Face masksmis truths about

Hi 

Both Screwfix and B&Q have them listed for sale - Cheaper ones are around £1.75 for a pack of 2 for DIY / Dusty work (see online)

Stock levels are a bit hit or miss though so do check if your local store has them in stock to save a wasted trip.

Don't know about Boots or Superdrug type outlets (would probably be more expensive)

G n' J

Mrs CB had made 20 pleated masks with elastic ear loops for us, daughter 3 and a couple of neighbours. She used 'fat quarters' fabric in a variety of styles and printed a pattern from the internet. The masks have a small pocket in them that can have a small filter inserted.

I'll be wearing mine when I go out as I'm also deemed to be 'vulnerable' but heaven help anyone who thinks it! All I need now is a sawn off and a bank that's open ...

CB

Thank you CB

what would we do without the likes of you,Rily, Teasewill,Herothedog et al....

Garviv

Thank You I will go online to investigate today

Garviv

Everything I hear from scientists on Radio 4 indicates masks reduce the wearer infecting others, but give very little protection from getting infected.

Stands to reason that as you breathe in [in effect suction], air comes through the route of least resistance which is round the edges of the mask. hence the difference between standard ones and the high level ones. Our daughter works as an NHS clinic dentist and had the professional fitting for the high level ones, which involves testing the mask for leaks with a bad-tasting substance This is unpleasant but demonstrates the big difference in these, which are customised to the wearer's face shape. 

By contrast when you breathe out into a mask the air is coming out of your mouth and nose under pressure from your chest, so tends to hit the inside of the mask, catching the worst of your droplets and stopping them shooting forwards towards people nearby, as well as leak out around the sides.

Just remember that a mask is a hotbed of any germs you carry, so needs to only be handled by the ear loops once worn, and never upped-and-downed eg as you drive/get out of the car. [Advice from daughter, who is qualified to comment].

However I have a theory about the use of masks for vulnerable people when out. It goes along the same lines as wearing a bike helmet, -ish. By others seeing you better, they avoid you better. Which is what we want. 

Hope the above helps,

Denby

It's interesting that we're getting focused on things we can see - other people, what they're wearing (or not). Briefly being near someone infected is probably small risk. But touching something that someone infected has recently touched - that could be very dangerous. Yet we seem to recoil more from the former than the latter because we can't see the danger.

Hence the trend for wearing gloves & masks, but all too often, used incorrectly & potentially even more dangerous. People see it as doing something positive, albeit sometimes ill advised. All the more important to still wash hands & avoid touching faces...

All the same, I've looked out some fabric to make some masks in case they are made mandatory. I don't think they should do that though unless we're all going to be supplied with proper medical disposable ones. That's never going to happen!

I used to wear a face mask years ago when I worked in construction, but my face still had a black ring around it at the end of the day so 

The last time I wore one was when my Mom was in hospital & she'd caught the virus, so of course it was masks & gown all round.  I must admit I did feel it was very much a waste of time & money because everyone in that bay already had the virus anyway, & we had to change mask & gown each time we went in & out which was quite a lot for me with the toilet visits.  Think I'd've preferred a good hose down each time in a Walter White suit.   Although I caught the virus & I've never felt so ill in my life!  

Soz went off on one there again .   I've actually seen some people wandering around with what looks very much like a gas mask, still they gotta keep safe.  I'd like to wear a mask, but I'm not sure that the cheaper type would help.  Plus I think that the people that wear them think that they are safe, & that they can get close to you because of this.  I suppose it's gives you a sense of security more than anything, but I'm sure I'd gasp for breath & breath over people even more.  I did think at one point that my clothes could be infected .... Some people claimed to be taking off all of their clothes if they'd been out & washing them, then showering ....  Where does it all end?

That doesn't sound so daft. After my first visit to the supermarket I thought about doing changing when I got home, but I was so impressed with the arrangements I didn't feel it necessary. It's on later visits I feel people have been more careless, 2 people to a trolley wandering about, people gloved & masked but dumping their trolley in an aisle & going to and fro to fill it. I feel terribly guilty if I pick something up & then put it back.

I take my own hand gel & cleaned my hands before getting my car keys out to go home. It's thinking about transferring from one task to another as safely as possible. Otherwise I try to use my sleeves to eg open a gate. Or in the colder weather I wore fabric gloves.

Got myself one of these, its attracting a bit of attention but at least no-one comes within 10 metres of me...

This reminds me of one Christmas in Hull when the streets were packed with Christmas shoppers.Up ahead I could see people scattering into the road.The reason being a man with an enormous snake wrapped around his body.Well it’s one way to have the pavement to yourself.Love Jane xx