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In Australia, we've been told to not wear a mask for a few reasons: - its hard to wear them right without training, (you adjust them regularly, which means you
by chadcmulligan 6y ago
In Australia, we've been told to not wear a mask for a few reasons:
- its hard to wear them right without training, (you adjust them regularly, which means you're touching your face more).
- They can become little virus breeding grounds (if exposed) - they're moist and if virus lands on them it may breed
- they can be very claustrophobic
- masks were in short supply in the beginning and they were needed by medical personnel.
Not a doctor, this is just the reasons I've heard. If more infections occur that advice may change.
- arrrg 6y agoI don’t think virus can replicate on cloth? They can’t replicate independent from their host, right?
- chadcmulligan 6y agoThe reasoning I heard was - you breathe on the mask it gets moist and has some mucus on it maybe, maybe its enough for the virus to multiply, making a nice little culture dish, particularly if you wear it all day. I have no idea, this is just the reasons that I've heard put up.
- sliken 6y agoBacteria and fungus could reproduce inside a web mask, moisture and a source of food (spit, sugar, mucus, protein, or similar) is enough. Virus however need targeted cells to invade and take over the cell mechanisms to reproduce the virus. Said target cells for COVID19 are unlikely to be reproducing in your mask. So buy (or make) 2 masks, use them on alternate days, and make sure they dry out completely between uses. If particularly scared/careful wash and dry them between uses.
- chadcmulligan 6y ago(from below) Yah, think I misremembered that - I think it was because they were worried people wouldn't maintain the masks well and bacteria would grow.
- satya71 6y ago- Not really that hard, and wearing still reduces face touching for most people - Virus needs a host to replicate. Bacteria may be, but we haven't seen an epidemic of bacterial stuff in South Korea, Taiwan, or Singapore - really? - you can make your own masks from old clothes.
- chadcmulligan 6y agoThese are just the reasons we've been told by the medical folk.
- mixedCase 6y agoI would disregard the advice (at least on this matter) of any medical professional that claims that viruses replicate outside of a host. It's downright malpractice.
- chadcmulligan 6y agoYah, think I misremembered that - I think it was because they were worried people wouldn't maintain the masks well and bacteria would grow.
- blaser-waffle 6y agoWho is "we've" and who is "the medical folk"?
- gdulli 6y ago> its hard to wear them right without training We don't talk enough about the goals for wearing masks. My mask may not be helping me because I'm not disciplined enough about wearing it, washing it, touching it. But if I cough or sneeze into a mask, the people around me are a lot more protected.
- amanzi 6y agoThis is the same advice we received in NZ.