Covid-19: health and safety best practices

[fatmt]

I was about to post a general thread about Covid-19 but then I realised AP has already one. However I thought I'd at least poll what people think about masks, and take it from there.

EDIT - To clarify: by "wearing" I do not mean just "wearing". I also meant "operating", i.e. donning the mask, keeping it on, disposing of it, etc.

@Jon please feel free to either move or delete the thread if you like. I thought it fitted here under the "Morality" banner, but it may very well be best placed elsewhere, e..g. Watercooler.

 

[Jon]

Nicely chosen category actually.

So, are people wearing them correctly? Just take a look at a photo I took about 3 days ago, of a guy in my local coffee shop. Zoom in on the nose area! Doh!

 

[fatmt]

Thanks Jon - Let's see if Doc votes in the next few days. I don't suppose other people are around at the moment, so maybe after he votes we can open it up for discussion, what do you think? By the way, I was unsure I posed the question correctly, so I edited the opening post, I hope it's clear enough.

 

[Jon]

Regarding disposing of the masks, I have no knowledge of what others are doing with them. I only see who is wearing them.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

I can state with clarity and certainty that there is no way for me to tell whether masks are being properly maintained. I know I have seen some folks who don't understand noses (or so it appears). As to percentages, haven't got a frickin' clue.

 

[Jon]

Apparently Holland is a country who thinks that mask may hinder, not help, according to the top scientists (boffins).

I'm off to the supermarket shortly. I will be wearing my mask but also aware the virus may go in through my eyes. For me, it is all about risk reduction, not eliminating risk.

 

[fatmt]

Okay, so, about this: you are operating your mask incorrectly if

• you touch your mask once you have put it on
• you are only covering your mouth and not the nose
• you are not covering your mouth
• you keep taking the mask on and off throughout the day
• you keep adjusting your mask because it keeps slipping off
• putting the mask on without having washed your hands with soap or having sanitized your hands with gel
• reusing a mask you have used before without washing it (in case of re-usable mask)
• reusing a disposable, non re-usable mask more than once

Bottom line: a clean mask must be put on before leaving your house and must be left alone until you come back.

By simply going around, my estimate is: less than 20% are in fact doing so correctly. The 'disposing' part refers to the fact you shouldn't just dump it in the street, like I have seen some people do.

There's a helpful video about it here