I’m sure I have an unpopular opinion but does anyone else feel like the mass push for facial coverings and masks has very little benefit? Think about it (I know this is immature, so forgive me) if a fart can go through underwear and a pair of jeans... can’t good ol’ Rona go through a piece of cotton? Not only that, the general public is not educated in how to wear PPE and are not wearing the masks or gloves correctly.
Frankly... mask and gloves provide them with a false sense of security.
As nurses, we are keenly of what’s clean or sterile so we can do a pretty good job navigating ourselves in public during this pandemic. However, not trying to be disrespectful or anything, watching the public on with their masks and gloves on is quite entertaining to say the least. I was in Whole Foods recently and you can see who’s a medical professional from a mile away as it’s obvious to see which hand they’ve designated as their “dirty hand” and how they hold they hand in resting position while grocery shopping! If I can smell my coffee through my mask as I pick up a new bag from the shelf and toss it into the cart, then Rona ain’t going to be fooled by my mask. I’m not willing to waste an N95 for grocery shopping. I just don’t see the need for a mask out in public unless you have a new or sudden change in cough or are immune compromised. We will always have rouge individuals who will defy advice and not wear a mask when sick, but I’m talking about the general public. I do see the benefit when you have a cough as it will stop the droplets from traveling further. But just breathing in and out can transfer this virus... I don’t know how a mask will provide protection from this. I live in a fairly wealthy area where almost EVERYONE is wearing a mask in public. For those who are not wearing a mask, is it because of a conscious decision, typically unrelated to financial reasons.
My case is: I don’t see the efficacy of surgical/homemade masks against coronavirus for healthy individuals.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I have seen quite a few elderly wearing masks (my husband included). The ones I see refusing to wear masks in general tend to be teenagers and their middle aged parents. Granted, this is my own anecdotal experience. I also live in Texas, where people tend to value their own right to refuse to comply higher than the well being of the general good. Everything but bars and grade schools are open now as of this past Friday and our numbers are on the increase where I work.
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.
A 2013 study looked at how masks could help people with the seasonal flu limit spreading it when they exhale small droplets containing the virus. Overall, researchers found masks led to a more than threefold reduction in how much virus people sprayed into the air.
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Influenza Virus Aerosols in Human Exhaled Breath: Particle Size, Culturability, and Effect of Surgical Masks
Another study analyzing data from thousands of Japanese schoolchildren, found that “vaccination and wearing a mask reduced the likelihood of developing seasonal influenza.”
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Effectiveness of vaccination and wearing masks on seasonal influenza in Matsumoto City, Japan, in the 2014/2015 season: An observational study among all elementary schoolchildren
There’s also data that says they aren’t. I don’t disagree that a fabric mask could work if it’s made a used properly, but that’s not what is happening. If you insert a filter, have it fit around your nose and face properly, they could be a great alternative. But now it’s just a fashion accessory and who can get the cooler fabric. I refuse to participate in that.
And don’t even get me started on gloves. I get grossed out seeing people use them improperly. Especially at the drive thru window. Taco Bell seriously has the best policy in place for the drive thru which honestly shocked me a little.
If it makes someone feel better to wear it, by all means do it.
Totally agree with everything you said.
I also refuse to participate in the mask fashion show.
The gloves are pointless.
I took the Kids to Taco Bell last week, and I was also completely shocked at how well they handled our transaction. they held the card reader for me to insert my card. I touched nothing besides my own card. They passed all food via the serving tray where all I needed to do was to pick it up. They also had (what I call) a tamper sticker On each bag. Very well executed. I was impressed.
I also refuse to participate in the mask fashion show.
The gloves are pointless.
I took the Kids to Taco Bell last week, and I was also completely shocked at how well they handled our transaction. they held the card reader for me to insert my card. I touched nothing besides my own card. They passed all food via the serving tray where all I needed to do was to pick it up. They also had (what I call) a tamper sticker On each bag. Very well executed. I was impressed.
You wouldn’t expect that from Taco Bell of all places, would you??
I find that a bit disrespectful to those of us who think differently than you.
Eh, no, I get it.
For one, the fabric masks that most would consider "fashionable", especially those people are buying online, aren't likely to do much good. The ones with political slogans are clearly only a fashion statement from the way they're manufactured -- the "ear attachment" versions especially would fall off my face unless I got a kid's size.
For the second thing, especially if someone is not lucky enough to be given one like I was, purchasing a fabric mask means contributing to the commercialization of this trend. If they disagree with it, they certainly aren't going to want to vote for it with their wallet -- especially if they already have a surgical mask from their own supplies to wear in businesses that require one. At least they know how much/little protection wearing it gives them/others -- we do not know that about fabric-based masks.
Third, while I'm only seeing a "fashion show" being given by our Governor in his daily briefings (where he shouts out whatever organization sent him a fabric mask to wear), the OP could be seeing something very different. The one I was given is of scraps from 3 different types of floral quilting fabric, but kind of went together -- she has a good eye -- and people have been all "Where did you get that/that's so cute/etc" when I've used it. They might be just being polite, but if the OP is hearing that kind of thing being said of masks of questionable protective value...
Well, I don't blame them for not wanting to spend their money that way.
I’m not trying to be disrespectful in any way. For those who personally know me, I have the utmost respect for my authority. And am generally quite submissive, however I refuse to blindly follow any entity without critically thinking through their advice.
I like to stay alert and think critically and independently. I had been wearing masks in public up until this week. But after thinking it through critically, I see little benefit for these masks for the general public. The article posted here, and ones I have researched, do not provide convincing evidence that there is any benefit when a surgical/homemade mask is used alone without other interventions.
Yes, you may have had a wonderful mask with thoughtful features added to it, made for you. But these are not what the general public is wearing. The general public are wearing masks that a neighbors daughter made out socks and received for free.
I don’t do things to make others “feel good”. Sorry. I have my life run enough by our nursing governing body and the department of health.
I’m not trying to be disrespectful in any way. For those who personally know me, I have the utmost respect for my authority. And am generally quite submissive, however I refuse to blindly follow any entity without critically thinking through their advice.
I like to stay alert and think critically and independently. I had been wearing masks in public up until this week. But after thinking it through critically, I see little benefit for these masks for the general public. The article posted here, and ones I have researched, do not provide convincing evidence that there is any benefit when a surgical/homemade mask is used alone without other interventions.
Yes, you may have had a wonderful mask with thoughtful features added to it, made for you. But these are not what the general public is wearing. The general public are wearing masks that a neighbors daughter made out socks and received for free.
I don’t do things to make others “feel good”. Sorry. I have my life run enough by our nursing governing body and the department of health.
You would wear a mask correctly, right? So - if you wore one - you would be giving the people around you another layer of protection.
So I'm guessing you don't cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze either? Have you seen the videos? Why bother? It doesn't really do that much and you don't owe anybody any consideration anyway because you "don't do things to make others feel good". Besides you saw your neighbor cough without doing it so why should you? Now before you think I'm getting all snarky I want you to understand I am just following your logic. 1. You aren't convinced that masks do anything. 2. You don't feel the need to do something you feel is stupid just to appease anyone else. 3. If other people aren't going to do it right why should I do it at all.
I really hope nobody you love catches this wretched disease because you can be certain that if they do it's because somebody else thinks the same way you do. Carry on...I need to make a few more masks for my fashion show.
Exactly, you said “my masks protects you”. But I don’t spew stuff everywhere, and I don’t have a cough, and I do daily tempt checks. I have already quickly self quarantined once when I suspected something due to an unexplainable low grade fever.
If people who had coronavirus would turn neon pink the second they are infected, you might have a point. But people are contagious and shedding the virus when they speak or just breathe (not just cough) for many days before they develop a cough or a fever. Once you self-quarantine because you have symptoms, it is already too late.
How many people did you come into contact with in just the last 7 days? If you suddenly develop a fever, cough, and shortness of breath today an pop positive, will you be able to notify or even remember them all?
Nurse SMS, MSN, RN
6,843 Posts
I have seen quite a few elderly wearing masks (my husband included). The ones I see refusing to wear masks in general tend to be teenagers and their middle aged parents. Granted, this is my own anecdotal experience. I also live in Texas, where people tend to value their own right to refuse to comply higher than the well being of the general good. Everything but bars and grade schools are open now as of this past Friday and our numbers are on the increase where I work.