Coronavirus: All about masks!

Last year I was put into isolation in my local hospital with a respiratory virus (RSV) and told that everyone who came into see me had to wear PPE including any visitors.  So they had high grade masks (not surgical ones but thick ones), gloves and aprons - doctors, nurses yet those bringing in food/drink and cleaners just came in with no protection!  When I asked if they thought they were immune, they said 'oh I've had the 'flu' and when I told them it wasn't 'flu but a highly dangerous virus to susceptible groups including young babies/children, elderly and those with respiratory problems it made no difference.  Initially I'd been put in an isolation room with my own bathroom but when moved to a general ward (Male but I'm female) side room I had to share a bathroom so then I had to wear a heavy mask to go to the bathroom and when I was sent for CT scan to prevent me spreading the virus.  It seemed to make sense (apart from the cleaners/catering staff bit) but WHO information has been quite clear on this virus.  The best way to get rid of it is to throughly wash your. hands with soap to destroy the lipidic barrier that surrounds the virus making it impossible for it to reproduce.  I've also not worn gloves despite seeing people in the shops with them on as again they create a false sense of security and reduced hygiene. I'm also fed up of seeing them and masks disposed in the street as litter when I take my local walks near supermarkets.  The initial advice although simple of hand washing and social distancing and stay at home are all effective.  I was surprised at the local hospital on Friday where I had an appointment and was then sent for a chest x-ray and blood test that after the blood test, the phlebotomist directed me to the hand sanitiser on the wall and when I said I'd prefer to wash my hands, there was a newly positioned sink, paper towels and soap just a couple of metres away from the sanitiser she shrugged.  I took public transport (metro) last week when I took my car to the garage to have some work done on it and there were only about 6 people on it - across 3 carriages!  

Hi I’m a community carer with asthma I have been symptom free until I had to start wearing surgical masks for work and I had an asthma attack on Sunday night. Is there anywhere to get advice on how I can cope with the masks. Or is there any better masks I could purchase to help with my breathing? Many thanks 

@JudyMoody yes I do I'm underlying health issues I put mask on and carry sanatiser in the garden it's so scary, NHS are sending week supply food parcel there digusting all we can live on his soup, packet buicuits, oranges maybe cook in sauce, I'm lucky I did have text from tesco nhs give people emails who was underlying health condition so culd get some decent food, the driver said everybody is refusing them, I no its from food bank but there no nourishing food in them, I give all of it back give it to someone who would be greatly needed with children 🧒 ☓ 

Hi all, if you wish to wear a mask then it is nice to be shown how to use it in the correct way. I will admit the wearing of a mask gives me anxieties, I have worn them twice as my wife forced me to wear them, but I prefer to go out wearing surgical gloves instead.

We have a gate to the side of the house to our small driveway, and one morning phlegm was hanging from it, which is why I use gloves before I open the gate to drive off.

I feel using gloves is better than a mask when shopping as you don't know how many people had been touching the fruit etc. Also when driving, taking petrol, using gloves also helps to combat the virus. Its hard sometimes when you get an itch on your face that you musn't scratch it if you have gloves on. When you get home you remove the gloves and they go straight into the bin, and then I wash my hands in the correct way.

I wonder sometimes what it will be like in 6 months time, will we all end up wearing masks and gloves, when we leave home, to catch a bus or train, the media do seem to think so.

Well all for now.

@Courtney_J‍ Thank you for this, it's quite helpful! Does anyone have a pattern or guide for making them at home?

@paulg54‍ Oh that is horrible about the phlegm! People can be so disgusting sometimes! And in the middle of a pandemic too! This may be a silly question, but where do you get your gloves? I haven't been able to find any!

@BeckyC That must be difficult for you with asthma! I've heard that it's not recommended to wear one for those with breathing issues as it may encourage attacks like you described. But in your job you must be required to, what a predicament! Maybe some of the others with asthma on here may have some advice. Maybe there are masks that let a bit more air in?

I have been very ill with covid 19 managed to get threw it in isolation now I am back at work in a care home that has covid and I’m worried I will get it again full Ppe but scared I’m going to get it again 

i can't we're the face masks there make me very ill and all so I  have asthams and can't have any thing cover my face. 

@Ann-marie73‍ Hope you are feeling better but understand your fears of catching COVID19 again especially in a care home.

Please stay healthy and keep us posted on how you are doing. 

@Ann-marie73 My goodness I'm glad to hear you're feeling better! Please take care!

Can anyone recommend a good pattern for making masks at home? I don't have a sewing machine at the moment as I lent it to a friend before the lockdown started but I can manage with a needle and thread!

I have mine off eBay but I’m back to work now so have them supplied to me