The general public should wear masks when in public
Wearing a mask should be the new normal in times of a respiratory pandemic. The idea is to reduce the spread of droplets which may contain the virus. There will be asymptomatic spreaders and there will also people who have the virus but who do not have symptoms yet. These "masks" do not necessarily have to be of the high specification of the medical face masks (ASTM F2100-19e1,) which are in short supply. Mind you I think all healthcare workers who are dealing with potential virus carriers should have N95 masks with face shields as a minimum.
Wearing a mask, keeping away from crowds, being obsessional about cleaning hands these simple measures are the key to limiting (not preventing) but limiting community spread.
Wearing a mask, keeping away from crowds, being obsessional about cleaning hands these simple measures are the key to limiting (not preventing) but limiting community spread.
Why the contribution is important
Disclosure: Proud alumnus of the University of Aberdeen. Have been living in Hong Kong for twenty years. My hospital was ground zero for SARS in 2003. The people of Hong Kong had the same notice of COVID-19 as the rest of the world. We also have memories of 2003 and so everyone started to wear masks. We have had four deaths and just over a thousand cases. Schools were closed, cinemas, pubs, sports events etc but there a has not been a lock down. I write a blog for a Journal printed in Edinburgh: I hope I can put the URL's here as they tell the story.
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/letter-from-hong-kong-1-april-2020
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/letter-from-hong-kong-13-april-2020
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/letter-from-hong-kong-21-april-2020
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/sweet-and-sour-thoughts-from-hong-kong-a-preview-to-my-next-letter
Tens of thousands of lives could have been saved if the Government had acted more quickly. Please, please, please if the Government will not say it, let the people say it. Wear a mask and show you care.
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/letter-from-hong-kong-1-april-2020
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/letter-from-hong-kong-13-april-2020
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/letter-from-hong-kong-21-april-2020
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/blog/post/sweet-and-sour-thoughts-from-hong-kong-a-preview-to-my-next-letter
Tens of thousands of lives could have been saved if the Government had acted more quickly. Please, please, please if the Government will not say it, let the people say it. Wear a mask and show you care.
by ABurd888 on May 08, 2020 at 10:07AM
Posted by anniemckain May 08, 2020 at 10:23
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Posted by Pythagoras May 08, 2020 at 10:26
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Posted by MSW68 May 08, 2020 at 10:34
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Posted by Malcolm24 May 08, 2020 at 10:35
The argument about mask touching and limited protection for the wearer miss the point. It is an added layer of protection wear distancing is not realistic or frankly poorly observed.
All staff in hospitals should wear masks to help break the chain of staff to staff and staff to non-infected patients.
Stanford Hospitals mandated this around 6 weeks ago. There is some good practice in Scottish hospitals but it is far from universal. It needs to be.
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Posted by Sulphonamide May 08, 2020 at 10:55
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Posted by ICWell May 08, 2020 at 12:35
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Posted by ABurd888 May 10, 2020 at 14:19
"Wearing a mask, keeping away from crowds, being obsessional about cleaning hands these simple measures are the key to limiting (not preventing) but limiting community spread."
Keep safe.
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Posted by ABurd888 May 10, 2020 at 14:31
4 deaths in mask wearing Hong Kong versus 3000 deaths in non mask wearing Scotland. Population density far greater in Hong Kong and absolute numbers of population also greater by almost 2 million
Sharing your source of misinformation would be very helpful in addressing this dangerous perspective. This is not a personal criticism and this forum is anonymous so please do share. Thankyou.
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