Coronavirus

[LadyA]

Back in March, before the lockdown, I could see which way things were going and so I bought a packet of masks for us on Amazon which claimed to give full protection against the virus. I put the packet away and haven’t needed to use them because we haven’t been anywhere in company with others. Except for when I had that very high temperature, around the time of the virus peak, and called 111 and I tried to wear one when the on-call doctor arrived. I found that I simply couldn’t get it to stay on round my right ear. The left ear was OK but although apparently symmetrical, the mask just wouldn’t lodge behind the other ear. So I had to try to hold it in place whilst talking to the doc.
Subsequently I found that all the masks in the pack were the same so I suppose I have a peculiar ear. I’ve now adapted one of them with different elastic round the back, for emergency use, but now I gather that it’s unacceptable to use surgical grade masks and you’re supposed to make an almost totally ineffective cloth ‘face covering’ as the shortage of PPE continues (with or without Swarovski crystals) and we have to sacrifice ourselves in order to satisfy the mantra ‘Save the NHS!’

Not totally ineffective. It really depends on the fabric used. I use a tightly woven cotton, double layered, with a filter pocket. Filters can be made from: "Non woven" stuff, particularly something like polypropylene (think medium weight interfacing or the fabric type "bag for life", not the shiny plasticy ones) or hepa filter vacuum bags. The filters are disposable, the masks are washable and/or can be sterilised with a hot iron. The masks themselves, without the filter, still give reasonably good protection for non clinical situations.
Everyone was telling me that I should be selling them, because others were charging between €10 and €20 for them, but tbh, I felt it was little enough I could do. And I used fabrics that I already had. If I had to buy fabric, then I would have had to charge for them. Tightly woven cotton is quite expensive.

[bigyetiman]

I am deadly serious, about the face masks and the Rolls Royce. Crystal wash basins, marble floors, the list is endless, common sense zero
We have been given face masks at work, but we are now in sealed cabs, so look like zoo exhibits, still in my case .
I think you will look very fetching with pants on your head Hen-Gen. You can always write something witty on them to brighten peoples day

[rick]

Pants on the head - thats so funny!
I have had some Chinese washable tartan masks with zip pockets for a couple of years now. Very useful for sweeping out the run and would have no problem wearing one if I thought it would make the slightest difference to risk but, what with keeping a respectful distance and being aware of basket/trolley handles (like wiping them when putting them down more so than picking them up!), it has seemed more a sign of being in the responsible club rather than actually being responsible.

[bigyetiman]

I am amazed that stores haven't been marketing their own masks with advertising on.
We both had a long winded text from our GP telling us to wear a mask and gloves when visiting the surgery, long hair must be tied back or under a cap.
If visiting a surgery en route to work please ensure work clothes/uniform are freshly laundered, if visiting during the day or after work please change out of work clothes/uniform before attending. The door into reception will be fixed open so no one has to touch it, that will last until the chill winds and the receptionists get an icy blast

[LadyA]

I am amazed that stores haven't been marketing their own masks with advertising on.
We both had a long winded text from our GP telling us to wear a mask and gloves when visiting the surgery, long hair must be tied back or under a cap.
If visiting a surgery en route to work please ensure work clothes/uniform are freshly laundered, if visiting during the day or after work please change out of work clothes/uniform before attending. The door into reception will be fixed open so no one has to touch it, that will last until the chill winds and the receptionists get an icy blast

First thing I do when I get home is change into "at home" clothes. That's something I've always done. Even if I'm just going to the nearest shop, I change into "outdoor" clothes. And of course, I've picked up son in law's Eastern European thing of never wearing outdoor shoes in to the house. It's a cultural thing, seen as a gesture of disrespect/contempt to wear shoes in the house. But, it's also a very sensible thing.

[MrsBiscuit]

Part of the official guidance here was to change your clothes when you got home after you had been out, when lockdown was at its height. We weren't told to change into clean clothes to go out, mind you! I do my Mum's shopping online and every week both she and I were getting through loads more clothes detergent than normal. I would like to add I think we were being a bit OTT during lockdown, rather than filthy before! I didn't know that about Eastern European cultural habits. However, I have just had a Polish visitor here for a few days, so that explains why her sandals were outside all the time.

[bigyetiman]

I always thought most people made sure they were clean before visiting the doctors. Being healthy individuals luckily we rarely visit, so perhaps people do attend in grubby work clothes. Although I guess it may be tricky for some people to leave work, get home, change and get to doctors. I guess if I was to attend my grim reaper T shirt might be a no no
Our doctors is a little village surgery so you just go along if you feel unwell, there is no appointment system unless they call you for your yearly mot, so most people can probably manage to get changed
Never wear shoes in the house. I remember we went to view a house and took our shoes off, and your feet/socks stuck to the carpets they were that filthy and sticky

[Shadrach]

The evidence for virus transmission from object to person is pretty sketchy. They have established that the virus will survive on objects for a period of time. But, from the moment of deposit to infinity, the virus strength diminishes. I have yet to see a study on at what strength the virus is still dangerously contagious.
You could in theory touch an object which is contaminated and as long as you don't place your hands on portions of your face that permit virus ingress into the body (eyes, nose and mouth) you can touch the back of your neck as much as you like, then you won't fall ill. Having touched various objects if you then thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, that should do the trick. The sale of sanitizers at least out here is a bit of a racket. I believe they need to have above a certain level of alcohol (i use 96%) to be effective.
The most common method of transmission is from person to person as I understand the research. It has been suggested that the longer one is in contact with an infected person the higher the risk of contracting the virus. Not really rocket science that one. If both people keep their mouths shut (very difficult for many) then that should be as good as wearing a mask.

[dinosaw]

I went to the GP yesterday, was given very clear instructions to wear a mask, buzz the intercom and await instructions. They tell you to use the sanitiser provided, watch while you do it and then buzz you in having given you directions of where to sit, which is on a dedicated bench for your examination room. The doctor came out in full PPE and as I was the only person there, it was a bit surreal given it is a large surgery. The thing is though, as I arrived there was an elderly lady who was struggling to walk and hadn't bothered to wear a mask, she buzzed the intercom ahead of me and was told to sit down outside while they sorted her out. Last week, my wife went for her regular bloods and the same thing, woman in there who hadn't bothered with a mask, they had let her in presumably because she had a kid with her. Another case of regulations schmegulations.

[LadyA]

I went to the GP yesterday, was given very clear instructions to wear a mask, buzz the intercom and await instructions. They tell you to use the sanitiser provided, watch while you do it and then buzz you in having given you directions of where to sit, which is on a dedicated bench for your examination room. The doctor came out in full PPE and as I was the only person there, it was a bit surreal given it is a large surgery. The thing is though, as I arrived there was an elderly lady who was struggling to walk and hadn't bothered to wear a mask, she buzzed the intercom ahead of me and was told to sit down outside while they sorted her out. Last week, my wife went for her regular bloods and the same thing, woman in there who hadn't bothered with a mask, they had let her in presumably because she had a kid with her. Another case of regulations schmegulations.

Anyone turning up without a mask should be handed one. When I had to take mum to A&E a couple of weeks ago, I had my own mask because I always carry a couple. But I forgot mum's. So before we entered A&E, there was a nurse taking temps, making sure you used sanitiser and handing masks to anyone who didn't have one.