3-4 feet away.  If you anticipate seeing anyone at all during an outing I can see the advantage to putting it on and leaving it on rather than taking it on and off.

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      lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed. Also, you don't know what you touch and if you happen to touch a contaminated surface and then use those hands to take on or put off the mask, it's very likely that you are going to get the virus on the mask. The less you touch it, the better. I personally don't use one yet, but I see the point in wearing one either constantly when out or not at all.

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         Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Some of the masks are so poorly made you can help but touch them more often than you shouldn't. I don't like wearing them and rather not. I think it makes other people feel comfortable when you do wear them.

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   psycheskinnerposted 4 years ago

   I have to go and get a prescription soon. Trying to pick a time when Walmart will not be busy, and guess which scarf might be most 'mask like' in effect

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      Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I have a couple of scarfs, which I rather wear, too.

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   Eurofileposted 4 years ago

   The UK has stopped short of recommending the use of masks, although it has sparked much debate. If we all buy masks, it could add to the difficulties in getting supplies for frontline health workers. In towns near us up to 5% wear masks, but most people don't.

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      Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Eurofile, I rather not wear one, but some establishments will not allow you in if you are not wearing a mask. Yet, they don't offer one.

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         Marisa Writesposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         There's such a desperate shortage of proper, medical-grade masks, I think it's  irresponsible to wear one - they should be reserved for the front-line workers who are risking their lives on our behalf.
         
         There's lots of advice available on how to make your own mask, and several companies selling cloth masks too.   They are not fully effective at blocking the virus, but they are effective at preventing you touching your face (which is the biggest risk when you're out and about touching surfaces).

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            Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Good point. Being a belly dancer helps because you have a veil over your face.  I'd like to make and wear one, but it's time-consuming. I am not that good at sewing.

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               Marisa Writesposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Haha.  Actually real belly dancers don't wear veils over their face. We have big veils that we wrap around ourselves or throw around, that's all.
               
               You don't have to sew to make a mask, there are some good no-sew ones on Youtube, or buy a few on eBay.

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   paradigmsearchposted 4 years ago

   Paint it on. Wear goggles and a snorkel. Must I solve everything around here?

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   poppyrposted 4 years ago

   Even before the pandemic, people here in Japan wore masks when 1. They had a cold and didn't want to cough and sneeze all over everybody, 2. When they're pregnant (to protect them from germs) 3. When they want protection in general.
   I remember western people saying to me, "The Japanese are so weird, masks don't do anything." We know they don't offer complete 100% protection, but they certainly don't hurt. Particles can come from your mouth simply by talking or laughing, not only coughing and sneezing. Besides, if they didn't work, the hospitals and NHS wouldn't use them.
   I use them now when I go out, but it's more of an etiquette thing. I always use them when I have a cold, again so people don't think I'm disgusting if I start coughing.

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      Kenna McHughposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't know that about Japan, though, now that you mention it, I remember seeing photos of Japanese people in the streets and some wearing masks. I thought it was because of the pollution like in China. Haha, now I know.
      And yes. I want others to feel comfortable, so I have one with me just in case.

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