Do Homemade Face Masks Actually Help Fight the SARS-CoV-2 ?

Greaser · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Do Homemade Face Masks Actually Help Fight the SARS-CoV-2 ?

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

I guess they are better that nothing, but I wouldn't feel confident enough to wear one and rely on it in public. A false sense of security.

On a another topic; misinformation on the internet. Some wackjob was posting false info. about a "cure" for the virus. You aim a hot hairdryer up your nose and inhale. Because the hairdryer can reach 130 F, it kills the virus, so it is believed.

Internet websites, search engines, etc. should have a responsibility to neuter this type of misinformation. Again, a false sense of security.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Now I heard it was steam you were supposed to inhale... All kinds of claims are out there right now. One claim is most of the deaths happened to people who took Ibuprofin for symptoms saying it caused massive pneumonia. I checked Snopes and apparently doctors are divided on whether Ibuprofin is bad.

Greaser · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Pontiacanada wrote:
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Internet websites, search engines, etc. should have a responsibility to neuter this type of misinformation. Again, a false sense of security.

....and especially the news media.

No one in the news media seems to do any leg work to confirm or research the facts in stories they put out there.

Here's two stories from the same news media within days of each other.

Which is factual? ..and if one isn't why is it still up for people to read (and believe) ?

And just try to inform this news media about the inaccuracies or errors in their story...almost impossible.

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus_l_5e78cb2fc5b6f5b7c5483e17

(nowhere in this story do they answer the question in the headline about how effective against COVID-19 the home made face mask is)

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/diy-face-mask-covid-19_ca_5e7cf72bc5b6cb9dc19cab42?utm_hp_ref=ca-homepage

( this story was up a few days later...why wasn't the first one retracted?)

News media drives me nuts, rushing out stories and just feeding off other news media outlets, and not researching facts.

-G

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Greaser wrote:
Pontiacanada wrote:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Internet websites, search engines, etc. should have a responsibility to neuter this type of misinformation. Again, a false sense of security.
....and especially the news media.
No one in the news media seems to do any leg work to confirm or research the facts in stories they put out there.
Here's two stories from the same news media within days of each other.
Which is factual? ..and if one isn't why is it still up for people to read (and believe) ?
And just try to inform this news media about the inaccuracies or errors in their story...almost impossible.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus_l_5e78cb2fc5b6f5b7c5483e17
(nowhere in this story do they answer the question in the headline about how effective against COVID-19 the home made face mask is)

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/diy-face-mask-covid-19_ca_5e7cf72bc5b6cb9dc19cab42?utm_hp_ref=ca-homepage
( this story was up a few days later...why wasn't the first one retracted?)

News media drives me nuts, rushing out stories and just feeding off other news media outlets, and not researching facts.

-G

Well, the first story mentions the CDC recommendations and links to their site: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html#crisis-capacity It says the following regarding home-made face masks:

"HCP use of homemade masks:

In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face."

Like any media story you have to read thoroughly and use logic to decide which information is reasonable. If you have doubts about the facts within, research information on other sites who are known authorities.

While I recognize that the media sometimes sensationalizes issues to create more clicks and thus create revenue flow, I really believe that these days most of their work is well-intentioned and aimed more at public service than sensationalization.

I think another factor is that there may not be sufficient harmonized management, so that two independent writers can write two independent stories with nobody from 'the top' cross checking to see if any stories create contradictions, and perhaps they don't have a policy on all items, like "homemade masks are not recommended, so don't write stories that recommend them"... just a guess, though, as I've never worked in media, but I do have lots of experience with how effective upper management works, and can recognize when good leadership is not existent.

But you always have to consider the motivation for anything that has been written, and use your common sense. For me, if the facts seem sketchy and I can clearly see that there is potential for financial gain for the person writing it, I tend to be skeptical and will look for info to confirm or dispute it. Then there are some things that are right out to lunch, and take no research to prove that they are ridiculous.

Greaser · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Mark,

I did read that link when reading the first story,which they could have easily quoted within the story....but that would have made the whole article redundant.

What got me going on this topic was I sent a link to my wife about making masks in the U.S. by hundreds of people.

She asked the question....Is it effective against SARS-CoV-2 ? Good Question.

The answer was actually not that easy to find, and it took some doing to get a straight answer.

The number of people making masks for hospitals is crazy,and hospitals really don't want them.

Where are the media stories from the hospitals saying these things aren't sterile or useless for SARS-CoV-2?

And that's my issue with the news media,vague information,and as you say there for greater numbers of clicks.

I have become very skeptical of what I read these days and I look for more sources to verify the facts that I read.

"The news isn't there to tell you what happened. It's there to tell you

what it wants you to hear or what it thinks you want to hear."

-Josh Whedon

-G

Captain Beaumont · Poncho Master!

This is what we're using

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Point taken.

These days, however, I have heard so much from the orange guy to the south of us denigrating the media for his own purposes and people believing him, that I cringe whenever I read yet another post saying to not believe the media, when in fact its our best source of information in a crisis like this.

I guess I have become so accustomed to checking several sources that I just assume others are doing the same. Nobody should believe everything they hear, but must use critical thinking to discern what is valuable and what isnt.

As with anything, you must use with caution, but I suggest we dont just write it off because we can find some bad examples of it on the internet.

Just my 2 cents worth...

-- Edited by MC on Saturday 28th of March 2020 01:47:14 PM

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

MC wrote:
But you always have to consider the motivation for anything that has been written, and use your common sense. For me, if the facts seem sketchy and I can clearly see that there is potential for financial gain for the person writing it, I tend to be skeptical and will look for info to confirm or dispute it. Then there are some things that are right out to lunch, and take no research to prove that they are ridiculous.

Some people have a very simple motivation for posting junk opinions and misinformation on the internet ... because they can. They can can sit behind their keyboard, and instantly garner an audience without true responsibility.

66 Beau · Poncho Master!

Here's what the BC government website has to offer about homemade face masks:

Here's a link:

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions

Greaser · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

The arguments on home made masks and masks in general are really getting attention the last couple of days in the media.

I have changed my stance on these masks. Although the home made masks aren't recommended by top health people,

over the surgical masks or the best mask, the N-95 masks, I have yet to read any negative reason for not wearing

home made masks. Only major reason not to wear surgical or home made masks is that there are better masks out there to use.

Even if the N-95 is 50 times better, and the surgical masks are 3 times better, the home made masks it still appears

to have some protection...not a lot,but some.I have to then accept that it is better than no mask at all.

Would you wear a home made mask? Why? Or why not?

Here's an article promoting the value of masks.

https://www.maskssavelives.org/?fbclid=IwAR38T81zNl8aYQoGsqBur9yhKKjYxZdIaBj9mQcchrNm3ihpC06ACiNTGcA

-- Edited by Greaser on Tuesday 31st of March 2020 03:09:44 PM

Dave Rose · Addicted!

So I can take off my goalie mask now?LOL!
Hope everyone is staying safe-especially those (like Me) that are deemed essential and have to go to work.
Keep on Cruising!
Dave

Guru

any country that has or started to come out of this virus they are all wearing masks . our government want all the masks for the nurses .... thats the truth

66 Beau · Poncho Master!

694279 wrote:
...our government want all the masks for the nurses .... thats the truth

I dont have a problem with this.

My daughter is a nurse.

I think all but the N95 masks protect others from the wearer, as long as youre not fiddling with mask all the time. Protect yourself by keeping your distance. Help protect otherS by wearing a mask. I would think that even a dust mask should help reduce spray if you sneezed in public. My two cents.

-- Edited by 66 Beau on Wednesday 1st of April 2020 02:02:20 AM

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Greaser wrote:
I have to then accept that it is better than no mask at all.
Would you wear a home made mask? Why? Or why not?

I agree, and I would.

Greaser · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-s-top-doctor-considers-recommending-face-masks-1.4878725

"There is growing interest and adoption of face masks in Western countries

as infection rates in some Asian countries with longtime mask use appear to be slow and with a

flatter curve than the exponential growth in infections seen in Europe and the United States.

This is something that we've been considering as well, knowing what's been going on around the world,

said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry when asked if she would endorse fabric or consumer-grade face masks.

They're not a medical mask, but they can keep your droplets in when you're out and about with others.

What is not proven, is that they provide you any protection.