Still not proven, though is it? How many lives are we saving as current figures show masks have made no difference?
I thought you were objecting on a purely financial basis. I've answered that. We could continue to go around in circles, though I sense there is little point continuing with that.
There is evidence to show that masks control the emission of the virus from a wearer into the air, reducing the risk of transmission to others.
What has not been studied is the efficacy of mask-wearing in the general population right now - something that cannot be done easily due to a large number of confounding variables.
The government, for better or worse, is working on the presumption that reducing the airborne presence of the virus will help control the overall spread.
Unfortunately, this is a new and novel disease and our understanding is growing on a daily basis as we see more evidence and trials are conducted. We use models of similar viruses to inform our decisions until we gather enough good data from our current situation.
Many people do not like masks. I don't like masks. I am prepared to wear a mask if that allows more freedoms in other areas of life by keeping the virus under control. That's it. I don't see any benefit in continuing the debate with you.
Apologies for asking a question which has no doubt already been raised before.
If the general consensus (either rightly or wrongly) is that folk should wear face coverings to prevent the wearer (since they may be asymptomatic) from inadvertently spreading COVID-19 to others, to what extent does the already-infected wearer adjusting such coverings cause a further issue, given that they already have the virus?! (Unless, of course, by adjusting the face covering, it no longer adequately covers the airway, meaning a greater likelihood of the infected-wearer expelling virus in airborne droplets).
So, if there is an issue with adjusting face coverings, is there a greater risk for non-infected wearers (i.e. all those who don't have COVID-19) that of possibly transferring virus, from the face-covering they are wearing, into their own nose and eyes?
So, in this circumstance, is the face covering, if it is fulfilling a role by acting as a crude filter for the virus, helping or not?
Appreciate commentary from those with a better understanding on this issue than me.
In theory, virus trapped in the mask could be transferred by the wearer to a surface, where it could be collected by another.
If we all stick to good hand hygiene then the risk will be contained. Wash your hands after touching your mask, before touching something else that may be handled by another, or before touching your face and mask again.
Wash your own hands before touching your face/mask.
We then all benefit from the reduction in airborne transmission.
I caught a train yesterday at 1130. It was still rather hot and humid as I walked to the station but I wore my mask as I approached, bought a ticket, crossed by the footbridge to the appropriate platform and boarded.
When I sat down, I simply had to remove my mask in order to breathe a little easier and cool down somewhat. I used a clean handkerchief to wipe some sweat from my face because I was feeling very uncomfortable indeed and the mask was making it worse.
After a couple of minutes, I replaced the mask and wore it until my journey was completed and I got off the train but my point is, there are circumstances when touching, adjusting, fiddling with your mask is absolutely unavoidable.
Wash your hands before/after adjusting and you'll be fine.