The CDC recommends wearing a face mask where the two-yard [anti]-social distancing between your fellow humans cannot be maintained for an extended period (e.g., in a tightly congested area like a bus or a subway train). The following information is derived from OSHA Standard 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection) and OSHA Standard 1910.133 (Eye and Face Protection).
To be effective, a mask must be of the correct design and construction (i.e., a "dust mask" won't do for a virus); the mask must -- must! -- be fit-tested by a professional to ensure an effective seal -- it must be worn without any facial hair present at the mask/skin interface; the mask must be maintained in a sanitary condition and its seal must be maintained intact the entire time it is worn (no touching or adjusting it; no lifting away from the face to scratch your nose); and disposable masks must be discarded after one use and must be replaced (as described above) to avoid a build-up of contaminants that would be discharged directly into the nose and mouth during repeated use. To provide an additional sense of security from the Chinese Virus additional PPE should be considered. Fitted goggles should be worn to prevent the virus from entering through the eyes. Alternatively, a plastic face shield should be worn over the mask and eyes. Consideration may also be given to wearing ear protection (e.g., fitted ear plugs) just in case someone sneaks up on you and sneezes into your ear.
I just got back from a store that looked more like an infirmary in some third-world, fauci-hole country than a supermarket, where I saw a grown man with a full beard wearing a paper mask attached to the surface of his bushy beard with cellophane tape. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he thought he was protected from the Chinese Virus with this get-up and that he was being a "good citizen" by not "killing" other people if he was infected with the Chinese Virus and didn't know it. However, it's very likely that if he sneezed (an event which no doubt would have emptied the store) he would have blown the damn thing right off his face!
My point is, if you think you must wear PPE to protect yourself from the Chinese Virus every time you venture outside you should at least do it the right way. As for me, unless I was in a congested space for an extended period I would not wear a mask as it can cause more harm than serve a useful purpose (and because I think it creates an emotionally-damaging incessant reminder that to go outside without the blessings of your governor is to put your very life at risk). Then again, I realize a lot of people disagree with me about the effectiveness (perhaps "efficacy" is the better term) of wearing a mask, resorting to the trite, throw-away line: "Better safe than sorry". I get it ... I really do.
Well, all those untrained people in the ‘masks’ countries must be doing something right.
And the idea isn’t to keep you from getting it. It’s to keep you from spreading it as much. And lowering the viral load of public spaces.
lower initial viral load can be the difference between living and dying. It’s the difference between NYC and LA. Sitting next to an infected person for 30 minutes to GCS on the metro north is a WAY bigger exposure than brushing past someone in the imported cheese aisle at Trader Joe’s...
Anything you can do to lower your initial viral load and lower the viral load of your surroundings is a win.
We will suffer, as a country, because too many people think being considerate is the same as being a sheep.
Great post.
I believe that masks, when properly donned / doffed / worn can help train people to not bring their hand to their mouth and nose.
Additionally, it’s about reducing potential risk, as we can’t eliminate risks.
Some countries have people wearing masks for additional reasons other than potential/perceived health benefits. My stepdaughter wears a mask quite a bit in Japan. She explained once that based on her conversation with friends, some of them wear masks to help maintain “privacy”, as there are so many people in some areas of Japan.
I’m probably not explaining it as well as I could. It would be the same reason that booksellers/stores in Japan sell slip covers sized for manga, so that if someone is on the train reading, others cannot see the cover/title of what they are reading. Again, related to privacy. Masks can be a privacy enhancer (well, at least in Japan).
The instructions on how to wear my N95 mask was 4 sentences. I think we can handle that. Lol. Maybe not the millenials however.
I wear a mask to the store in case I have my own viral load asymptomatically, so that there is something that will attenuate the virus coming out of me. I won’t fool myself thinking that will be eliminate it completely, but it should cut it down to some extent. I certainly know that a mask won’t keep me from getting it, since it can get in through my eyes, and some of it can get through the mask, of course.