For those of you who think that masks are only for keeping others from getting your illness

[Chainfire]

I will beat this drum one more time, then leave it alone

This is a headline from a current story from Reuters:

As coronavirus cases exploded across the world, federal medical workers tasked with screening incoming passengers at U.S. airports grew alarmed: Many were working without the most effective masks to protect them from getting sick themselves. (end of headline)

The Government and health care industry is downplaying the roll of masks for protection of the individual wearing the masks because there aren't enough masks to go around. If the gov admitted that masks were an effective preventive measure then people would be up in arms because there were not enough available to protect them. That scenario would indite the government in general and the health care institutions in particular that failed to plan ahead for a pandemic, and we would be demanding the heads of those responsible.

Again, I remind you, look at all of the photographs of health care workers that are in or near the scene of a virus case. All of them are wearing masks and none of them will have been diagnosed with the virus. I will believe the government line when high government officials will visit those sick with the virus without wearing a mask, and then just washing their hands when they leave the area. Let Trump board the cruise ship and meet with the victims, without a mask and I will admit I was wrong. Let them put their health where their mouths are.

I contend that is either/or proposition, either the masks are effective or the health care industry is pissing away a hell of a lot of money on unnecessary masks for health care workers. Take your pick.

The point of this post is not because I am paranoid about the situation. I am cautious but not afraid. What the point is, is that I am just damn tired of being lied to by the people elected to protect me. The truth will help us, lies will not.
We CAN handle the truth.

[samnsara]

1. i heard on tv from someone of knowledge that the masks wont keep you from getting sick..

..they will only keep the sick ppl from making you sick..so the sick people should wear them. Unless you get those super heavy duty masks..then you may as well just stay inside

[Demsrule86]

2. You are right.K&R I thought the same thing...damn things are hard to find though.

[Chemisse]

3. There are two types of masks - that's why the discrepancy.

The cheap surgical masks that are offered at the doctor's office will only protect others from your pathogens. It won't keep you from getting infected yourself.

The N95 masks are the ones health care workers need to keep safe; they do filter out pathogens. We are being urged to not buy those because there will be a shortage and people working in hospitals, etc. really need them.

[Squinch]

4. You seem to know more about this than I do. Can you answer a question for me?

Tell me: I know the ineffective masks are ineffective because the particles are too small and get through the weave.

But I had a brain storm yesterday. Would this work? Take a large scarf, pin a piece of paper to it, fold the scarf around the paper and tie it to your head so the paper covers your nose and mouth. I admit I tried this yesterday and, though it was hot, I could still breathe and talk.

Would the particles get through the paper?

You could toss the paper after you use it and keep a few scarves to disinfect while you are using others.

[Chemisse]

5. So when you do that, I assume there are areas above and below where the air can get through?

Otherwise, I would think you would have a hard time breathing. If so, then it won't be effective.

But if there is no way for the air to get through except through the paper, then it would surely block the tiny droplets that the viruses are floating on.

[Squinch]

6. I'm in a hot spot so just curious in case things go bad here. Thank you so much for the answer.

I'm thinking you could use a large piece of paper, like a yellow pad, tie it tightly around your head at the top of your nose and leave the bottom looser for air. Not optimal, but maybe uses gravity to take away some danger. Only the particles that float upward and under the paper would be a problem.

[drmeow]

7. When I worked at a hospital

I had to be fitted for a mask. The mask does two things - it is sealed all around you face so air can only come through the mask and it filters the air. They test it spraying a fragrant sugar solution at you while you are wearing the mask. If you can smell it or taste sweetness, they change the size they are testing on you and retest you until you can neither smell nor taste anything. If smells can get through - you are not protected from airborne particles.

It does not appear as though the virus is contagious via airborne transmission. However, if your makeshift mask prevents you from touching your nose and mouth and reminds you not to touch your eyes, it will probably help.

[Squinch]

8. Thank you!

[Chainfire]

9. There is a difference in a "dust mask"

And a paper mask that is a "respirator."

The "respirator" at first glance looks like and is improperly referred to as a "dust mask." Properly worn a paper respirator will seal fairly well against your face. The "respirators" that I wore doing construction work were N-95s. They have two rubber band keepers, an adjustable nose piece, and they will fit snugly, and reasonably comfortably to your face. (They have to be reasonably comfortable if worn for extended periods of time) When used properly you first stretch the bands, fit it over your face, adjust the nose piece, and test the fit by blowing and searching for air leaks around the edge of the mask. By OSHA standards, anyone who wears the N-95, must have training on properly using one, and also be subject to a program of medical monitoring.

Of course, no paper filter will "filter out" a virus. What they will do is filter out the medium that the virus is attached to, like spittle to keep you from inhaling it.

But the point of my original post was that I believe that the government is not being truthful about the benefit of wearing masks for ulterior motives, and I just don't like being lied to by the people I employ. I think I understand why they are doing it, but it still pisses me off, because when you have demonstrated your willingness to lie then I can no longer trust anything you say.

[Chainfire]

10. The government is not responsible for protecting your health.

What the government's job is is to to provide you with the best information possible based on the best scientific evidence. If the information they give you is tempered with political or economic considerations than it is worthless if not harmful.

You are responsible for the protection of your health. You can only make informed decisions if you are given accurate information to work with.

Again, the prima facie evidence is in their actions, not their words. Government and private health care workers wear masks for protection. If it is good for the goose, how can it not be important for the other goose, unless considerations, other than health and safety are being included in the equation.

Give me accurate information and I will determine the risks I am willing to take and the preventive measures I am willing to forego. After all, it is my life that is in the balance, not Wall Street's, not the President's, not the NIH or the WHO.

Just the facts, ma'am.

[Silent3]

11. Yes, the government IS responsible for protecting your health.

That is not to say you should rely on government so completely that, if and when it fails partially or completely at that job, you don't have personal responsibility to also protect your health.

Personal responsibility and government responsibility aren't mutually exclusive, this is not an either/or proposition.