Face masks

[sideboob]

Just got back from a scheduled hospital visit in rural Japan. Various questions, temp. scan and madatory mask wearing required to enter. All medical workers wearing goggles and masks in the building. Stop at the supermarket on the way home, and although not mandatory, everyone was wearing a mask. Scientifically proven effective or not, the masks seem to remind everyone to social distance.

 

[miss direct]

Went to Boots today and they had 50 masks for £20 so got a box. Mainly got them for my Ma but shared with neighbours and such.

£20!!! Bloody hell, I’m definitely bringing a few boxes back with me. £6 for 50 here, the price has been capped by the government.

I’m so used to wearing one and everyone else wearing one that I feel quite horrified seeing pictures from the uk with all the bare faces.

 

[Ms Ordinary]

Just noticed there are 1000s of washable handmade cotton facemasks on ebay, I think quite a few people stuck at home have been sewing then out of bedsheets etc. It's like ebay has gone back in time & merged with etsy

Going rate seems to have settled around £5 each, which doesn't seem too bad. If I wasn't already bodging my way through a few & posting off to friends & family, I'd get a few off there - you can see whether or not they follow the standard patterns & theres a chance you might be helping someone who needs the cash.

I'm only really wearing in shops now - out of respect for the people working in them mainly, if I had to use public transport I'd wear one then. I do always carry one or two if I'm out, even if I'm just out for a run, in case I end up somewhere I feel I should wear one.

Usage definitely seems to have dropped for people just walking around outside, which seems reasonable - AFAIK its clearer now than it used to be, that that's a low risk activity.

 

[Reno]

In Germany masks have been mandatory in shops and on public transport for a few weeks now. Restaurants and beer gardens opened again a couple of weeks ago with strict distancing rules, staff have to wear masks, guests don't. I don't wear them where I'm not required to do so. I work at a reception where we now have plastic windows installed. Case numbers in Germany are so low that statistically its unlikely to come in contact with an infected person, especially in Berlin where there are fewer cases than in other parts of the country.

 

[quimcunx]

Tbf even here I reckon I've had little chance of encountering someone with it during my walks or when nipping into small shops a fee minutes walk from my house for a few weeks. You dont know though so a cautious approach is winning for me.

 

[Ms Ordinary]

In Germany masks have been mandatory in shops and on public transport for a few weeks now. Restaurants and beer gardens opened again a couple of weeks ago with strict distancing rules, staff have to wear masks, guests don't. I don't wear them where I'm not required to do so. I work at a reception where we now have plastic windows installed. Case numbers in Germany are so low that statistically its unlikely to come in contact with an infected person, especially in Berlin where there are fewer cases than in other parts of the country.

So they've been mandatory only since things started re-opening?

I feel like that's the way we should go here, if only as a constant reminder that re-opening doesn't mean it's gone away.

In general, it does feel to me, like the lack of usage here is a signifier that (top-down but unchallenged) we aren't taking it as seriously. Or have given up, either because people hope the worst has passed, or just feel powerless.

 

[Yossarian]

After months of dithering and being cited by mask refuseniks, the World Health Organisation has belatedly decided to recommend mask-wearing.

Coronavirus: WHO advises to wear masks in public areas

The World Health Organization changes its guidance saying masks can help stop the spread of the virus.

www.bbc.com

 

[gentlegreen]

I was rather disappointed, living as I do in relatively enlightened part of Bristol where there were some very early-adopters, to see very few masks being worn in small shops today - including the local organic deli ...
People seem to be surrendering to fate ..
Evr since this began, I have seen almost no masks being worn by the most vulnerable ..

 

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

When I wore a face mask in the UK back in early March I was treated with a great deal of hostility and contempt, so I'm not particularly surprised that people are now reluctant to wear them in shops.

Dunno if I've said this before, but we've all downgraded to surgical masks here now, since it feels so stable and safe. I still wear an N95 when I use the lift in my building. You never know who just coughed/sneezed in it and then got out

 

[Badgers]

When I wore a face mask in the UK back in early March I was treated with a great deal of hostility and contempt, so I'm not particularly surprised that people are now reluctant to wear them in shops.

Mandatory to have a 'face covering' on public transport (for now at least). I know they are annoying but at least all shop or public facing staff should be wearing them too.

At a guess I would say about 5-10% of people are wearing them in shops I go in

 

[Throbbing Angel]

outdoors, no
in shops etc, yes

I'm WFH and am immunocompromised so am being encouraged to stay away/stay in the car etc. when shopping and Mrs A is doing most of it alone.

 

[Voley]

I wear one if I go to the shops. Don't need one out in the countryside when I'm often the only person around for miles.

I've noticed that people who aren't bothering to socially distance put a bit more of an effort in if they clock that you're wearing a mask. Some odd psychological thing going on there that makes little sense but I'm pleased about.

 

[Badgers]

I wear one if I go to the shops. Don't need one out in the countryside when I'm often the only person around for miles.

I've noticed that people who aren't bothering to socially distance put a bit more of an effort in if they clock that you're wearing a mask. Some odd psychological thing going on there that makes little sense but I'm pleased about.

Yeah, I have found that too. Another good reason to wear a mask despite them being downplayed.

Does not seem to be any pattern in terms of demographic who are face covering or ate not. Young/old/whatever

 

[Sprocket.]

I’ve found wearing a mask seems to make folk keep their distance but it’s even more when I need to use my walking stick as well.

 

[belboid]

absolutely everyone wearing them on the BLM demo today

 

[Badgers]

I’ve found wearing a mask seems to make folk keep their distance but it’s even more when I need to use my walking stick as well.

I need a walking stick.
More of a want than a need to be honest.

 

[miss direct]

I was pleased to see more people wearing them today. No-one stared at me in mine.

 

[8115]

Suddenly saw loads of people wearing one today. I've bought a washable one in case I need to get the bus.

 

[frogwoman]

I wear my wycombe wanderers one whenever I go out, my mum's ordered some surgical masks too.

 

[Orang Utan]

Got a load of neck bandanas which are better for glasses wearers but they are too hot and claustrophobic. Nearly had a panic attack on my bike on the way home. weepiper was right on Twitter
If this carries on til the summer, I don’t know how people will cope

 

[Pickman's model]

Got a load of neck bandanas which are better for glasses wearers but they are too hot and claustrophobic. Nearly had a panic attack on my bike on the way home. weepiper was right on Twitter
If this carries on til the summer, I don’t know how people will cope

Similar to the recent weeks of hot weather I suppose

 

[Pickman's model]

I need a walking stick.
More of a want than a need to be honest.

You just want a heavy cudgel

 

[Kanda]

Got a load of neck bandanas which are better for glasses wearers but they are too hot and claustrophobic. Nearly had a panic attack on my bike on the way home. weepiper was right on Twitter
If this carries on til the summer, I don’t know how people will cope

Really?? It's been 30-36 degrees here for months and wearing a mask has been fine.

 

[Yu_Gi_Oh]

Really?? It's been 30-36 degrees here for months and wearing a mask has been fine.

I would really prefer not to wear a mask outside in the heat. I will and I do, but I'd rather not.

Here, if you're outside and it's not crowded, it's socially acceptable to pull your mask down now.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Friend of Mrs SI has made all four of us two masks each from material we sent her. Even if it's not the best protection we're gonna look great. My two are 1) cartoon pictures of masks and 2) white numbers on black background.

I don't imagine I'll be going anywhere until September but when I do I'll be wearing a facemask.

 

[NoXion]

I ordered some cotton bandannas on the off chance that I might need to enter a building that isn't my home, or go where there could be people in close proximity. One each in black, green and red paisley patterns.

Is 22x22in/55x55cm a big enough size?

 

[Marty1]

My gf has just ordered a fancy patterned face mask after she made a massive faux pas in the chilled ready meal aisle of Sainsbury’s yesterday by letting out a massive sneeze

The poor woman behind us looked mortified and made a swift evasive manoeuvre U-turn.

 

[Marty1]

Interesting article highlighting Portugal and their success with face masks (and clean hands).

Clean hands and face masks: what the UK needs to learn quickly from Portugal

While Britain has been tangling itself in yellow tape, Portugal is back at work with simple but effective hygiene measures

www.telegraph.co.uk

The39thStep

 

[The39thStep]

Interesting article highlighting Portugal and their success with face masks (and clean hands).

Clean hands and face masks: what the UK needs to learn quickly from Portugal

While Britain has been tangling itself in yellow tape, Portugal is back at work with simple but effective hygiene measures

www.telegraph.co.uk

The39thStep

There's still some anxiety here but sensible caution is the new norm. Gel dispensers are everywhere as is tanles being sprayed and wiped down, no towels in toilets but loads of paper towels. The thing about putting the mask on to go to the toilets is pretty much 100% compliant.Bars and cafes are slowly getting numbers in with a mixture of people sitting in groups around a table or some just sitting socially distanced away. Beaches are now open but with guidance and an app that tries to tell you how full the beach is. People mainly fist or elbow bump rather than shaking hands and blow kisses rather than kiss on both cheeks. Main difference in Portugal was the early lockdown, track and trace and a large testing programme. Its also less crowded than England tbh .Lisbon still has a problem with number of new cases but this is partially understood by a very vigourous testing programme. Having said that the economic forecast for the next six months isn't good and for those without contracts lay offs have meant just the basic social security.Both the two left groups post up companies that have layed off workers or broken employment practises. However the govt are hopeful that its a shorter recession than the one caused by the EU in the mid/late 90s. The govt have said , and we'll have to wait and see if they deliver, that there is no going back to the austerity policies of that period .

 

[Chilli.s]

I have finally got face masks so no longer rockin the cowboy look. Only been out about 5 times since early March anyway. Now armed with mask, gloves and hand sanitiser I feel I might brave it.