Mandatory masks

[The emperor has no clothes]

Our company made the wearing of masks mandatory a couple weeks back. First they gave us some black polyester ones that were made in Mexico. I think a lot of people complained about them being hot and itchy. A couple days ago we got some new masks. Although I think mine might be recycled. 

[Serk]

Didn't they initially forbid ya'll from masking up?

Just curious, was there any in-between? A time where they allowed it but didn't require it or did they go straight from "Thou shall not" to "Thou shalt"?

[MarkT]

Recycled from what?  From your skivvies?  Looks like a skidmark...  YUM!

[Wizzard]

no, you are just a brown noser! 

[John Schmidt]

Menards here in DePere, WI now requires all customers to wear a mask. While standing by the rent-a-cop putting mine on, some old geezer(not me) walked by and let go a Dumbo size fart....one of those "makes your eyes water" types. I looked at the RAC and said "can you smell that?" To which he answered in the affirmative. So I commented "just shows you how effective these fool masks really are" and walked away. Soon as I got down the aisle I dropped it down to my neck so I could breathe normally and if I met someone I pulled it up if they were masked....if not, I didn't bother with mine.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Didn't they initially forbid ya'll from masking up?

Just curious, was there any in-between? A time where they allowed it but didn't require it or did they go straight from "Thou shall not" to "Thou shalt"?

We are kind of a pyschofrenic (sp.) organization. First no masks were allowed because they thought it would scare customers, then they decided you could wear one if you were scared of the corona, then they said you had to wear one because we wanted the customers to feel safe. Personally I dislike them greatly. But, what are you going to do ? Quit ? Oh yeah, I am, aren’t I ? 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Recycled from what?  From your skivvies?  Looks like a skidmark...  YUM!

That’s the look I was going for. (Brown crayon)

[The emperor has no clothes]

Some of the looks I’ve gotten have been priceless. I’m really surprised no one has said anything though. It seems the corona has had a great effect on humor along with lung function.  ???


(Maybe the customers are all genetically related to Willow ?)

[Fazer]

Our company made the wearing of masks mandatory a couple weeks back. First they gave us some black polyester ones that were made in Mexico. I think a lot of people complained about them being hot and itchy. A couple days ago we got some new masks. Although I think mine might be recycled. 

Some guys just don't look good in hats masks.

[Moonshot_1]

My concern with the masks are that they provide little if any mitigation of the viral risk while increasing the likelihood of bacterial infections particularly if required to wear them for hours on end.

Nothing like wearing a warm, damp petri dish on your face all day.

Now where I work the insanity continues. We recently went to a policy where we must wear masks in our facility. The exception is during break in our breakroom if we maintain social distancing.

I work in a grocery warehouse.

So, according to company policy, when we are in the closest proximity to the greatest number of fellow employees for extended periods of time....we don't have to wear masks. This would be in the breakroom.

But down on the floor where we are socially distanced by default at greater distances for virtually the entire day we must wear masks.

[RP#62]

My concern with the masks are that they provide little if any mitigation of the viral risk while increasing the likelihood of bacterial infections particularly if required to wear them for hours on end.

Nothing like wearing a warm, damp petri dish on your face all day.

Now where I work the insanity continues. We recently went to a policy where we must wear masks in our facility. The exception is during break in our breakroom if we maintain social distancing.

I work in a grocery warehouse.

So, according to company policy, when we are in the closest proximity to the greatest number of fellow employees for extended periods of time....we don't have to wear masks. This would be in the breakroom.

But down on the floor where we are socially distanced by default at greater distances for virtually the entire day we must wear masks.

Actually, that makes perfect sense if the masks are for show.

-RP

[Willow]

...
So, according to company policy, when we are in the closest proximity to the greatest number of fellow employees for extended periods of time....we don't have to wear masks. This would be in the breakroom.

But down on the floor where we are socially distanced by default at greater distances for virtually the entire day we must wear masks.

Actually, that makes perfect sense if the masks are for show.

Thank you for that observation.  I was trying hard to understand how that company policy made any sense at all.   

[Patrick]

NYS has made it mandatory to wear them.  PITA !  Folks riding bicycles solo down our country road wear them. This has become crazy.

[Moonshot_1]

My concern with the masks are that they provide little if any mitigation of the viral risk while increasing the likelihood of bacterial infections particularly if required to wear them for hours on end.

Nothing like wearing a warm, damp petri dish on your face all day.

Now where I work the insanity continues. We recently went to a policy where we must wear masks in our facility. The exception is during break in our breakroom if we maintain social distancing.

I work in a grocery warehouse.

So, according to company policy, when we are in the closest proximity to the greatest number of fellow employees for extended periods of time....we don't have to wear masks. This would be in the breakroom.

But down on the floor where we are socially distanced by default at greater distances for virtually the entire day we must wear masks.

Actually, that makes perfect sense if the masks are for show.

-RP

We have a winner. Exactly what they are for. Show.

[scooperhsd]

Next time I go to a store, and somebody says something to me about being too close and they're wearing a mask, I'm going to lay into them.
1. Are you actually sick, and if you are , then WHY are you here ?
2. If you're not sick, do you realize that mask is doing absolutely nothing for you ? it's strictly a feel good thing.

[carolinarider09]

Seems very similar to having all Sub sailors qualified to use the escape hatch and breathing equipment which was only good from depths of 600 feet or less and the average ocean depth is over 12,000 feet.

[Moonshot_1]

Seems very similar to having all Sub sailors qualified to use the escape hatch and breathing equipment which was only good from depths of 600 feet or less and the average ocean depth is over 12,000 feet.

We fly on airplanes with out parachutes. Just sayin.

[Valkorado]

Next time I go to a store, and somebody says something to me about being too close and they're wearing a mask, I'm going to lay into them.
1. Are you actually sick, and if you are , then WHY are you here ?
2. If you're not sick, do you realize that mask is doing absolutely nothing for you ? it's strictly a feel good thing.

Re. : #2.  Excepting the n95s I have sported in grocery stores.  And I still wouldn't want you to get too close!

[scooperhsd]

Next time I go to a store, and somebody says something to me about being too close and they're wearing a mask, I'm going to lay into them.
1. Are you actually sick, and if you are , then WHY are you here ?
2. If you're not sick, do you realize that mask is doing absolutely nothing for you ? it's strictly a feel good thing.

Re. : #2.  Excepting the n95s I have sported in grocery stores.  And I still wouldn't want you to get too close!

I didn't mention that, but of course you're correct about N95's.

[F6Dave]

Next time I go to a store, and somebody says something to me about being too close and they're wearing a mask, I'm going to lay into them.
1. Are you actually sick, and if you are , then WHY are you here ?
2. If you're not sick, do you realize that mask is doing absolutely nothing for you ? it's strictly a feel good thing.

Re. : #2.  Excepting the n95s I have sported in grocery stores.  And I still wouldn't want you to get too close!

I also wear an N95 mask in public buildings.  Even though we're constantly told they "don't protect you, they only protect others if you're sick".  Does that mean we'll be protected if we wear the mask inside out?

[Jess from VA]

People who want to protest mandatory masks, should go ahead and wear them (to not get refused service, or fired, or fined or arrested), but they should also add a diaper (over their clothes).  I suppose that could still get you fired.

If it caught on, it would definitely make the news.  

[Valkorado]

Re. : #2.  Excepting the n95s I have sported in grocery stores.  And I still wouldn't want you to get too close!


I also wear an N95 mask in public buildings.  Even though we're constantly told they "don't protect you, they only protect others if you're sick".  Does that mean we'll be protected if we wear the mask inside out?

 

[old2soon]

But we iz in charge we gotta do something even if it ain't right. And if it appears on the surface to in fact be right we'll just keep screwing with it til it is only for show but also make it mandatory with huge fines should the sheep choose too not comply. Damn I shoulda been a politician! Nah wouldn't wanna disappoint Mom and Dad. RIDE SAFE

[shortleg]

Our company made the wearing of masks mandatory a couple weeks back. First they gave us some black polyester ones that were made in Mexico. I think a lot of people complained about them being hot and itchy. A couple days ago we got some new masks. Although I think mine might be recycled. 

  I hope they were not made from old underware.

[Gavin_Sons]

I have yet to wear a mask outside of my workplace. And then i only wear it when i leave my workspace which is only 1 or 2 times during the day.

[cookiedough]

I have yet to wear a mask outside of my workplace. And then i only wear it when i leave my workspace which is only 1 or 2 times during the day.

same here but Costco is required now to wear facemask.  If someone comes up to me to chat at my desk I sometimes put it on 1 person requested me to wear it.  whatever?  do not come up to talk to me then - LOL?    Once we all back in the office,  will be interesting if ALL HAVE to wear the mask at our desk ALL the time.  I will NOT be doing that not able to breath thru it well.

I think we all should be wearing tampons on our heads for masks.  that would be a HOOT wouldn't it?
not the string pull type but the full blown HUGE ones covering it all up.....

[scooperhsd]

I don't even have a mask. Don't plan on getting one either.

[Chrisj CMA]

I have a mask. My wife made it for me. It was in my back pocket when I went to Walmart today. Just in case today would be the day you had to have one to get in. All the employees had them because it’s mandatory for them. Half were so poorly worn they were of no use. Many employees take them down frequently to breathe. It’s getting to be a joke

If you’re sick STAY HOME. If you’re sick and you must go out....wear a mask.

If you’re not sick you should not have to stay home or wear a mask!

[carolinarider09]

Proper use of PPE  (Personal Protective Equipment)-

First, background - Worked for 40 plus years in the commercial nuclear power industry, qualified as a Senior Reactor Operator, qualified to wear PPE and to enter both normal Radiation Control Areas and (RCAs) High Level RCAs (although it has been awhile since I entered a High Level RCA). 

Given the current mandates to wear “masks” while traveling and while at work (in some areas) and while visiting stores as a customer, I was interested on what the expectations where for the use of face masks as PPE. 

I did a search on the web and the first website returned was the CDC and then OSHA and then HSA.  Nothing came up from the “nuclear” world.  Interesting in and of itself.

So, in general, what are the CDC expectations in the use of PPE (limited to face masks and gloves)?

Regarding the wearing of the mask it is stated that you should not wear respirator/facemask under your chin when not needed. In other words, if you take it down, you should not re-use it. 

There is a specific way you must remove the mask and you must wash your hands after removal.  In addition the face mask may not be re-used until properly cleaned. 

Ok, what about the use of gloves.  The recommenced removal process allows contact with one glove against the skin under the other glove.  This allows for cross contamination.  The gloves may not be re-used, unless properly cleaned.  (In the nuclear world we wore cloth gloves under the rubber gloves to prevent cross contamination.  The cloth gloves were a one use product. 

Back to the nuclear world, if we were working in an area with “airborne” contamination, we wore a full face mask with filters.  These were a once used product and were cleaned after each use. 

The rational is that, while a simple face mask my limit you breathing in particulates,  the eye remains exposed and since it is a moist area, it is highly likely a particulate might make contact and stick there.  And the eye is a hard area to rinse and cleanse to remove particulates, at least for the average person. 

It is for this reason you see glasses and face shields in use in areas where the virus is known to be present. 

Conclusion, the required use of face masks, by the general public, as PPE is no panacea and more likely based on “feel good motives”. 

But I could be wrong.

 

[Serk]

[Chrisj CMA]

The masks we are wearing (some are wearing) are much more effective at stopping droplets from exiting ones mouth or nose into the air than they are at stopping airborne particles from getting into your body period

[Wizzard]

Hard to pick your nose wearing a mask. Just saying

[Jess from VA]

But if your brains leak through it, you might be a Waterhead.      

[Patrick]

For about as long as I remember we knew that stuff even like a simple cold was transmitted mostly by hand to the mouth, nose and eyes. Seems with this new super bug the powers to be forgot about the eyes. I guess to them 2 outta 3 ain't bad.

[Willow]

For about as long as I remember we knew that stuff even like a simple cold was transmitted mostly by hand to the mouth, nose and eyes. Seems with this new super bug the powers to be forgot about the eyes. I guess to them 2 outta 3 ain't bad.

It's true that touching the mouth, nostrils, or eyes with a contaminated hand will spread a virus.  Unless one is in a very intensely filled environment the eyes are unlikely as we don't breath in through our eyes.  I direct sneeze, of course, is an exception.

[Bighead]

The masks we are wearing (some are wearing) are much more effective at stopping droplets from exiting ones mouth or nose into the air than they are at stopping airborne particles from getting into your body period

That is ALL a facemask is meant to do. They are not meant to keep anything out. I have been wearing them daily for 30 + years and 30 years ago that is what it was for so the same applies today.
WASH YOUR HANDS AND DONT TOUCH YOUR FACE.
People who are not accustomed to wearing a face mask will touch their face 10x as much if they were not wearing one.

[3fan4life]

Next time I go to a store, and somebody says something to me about being too close and they're wearing a mask, I'm going to lay into them.
1. Are you actually sick, and if you are , then WHY are you here ?
2. If you're not sick, do you realize that mask is doing absolutely nothing for you ? it's strictly a feel good thing.

Re. : #2.  Excepting the n95s I have sported in grocery stores.  And I still wouldn't want you to get too close!

I also wear an N95 mask in public buildings.  Even though we're constantly told they "don't protect you, they only protect others if you're sick".  Does that mean we'll be protected if we wear the mask inside out?

If fitted and worn properly the N95 Mask does protect the wearer.

[Bighead]

Believe what you will.

[Gavin_Sons]

There is no way you can get a thin paper mask to fit tight enough to protect the wearer. Yes it might block some from getting in but the vacuum effect arount the nose and both side when you breathe in will suck most everything in. I'm not sick and I'm not wearing a mask outside of my work only because they pay me. I have made it known the masks are stupid. But its all for show. Can't  make coffee because they dont want everyone touching the same pot handle but you can still use the microwave and refrigerator   

[indybobm]

Food for thought. The next time time you are in a public restroom, if you can smell it, it's already in your body, mask or no mask. I hope that I am wrong.