Community Chat

[BrandiDavis]

So, I was just watching a video with regards to whether or not masks during this outbreak should be worn by the public. Well, if you all remember we were all told in the beginning of this and even up until now that unless you were sick or a caregiver there was no need for the public to wear masks. 

Even the Sugeon General on 2/29 said for people to STOP buying masks, etc...said they essentially only worked for healthcare workers. Which that in itself doesn't make any sense. Their effectiveness doesn't change based on someone's job. 

What they should've been telling us, was you know there is a shortage on masks so healthcare workers/elderly people will be given priority. People would've understood that, but instead they told us we did NOT need them. Which if you remember I know several of us even here on the boards questioned b/c it seemed like in China EVERY single person was wearing one! So, WHY wouldn't we also do that here in the U.S. Well, now we are seeing why. They lied. Instead of shooting us straight they tried to say they weren't effective for the general public. I cannot attach links here b/c of the obvious, but you can search this and see what I mean.

Now, TPTB are saying they may start to reccommend that the public wear masks. Hmm...imagine that. 

So frustrating. Throughout this whole ordeal, not one person has had a straight answer. Too much wishy-washy when it comes to peoples lives. God help us all. 

[TY]

I have fabric face masks because I have been using them to fly to and from Las Vegas in the last year and a half. The last time I bought those was last summer and that was from a canadian walmart and from a Miniso store. It’s not unusual even in pre pandemic times to see asian people wearing face masks in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. 

Regular pharmacies here have not had face masks since the last week in January and hardware stores sold out of N95 disposable masks back then too. I found dust masks at Dollarama - a canadian dollar store chain back in early Feb. and bought them. I also stocked up on cleaning supplies and rubbing alcohol then when they had stock because hand sanitizer also was sold out everywhere.

The just in time inventory supply chain for health supplies can’t work in a pandemic as there are not enough for everyone. Now people are sewing their own face masks and I also sewed 3 of my own out of molded cup removable athletic bra inserts and elastic. People were joking about it in January and February but nobody is laughing now.

So now I’m reading that regular cotton material won’t stop germs and viruses but think out of the box about material you could use to sew face masks like bonded fabric used to make blackout curtains or the bonded material used in dust mite proofing pillow cases and mattress covers. If you don’t have elastic, you could try shoe laces as you likely have stretchy athletic shoe laces you could use.

[BrandiDavis]

@TY  Wow, that is wonderful that you were already in a way preparing for this and now that will definitely pay off for you!! I wish I knew how to sew, b/c I would try to make something too!! I do agree that cotton alone won't be enough of a barrier, but you do have to think outside of the box during these times and as you suggested lining it with something would be ideal. The way I feel about it is it's better than wearing nothing at all! Even if it offers "some" protection, again better than none at all!

What a great idea to use the removable molded cup from athletic type bras. I actually have several of those b/c I bought my daughter a pack of Rhonda Shear ahh bras that were on clearance a few weeks back, they were normally $60 and I got 3 of them for $21 so I couldn't pass it up. Anyways, she doesn't use the pads. Again if I knew how to sew!!

[CalminHeart]

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@BrandiDavis wrote:

Now, TPTB are saying they may start to reccommend that the public wear masks. Hmm...imagine that. 

So frustrating. Throughout this whole ordeal, not one person has had a straight answer. Too much wishy-washy when it comes to peoples lives. God help us all. 

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Things change as medical experts learn more about the virus.  It's no different than anything else.  Experts learn as the pandemic grows and share that information.

The worst part about all this is that too many people prefer to listen to a man who plays a doctor on tv than an real doctor/medical expert.

[TY]

@BrandiDavis 

If you have a needle and thread you can hand sew the elastic to a bra insert or cut a small hole in the bra insert near the edge and slip the elastic or shoe lace in through the hole and make an overhand knot to keep it in place. Other elastic you could use are bra straps - how many have those bra straps that come off of a bra like a strapless bra or a swimsuit?

Edited to add:

Below is a prototype mask made by New Balance shoe company that they are going to make. Notice the shoe laces threaded through the mask? Shoe laces don't have to be these curly types to thread through holes in a mask or used as elastic that goes around the ears instead of the whole head when you are do it yourself making a face mask.

[Imaoldhippie]

It was my understanding that the masks protected people from the person wearing the mask, NOT protecting the one that was wearing the mask.

In other words if you have a cold, it protects those around you from getting the cold.

[Deree]

No I don't think telling the truth at the outset would have been met with "understanding people".  Too many people are selfish and greedy and when you add Fear to the equation you get mass hysteria.  No they would not have left the masks for the health care workers. Every man and woman for themselves.  JMO.  I think common sense tells someone that any physical barrier will help. Even a bandana tied around your nose and mouth is better than nothing and I think everyone in an affected area should be wearing one.

[on the bay]

@BrandiDavis -

That made me mad too. Just tell us up front-we need masks for health care workers!

While all the while, oh it won't protect you ,everyone in China is ordered to wear a mask!

The other reason it doesn't make sense is that 20-30% of people who get the virus get it from people who have NO symptoms!(cnn)

So don't try to bs Americans. Just tell the truth and we'll go from there.

And I can't sew either, though I do a pretty good button sewn on!

 I think the truth, which surgeon general did say, was that there wasn't enough and to save them for medical personnel. And that's it. Not that they wouldn't really help those who aren't sick. I bet most would wear them if we had them, including those who carry the virus with no symptoms and aren't sick!

[tototwo]

Doctors were explaining on the news this morning that there are 2 types of masks:  the ones that don't let the wearer breathe out germs to other people, and ones that don't allow germs in.  Don't ask me to explain any further than that - I wasn't listening all that well.  "They" are recommending people wear the kind that don't let germs out so we don't accidentally breathe on and infect others.  

[CrazyDaisy]

Hind sight is 20/20

People can only do the best they can with the information available at the time.