Coronavirus outbreak

[marinyork]

The mandatory date is 24 July, but people near me seem to be treating it as its safe to not wear masks till this magic date.

I assume the delayed date is to give people time to get masks but Id have preferred a message of, we want you to wear masks NOW, but we wont start fining people till 24th to give you time.

I think months ago, worries about supply and hoarding was a very real and present concern. Since that time it's been 'face coverings' rather than masks, which allows the mask supply to be maintained better.

I do think the accompanying health message is poor. It should emphasize that virus circulation is low so any incremental gains really helps keep the virus at bay and face coverings is part of this. Secondly 70% of all cases are asymptomatic, in Jan-April it was thought 20-50%.

Not sure whether any of the government's recent thinking is influenced by Imperial group on R. It was 4 and they think it fell to a lower level after 'lockdown' of around 0.5 rather than 0.7 to 0.9. Again incremental gains, if this is true various additional measures to reduce R make a big difference over 2-3 months before the winter surge.

 

[tom73]

The mandatory date is 24 July, but people near me seem to be treating it as its safe to not wear masks till this magic date.

I assume the delayed date is to give people time to get masks but Id have preferred a message of, we want you to wear masks NOW, but we wont start fining people till 24th to give you time.

Ive seen a small increase in mask use but still way down on what’s needed. A rapid clear pubic health campaign for a few days making it clear a simple face covering is fine. Would have given plenty of time to hit the ground running within days of being told. Then as you say from 24th fines start but no sadly we get more of if you can do this for a bit longer.

 

[Tanis8472]

Call me cynical if you will, but if you are mandated to wear one in a work setting they have to by law be supplied by the employer, and there is a legal requirement to provide training in there use.

Afaik, it's not required by shop staff. Only shoppers.

 

[IaninSheffield]

With leaders accused of providing 'mixed messages' perhaps it behoves us to establish the risks for ourselves? Fear not, help is at hand:

 

[steve292]

Afaik, it's not required by shop staff. Only shoppers.

Exactly. No expense to the employer and no comeback for the staff.

 

[classic33]

Exactly. No expense to the employer and no comeback for the staff.

And if a person relies on being able to read what is being said, how would that be possible with a mask being worn by shop staff. One small shop, near me, is replacing the masks with the face screens/visors for this reason.

It's something I'd never considered, facing the person I was talking to "square on" when answering them. Combine the number of times you might be looking, for the item requested, and answering at same time without even thinking it's odd.

I

 

[Slick]

And if a person relies on being able to read what is being said, how would that be possible with a mask being worn by shop staff. One small shop, near me, is replacing the masks with the face screens/visors for this reason.

It's something I'd never considered, facing the person I was talking to "square on" when answering them. Combine the number of times you might be looking, for the item requested, and answering at same time without even thinking it's odd.

I

That is a big issue for some and I had to look into it for a work thing and the British Deaf Association have recommend masks with a clear plastic panel that allowed someone to see the lips moving. Not sure exactly how good they are or not but we will be using them for one class at least.

 

[tom73]

Call me cynical if you will, but if you are mandated to wear one in a work setting they have to by law be supplied by the employer, and there is a legal requirement to provide training in there use.

Then you look for practical solutions to a problem it's not difficult. All placers of work have to be covid secure so you build it in to the planning all guidance makes it clear a face covering is not classed as PPE. Currently you have to allow staff who wish to wear one to do so just make them aware of how to use them. Which is exactly the same how to wear advice that's been given to the general public. A simple poster will do just in the same way hand washing , social distancing, coughing into your elbow and the rest are promoted. Any good company would see the benefit out way they cost. It will cost much more to have staff off or even worse a company shut down due to an outbreak. Some companies are getting branded ones and see it as extra work wear. Just look at placers that are required to use them as a condition of being able to open they find ways.
Now if you mandated the use of clinical grade masks then they are PPE and so they needed a bit of extra work but then again this is not about clinical standard infection control so is not much more work the main issue would be the added costs and extra waste control.
Normal H&S for employee pre covid that used a face mask they just carry on in the same way they did before.

 

[Adam4868]

FFS...at least there clear on the masks !

View: https://twitter.com/AvaSantina/status/1283673408564334592?s=09

 

[marinyork]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53426367

Strong calls for what others would deem 'unethical' trials where patient is infected with coronavirus.

 

[Inertia]

FFS...at least there clear on the masks !

View: https://twitter.com/AvaSantina/status/1283673408564334592?s=09

of ffs, clear as farking mud

 

[Rezillo]

Quite a balanced article by the FT on the coronavirus blame game to come. Even the comments section appears to have contributors who are at least sentient.

https://www.ft.com/content/aa53173b-eb39-4055-b112-0001c1f6de1b

 

[mjr]

Belgian virus expert (and member of their federal crisis management executive IIRC) placed under police protection due to threats from far right extremists. Summary report in French https://www.lavenir.net/cnt/dmf2020...arc-van-ranst-place-sous-protection-policiere and original in Flemish with annoying cookie popup https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/marc...are-plannen-uit-extreemrechtse-hoek~bab36071/

 

[mjr]

FFS...at least there clear on the masks !

View: https://twitter.com/AvaSantina/status/1283673408564334592?s=09

There are times when a simple "I don't know. I expect so. Let's wait for the detail to be decided and published." would be better than bluffing. But Johnson has appointed an exec full of "Ministers for Bluffing" now.

 

[mjr]

Has anyone pointed out that Chancellor Sunak was a bit daft to use a photo op of takeaway food to celebrate a vat cut that doesn't affect takeaway cold food, wearing a mask with an exhalation valve useless for protecting others?


View: https://mobile.twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1283397170788478976?p=p