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Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

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Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#1
Its probably a naive question, though I wonder if its a viable option to distance people from the virus itself by wearing hand gloves and masks for full face. The economics of providing the safety gear should be very cost effective compared to shutting down the countries IMO and the mechanism is as affective as doctors practicing their regular routine safely in hospital in the midst of all germs and viruses.

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#3

Most people (non medical professionals) couldn't take off gloves properly without contaminating themselves. Same thing with putting on and taking off a face mask. It'd provide a false sense of security.

Teach them and let them know the risk if they don't do it right.

I think this is one of the situations where there is no scientific study to be able to make an informed decision.

The CDC has said over and over that asymptomatic individuals can still pass the virus and that it's mostly transferred via respiratory droplets. The mask would at least reduce transmissions.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/transmissi...

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#4

Most people (non medical professionals) couldn't take off gloves properly without contaminating themselves. Same thing with putting on and taking off a face mask. It'd provide a false sense of security.

Teach them and let them know the risk if they don't do it right. I think this is one of the situations where there is no scientific study to be able to make an informed decision. The CDC has said over and over that asymptomatic individuals can still pass the virus and that it's mostly transferred via respiratory droplets. The mask would at least reduce transmissions. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/…

y, I still don't understand how wearing a mask isn't a priority when people do go out.

I understand people might be taking away masks from trained professionals but if everyone wore even basic masks it would stop droplets on the spreader and spreadee side of things and keep people from touching their mouth and nose. Some type of glasses would be a plus too.

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#5
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Teach them and let them know the risk if they don't do it right. I think this is one of the situations where there is no scientific study to be able to make an informed decision. The CDC has said over and over that asymptomatic individuals can still pass the virus and that it's mostly transferred via respiratory droplets. The mask would at least reduce transmissions. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/…

y, I still don't understand how wearing a mask isn't a priority when people do go out. I understand people might be taking away masks from trained professionals but if everyone wore even basic masks it would stop droplets on the spreader and spreadee side of things and keep people from touching their mouth and nose. Some type of glasses would be a plus too.

Probably because of social stigma

Yes, people are dumb

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#6
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Teach them and let them know the risk if they don't do it right. I think this is one of the situations where there is no scientific study to be able to make an informed decision. The CDC has said over and over that asymptomatic individuals can still pass the virus and that it's mostly transferred via respiratory droplets. The mask would at least reduce transmissions. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/…

y, I still don't understand how wearing a mask isn't a priority when people do go out. I understand people might be taking away masks from trained professionals but if everyone wore even basic masks it would stop droplets on the spreader and spreadee side of things and keep people from touching their mouth and nose. Some type of glasses would be a plus too.

There aren't enough masks available, and it reasonable for health care workers to be given highest priority access to them.

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#7
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

y, I still don't understand how wearing a mask isn't a priority when people do go out. I understand people might be taking away masks from trained professionals but if everyone wore even basic masks it would stop droplets on the spreader and spreadee side of things and keep people from touching their mouth and nose. Some type of glasses would be a plus too.

There aren't enough masks available, and it reasonable for health care workers to be given highest priority access to them.

I totally agree that first responders need to get them first. This virus will not go away. We need to plan towards the future until we get a vaccine or there's enough herd immunity that it's no longer a threat.

See: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22708139

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#8
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

y, I still don't understand how wearing a mask isn't a priority when people do go out. I understand people might be taking away masks from trained professionals but if everyone wore even basic masks it would stop droplets on the spreader and spreadee side of things and keep people from touching their mouth and nose. Some type of glasses would be a plus too.

There aren't enough masks available, and it reasonable for health care workers to be given highest priority access to them.

That's a reasonable argument to make, and a correct one.

That's different from the lie which is being given to the population: that they don't help.

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#9

Most people (non medical professionals) couldn't take off gloves properly without contaminating themselves. Same thing with putting on and taking off a face mask. It'd provide a false sense of security.

these are the cdc guidelines for removing gloves safely. it's literally the simplest and most obvious thing in the world. i rarely wore gloves before this and this is what i have been doing with my gloves the entire time. why do you think this would be difficult for people?

https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/poster-how-to-remove-glove...

Re: Ask HN: What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

#10
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

y, I still don't understand how wearing a mask isn't a priority when people do go out. I understand people might be taking away masks from trained professionals but if everyone wore even basic masks it would stop droplets on the spreader and spreadee side of things and keep people from touching their mouth and nose. Some type of glasses would be a plus too.

There aren't enough masks available, and it reasonable for health care workers to be given highest priority access to them.

Thats the question I am struggling with, what does it takes to set up infrastructure for masks on scale, maybe somewhat lower quality for the population. Compared to the cost of shutting down lives of people which would have a very long term impact.
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