Thread by @Rosewind2007

I have serious reservations about mask wearing. This is because I see people wearing masks wrong every time I go out, & whenever I watch video coverage of news stories. These are, generally, people who are voluntarily wearing masks because they want to help control the virus.
1/

So I am not annoyed with them, I am annoyed that they haven’t been trained to wear them correctly. If the government is going to demand we wear masks on public transport they need to make a concerted effort to inform people on proper mask use.
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Firstly, wash your hands before you put on a mask. Put the mask on so that it is pinched to the bridge of your nose, and covers your face to under your chin. Get the mask positioned firmly and comfortably (as possible) then wash your hands thoroughly...
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...and do not touch it again until you remove it. If you do have to touch it (to adjust it, this should be an “emergency measure”) then wash your hands (or disinfect them) afterwards. When you remove your mask do it in a safe place, and dispose of as if it’s a biohazard...
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(if you’re at home this can be a bin, if you’re out it’s more challenging), because for other people it IS a biohazard. I hate seeing discarded masks in the street.
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It’s a good idea to wear glasses, I always wear sunglasses when I go outside, they stop you touching your eyes (DO NOT touch glasses whilst out, if you do disinfect your hands). Some find glasses fog with masks, this article is helpful:
wsj.com/articles/how-t…
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I used to wear masks all day (and mob caps, and safety specs, and full length neck high lab coats, and gloves, and clogs). We were trained in their use, I trained others in their use.
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They are not an intuitive item to use, and natural human behaviour negates their value as PPE: you need not just to wear them but to know HOW to wear them.
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I know this is a bit of a rant, but it’s really important. I find the way the government currently tells people to do things without telling them HOW really annoying.
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PS: The lip reading issue concerns me.
Others worrying that people won’t be able to read your expression: don’t worry, most neurotypical people* are really good at reading expressions even with most of your face covered, it’s surprising.
*@inky_r

PPS I really WANT to get behind mask wearing: but for it to work/help it needs to be done right.
We need really forceful and effective public health communication on mask wearing.
We need TV adverts, radio adverts, posters, social media posts.
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Don’t tell people TO wear masks:

Tell people HOW

#Masks

NB With reusable masks: you don’t want to bin them! Have a sealable container with you to store used masks. Once removed put in container and wash hands and outsides of container. Think Tupperware? Possibly ziplock freezer bags?