Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Boston, Burlington: grass, social, address)

[porterhouse]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

I feel nervous when I see people in masks. Makes me wonder if they have symptoms and if they do they should be HOME.

I wore a mask when out walking this weekend and this was the biggest unintended benefit. It kept people away from me.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by porterhouse

I wore a mask when out walking this weekend and this was the biggest unintended benefit. It kept people away from me.

Again, I find the nervousness bizarre. I view it as being considerate!

[Bridge781]

Originally Posted by porterhouse

I wore a mask when out walking this weekend and this was the biggest unintended benefit. It kept people away from me.

Oh I’m sure. Before all this happened I definitely avoided anyone wearing one.

[Bridge781]

I agree there are positives in all this. Spending more time with the kids has been nice and not having to commute to work has also been great.

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Another thing is that if it's not an N95 mask, it's pretty useless against a virus. These homemade masks (or respirators) might be better than nothing I suppose, they certainly should not give anybody a feeling that they have any kind of ample protection.

Well that is true having a mask with at least prevent people from touching their face as much.

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Well that is true having a mask with at least prevent people from touching their face as much.

Having some kind of covering and keeping at least 6 feet, especially indoors, can certainly be helpful, I think.

[Hollytree]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I've been wearing a mask & gloves out in public for the past 2+ weeks (first the simple surgical kind...then over the weekend, an N95). To those who've asked here as to why, it's none of anyone's damn business, honestly. As long as my wearing of a mask, and maintaining a 6' distance, does not pose a danger to you, I don't see why the big deal.

This (and other excuses) was used by many as a reason to not recommend wearing masks for the longest time, flying in the face of what our Asian brethren have known and observed for the past 15 yrs. It's an absolute shame, in this "richest" country in the world, the CDC can recommend masks for all, and in the same communication put out a video telling you how to concoct one at home that, as many in this thread have pointed out, are not as effective and/or restrict breathing. If you're going to recommend that everyone wear masks, make the ones that meet a minimum standard available for general distribution either free or at heavy discounts.

Absolutely. Tests conducted show homemade masks have anywhere from a 30-50% effective rate FOR THE WEARER in terms of protection. Vacuum cleaner bags as material, for example, got a high rating- but they are hard to breathe through. Any tight weave cloth which doesn't show light through will work to some extent.

The Surgeon General of the US just put a video online a few days ago for a simple no sew mask that anyone who has cloth and two rubber bands can make.

I know, too little, too late.... but then... that's how our government operates.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Hollytree

Absolutely. Tests conducted show homemade masks have anywhere from a 30-50% effective rate FOR THE WEARER in terms of protection. Vacuum cleaner bags as material, for example, got a high rating- but they are hard to breathe through. Any tight weave cloth which doesn't show light through will work to some extent.

The Surgeon General of the US just put a video online a few days ago for a simple no sew mask that anyone who has cloth and two rubber bands can make.

I know, too little, too late.... but then... that's how our government operates.

It's not for the wearer. It's so the wearer who is infected doesn't infect everyone else. The goal here is to knock R0 down so we stop having large outbreaks. If everyone wears a mask and practices at least some social distancing, the transmission rate drops to a manageable level and we can restart the economy. Of course, the Orange Cheeto refusing to wear a mask is absolutely the wrong messaging.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

It's not for the wearer. It's so the wearer who is infected doesn't infect everyone else. The goal here is to knock R0 down so we stop having large outbreaks. If everyone wears a mask and practices at least some social distancing, the transmission rate drops to a manageable level and we can restart the economy. Of course, the Orange Cheeto refusing to wear a mask is absolutely the wrong messaging.

Got a chuckle. It's not just him...I saw Gov. Cuomo delivering his noon briefing and his team, none of them wearing masks. Kudos to Mayor Walsh in that regard.

[Bridge781]

Wouldn’t it be a little difficult to speak to America while wearing a mask?