The infections were reported at a hotel in the Graübunden region, where several employees and at least one guest tested positive for the virus. Local health officials determined that all those infected had been wearing only plastic face shields as protection. No one who had worn a face mask was infected, according to officials.
I always though the shields were more about protecting your eyes, if you need to intubate or have to do intimate care for a Covid positive person? I see people wearing them quite a lot generally though.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Not sure it’s an “emotional issue” but of course you don’t know anything about me so will make assumptions I have an exemption badge because of my issues but I have to wear a mask at work. If masks are worn incorrectly as they nearly always are they are useless. Therefore in my opinion the wearing of masks is a box ticking exercise to make people believe something is being done, another in a long list of pointless rules imposed by a completely useless government.
I think a poorly worn* mask is better than no mask at all. Of course, people ought to be educated on the proper way.. but even if it slips down below their nose, at least it is covering their mouth and catching half of their sneeze or cough. Of if it's loose fitting, it's still blocking a direct cough or sneeze and limiting the 33 feet at 300 mph factor. NEVER as good as a proper fitting mask worn correctly, but better than NOTHING. I feel we should not discourage people from wearing them, only educate them on how to find a good fit for their face and how to wear it correctly.
*poorly worn does not include wearing it under your chin, that is not 'wearing' a mask.. it's only a weird fashion accessory at that point.
My issue is that people wearing masks even under the nose, this is very common, get much closer to each other. Masks are worn on the bus then immediately removed on leaving the bus and young people are gathered together everywhere without them. The present spate of coughs and colds would indicate that they just don’t work, they are anti social and many people dislike them so much they won’t go shopping or out for a drink or a meal. The economy is on its knees and masks are delivering the death blow.
It seems to me there are two types of mask. On the one hand there are medical grade ones which afford a high level of two way protection and which must be properly put on and taken off, rarely adjusted and carefully binned after a single use.
Then there are masks for the general public. These provide almost no protection for the wearer but they have some protection from the wearer. They can trap coughs and sneezes, splutters and lusty exhalations. From time to time I have read posters on these forums saying that these masks are also rendered pretty useless if touched or adjusted, should be stored in plastic bags, very frequently washed etc. Is such a protocol really needed? I think not but I would like to hear convincing evidence otherwise. Similarly don’t face visors provide a similar level of protection as everyday masks in terms of interrupting sneezes etc? I can see that they offer no protection to the wearer but nor do the masks we are all wearing.
But if everyone wears them, we all get whatever protection is afforded by proxy. So what's the difference? My mask protects you. Your mask protects me.
I went to Asda yesterday. Upon entry you are not asked to wear a mask, but you are asked to wear a face covering. Subtle difference. And not unsurprisingly people were wearing a variety of "face coverings". The efficacy of a number of them being decidedly questionable. Not to mention, judging from the state of the some of the "homemade jobs", worn daily without ever seeing a washing machine. Worst of all is the fact that any face covering, however poorly worn or designed, is seen as a antidote to social distancing. Despite signs to the contrary, shoppers were quite happy to stand shoulder to shoulder!?!. It's no wonder some of the poor staff just look like they've given up.
"Face coverings" for the general public are not masks. The issue with face coverings is that, although in strict scientific terms and lab tests they provide some level of reduction in the dispersal of droplets, in the real world they provide no protection. As @BenCotto correctly points out, nobody puts on and uses a face covering "correctly" - as in only puts it on with sanitized hands, only removes it in a specific process, doesn't touch it at all whilst wearing it, washes it at high temperature after every use and so forth.
The following scenario is common: you have the virus, but you're asymptomatic. You get ready to go out, but forget to wash your hands as the last thing you do. You pick up your mask and put it in your pocket. On your walk to the store you absentmindedly scratch your top lip (because on average people touch their face 23 times an hour, see reference below). You get to the store, take your mask out, put it on. You sanitize your hands at the entrance, walk in, adjust your mask and start shopping. The virus is now back on your hands and being transferred to surfaces.
The purpose of face coverings is to marginally reduce droplet transmission, and mostly to act as a constant reminder not to touch your face and adhere to social distancing.
One last thing, for everyone struggling with "masks" you may want to try something called a Buff. It's a microfiber "tube" designed to be worn as a scarf, snood, hat etc. It's breathable, won't steam up glasses, can stay round your neck and be easily pulled up over the mouth and nose. It's gently elastic and doesn't overheat. I fortunately had a couple as they are great when traveling in very cold weather.
If you look at this link it may not be immediately clear what it is, and it's somewhat hard to explain without seeing one. There is a Buff UK website as well, with lots of alternative colours etc.
Posts
I always though the shields were more about protecting your eyes, if you need to intubate or have to do intimate care for a Covid positive person? I see people wearing them quite a lot generally though.
Then there are masks for the general public. These provide almost no protection for the wearer but they have some protection from the wearer. They can trap coughs and sneezes, splutters and lusty exhalations. From time to time I have read posters on these forums saying that these masks are also rendered pretty useless if touched or adjusted, should be stored in plastic bags, very frequently washed etc. Is such a protocol really needed? I think not but I would like to hear convincing evidence otherwise. Similarly don’t face visors provide a similar level of protection as everyday masks in terms of interrupting sneezes etc? I can see that they offer no protection to the wearer but nor do the masks we are all wearing.
My mask protects you. Your mask protects me.
The following scenario is common: you have the virus, but you're asymptomatic. You get ready to go out, but forget to wash your hands as the last thing you do. You pick up your mask and put it in your pocket. On your walk to the store you absentmindedly scratch your top lip (because on average people touch their face 23 times an hour, see reference below). You get to the store, take your mask out, put it on. You sanitize your hands at the entrance, walk in, adjust your mask and start shopping. The virus is now back on your hands and being transferred to surfaces.
The purpose of face coverings is to marginally reduce droplet transmission, and mostly to act as a constant reminder not to touch your face and adhere to social distancing.
One last thing, for everyone struggling with "masks" you may want to try something called a Buff. It's a microfiber "tube" designed to be worn as a scarf, snood, hat etc. It's breathable, won't steam up glasses, can stay round your neck and be easily pulled up over the mouth and nose. It's gently elastic and doesn't overheat. I fortunately had a couple as they are great when traveling in very cold weather.
The original buff is the one to get.
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/buff-original-buff-A3312031.html?colour=165
If you look at this link it may not be immediately clear what it is, and it's somewhat hard to explain without seeing one. There is a Buff UK website as well, with lots of alternative colours etc.
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25637115/