the rum soaked fist: internal martial arts forum

Trick wrote:people will calm down as long as the mask looks "medical"

The WHO initially said there was no evidence masks ward off a viral airway infection, like the coronavirus, but they may stop patients passing it on.

It has since updated its guidance, claiming face coverings could provide “a barrier for potentially infectious droplets”.

While masks are generally considered beneficial or at least harmless, the WHO has warned they should not be worn while exercising.

It has since updated its guidance, claiming face coverings could provide “a barrier for potentially infectious droplets”.

This kind of spread is referred to as airborne transmission and is an important way that infections like tuberculosis, measles, and chicken pox are spread.
There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away.

These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising.
Under these circumstances, scientists believe that the amount of infectious smaller droplet and particles produced by the people with COVID-19 became concentrated enough to spread the virus to other people.

The people who were infected were in the same space during the same time or shortly after the person with COVID-19 had left.

Who should wear what kind of mask?
Medical masks are recommended for the following groups:

All health workers in clinical settings. See our guidance for more information on the use of personal protective equipment by health care workers.
Anyone who is feeling unwell, including people with mild symptoms, such as muscle aches, slight cough, sore throat or fatigue.
People caring for suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 outside of health facilities.
When they cannot guarantee a distance of at least 1 metre from others, medical masks are also recommended for the following groups, as they are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 and dying:

People aged 60 or over.
People of any age with underlying health conditions, including: chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, immunocompromised patients and diabetes mellitus.
Non-medical, fabric masks are advised for use by the general public when physical distancing cannot be maintained, as part of a comprehensive ‘Do it all!’ approach, including improving ventilation; cleaning hands; covering sneezes and coughs, and more.

Find out more on our main public advice page.

Further resources:

Read our Q&A on children and masks related to COVID-19 for more information on precautions for younger age groups.
Watch our animation on medical and fabric masks, explaining who wears what, when and where.

Ian C. Kuzushi wrote:Don't be an idiot, wear a mask.