hno:https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/world/asia/coronavirus-south-korea-flatten-curve.html
Koreans also wore masks.
Homemade and improperly worn masks do not protect the wearer and can make it more likely to catch coronavirus: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...-infection-doctor-jenny-harries-a9396811.html
The benefits of masks is that you are much less likely to spread it to others. If 100% of people were to wear masks, we could open things back up. In the US we have parents who won't even vaccinate their kids to help with public health, so there is no chance of that happening.
In Asian countries, people have been always worn masks at any sign of illness, or even if a family member has been sick, so they have much more success implementing these practices.
The benefits of masks is that you are much less likely to spread it to others. If 100% of people were to wear masks, we could open things back up. In the US we have parents who won't even vaccinate their kids to help with public health, so there is no chance of that happening.
In Asian countries, people have been always worn masks at any sign of illness, or even if a family member has been sick, so they have much more success implementing these practices.
The authorities & media would need to teach people how to wear masks properly, just as they are teaching them how to wash their hands & use condoms, etc. It isn't rocket science, though, to be able to put on various DIY masks or alternate masks, from motorcycle full face shields to Halloween masks to those made out of materials like cotton & vacuum bags. For example, how difficult is it to properly wear this one:
https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/qjd59q/how-to-sew-your-own-face-mask-diy-covid-19
Even improperly worn condoms often provide a high degree of protection to the wearer.
Studies show that various types of masks provide protection for the wearer in varying degrees, including certain DIY types that can be made at home, such as that using a vacuum cleaner bag. See the thread "Wearing a mask is just common sense":
http://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=1156058
If strong laws were in place to enforce public use with, if necessary, the backing of the military, i'm sure a high enough percentage of people would obey. Even if it were not 100% it could be a high enough percentage to be considered worth opening back up the economy. But i'd suggest that various "social distancing" measures (e.g. 6 feet apart) should remain in place & certain businesses (e.g. airlines) may have to remain as they are now or shut down. For example even now some banks only let in 5 customers at a time after questioning each individual. They could add temperature checks. And other businesses have set up see through partitions between the cashier & customer.
In the Czech Republic now it is required by law to wear a mask. In one area of Germany they won't let you into the grocery store without one.
"I also have heard suggestions that widespread usage of masks in the West will be culturally impossible. The story of the Czech Republic debunks this notion. Social media influencers campaigning to encourage DIY mask creation catalyzed an extraordinary mobilization by nearly the whole population. Within three days, there were enough masks for everyone in the country, and most people were wearing them. This was an entirely grass-roots community effort.
When social distancing requirements forced a small bar in Prague to close, its owner, Štefan Olejár, converted Bar Behind the Curtain into a mask manufacturing facility. He procured sewing machines from the community and makes about 400 cotton masks per day. The bar employs 10 people, including a driver who distributes the masks directly to people who are not able to leave their homes.
There are “mask trees” on street corners around the country, where people hang up masks they have made so others can take them.
The most important message shared in the Czech Republic has been this: “My mask protects you; your mask protects me.” Wearing a mask there is now considered a prosocial behavior. Going outside without one is frowned on as an antisocial action that puts your community at risk. In fact, the community reaction has been so strong that the government has responded by making it illegal to go out in public without a mask.
When I first started wearing a mask in public, I felt a bit odd. But I reminded myself I’m helping my community, and I’m sure in the coming weeks people who don’t wear masks will be the ones who feel out of place. Now I’m trying to encourage everyone to join me — and to get their friends to wear masks, too — with a social media campaign around #masks4all."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/03/28/masks-all-coronavirus/
The whole nation of the Czech Republic (see above) just implemented required mask wearing in only a few days.
I think mask usage can be enforced resulting in a very high percentage of the population using them. Those who refuse can rot in prison.
There's dozens of types of masks & face shields, many of which are reusable & easily cleaned & others (disposable) which are easy to make over & over again. To take care of germs i throw mine in the washing machine after each trip outside. Then, after it's clean, i use it again.
With ya. We only have 8 masks which my family can rotate. We wash ours as well. Masks are almost impossible to find these days. On top of which, any excess I'd come across Id send to the hospitals. That fact that they're in shortage is damn near criminal.
