Face masks

[rogerfederer]

However, viruses can easily land on your eyes and enter your tear ducts, go to your throat and down your lungs. Full filtered goggles are required.

It only takes one virus to enter your lungs to get infected.

I agree and understand that too, but I think the question was about minimisation and it's thought that the airborne or close contact method is more likely, plus hands touching the face and transferring the virus to the mouth/eyes/nose, even hours after you first touched your face and then rub it into your eye for example.

The easiest thing to do is keep exercise to isolated areas and avoid shops entirely, although the delivery people are likely infected too given their younger age and the volume of things they touch throughout the day.

[tazdevil]

If we're told to wear face masks where are they coming from? Single use for a limited period to cover a population of 70+ million equates to multi millions a day. And do they work, probably not. The medical grade masks that may stop the virus particles for a limited period aren't going to be available for us mere mortals at an affordable cost and in the quantities required. Any other type will have no effect what so ever. And more people will get the virus because they'll feel safe with a mask which doesn't work. 5 minutes of wet breath and even effective ones aren't anymore and the majority can't stop the virus particles they're so small. People won't fit them properly and coughing into your own face will get very annoying after a short while

[DimPrawn]

Be creative man!

[sal]

We got 20 masks from Screwfix at the start of the panic buying. Used about 5 thus far, keeping the used ones in a sealed bag, supposedly the virus dies in 2-3 days on it's own so they are self-sterilizing sort of speak.

The main goal of using low grade masks by the public is not so much to stop you from inhaling the virus particles, as much as stopping you from spreading them through coughs and simple exhalation or at the very least significantly reduce the amount/range of the spread.

[WTFH]

The main goal of using low grade masks by the public is not so much to stop you from inhaling the virus particles, as much as stopping you from spreading them through coughs and simple exhalation or at the very least significantly reduce the amount/range of the spread.

This is the bit that so many don't get (and when they do, they'll be up in arms about wearing masks if it's only to protect "OTHERS")

For decades, the Japanese have worn masks when they feel unwell to protect others. It's the civilised thing to do.

Wearing a basic mask will protect others. Not going out will protect them even more.

[darmstadt]

We had a box arrive from China a couple of days ago and another package is on it's way. Also have washable ones which I picked up at a shop this week and have a couple of Morfs which are washable:

[Scoobos]

We had a box arrive from China a couple of days ago and another package is on it's way. Also have washable ones which I picked up at a shop this week and have a couple of Morfs which are washable:

If they are N95 or 99 grade, you really ought to be taking them to the people who can actually get decent and appropriate use out of them.

I reckon a bedside nurse , care home worker, or doctor could make better use than we can going to the supermarket for a crate of beer and nibbles.

[Scoobos]

If we're told to wear face masks where are they coming from? Single use for a limited period to cover a population of 70+ million equates to multi millions a day. And do they work, probably not. The medical grade masks that may stop the virus particles for a limited period aren't going to be available for us mere mortals at an affordable cost and in the quantities required. Any other type will have no effect what so ever. And more people will get the virus because they'll feel safe with a mask which doesn't work. 5 minutes of wet breath and even effective ones aren't anymore and the majority can't stop the virus particles they're so small. People won't fit them properly and coughing into your own face will get very annoying after a short while

The argument is that its to protect others from yourself, if you are mildly affected or asymptomatic (though if you are asymptomatic, I've always wondered why you'd be contagious in an airborne way, as you're not coughing or sneezing)

[WTFH]

If they are N95 or 99 grade, you really ought to be taking them to the people who can actually get decent and appropriate use out of them.

I reckon a bedside nurse , care home worker, or doctor could make better use than we can going to the supermarket for a crate of beer and nibbles.

Washable won't be FFP2 or FFP3 compliant (We're in the UK, not using US codes!)

[WTFH]

though if you are asymptomatic, I've always wondered why you'd be contagious in an airborne way, as you're not coughing or sneezing

Because even in "normal" breathing there can be aerosols generated, also if you're wearing a mask, you won't be touching your mouth with your hands, so you won't be leaving a trail everywhere you touch.