[__ Science __ ] Should I Start Wearing a Facemask and Gloves?

[Michael74]

They do sell some masks,.. just not an awful lot from my understanding.

We need enough for everybody who wants one. They should build some already.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

We need enough for everybody who wants one. They should build some already.

Agreed. :yes

 

[Barbarian]

I would like to see the real numbers.

Here:

United States COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer

United States Coronavirus update with statistics and graphs: total and new cases, deaths per day, mortality and recovery rates, current active cases, recoveries, trends and timeline.

www.worldometers.info

It's about 5.3 right now, but as we find more people who have the virus, it should be less than half of that. I'm thinking about 1.5. I'll be very surprised if it's less than 0.8% or greater than 3.0%.

Right now, one of the major problems is that in most states, those who die at home of the disease are not being counted, because of a lack of test kits. So that's going to put it up a bit.

Meaning, show the breakdown of people who actually died from the virus directly, as opposed to those who died of other causes but happened to test positive for the virus.

A lot of deaths from influenza are like that. A weakened patient then gets a secondary infection that kills him. It's counted as an influenza death, because influenza caused it.

There have been numerous reports coming out that lump the latter group into the overall total yet were not actual victims of the virus.

Seems unlikely. What do you have?

 

[Barbarian]

They do sell some masks,.. just not an awful lot from my understanding.

It's not that hard to make a fairly good mask. Key is, non-woven fabric works better than woven. And remember, masks are most effective preventing spread of the virus when worn by someone with the virus; they are somewhat less effective at protecting a healthy person.

But they still do some good. And it's smart to play the odds.

 

[Barbarian]

This really comes down to common sense. Short of wearing a gas mask everywhere (and even that may not be 100% effective) wearing any kind of nose and mouth covering will be better than nothing. If you are concerned about exposure then any barrier is better than no barrier.

Bingo.

 

[Michael74]

Models show that if 80 percent of people wear masks that are 60 percent effective, easily achievable with cloth, we can get to an effective R0 of less than one. That’s enough to halt the spread of the disease.

If everybody wears a mask in public 19 will be defeated. Even wearing an old T shirt would help. We have to work together as a community to get the job done though. People have to wear a mask out of consideration for others.

Much better for everyone to wear a real N100 mask than an old T shirt though, so they should get started manufacturing them. A proper N100 will protect the wearer as well as others. Double duty in defeating 19.

 

[Knotical]

A lot of deaths from influenza are like that. A weakened patient then gets a secondary infection that kills him. It's counted as an influenza death, because influenza caused it.

That's not what I am talking about. I am referring to people who were already sick with something and died from that, and just happened to test positive for the virus. They are also included in that number. This is one way they are inflating the numbers.

 

[JohnDB]

I don't own any masks...not really sure how to make one either.

I do own a box of latex gloves... well they really aren't latex they are the other stuff that acts like latex.

I put one of those on when pumping gas, another one in the store.

My gloved hand opens doors and picks up things or moves things in the store.
My other hand is in my pocket or doing anything that touches me. ,,(Like getting out my wallet)

 

[Prycejosh1987]

I do and would always advise it.