Mask exemptions

[Badboybez]

I saw the Doctor saying that on BBC breakfast yesterday. The point was people with Asthma are more susceptible to Covid so wearing a mask would actually benefit them more, as opposed to non-sufferers who should wear masks to protect others from them.

Although to put that in context / satisfy my curiosity, I assume that that was his own personal medical opinion, rather than a medical consensus.

I can understand one part of it, in that getting covid would impact heavily on an Asthma sufferer.
But that has to be tempered with the difficulties of breathing with a mask on.
Up until a couple of years ago I had to wear one for up to 8 hours a day on customer lab sites, hated it then.
Now I have what is part diagnosed as Copd, not confirmed, as the x rays etc that were done was just before March, and I do not want to pester the doctors further at the moment as they no doubt have more pressing needs to deal with, but an inhaler was added to my monthly prescription list.
I doubt I would last long at all if I did get covid, but for me at the moment I prefer not to have to wear a mask due to the problems I have breathing.

EDIT bye the way thanks for your reply, I just noticed I seemed to have marked it as LOL, changed it now to thanks, my eyes are also getting crap as well as my breathing.

 

[ObiWanVaponi]

Although to put that in context / satisfy my curiosity, I assume that that was his own personal medical opinion, rather than a medical consensus.

I can understand one part of it, in that getting covid would impact heavily on an Asthma sufferer.
But that has to be tempered with the difficulties of breathing with a mask on.
Up until a couple of years ago I had to wear one for up to 8 hours a day on customer lab sites, hated it then.
Now I have what is part diagnosed as Copd, not confirmed, as the x rays etc that were done was just before March, and I do not want to pester the doctors further at the moment as they no doubt have more pressing needs to deal with, but an inhaler was added to my monthly prescription list.
I doubt I would last long at all if I did get covid, but for me at the moment I prefer not to have to wear a mask due to the problems I have breathing.

EDIT bye the way thanks for your reply, I just noticed I seemed to have marked it as LOL, changed it now to thanks, my eyes are also getting crap as well as my breathing.

I assume it was her own opinion. I'm just passing on what I heard.
But again, Wearing a mask is to protect people FROM YOU, not you from them.
The idea that asthma sufferers should wear masks is for added protection as they are more vulnerable, its a bonus rather than the main reason.

 

[Badboybez]

I assume it was her own opinion. I'm just passing on what I heard.
But again, Wearing a mask is to protect people FROM YOU, not you from them.
The idea that asthma sufferers should wear masks is for added protection as they are more vulnerable, its a bonus rather than the main reason.

As said, I thank you for the information you provided, I asked given the way the thread has at one point gone into regional rules.

I also appreciate the whole logic behind wearing masks, always have done.

However, the "mantra" of "masks are to protect people from you" from various health professionals, members of parliament, and the general public, seems to not appreciate that in order to protect other people from say myself is that there is a chance that I could harm myself (if not worse) in my attempt to protect others.

 

[mick brown]

Fair enough @Badboybez - then I missed your point!

I do remember the things retailers were doing, and we discussed it at length at work, but when you only have one day that you're open for viewing and each item you have for sale is unique, you just have to muddle through as best you can. We also have asked viewers (who can only come by appointment) to wear gloves but decided to provide hand sanitisers all round the sale room as many dealers rely on their sense of touch to feel for authenticity or restoration on some items. It's difficult - we're doing the best we can in the circumstances. We can only hope our clients will do the same?

Just to add, we're a helpful bunch ........... if someone wants to see something in particular we could take ti outside for them. And give them a chair.

I fail to see how wearing gloves protects yourself and others though. Once you touch something you have the possibility that you've contaminated yourself whether you're wearing gloves or not so wearing gloves is pointless IMO. I go on the assumption that my hands are always contaminated when out of my house so don't touch my face and wash them when I can. The amount of times I've seen people wearing gloves and touching their face is unbelievable . Do they think they're wearing magic gloves or something and the virus cannot stick to them !

 

[mick brown]

I saw the Doctor saying that on BBC breakfast yesterday. The point was people with Asthma are more susceptible to Covid so wearing a mask would actually benefit them more, as opposed to non-sufferers who should wear masks to protect others from them.

Exactly. I've always thought that.

 

[ObiWanVaponi]

I fail to see how wearing gloves protects yourself and others though. Once you touch something you have the possibility that you've contaminated yourself whether you're wearing gloves or not so wearing gloves is pointless IMO. I go on the assumption that my hands are always contaminated when out of my house so don't touch my face and wash them when I can. The amount of times I've seen people wearing gloves and touching their face is unbelievable . Do they think they're wearing magic gloves or something and the virus cannot stick to them !

This is exactly the problem. And I think why the Gov is having so much trouble with what to advise people to do. The proper procedures for wearing masks, gloves or any PPE is different for what it is. To wear a mask correctly you put it on and leave it alone without touching it at all, then carefully take it off using the ear hooks, taking care not to touch the mask itself and bin it. Touching the mask does two things, it means you are transferring the virus from your hands to the mask and therefore closer to your face, but also it will contaminate your hands by transferring the virus from the air which has stuck to the mask by you inhaling, to your hands. The risk is much higher if you're wearing gloves.
For gloves, you should use them as you would if you were in a food enviroment (Or if you were a doctor), ie put them on, touch stuff, then bin them and wash your hands. Then use another pair for the next thing (or patient). Wearing gloves all day causes more risk because a, plastic (or whatever) transmits the virus far more easily than bare skin and b, the longer you are wearing gloves the less times you are washing your hands, so less opportunity to kill the virus. It also makes you braver in thinking you can touch loads of stuff.
The amount of times I've seen debates in Parliament etc where someone is wearing a mask and gloves but gets up and pulls it down to speak is horrifying. And they are the ones making policy.

 

[mick brown]

This is exactly the problem. And I think why the Gov is having so much trouble with what to advise people to do. The proper procedures for wearing masks, gloves or any PPE is different for what it is. To wear a mask correctly you put it on and leave it alone without touching it at all, then carefully take it off using the ear hooks, taking care not to touch the mask itself and bin it. Touching the mask does two things, it means you are transferring the virus from your hands to the mask and therefore closer to your face, but also it will contaminate your hands by transferring the virus from the air which has stuck to the mask by you inhaling, to your hands. The risk is much higher if you're wearing gloves.
For gloves, you should use them as you would if you were in a food enviroment (Or if you were a doctor), ie put them on, touch stuff, then bin them and wash your hands. Then use another pair for the next thing (or patient). Wearing gloves all day causes more risk because a, plastic (or whatever) transmits the virus far more easily than bare skin and b, the longer you are wearing gloves the less times you are washing your hands, so less opportunity to kill the virus. It also makes you braver in thinking you can touch loads of stuff.
The amount of times I've seen debates in Parliament etc where someone is wearing a mask and gloves but gets up and pulls it down to speak is horrifying. And they are the ones making policy.

Indeed mate. It's horrifying to see people putting themselves at greater risk when they think they are protecting themselves. It's not rocket science either, just common sense.

 

[Badboybez]

I fail to see how wearing gloves protects yourself and others though. Once you touch something you have the possibility that you've contaminated yourself whether you're wearing gloves or not so wearing gloves is pointless IMO.

I take it you have never worked in a lab though.

 

[Badboybez]

This is exactly the problem. And I think why the Gov is having so much trouble with what to advise people to do. The proper procedures for wearing masks, gloves or any PPE is different for what it is. To wear a mask correctly you put it on and leave it alone without touching it at all, then carefully take it off using the ear hooks, taking care not to touch the mask itself and bin it. Touching the mask does two things, it means you are transferring the virus from your hands to the mask and therefore closer to your face, but also it will contaminate your hands by transferring the virus from the air which has stuck to the mask by you inhaling, to your hands. The risk is much higher if you're wearing gloves.
For gloves, you should use them as you would if you were in a food enviroment (Or if you were a doctor), ie put them on, touch stuff, then bin them and wash your hands. Then use another pair for the next thing (or patient). Wearing gloves all day causes more risk because a, plastic (or whatever) transmits the virus far more easily than bare skin and b, the longer you are wearing gloves the less times you are washing your hands, so less opportunity to kill the virus. It also makes you braver in thinking you can touch loads of stuff.
The amount of times I've seen debates in Parliament etc where someone is wearing a mask and gloves but gets up and pulls it down to speak is horrifying. And they are the ones making policy.

You are largely correct mate, with a few minor exceptions, based on my experiences from many years of work in both food processing plants, and semiconductor labs processing very toxic materials such as Arsenic, and Gallium.

Absolutely agree, most people have no idea how to put on, wear a mask, and safely remove it. Also most people have no idea how to take off gloves safely, and whilst wearing them how to maximise their protection.

That is why in my opinion mandatory enforcement of wearing masks is in reality "pissing in the wind" unless you also introduce mandatory training in the correct use of them.

Here's a fun one, (something worthy of the Crystal Maze show) you are wearing both a mask, and gloves, you know that either or both of them are contaminated with a virus, or a toxic substance.
Which one do you remove first ? and how ?

 

[eyeball kid]

You are largely correct mate, with a few minor exceptions, based on my experiences from many years of work in both food processing plants, and semiconductor labs processing very toxic materials such as Arsenic, and Gallium.

Absolutely agree, most people have no idea how to put on, wear a mask, and safely remove it. Also most people have no idea how to take off gloves safely, and whilst wearing them how to maximise their protection.

That is why in my opinion mandatory enforcement of wearing masks is in reality "pissing in the wind" unless you also introduce mandatory training in the correct use of them.

Here's a fun one, (something worthy of the Crystal Maze show) you are wearing both a mask, and gloves, you know that either or both of them are contaminated with a virus, or a toxic substance.
Which one do you remove first ? and how ?

In the pharmaceutical factory it used to be gloves first via the top exterior then interior of the cuffs, (not palms As the gloves may split) then wash hands to remove the masks from behind the ear straps followed by another wash.
maybe it's different now.