What's up with the shift in facemask use?

[public hermit]

We were told not only that facemasks do not help, but that they increase the possibility of infection.

No, You Do Not Need Face Masks To Prevent Coronavirus—They Might Increase Your Infection Risk

Now, we're told that everyone should wear facemasks in public, to prevent infecting others if we are asymptomatic.

The CDC released a guide on how to make a face mask without sewing skills. Materials include a bandana, a coffee filter, and hair ties.

I think the official account is that the thinking on this, by the experts, has changed. That may be. But, why is it that folks from Asian countries, who have some experience with pandemics, were all wearing masks from the very beginning? Personally, I thought the guidance of not wearing masks was counter-intuitive. But, what do I know? I'm no expert. So, I defer. Perhaps, our experts were just asking the wrong questions.

Face masks: have we been asking the wrong question all along?

We should have been wearing masks all along, but there was a known shortage, and we were misled. Purposely or not? I don't know. We knew we had a shortage and wanted to ensure our courageous health care workers had enough of the needed protections. As it should be. But, were they afraid if they suggested wearing facemasks there would be none available for our health care workers? We could have been making homemade facemasks from the beginning. I don't want to say we have been purposely misled, but that is what it feels like.

 

[Johan_1988]

In South Korea it was found to be quite effective, since they had a playbook following SARS and MERS they were well prepared and experienced.

On a lighter note SARS in South Africa means South African Revue Service.

 

[public hermit]

In South Korea it was found to be quite effective, since they had a playbook following SARS and MERS they were well prepared and experienced.

That's part of my point. Why didn't we defer to them, based on their experience?

On a lighter note SARS in South Africa means South African Revue Service.

Oh my, that's another one you don't want to catch.

 

[Darkhorse]

We should have been wearing masks all along, but there was a known shortage, and we were misled. Purposely or not? I don't know. We knew we had a shortage and wanted to ensure our courageous health care workers had enough of the needed protections. As it should be. But, were they afraid if they suggested wearing facemasks there would be none available for our health care workers? We could have been making homemade facemasks from the beginning. I don't want to say we have been purposely misled, but that is what it feels like.

I think we were misled, because if they had been recommended, people would have grabbed them up to the point where healthcare workers would have nothing for the next several weeks or months. Look at the idiots grabbing up toilet paper. Toilet paper! What does that have to do with anything? Masks are another story; they are very important. Unfortunately, being honest with a self-centered, panic-prone population is something we may not be ready for...

 

[public hermit]

I think we were misled, because if they had been recommended, people would have grabbed them up to the point where healthcare workers would have nothing for the next several months. Look at the idiots grabbing up toilet paper. Toilet paper! What does that have to do with anything? Masks are another story; they are very important. Unfortunately, being honest with a self-centered, panic-prone population is something we may not be ready for...

That makes sense to me, on both accounts. They knew we needed them, but they also knew we would panic and leave a greater shortage than already existed. I guess we are stupid sheep, which sounds redundant but makes the point. Ugh.

But, wait. If they knew, then they knew not wearing them would exasperate the spread. Right? That doesn't make sense.

 

[HatedByAll]

Our government lied to us and justified it as doing it for the greater good. They did it because they knew the horders would wreck the supply chain.

 

[GodsGrace101]

We were told not only that facemasks do not help, but that they increase the possibility of infection.

No, You Do Not Need Face Masks To Prevent Coronavirus—They Might Increase Your Infection Risk

Now, we're told that everyone should wear facemasks in public, to prevent infecting others if we are asymptomatic.

The CDC released a guide on how to make a face mask without sewing skills. Materials include a bandana, a coffee filter, and hair ties.

I think the official account is that the thinking on this, by the experts, has changed. That may be. But, why is it that folks from Asian countries, who have some experience with pandemics, were all wearing masks from the very beginning? Personally, I thought the guidance of not wearing masks was counter-intuitive. But, what do I know? I'm no expert. So, I defer. Perhaps, our experts were just asking the wrong questions.

Face masks: have we been asking the wrong question all along?

We should have been wearing masks all along, but there was a known shortage, and we were misled. Purposely or not? I don't know. We knew we had a shortage and wanted to ensure our courageous health care workers had enough of the needed protections. As it should be. But, were they afraid if they suggested wearing facemasks there would be none available for our health care workers? We could have been making homemade facemasks from the beginning. I don't want to say we have been purposely misled, but that is what it feels like.

Good questions.

We're a little ahead of the states here in Europe.

Face masks are a MUST.
GLOVES are a MUST.

Face masks are to be worn all the time when leaving the house.

Gloves are to be put on and removed IMMEDIATELY upon exiting the store, etc.

There are two types of masks:
one protects you and others.
one protects only others if YOU are sick.

Be smart.
Don't leave the house...
Wear a mask and gloves when you do.

 

[public hermit]

Our government lied to us and justified it as doing it for the greater good. They did it because they knew the horders would wreck the supply chain.

Okay, but that means they knew the spread of the virus would not be contained as well as it could, which doesn't make sense.

 

[public hermit]

Gloves are to be put on and removed IMMEDIATELY upon exiting the store, etc.

What is the reasoning behind removing them upon exiting? Leave behind what you might have picked up, I guess?

 

[jasonMalloy1999]

Our government lied to us and justified it as doing it for the greater good. They did it because they knew the horders would wreck the supply chain.

my goverment leader boris is a little girl who obviously cant handle it either he ended up getting corona for not shutting the borders sooner he left it too late but he shook hands with a corona patient

 

[public hermit]

my goverment leader boris is a little girl who obviously cant handle it either he ended up getting corona for not shutting the borders sooner he left it too late but he shook hands with a corona patient

Dude. He's seriously ill. I wouldn't wish this thing on my worst enemy. Why kick someone when they're down?

 

[jasonMalloy1999]

Dude. He's seriously ill. I wouldn't wish this thing on my worst enemy. Why kick someone when they're down?

im not im saying he should done more than sit there and wait till its to late he even said it he deliberately shook hands with a corona patient and hell continue doing it his words on tv this is why scotland need independence so we can have a real leader not a leader who wait till the last second ll im saying i do hope he recovers

 

[GodsGrace101]

What is the reasoning behind removing them upon exiting? Leave behind what you might have picked up, I guess?

Right.
Or you'll get the virus on your steering wheel and then bring it inside the house.

Keep door knobs clean.
Wash hands all the time and use hand gel.
No hand gel---use bleach.

Distance should be at least 4 feet...but who can do this?
I try to stay home as much as possible. 5th week now.

Movies are helping and thank God for these forums.

Try to have as little contact with persons as possible.
This virus, Ive come to accept, is very contagious.

It's starting to look like persons will need a blood test before they can return to work....

I just hope a cure is found --- I don't care for vaccines.

 

[public hermit]

Right.
Or you'll get the virus on your steering wheel and then bring it inside the house.

Keep door knobs clean.
Wash hands all the time and use hand gel.
No hand gel---use bleach.

Distance should be at least 4 feet...but who can do this?
I try to stay home as much as possible. 5th week now.

Movies are helping and thank God for these forums.

Try to have as little contact with persons as possible.
This virus, Ive come to accept, is very contagious.

It's starting to look like persons will need a blood test before they can return to work....

I just hope a cure is found --- I don't care for vaccines.

I'm glad you're well. Hang in there. Hopefully we'll see some daylight soon (not soon enough, I know).

 

[GodsGrace101]

im not im saying he should done more than sit there and wait till its to late he even said it he deliberately shook hands with a corona patient and hell continue doing it his words on tv this is why scotland need independence so we can have a real leader not a leader who wait till the last second ll im saying i do hope he recovers

I think many just didn't understand how serious this is.
Remember that it's not the first virus we've been through...Sars, Mers, nothing ever like this.

What about Merkel?
She's a gem. Let people get sick and fight it out.
I wonder if this approach of hers has changed?

 

[Darkhorse]

I just hope a cure is found --- I don't care for vaccines.

I agree with most of what you said, but cures for viral infections may be a long way off.

Vaccines have protected us from many serious viruses for years (smallpox, chickenpox, measles, mumps, etc.).

 

[GodsGrace101]

I'm glad you're well. Hang in there. Hopefully we'll see some daylight soon (not soon enough, I know).

It's not easy.
Imagine parents with small children living in an apartment.
Imagine handicapped kids...autistic.

I'm beginning to think even the whole month of April won't do it.

But yes, let's hang in there and look forward to the end of this.

 

[Sabertooth]

Look at the idiots grabbing up toilet paper. Toilet paper! What does that have to do with anything?

What Everyone’s Getting Wrong About the Toilet Paper Shortage...

 

[GodsGrace101]

I agree with most of what you said, but cures for viral infections may be a long way off.

Vaccines have protected us from many serious viruses for years (smallpox, chickenpox, measles, mumps, etc.).

Some drugs are being tested.
A drug for rheumatoid arthritis might be helpful.
A couple of others which names I can't remember.

Vaccines are good...I'm just personally afraid of them.
But we (my husband and I) are not against vaccines...our children got them. I'm just a little worried because they're working so FAST to get this done.

 

[Messerve]

Telling people not to wear masks meant that those who already happened to have some at home didn't wear them either, which might have at least helped some. Maybe what they should have done was require a medical ID to purchase masks. And then tell those who already had some laying around to use them and distribute them among family and friends or elderly people.