Among Friends

[Kachina624]

---

@goldensrbest wrote:

Kids should not be in stores, mask, just do not know if these cloth masks are any good .

---

@goldensrbest    I think these handmade and flimsy medical masks are a joke.  They make people feel more confident so they'll go out and spend money but I've seen nothing assessing their effectiveness.  Currently they're mostly a fashion statement.  Do you see our noble leader wearing one?

[CrazyDaisy]

---

@Carmie wrote:

---

@Shanus wrote:

---

@kaydee50 wrote:

So far, DH and I are not wearing masks and so far they are not required in Chicago.  I'm puzzled about the effectiveness of non-medical masks.  First, we were told that they were unnecessary unless you were already ill and now some places are requiring them.  IMO, we are told to wear them so that we feel we are doing something to stop the spread of the virus and their effectiveness is questionable.  But I guess it doesn't hurt to wear one although it may give a false sense of security.

---

@kaydee50   If you're wearing a mask properly (the wire portion clamped around your nose), it's less likely bacteria can get in or out. 

---

We are looking for protection from a virus, not bacteria.  The microns from this virus are so small that some of them are passing through the medical N95 masks. Even they are only 95% effective.

Wearing a mask that is not a N19 is probably not doing any good at all...except for stimulating the economy.

---

Have to agree.  What is the QUALITY of the masks being worn  There are no standards, just a false sense of security.

[Kachina624]

@Shanus    When you find one tiny statistic or study that proves a handmade mask or flimsy medical mask will prevent the spread of CoVi19, please post it.  It's a con by our leadership (who don't wear them), to give people confidence so they'll shop.  This tiny, microscopic virus will sail right through those fabric fibers.

[50Mickey]

@Carmie   My nephew's wife is a microbiologist who specializes in virology. She has a PhD. She said exactly what you just wrote. The particles of this virus are so small that you need an electron microscope to see them. Putting a bandanna or a piece of cloth over your nose and mouth is no protection for you. If the non N95 masks do anything at all there is a slight chance that the mask keeps the wearer from spreading the virus not from getting it. I have a feeling that these masks may be giving those who are wearing them a false sense of security. 

[Puppy Lips]

NOT MASKED AND STILL WORKING.

Work is just my husband and me in the office.  The only people we see are the UPS drivers.  The only place we go is the post office and grocery store.  I will not wear a mask.  I stay away from people, don't touch my face, and wash my hands when I get to where I am going.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Bhvbum ...we are encouraged-- if interested to track via the Covid Website...I do not know if it is your state website or the CDC website.

I don't check the website, our paper prints the information.

[suzyQ3]

@Shanus, you mentioned in one of your posts here that you thought the mandate to wear masks was national; no, it is up to to local officials.

If it were national, then even he would have to wear them.

[kitcat51]

I only wear a mask when I volunteer & it's required, the required masks have a filter. I see so many of all ages wearing masks & they can't keep their hands off them...adjusting around the nose & mouth with fingers & some placing their whole palm on it...now everything that was on their hands is on the mask & it's become a germ collector that they're breathing through...UGH, keep your hands away from your face.

[pitdakota]

---

@drizzellla wrote:

---

@Carmie wrote

---

We are looking for protection from a virus, not bacteria.  The microns from this virus are so small that some of them are passing through the medical N95 masks. Even they are only 95% effective.

Wearing a mask that is not a N19 is probably not doing any good at all...except for stimulating the economy.

Carmie - that is the mask my husband and I have been looking to buy and can not find anywhere. We see people with all kinds of masks and our PA Governor issued a statement yesterday that you have to wear a mask when you enter a store. 

Well, if I wear a bandana (that I saw people wearing yesterday) I will not be helping. And will something like that be acceptable. Because a cotton bandana is not stopping any virus. My son brought home a mask that filters out a virus but the mask does not have  a clip around the nose. Not sure that mask will be any help either.

Not sure what we will be wearing to get our food.

---

________________________________________________________

@drizzellla @Carmie   the reason they are asking people to wear masks when out in public is to protect other people out there from you in case you are contagious.

Early research and subsequent research here has documented that the most contagious period of time with COVID-19 is around 3 days before any symptoms begin.

The viral load of someone feeling perfectly fine  around 3 days before symptoms begins is actually higher than the viral load once the symptoms start.

Further research has determined that viral shedding during that time occurs with people talking, laughing, etc.  You don't have to cough or sneeze to shed the virus in the air or surfaces around you.

So people that are feeling just fine and don't think they are sick are out in public maybe talking on cell phones, etc. and shedding virus all along the way.  Add to that it is allergy season so someone sneezes from allergies in the store and multiple virus particles can be expelled.

The goal is that by you wearing a mask, it keeps more of the virus confined to you while you are out in public in case you are contagious rather than the mask is protecting you.  

This is not like another type of cold or flu where you know you are sick, not feeling up to par, or someone else around you can tell you are sick.  People at their most contagious period of time feel absolutely fine and look absolutely fine.  So the masks helps to keep less virus particles out there circulating in public areas.   That added with maintaining physical distance between people can most certainly assist in decreasing the spread of this disease.  

[Shanus]

@Travone   How long had I been inside when that was posted. Wow, took a lot of looking back and reading posts just to catch something to make an insignificant point.