Masks

Singapore has just done a 'U' turn. From discouraging people from wearing face masks its government now will be distributing reusable masks to all households.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention are also reviewing their guidance on the use of face masks, as evidence suggests virus in aerosol droplets is hanging in suspension over much greater distance than the two Metres suggested in relation to social distancing.

I realise that it is highly desirable that a surge in demand from the public should not make the availability of masks to front-line health/care/essential workers even scarcer.

Nevertheless, I wonder if we are going to find ourselves being asked to wear such if we venture out.

I did my essentials shop on Tuesday, the first for twelve days, and for the first time ever here, a fair few shoppers were wearing masks. One old couple, with two trolleys, both masked up, were noticeably paying no regard whatsoever to the social distancing requirements. One of Store staff said, "I'm sick of bloody telling them" and then added, "they've been in every bloody day"!

Made me wonder if wearing masks would contribute more to the selfish - I'm alright jack attitude.

Priscus

Shop at Tesco, because they ain't taking any crap off anyone, inclooding pensioners, security make you distance by two metres, and in the shop it is a one way system, up and down the aisles, and if you forget something, they don't let you go back to the aisle, and woe betide anyone who steps over that black line at the checkout ...

It was in Tesco. Yes, arrows on floor indicating one way. Meant nowt to that pair. I would not be surprised if they get banned. the store's staff were obviously really peed off with them.

Well I don't know what to say ....

I know it is serious, but I had to stifle a smile, as it really reminded me of this scene.

But the latest WHO release says there is no evidence to suggest masks prevent the spread of the virus and should only be worn by nurses and those on front line duties. Work that one out.

Yes, that is what they are reviewing.

decision will be announced next week on whether or not they declare a change in policy.

I too was in Tesco recently. There was a person stood at the door, when I asked what the system was they simply said to go that way. Off we went and found all and sundry completely ignoring the arrows going up and down the wrong way.

In theory it is a good system but only if policed properly. The door person should inform every shopper as they enter what the procedure is and to stick to the one way system followed by regular reminders over the tannoy.

I also felt very sorry for the young girl on the checkout, fully exposed to any bugs with no way to self distance, not a perspex screen in sight.

Get a grip Tesco!

Ours does have the screens, but they are far short of providing a barrier in all directions where the shopper is within 2 Metres of the checkout operator.

I took the items, still loose in trolley, and bag-packed them at the car. Reduces time in close proximity. They could have all shoppers pack at some distance away from the checkout.

That's a good idea Priscus.

My cousins daughter is on checkout in the main Wigan Tesco. Following a serious amount of abuse from an elderly man she abandoned her till and left for home. Don't know how her actions will be viewed. It was the result of him not obeying the marked zone, no security person came to her aid.
The masks in Singapore have been available for the public to voluntarily collect from distribution points for approximately five weeks.

Ive been wearing a mask in the supermarkets and when Im out biking for 4 weeks now, I just though it made sense.

Just heard on local news, that acetate sheet is now in short supply: it is needed for the transparent part of face visors.

Shopped the same Tesco again today. They have now really perfected their distance maintaining measures: the one-way system is policed, but they will open barriers to let you double back if you have forgotten an item. Check-out barriers much improved, and the last isle dedicated to separated queuing bays, so that when you reach the end, you are told which of the 24 checkouts to go to: so no queue at the checkout itself.

They have put some care and attention to detail into getting this right.

Good on them.

We did our ‘big shop at Horwich Tesco today.
They have excellent measures in place.
Two metre makers out side while you are queing.
When you get your trolley they have steralisation spray and paper towels to clean your trolley handle.
When two or more people leave the store, they let the same number of people go in.
As has been said, a well policed one way system with arrows on the floor.
Well done they.

Fair play to them but it isn’t exactly rocket science. If a problem landed on someone’s desk they would have been collecting their P45 long before now if it took so long to solve.

I made a very quick trip for a bottle of wine at Sainsbury’s in Westhoughton on Saturday evening.
Apart from 2 metre markers in the outside queue, they had no other obvious measures, it was just bedlam inside.
I made a makeshift face mask from my ‘Buff’ neckwear, basically a cylinder of cloth pulled over my face.

Cloth masks seem to be the current recommendation for general usage here.

Will have to search my wardrobe later to find summut I am happy to sacrifice to the cause.

Did try today with one of the types intended for DIY, but had to abandon the attempt as I could not see a thing because of condensation steaming up glasses.

Help! My Mask Fogs My Glasses
Health workers have a few tricks for solving this vexing problem, but it will take trial and error to find the one that works for you. GLASSES

"I took the items, still loose in trolley, and bag-packed them at the car. Reduces time in close proximity. They could have all shoppers pack at some distance away from the checkout."

Suggested this to a manager at Wigan Tesco.

I take the trolley to my car, bag it in the boot, return the trolley, and drive home.
I also make use of the sterilising hand gel at the door entrance.

Went there for OF's hour today, and really felt sorry for one of the women on the till. It was her 60th birthday.

Lidle, Aldi and Iceland have always made folk pack their bags after going through checkout, they have a separate bagging area on the way out of the store

Thanks Peter, I have tried most of that stuff. Yes, I agree the lens coatings are the problem. It is one I have had for many years, long before the present circumstances.

If I am power sanding, or say machine cutting some stone, the mask lets me have maybe 40 sec, and then quickly comes off when I no longer can see, the latter presenting me with the more immediate danger.

Yesterday's attempt was with a valve-equipped mask, and I had prior checked it to ensure the slightest positive pressure opened the valve. I think a lot of the problem is that the momentum of air movement, that normally is in the direction away from the face, is interrupted by the mask.

I have mentioned this problem online in the past, and received loads of suggestions, albeit not any that actually worked for me.

C'est la vie.