I did a bit more homework because of /u/DanBC's complaint about eyes not being protected with a mask. American Academy of Opthalmology reports that 0.8% of SARS-CoV-2 cases studied in China had...
I did a bit more homework because of /u/DanBC's complaint about eyes not being protected with a mask.
American Academy of Opthalmology reports that 0.8% of SARS-CoV-2 cases studied in China had conjunctivitis as a symptom. That suggests the virus can replicate in ocular tissue and spread via eye secretions, even if the eyes are not a primary route of infection. They're recommending eye protection for healthcare workers on this basis, since they're continually exposed to aerosolized virus.
So it's still good advice to the general public not to touch your face, including your eyes. But as a risk factor, eye exposure to airborne virus isnt as significant as inhalation.
While it is true that N95s and surgical masks — which have become scarce due to hoarding — should be prioritized for use by medical professionals at greatest risk for infection, the rest of us could and should wear other protective face coverings. There are compelling scientific reasons for this:
Masks work. There is widespread evidence from the field of occupational health, the SARS epidemic, and other outbreaks that wearing masks protects us from germs and interrupts the transmission of disease from sick to healthy people.
Masks are the best way to enforce the “do not touch your face” mantra we are hearing about for COVID-19. [...]
Wearing masks is a powerful signal to others that these are not normal times, and that we all need to change our behaviors to stop a potentially devastating epidemic.
The point is that it's a layer between potentially contaminated hands and the viral entry points on your face. Not as much help if, like me, you're adjusting your glasses all the time, but still...
The point is that it's a layer between potentially contaminated hands and the viral entry points on your face. Not as much help if, like me, you're adjusting your glasses all the time, but still an improvement of risk factors.
The virus can get in through your eyes, so it's not a layer between the entry points. All you're doing by wearing a mask is strapping a fomite to your face and carrying it back to your home.
viral entry points on your face.
The virus can get in through your eyes, so it's not a layer between the entry points.
All you're doing by wearing a mask is strapping a fomite to your face and carrying it back to your home.
That's the point. The masks are contaminated, they touch the mask, now their hands are contaminated. Epidemiologists and infection control experts say that masks should only be worn by ill people,...
when they're wearing a mask they almost always touch it instead.
That's the point. The masks are contaminated, they touch the mask, now their hands are contaminated.
Epidemiologists and infection control experts say that masks should only be worn by ill people, or health care professionals delivering care.
Depends on your definition of "ill". Most of the time, I wear a Buff/scarf over my face for extended activity outdoors because of perennial allergies. The mask goes in the washer promptly, along...
Depends on your definition of "ill". Most of the time, I wear a Buff/scarf over my face for extended activity outdoors because of perennial allergies. The mask goes in the washer promptly, along with everything else that's got a layer of Nature on it. The same principles that apply for allergen exposure are also handy for infection control. (Yes, pollen/mold spores are bigger than viruses, but public exposure is mostly through larger contaminated particles and droplets.)
Right now, I'd also rather not confuse any passers-by, with my drippy nose, sneezing, and coughs.
I'm going to bring this up every time I read this: people wearing masks can end up touching their faces more than usual, because they're adjusting the mask or the mask is uncomfortable. People...
Masks are the best way to enforce the “do not touch your face” mantra we are hearing about for COVID-19.
any type of face covering is great protection from your biggest threat: your own hands.
I'm going to bring this up every time I read this: people wearing masks can end up touching their faces more than usual, because they're adjusting the mask or the mask is uncomfortable. People wearing masks need to be extra aware of this tendency.
Unfortunately, we humans are relatively unique among mammals in that we continuously touch our eyes, noses, and mouths for seemingly no reason every 2.5 minutes. This behavior is hard-wired and starts in utero. Let’s get real — we’re not going to be able to instantly stop doing something we’ve been doing our whole lives.
Really? I have very quickly changed my habits. Whenever I leave my home now, I am always aware of my hands - what they're touching, what they have touched, where they are now. Whenever I'm out, I simply don't touch my face any more, unless I know they have not touched any potentially infectious surface, or unless I have recently sanitised/washed my hands.
It's still cold enough where I am that I've been wearing a Buff over my nose and mouth when out walking. The material is designed for comfort, breathability, and washability. It's easy to...
It's still cold enough where I am that I've been wearing a Buff over my nose and mouth when out walking. The material is designed for comfort, breathability, and washability. It's easy to improvise something like this, and it's basically the double-layer of T-shirt material that's been described elsewhere as somewhat protective against inhalation of virus particles.
If everyone is wearing a mask then your doctors (and those who are definitely sick) won't have any. There's a reason this guidance went around in the first place. There are not enough masks to go...
If everyone is wearing a mask then your doctors (and those who are definitely sick) won't have any. There's a reason this guidance went around in the first place. There are not enough masks to go around. Just stay home.
This article is about wearing home-made masks, not the ones needed by medical workers. And there are still reasons to go out, like going to the grocery store or for exercise.
This article is about wearing home-made masks, not the ones needed by medical workers.
And there are still reasons to go out, like going to the grocery store or for exercise.
Sorry, not necessarily home-made, but not the ones that medical workers wear. Let's say "improvised." Also:
Sorry, not necessarily home-made, but not the ones that medical workers wear. Let's say "improvised."
While it is true that N95s and surgical masks — which have become scarce due to hoarding — should be prioritized for use by medical professionals at greatest risk for infection, the rest of us could and should wear other protective face coverings.
Also:
Nonmedical masks should be worn by everyone going outside. Inexpensive cloth masks are available for purchase online. Alternatively, scarves, bandana-style neck gaiters, and other similar face coverings can work effectively. Masks should be placed over the mouth and nose and removed carefully, without touching the outside surface, and cloth masks should be washed frequently.
I did a bit more homework because of /u/DanBC's complaint about eyes not being protected with a mask.
American Academy of Opthalmology reports that 0.8% of SARS-CoV-2 cases studied in China had conjunctivitis as a symptom. That suggests the virus can replicate in ocular tissue and spread via eye secretions, even if the eyes are not a primary route of infection. They're recommending eye protection for healthcare workers on this basis, since they're continually exposed to aerosolized virus.
So it's still good advice to the general public not to touch your face, including your eyes. But as a risk factor, eye exposure to airborne virus isnt as significant as inhalation.
From the article:
Have you ever watched someone wearing a mask? They touch their face all the time, because masks feel weird.
The point is that it's a layer between potentially contaminated hands and the viral entry points on your face. Not as much help if, like me, you're adjusting your glasses all the time, but still an improvement of risk factors.
The virus can get in through your eyes, so it's not a layer between the entry points.
All you're doing by wearing a mask is strapping a fomite to your face and carrying it back to your home.
Well, it certainly covers some of the viral entry points. It's a layer between some, but not all, of them.
That's the point. The masks are contaminated, they touch the mask, now their hands are contaminated.
Epidemiologists and infection control experts say that masks should only be worn by ill people, or health care professionals delivering care.
Depends on your definition of "ill". Most of the time, I wear a Buff/scarf over my face for extended activity outdoors because of perennial allergies. The mask goes in the washer promptly, along with everything else that's got a layer of Nature on it. The same principles that apply for allergen exposure are also handy for infection control. (Yes, pollen/mold spores are bigger than viruses, but public exposure is mostly through larger contaminated particles and droplets.)
Right now, I'd also rather not confuse any passers-by, with my drippy nose, sneezing, and coughs.
I'm going to bring this up every time I read this: people wearing masks can end up touching their faces more than usual, because they're adjusting the mask or the mask is uncomfortable. People wearing masks need to be extra aware of this tendency.
Really? I have very quickly changed my habits. Whenever I leave my home now, I am always aware of my hands - what they're touching, what they have touched, where they are now. Whenever I'm out, I simply don't touch my face any more, unless I know they have not touched any potentially infectious surface, or unless I have recently sanitised/washed my hands.
It can be done.
It's still cold enough where I am that I've been wearing a Buff over my nose and mouth when out walking. The material is designed for comfort, breathability, and washability. It's easy to improvise something like this, and it's basically the double-layer of T-shirt material that's been described elsewhere as somewhat protective against inhalation of virus particles.
If everyone is wearing a mask then your doctors (and those who are definitely sick) won't have any. There's a reason this guidance went around in the first place. There are not enough masks to go around. Just stay home.
This article is about wearing home-made masks, not the ones needed by medical workers.
And there are still reasons to go out, like going to the grocery store or for exercise.
Sorry where in the article does it talk about homemade masks?
Sorry, not necessarily home-made, but not the ones that medical workers wear. Let's say "improvised."
Also: