Purchase Masks?

[muser]

Hoping this is appropriate: Does anyone know where I can buy face masks locally. Seems to me there is more of a need to be worn. Thanks

Muser

[pablogrande]

Near impossible I have ordered from about 5 places online for my staff all have been delayed or cancelled. People are making their own now

[Blackcurrant]

If you can get to a Screwfix, they sell FFP2 masks, which are very good. They have ringfenced the better FFP3 masks for NHS. Collection only as they don't deliver them.

A homemade mask that stops you touching your mouth and nose is a good idea too.

[IlonaM]

I ordered one online from ebay - apparently on its way - I searched for 'surgical mask' rather than Covid/flu mask and it came back with a varying selection of price and quantity.

[Nigello]

It?s unlikely to help. Save your money and keep the supplies open for those who need them most. They - surgical masks - don?t filter out the virus, they get dirty quickly, people rarely dispose of them correctly, they don?t cover the eyes and they?re notoriously ill fitting which means that any aerosolised virus can still reach the nose and mouth. The virus doesn?t hang around in the air so walking through the streets with one on is not of use (unless you come across a person who sneezes on you at a two metre distance and even then the mask is unlikely to help.)

[FlatStanley]

I believe I read that a study suggests that the virus can reside in the air for quite some time, and that it needn?t have arrived in the air by virtue of a sneeze or cough - simply breathing is enough. I recall the study being American and have provided a link below from Science Journal.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.sciencenews.org/article/coronavirus-covid-19-breathing-talking-enough-spread-airborne/amp

Maybe we should all be trying to cover our mouths and noses to help lessen the spread afterall...

[Growlybear]

Each time I?ve been in Kristals in Nunhead recently they?ve been selling paper surgical masks and what look to be FFP3 masks for ?1.49 and ?5.99 each respectively. I don?t object to people making a modest profit reselling things like this but boxes of 50 surgical masks were selling for under ?10 on eBay at the end of January . Kristals are also selling the tiny bottles of hand sanitiser for ?4.99 each.

[dbboy]

Well if ebay are cheaper, you can buy the items there.

And when I went in on Thursday to buy a couple of things from Krystal, I noticed they had a large sign in the window explaining the costings, which you have also no doubt seen.

I'm sorry, but I tire of people slating a local retailer who is trying to make a living, are operating in difficult circumstances, go beyond expectations, are offering additional services i.e. the Post Office counter and are a community pharmacy. I have always found the staff to be accommodating, helpful, considerate, kind, thoughtful and happy recommend them to others to use.

I suggest you try the likes of Day Lewis pharmacy, or Boots or Morrisons and then come to a conclusion. The choice is yours.

If you think the items you mention are expensive, nothing forces you to buy them from Krystals. In fact soap and hot water are equally as good as sanitiser. And regarding masks, the Government stated this afternoon they don't recommend using them.

[worldwiser]

It's really a question of who deserves them more. There's a global shortage of all PPE and there are people working in hospitals and other settings worldwide who are in constant danger and can't always get hold of it. They should be able to get access to masks before you. If they're to be of any real use, you'd have to replace them several times a day, fit them correctly and exercise the kind of clinical bodily hygiene that they carry out in operating theatres.

Wearing one at the current time not only deprives key individuals of important kit but also sends a very visible message to the entire community that you think you're more important than hospital workers. If you're vulnerable or ill you shouldn't be out anyway and if you aren't either of these, you should be far enough away from others not to gain any significant benefit from having one.

[Blah Blah]

Okay, the question to ask is what can a mask do to stop virus from transmitting? If you are sneezing or coughing, a mask will stop 80% of any viral material from traveling the distance required to infect another within 2 meters of you. But if you are not infected, a mask does not protect you from the virus if someone coughs on you. Front line medical staff need full PPE for a reason. A surgical mask is not enough. So if you have any cough, wear a mask. Otherwise, leave the production of protective material to providing the higher level PPE that front line staff really need.

[Alan Medic]

worldwiser Wrote:

> Wearing one at the current time not only deprives

> key individuals of important kit but also sends a

> very visible message to the entire community that

> you think you're more important than hospital

> workers.

You can think that if you wish, I don't. I've been out twice in three weeks in the early morning to buy some groceries. I didn't like doing it but I was glad I wore a mask.

If you're vulnerable or ill you shouldn't

> be out anyway and if you aren't either of these,

> you should be far enough away from others not to

> gain any significant benefit from having one.

What about other people? You can't control what they do. You must know that?

[Alan Medic]

dbboy Wrote:

And regarding masks, the Government

> stated this afternoon they don't recommend using

> them.

I'd like to know why? At the very least they stop you from inadvertently touching your face. I believe the US has told everyone they have to wear a mask. Not saying that government has managed this crisis well though.

[Alan Medic]

Blah Blah Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

But if you

> are not infected, a mask does not protect you from

> the virus if someone coughs on you.

Surely that depends on the mask?

[IlonaM]

I ordered one the other day after reading that the WHO was going to review its advice on mask wearing. I haven't seen any update on that yet. I rarely go outside, but I thought it is better to have one just in case it becomes necessary. I ordered one for my elderly mother as well as she goes shopping occasionally.

[muser]

Thank you all for your thoughts. Certainly those who are treating and close to the unfortunate patients, cleaners etc etc etc are top priority. I'm not especially impressed with any of the governments tardy advice. Apart from staying indoors. I think if we are shown videos of groups of people on the beaches, enjoying a picnic in the sunshine in the parks this weekend. If they cant comprehend what staying indoors means and don't understand the reason for staying indoors. They should be shot. Harsh I know but who needs them.

Be Safe, Be Happy

Muser

[Romnarz]

We made our own - just need some Spare material, paper clip , and a sewing machine

Just google make a mask

Example

I suppose hand sticking will just take longer if no machine but it will help pass the time

[Alan Medic]

They may not be shot but they will be the reason for increased restrictions. Selfish or stupid or both?

[muser]

PS Just to let you know, I didn't really mean to shoot them..........

;)

Muser

[Nigello]

The best thing is to limit going outside and to keep one?s distance. Nobody is exempt from this virus and only a small number of people are being told they are key to society and therefore can be granted ?privileges? (though these are only to allow them to work, sometimes putting them in more danger). Stay indoors for the vast majority of the day and keep well apart from others when/if you go out for a very short time.

Wearing a flimsy mask doesn?t allow you special privileges or powers. It could give you a false sense of security. Just stay inside and wash your hands after you?ve been out for your short foray. That?s what I?ve done for some twenty days so I?m not saying one thing and doing another. Donning a mouth cover really doesn?t give anyone a special pass.

[Blackcurrant]

It's still socially unacceptable for British people to wear masks, even though the evidence for benefit is overwhelming. The mask fiasco reminds me of the "keep calm and carry on" attitude most people had back in february, when anyone taking any kind of defensive action was told "there's no point panicking".

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/04/why-wear-a-mask-may-be-our-best-weapon-to-stop-coronavirus?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

"A Food and Drug Administration analysis of the flu estimates that if 50% of the population uses a mask, virus transmission is reduced by half. If 80% of the population uses a mask, the virus is ?essentially eliminated?."

[dbboy]

So why don't you email the Govt?

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> dbboy Wrote:

>

> And regarding masks, the Government

> > stated this afternoon they don't recommend

> using

> > them.

>

> I'd like to know why? At the very least they stop

> you from inadvertently touching your face. I

> believe the US has told everyone they have to wear

> a mask. Not saying that government has managed

> this crisis well though.

And if people don't Understand the instruction to stay indoors, when the police act and then the Govt impose more restrictive controls' you'll know why.

[Alan Medic]

dbboy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> So why don't you email the Govt?

>

> Alan Medic Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > dbboy Wrote:

> >

> > And regarding masks, the Government

> > > stated this afternoon they don't recommend

> > using

> > > them.

> >

> > I'd like to know why? At the very least they

> stop

> > you from inadvertently touching your face. I

> > believe the US has told everyone they have to

> wear

> > a mask. Not saying that government has managed

> > this crisis well though.

>

> And if people don't Understand the instruction to

> stay indoors, when the police act and then the

> Govt impose more restrictive controls' you'll know

> why.

I expect after this week-end there's every likelihood more restrictive controls will be introduced. I don't understand the connection between that, and why it would explain the govt. advice not to wear masks. What am I missing?

[JohnL]

This is the one time I wish I could do more than sew buttons

If a mask helps it helps the people around you I think. Mind when I paid my first visit to the local Tesco in 10 days everyone was NOT coughing at all - no coughs no clearing of the throat - we're all still breathing though - and I even try to keep talking to a minimum if I have to talk even from 2m away.

ANyway heres the WHO page https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

[Growlybear]

dbboy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Well if ebay are cheaper, you can buy the items

> there.

>

> And when I went in on Thursday to buy a couple of

> things from Krystal, I noticed they had a large

> sign in the window explaining the costings, which

> you have also no doubt seen.

>

> I'm sorry, but I tire of people slating a local

> retailer who is trying to make a living, are

> operating in difficult circumstances, go beyond

> expectations, are offering additional services

> i.e. the Post Office counter and are a community

> pharmacy. I have always found the staff to be

> accommodating, helpful, considerate, kind,

> thoughtful and happy recommend them to others to

> use.

>

> I suggest you try the likes of Day Lewis pharmacy,

> or Boots or Morrisons and then come to a

> conclusion. The choice is yours.

>

> If you think the items you mention are expensive,

> nothing forces you to buy them from Krystals. In

> fact soap and hot water are equally as good as

> sanitiser. And regarding masks, the Government

> stated this afternoon they don't recommend using

> them.

I have used Kristals for many years, and in almost all respects, I have nothing but praise for them and the service they provide. But I really think they are taking advantage of customers who don't know where else to get masks from with the amount they're charging. Even last night you could still buy a box of 50 surgical masks for under ?20 on eBay, so there isn't any excuse for charging so much.

[dbboy]

Growlybear - on another thread reported somewhere on EDF, a cllr had spoken to them about this very subject and had seen the invoices which showed the wholesaler costs. You stated you found an alternative supply, so buy them on ebay and cease slating this local retailer.