Are we using masks or not now?

[FigmentSpark]

Too much confusion. Are we supposed to somehow be finding masks now? Only the N95 ones or will the others at least be better than nothing?

At the grocerty store, I see some people with masks and some without and you see all kinds of masks from the paper ones to the dust masks to even scarves. What works, if anything? Also the recommendations keep changing and I can't figure it all out.

What are you doing? Mask or not and if so, what type and why?

 

[AngelDisney]

I used a mask for the first time yesterday and I did feel a bit safer as I was out and about. Not only that I felt protected but I also felt making others safer. Since I am the designated person to go out doing errands, I could be at risk of getting infected and I have been worried that I might spread the virus unknowingly to others.

I have seen masks selling for $1 each at some convenience stores, and I don’t think not buying them means they would be left for the healthcare workers to use. I was thinking of using a cloth mask a friend had bought from China for shielding sand and dust, and I also had a few N95 ones I bought 4 years ago for a trip to Beijing. We had them for filtering pollutants, but didn’t use them at all during the trip. Then my friend sent me some more of the 3-layered blue ones. I would wear one if I am going out for a prolonged period of time to different places within a day. If I am just going to one store for a quick run, I would just leave it or wear the cloth one which can be washed right away after use. If this COVID-19 is going on until July, I better use my masks sparingly to make them last!

 

[Dole_whip_doll]

Mom and I spent today making the material ones for friends and family. We don’t want to take away from those fighting the fight, and some of our family/friends just want something. We had all kinds of leftover material and ribbon from various projects. Had to pop in the grocery store before we started this and everyone was looking at me like patient zero because I didn’t have any kind of covering on. I’ll be wearing one for any future grocery trips. If we start up school again I will wear it mainly because some of my students just cough and hack all over everywhere....and they are JH and HS!

 

[FigmentSpark]

You make a good point about people looking at you like you're patient zero. I tried a mask last week and actually was the only one at that time. I got those looks. Then, this week, there were people with masks and I got those looks for the opposite reason. There is definitely a bit of a social acceptance component here, because right now, everyone's on edge and a little judgy (and scared).

We only have some of those dust masks and they are uncomfortable. I don't mind wearing it if I have to, but if it's not doing any good, then I'd rather not.

 

[StarSeven7]

I’m not wearing a mask right now and I haven’t seen anyone else wearing them in my community except for a handful of grocery store employees (I don’t blame them!) I don’t have any masks on hand so I’m not going to run around trying to find some. I’ve been going to the grocery store once per week and otherwise staying home. People in my community seem to be “social distancing” pretty well so I’m not super concerned about picking something up via air droplets.

 

[alohamom]

This is an interesting conversation, thank you for starting it @FigmentSpark

I am also the person heading out once a week for supplies from my home and I have been thinking about making one BUT my cousin who is a nurse pointed out the Canadian Government guidelines regarding them (below is copied from the Government of Canada website)



Use of masks
Masks should be used by a symptomatic individual, if available, to provide a physical barrier that may help to prevent the transmission of the virus by blocking the dispersion of large particle respiratory droplets propelled by coughing, sneezing and talking. A face mask should always be combined with other measures such as respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. They can be worn by people suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19 when in close contact with other people in the home-setting or if they must leave the home-setting for medical attention.

The use of a mask by a healthy person who is providing direct care for a person with COVID-19 should always be combined with eye protection and gloves and other droplet/contact prevention measures including hand hygiene and environmental cleaning. Refer to Case and Contact Management Guidance for additional advice.

There is no evidence on the usefulness of face masks worn by healthy/asymptomatic persons as a mitigation measure, therefore it is not recommended. Globally masks are in short supply and the current demand for masks cannot be met; therefore, appropriate use of face masks should be encouraged.

 

[Dole_whip_doll]

This is an interesting conversation, thank you for starting it @FigmentSpark

I am also the person heading out once a week for supplies from my home and I have been thinking about making one BUT my cousin who is a nurse pointed out the Canadian Government guidelines regarding them (below is copied from the Government of Canada website)



Use of masks
Masks should be used by a symptomatic individual, if available, to provide a physical barrier that may help to prevent the transmission of the virus by blocking the dispersion of large particle respiratory droplets propelled by coughing, sneezing and talking. A face mask should always be combined with other measures such as respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. They can be worn by people suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19 when in close contact with other people in the home-setting or if they must leave the home-setting for medical attention.

The use of a mask by a healthy person who is providing direct care for a person with COVID-19 should always be combined with eye protection and gloves and other droplet/contact prevention measures including hand hygiene and environmental cleaning. Refer to Case and Contact Management Guidance for additional advice.

There is no evidence on the usefulness of face masks worn by healthy/asymptomatic persons as a mitigation measure, therefore it is not recommended. Globally masks are in short supply and the current demand for masks cannot be met; therefore, appropriate use of face masks should be encouraged.

I don’t really like wearing them and I’m not sure if they work or not. I do know a county a couple of hours south of me (Rio Grande Valley area of Texas) made a declaration that if you leave the house, you MUST have on some kind of mask. They also recently did no more than 2 people in any vehicle. My wearing a mask was more of a “let’s fit in with the rest of the herd” and to be prepared if anywhere around here makes those rules.

It’s also good we did this now and not after a mandate was made (if it was). Hobby Lobby closed all stores and fired all employees with like 5 hours notice on Friday.

 

[ABCanada]

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsa...best-way-to-wear-one?utm_source=pocket-newtab

 

[alohamom]

@ABCanada thanks for posting the above.

The constantly evolving nature of the situation is the dilemma.

My instinct is telling me making a mask is a good idea...

 

[Gigi22]

No masks here. *When and if I hear Dr. Tam tell Canadians to wear a mask*, then I’ll worry about it.

 

[bankr63]

Other. Not wearing anything (yet). I know that it is the socially polite thing to do as it protects your neighbors and the general public. The idea of wearing a mask is not to protect yourself, it is to protect others from you.

In our area of Ottawa, I have yet to see anyone wearing one except for those whose jobs require them to have contact with the general public (like our Postie). I suppose DW and I should probably get online and figure out how to make a cloth one so we can fit in when they really start to crop up. I would NOT wear any type of medical mask as that is taking them away from those who truly need them. I don't want to be painted with that selfish tag.

 

[Pucks104]

I ordered a couple of cloth ones off Etsy. Will plan to wear them to the grocery store and pet store as those are the only places I will go where other folks are. Not sure if they will help but it makes me feel a bit less exposed to the virus.

 

[hdrolfe]

I am not yet, and most people I see are not but there are a few who do. I was thinking to make some with a pocket for the hepa filter, though I'm not sure I'll be able to find those anywhere. It requires dragging out the sewing machine I haven't used in years, I'll be lucky if I get one made

Agree with the

*When and if I hear Dr. Tam tell Canadians to wear a mask*

I guess I'd need one when walking the dog, or going to the stores.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

I think one of the best reasons to wear a mask is that it will make you aware if you try to touch your face, scratch your nose, etc while running to the grocery store before you get a chance to thoroughly wash your hands when you get home. Other than that, I do not believe (from what I've read, I am by no means an expert ) the homemade ones offer you much protection.

 

[Donald - my hero]

No masks here. *When and if I hear Dr. Tam tell Canadians to wear a mask*, then I’ll worry about it.

Likewise, both of my go-to sources for information that I feel pertains to me (Canada Health & WHO) still say it's not required for the general public and that my best protection is social distancing, washing my hands often and not touching my face.

For those want to make a cloth mask that will suffice for basic protection that doesn't require any sewing or special supplies here's a quick video that will let you have one ready in under a minute! (BTW this is shown on the CDC site as an acceptable method -- only noticed that when i was googling for this link!)

ETA, I also noticed a few videos suggested you can tuck a piece of a furnace filter in the middle of the mask before you wear it, not sure if that would actually help though

 

[Donald - my hero]

I think one of the best reasons to wear a mask is that it will make you aware if you try to touch your face, scratch your nose, etc while running to the grocery store before you get a chance to thoroughly wash your hands when you get home. Other than that, I do not believe (from what I've read, I am by no means an expert ) the homemade ones offer you much protection.

So long as you're able to resist the urge to constantly tug on it to make sure it's covering your face, or to pull it down from your eyes, or to adjust the straps .... It's also important to be careful of how you remove it!

 

[mkmommy]

I think it is coming, this was a CDC statement from Friday for the US .

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html

 

[bababear_50]

A manual on homemade masks

This is a PDF
For those that sew,,,I can't even thread a needle,,,but have a sister in law who is going to make me a couple.



Hugs
Mel

 

[hdrolfe]

Hepa filters for furnaces and vacuums can be put into certain ones. Still not perfect but perhaps helpful for some. I may pull out the sewing machine and some old quilting supplies, I have lots of material, I think I may even have some elastic, or I can use hair elastics I guess. I had long hair and tones but then I cut my hair. Course if this goes on much longer I will have to either cut my own hair or start putting it up again!

 

[bababear_50]

Hepa filters for furnaces and vacuums can be put into certain ones. Still not perfect but perhaps helpful for some. I may pull out the sewing machine and some old quilting supplies, I have lots of material, I think I may even have some elastic, or I can use hair elastics I guess. I had long hair and tones but then I cut my hair. Course if this goes on much longer I will have to either cut my own hair or start putting it up again!

I am going to need lessons on how to cut your hair at home soon,,my son did offer his clippers...ahhhh NO!

lol
Hugs
Mel