European countries mandate medical-grade masks over homemade cloth face coverings

[AtW]

" (CNN)Confronting new, more transmissible variants of the coronavirus and a winter spike in infections, a number of European countries are beginning to make medical-grade face masks mandatory in the hope that they can slow the spread of the disease.

The French government has now mandated that citizens wear single-use surgical FFP1 masks, more protective FFP2 filtering facepiece respirators or fabric masks which meet the same "Category 1" specifications -- blocking more than 90% of particles -- in all public places. In layman's terms, homemade masks will no longer cut it.

It follows a decision by the German government on Tuesday requiring all people to wear either FFP1 or FFP2 masks while on public transport, in workplaces and in shops. The move came after the German state of Bavaria introduced an even more stringent measure: Enforcing surgical grade N95 respirators, which filter 95% of air particles, in stores and on public transport. "

European countries mandate medical-grade masks over cloth face coverings - CNN

That's well overdude - summer should have been used to prep for that with supplies for everybody who needs to get out.

Fat chance of this happening in the UK because for Tory mates profit margins on ripping off the taxpayer on those masks won't be as high as low grade tulip.

[DonaldJTrump]

24 hours was a blessed release!

[DealorNoDeal]

I use a visor rather than a mask. I wear glasses and find a visor more convenient. It's easier to get on and off without getting your hands anywhere near your nose and mouth.

I see a lot of people constantly fiddling with masks, which must be a bit counterproductive if they haven't washed their hands.

Has there been any research done as to which is better, mask or visor?

[AtW]

Visor improves safety with mask already on especially when desling with people close up, on its own it’s not good enough as Covid spreads via micro droplets in air

[NotAllThere]

I use a visor rather than a mask. I wear glasses and find a visor more convenient. It's easier to get on and off without getting your hands anywhere near your nose and mouth.

I see a lot of people constantly fiddling with masks, which must be a bit counterproductive if they haven't washed their hands.

Has there been any research done as to which is better, mask or visor?

The basic advice is they protect the eyes from possible droplet infection, but they do not rule out infection via the mouth and nose. They only serve as an additional protective measure.

More information here: Why Plastic Face Shields Aren’t a Safe Alternative to Cloth Masks

[xoggoth]

I breathe through a long tube with the end stuck in my underpants.

[OwlHoot]

When entering a supermarket, I take a large dollop of alcoholic handwash and wipe it across the outside of my mask.

Nearly fainted once, due to breathing the fumes close up, but it must help prevent viruses sneaking through the mask.

[ladymuck]

When entering a supermarket, I take a large dollop of alcoholic handwash and wipe it across the outside of my mask.

Nearly fainted once, due to breathing the fumes close up, but it must help prevent viruses sneaking through the mask.

70% alcohol spray is far more convenient for that than the hand gel stuff. I keep a small bottle of it in my handbag as it's more socially acceptable to have that than lots of gin miniatures.

[Paddy]

I use a visor rather than a mask. I wear glasses and find a visor more convenient. It's easier to get on and off without getting your hands anywhere near your nose and mouth.

I see a lot of people constantly fiddling with masks, which must be a bit counterproductive if they haven't washed their hands.

Has there been any research done as to which is better, mask or visor?

Bollox. You are not the only one to wear glasses, me included. You need to bend and shape the metal strip on mask to fit close to your skin and then it won't mist up. A shield should be used as an extra precaution, not as primary protection.

[Andy2]

I breathe through a long tube with the end stuck in my underpants.

what if covid got into your underpants