topic Re: Wearing a mask in Community Chat

Wearing a mask

colover — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:35:36 GMT

Am confused about purpose if mask. I was told mask protect OTHERS from me. So if not sick why wear one? I'm beginning to see alot of people wearing them so makes me wonder was the explanation I was told wrong? Surely all these people aren't sick. If they are they should be home.

Re: Wearing a mask

violann — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:45:29 GMT

@colover wrote:
Am confused about purpose if mask. I was told mask protect OTHERS from me. So if not sick why wear one? I'm beginning to see alot of people wearing them so makes me wonder was the explanation I was told wrong? Surely all these people aren't sick. If they are they should be home.

I hear you, and the BEST information ANY ONE has said about this whole situation is that the BEST of the EXPERTS are saying they don't know much of ANYTHING for sure, because thing are changing every day.

We rarely leave the house and never go to public places. Today is a HUGE OUTING for us, for a FIRST TIME curb pick up at a local supermarket.

We will be wearing masks, in hopes that either we or everybody else will benefit.

Re: Wearing a mask

CalminHeart — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:57:37 GMT

@colover wrote:
Am confused about purpose if mask. I was told mask protect OTHERS from me. So if not sick why wear one? I'm beginning to see alot of people wearing them so makes me wonder was the explanation I was told wrong? Surely all these people aren't sick. If they are they should be home.

The CDC and expert epidemiologists said up to 25% of people could be carriers and not have any symptoms. No one knows yet if they are carriers. No one knows if someone passed the virus to them but they don't have symptoms or are in the incubation period (which can now last a month). My guess is you'd hate it if you accidentally passed the virus to someone and they died.

You are correct that masks don't offer a lot of protection to the wearer. But at least it's one more thing the virus has to get through.

A lot of people have immune system issues. If nothing else, think of their needs and comfort.

Wearing a mask makes others feel more comfortable. It's the charitable thing to do.

It's not all about an individual person right now.

Re: Wearing a mask

Tribesters — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:54:29 GMT

@colover

In NY the Governor made it mandatory to wear a mask if you are anywhere you might encounter other people. So unless you're walking in the woods without a soul around you have to wear one.

As for the "not sick" comment- you can spread the virus & not be sick. So even if you think you're not sick you may still be infecting others,

Re: Wearing a mask

Eileen in Virginia — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:14:25 GMT

DH and I don't wear masks when we take our walks, but we're careful to stay away from others while we're out. Last week I saw an excellent reason for wearing a mask outside. Towards the end of our walk, a man across the street coughed (heavily) and didn't even try to cover his mouth. I stayed across the street until it was safe to proceed, but there was a father with a 5 year old and a toddler in a stroller who walked right past this guy after he coughed. Unless you're tested, no one really knows if they have the virus or not. This guy could've infected that young family by carelessly coughing in their path. I don't think I'll wear a mask during my walk because they fog up my glasses pretty badly, but I'll carry one with me in case this type of situation occurs again.

Re: Wearing a mask

haddon9 — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:34:27 GMT

@Eileen in Virginia wrote:
DH and I don't wear masks when we take our walks, but we're careful to stay away from others while we're out. Last week I saw an excellent reason for wearing a mask outside. Towards the end of our walk, a man across the street coughed (heavily) and didn't even try to cover his mouth. I stayed across the street until it was safe to proceed, but there was a father with a 5 year old and a toddler in a stroller who walked right past this guy after he coughed. Unless you're tested, no one really knows if they have the virus or not. This guy could've infected that young family by carelessly coughing in their path. I don't think I'll wear a mask during my walk because they fog up my glasses pretty badly, but I'll carry one with me in case this type of situation occurs again.

@Eileen in Virginia The first time I wore a paper mask my glasses fogged up terribly too. I mentioned it to DH and he told me that there is a thin wire at one end. You wear the mask with the wire on top and pinch the wire to mold to your face around the nose . End of glasses fogging up!

Re: Wearing a mask

Happiness Is Inside JOB — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:02:00 GMT

For me, the masks make me feel better in a store. I know it won't protect me 1000% but I feel it helps when others cough and sneeze. I pray I don't get this virus.

Re: Wearing a mask

FranandZoe — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:06:33 GMT

They're required here in PA. They may or may not protect you AND others so why not wear them just to be safe.

Re: Wearing a mask

Mominohio — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:11:15 GMT

Our state's head public health doctor explains it as just another layer of protection in what she calls a swiss cheese kind of defense.

We are washing our hands, but that alone won't protect you. We are social distancing, but that alone won't protect you, we are wearing masks, but they aren't total protection for you or for others, we are wearing gloves, but that alone won't protect you. Each one of these layers (and other things we are doing) has holes in it, but if you layer enough things, you will just have more protection for both yourself and for others.

Re: Wearing a mask

momoftwo2007 — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:15:16 GMT

@colover The problem with Covid19 is a lot of people have the virus but show no symptom at all. So people do not know if they are sick or not (unless they all get tested), so EVERYONE should wear a mask.

"According to Robert Redfield, the director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 percent of people infected with the new coronavirus don't present any symptoms or fall ill but can still transmit the illness to others."

Re: Wearing a mask

4kitties — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:39:56 GMT

We are to be wearing a mask in my state starting May 1st. I will be wearing a home made one but after reading this chart I really do not feel any safer. Unless we all wear the high quality medical grade masks and follow proper medical protocol, I am not sure if these will really help.

But I will follow the instructions and hope for the best!

Re: Wearing a mask

Ibby114 — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 19:22:23 GMT

TPTB don't stress this enough when discussing masks- but it's most urgent to adhere to the other social distance guidelines. Those are proven effective- 6ft (minimum) between people, lots of hand washing and hand sanitizer. I also wear gloves whenever I'm out- and wipe everything down before it comes into my home.

All these generic face coverings do is protect others from you, the graphic posted here says it best. Multi-layered or not! They're limited in protecting you from others (unless you're wearing N95 masks).

Re: Wearing a mask

AvalonRose — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:58:17 GMT

Please consult the CDC/your state's homepage for mask information. Do not consult the QVC forum pages. Too much inaccurate information floating around.

Re: Wearing a mask

bmorechick — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:02:30 GMT

Morning...just a quick info piece here for those of you who choose to wear gloves while out. Remember, anything you touch in public infects the glove you have on. That glove is dirty and you should refrain from using your phone, touching your wallet, keys, purse etc.with that dirty glove as you have just transmitted those germs to those items. I see so many people using their phone in a store with the glove still on, placing it up to their face while the germs jump from glove to phone to face. I think its safer to just carry hand sanitizer with you at all times and use it before you handle any of your personal items while out. I have many family member who are in healthcare and they all cringe when they see this. The gloves are labled disposable for a reason.

Re: Wearing a mask

LindaSal — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:02:37 GMT

Wearing a mask absolutely protects you from others. I worked as a dental assistant my entire career and worked in scrubs, masks and gloves to protect ourselves and the patient!

A cloth mask is better than nothing and even if it doesn't totally block the virus, the infected person would have to be coughing in your face for it to penetrate. Keeping your distance is very smart. I didn't buy that regarding ( you only need a mask if you are sick )nonsense. My schooling and work experience taught me otherwise. They just didn't want a run on the PPE as they knew there was going to be a shortage.

Re: Wearing a mask

janeec — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:08:19 GMT

The masks keep many of the respiratory secretions from spewing forth towards others. If one coughs, some droplets will go through but most do not, or as far.

I wear a mask to protect others. In turn, those wearing masks are protecting me.

Studies I have read have shown that the virus has travelled over 10 feet, and the microscopic particles can remain airborne for some time. That is why one is to be careful removing the mask and then should wash one's hands.

Re: Wearing a mask

violann — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:56:54 GMT

@colover wrote:
Am confused about purpose if mask. I was told mask protect OTHERS from me. So if not sick why wear one? I'm beginning to see alot of people wearing them so makes me wonder was the explanation I was told wrong? Surely all these people aren't sick. If they are they should be home.

My LO was infected by someone who was "not sick", and my LO's symptoms emerged at least 2 days BEFORE the CARRIER became symptomatic.

Re: Wearing a mask

Sherox — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:05:51 GMT

In my state (a "hot spot") it is required that we wear a mask anytime we are in a store; grocery, drug etc., I walk quite a bit each day for exercise and I put it on when I pass others exercising with or without a mask. I live in an apt building and I wear one when I take the elevator or the stairs or checking the mail. It is to the point that everyone is now wearing a mask pretty much all the time when away from home.

Re: Wearing a mask

BlueFinch — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:27:05 GMT

Please be careful, if you are lining your 'fashion' masks with product that makes them too occlusive. And, wear N95 masks, if you can find them, with caution. I know people are looking for them, but they aren't indicated for social use, while maintaining a decent distance from others and using other sanitary precautions.

Occlusive masks, like the N95 are fitted masks, that interfere with breathing. They are intended to wear into an isolation room for brief bedside treatments, or care, but not for extended periods of time.

In fact, I just saw a photo online of a totaled car. The driver had been wearing an N95 mask long enough to finally go unconscious, crashing into a tree. Thankfully, not into someone else.

I witnessed a woman in a N95 doing a power walk in my hood, when temps were in the 90s. She didn't even need a mask, walking alone. Exercise of this type is encouraged. I was seriously worried for her.

The confusion over these issues is worrisome and can be unsafe. We just need masks, or scarfs that will prevent our respiratory vapors, or particles from escaping to someone nearby, in case we're unknowingly carrying the virus. If everyone did this, with lots of hand washing, while keeping our hands off our face, we'd all be protecting one another.

Re: Wearing a mask

SeaMaiden — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:29:32 GMT

@colover wrote:
Am confused about purpose if mask. I was told mask protect OTHERS from me. So if not sick why wear one? I'm beginning to see alot of people wearing them so makes me wonder was the explanation I was told wrong? Surely all these people aren't sick. If they are they should be home.

@colover

many people are symtom free for many days BEFORE getting sick, yet, they still spread the virus at this time. Wearing the mask will keep others from contamination even if you think you are not sick.... just a good idea for EVERYONE to mask up for this reason.