Face Masks

[retrocop]

It appears that the government has now decided that face masks have some efficacy and are suggesting it would be a condition when lock down ends for workers to wear them and when using Public Transport
Our London Mayor is now saying he will INSIST the public wear them. About 10 days ago his LT workers were crying out for them and he told them,at the time, they were not necessary but gave them gloves instead.


https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/will-we-all-have-to-wear-a-face-mask-after-lockdown-ministers-discuss-plans-to-force-workers-to-wear-protective-gear-at-work-and-on-public-transport/ar-BB12KnUf?li=BBoPWjQ

[gingejbee]

Well, it's a rapidly changing situation....opinions/experts change from day-to-day. No criticism of him.

[Zacs-Master]

The government have never said they weren’t effective.

[Tilly2]

Will they be Government issue?

[QuizmasterG]

Will people start panic buying masks?................even if they were available in the first place.

[jno]

about 10 days ago (and more) all the experts, and the government, seemed to be saying they weren't necessary. It appears opinion has suddenly changed, judging by the experts the Mail quotes. I don't know why it's changed, but I suppose we have to take their advice.

[mushroom25]

Mayor Khan only wants them so he doesn't feel guilty about crushing key workers into the almost non-existent tube service he insists on providing.

[jno]

ZM, the previous line was that there was no evidence that masks were effective.

https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/03/government-still-wont-recommend-wearing-face-masks-public-12506422/

[Zacs-Master]

What Prof Van Tam said was:
“ There is no evidence that general wearing of face masks by the public who are well affects the spread of the disease in our society. What matters is social distancing,”

Note the ‘who are well’ bit. Obviously people can think they’re well and still have the disease.
The situation is fluid and the Govt of our country and others throughout the world are responding as best they can in an unprecedented situation. OK, they aren’t getting everything right but let’s give them a bit of slack given the circumstances, eh?

[retrocop]

Zacs
Until recently government ministers have been saying masks give little protection and false sense of security.The same Ministers dismissed the idea of wearing them here as compared to their use in most of Asia.

[jno]

that's fine with me, I was basically agreeing with you in answering the OP.

But I don't know where we're going to get the masks from - I've not seen any in chemists or supermarkets (about the only shops that seem to be open these days). I'm doubtful about getting them off the internet.

[Tilly2]

Same here, Juno. That's why I asked if they would be Government Issue.

[piggynose]

Loads of masks here(madrid). A shop up the road is selling 'em for €5.

[Zacs-Master]

Thanks, jno. No, it isn’t clear where they’re coming from and whether they will be free issue.

Retro, do you not agree that the situation is fluid and ministers are, whilst in no way perfect, doing their best in an unprecedented set of circumstances?

Or are you going to lump yourself in with the ignorant masses who think that, as soon as you become an MP, you know the answer to everything, immediately?

[retrocop]

I am fully prepared to give the government some slack. They are doing an incredible job ,working around the clock in uncharted territory but seem to be incredibly unlucky in some of their policies and decisions i.e behind every one else in testing and slow to implement. It was also unfortunate that the order for Chinese testing kits at £millions turned out as duff gear.:-(

[Zacs-Master]

Then you seem to have either asked an unnecessary question, or answered it yourself.

[woofgang]

The question of general mask use was mentioned at the briefing yesterday. Chris Witty said that the evidence that any mask ie not the certified ppe, offered extra protection in social distancing circs was still weak but they were still looking at the evidence and would keep it under review. He also said that he was in no doubt that so far as “real” ppe went then nhs and care staff should be getting them first as they are in the riskiest situations. The disadvantages of public mask use are already known.

[jno]

retro, I think all governments are winging this. Inevitably, some policies will turn out to have been better than others, and so far it seems ours has been slow on the uptake. For all I know, masks will stop Covid in its tracks and we'll all be wondering why we weren't wearing them weeks ago (I'm not putting money on it, though).

[retrocop]

I would say Zacs that they do leave themselves open to criticism in this particular change of policy. My wife is no stranger to wearing surgical masks and realises the cheap cotton masks only protect the patient. They later become wet and are of little use to anyone. The government, I believe, should have acknowledged earlier that the N95 mask was a better option for its medical staff and procured more and gone into full production in the UK.
As for procurement I believe the government are taking the flak for the mismanagement of NHS Trust management.

[ichkeria]

It’s very unlikely that masks would be compulsory as it was been in some countries.
I doubt for a start that they’d be able to come up with enough of the right sort.
They are assessed as useful for infected people and necessary for health and care workers.
I can’t see that changing much.

[Zacs-Master]

Masks (like the type being proposed) don’t cover the eyes. Coronavirus can enter through eyes and so don’t give full protection. Getting on buses, etc, and touching the handrails / bell pushes etc and then touching your face, still poses a risk.