The Coronavirus Thread

[JimC]

A new daily record for Victoria - 725 new cases and 15 deaths...

Hopefully it illustrates the time lag between new restrictions and their effect on transmission, and that it might start going down for real in a while...

[Scot Dutchy]

A Norwegian view of facemasks;

COVID-19-EPIDEMIC :Should individuals in the community without respiratory symptoms wear facemasks to reduce the spread of COVID-19?– a rapid review

Conclusion
In the current epidemiological situation in Norway, wearing facemasks to reduce the spread of COVID-19is not recommended for individuals in the community without respiratory symptoms who are not in near contact with people who are known to be infected. If the epidemiological situation worsens substantially in a geographical area, the use of facemasks as a precautionary measure should be reconsidered. Measures to reduce risks during necessary public transport and during mass events,including wearing facemasks,should be explored further. If use of facemasks by individuals without respiratory symptoms in the community is recommended in specific circumstances, such as public transport or mass events,medical masks or quality controlled non-medical masks with a documented filtration effect should be used. National priorities for the use of personal protective equipment may apply, given existing shortages. If any such recommendation is made, the community should be given training to ensure correct use and the risks should be explained, especially the risks of a false sense of security and contamination of masks. The training should be tailored to the needs of different groups, including people with different levels of fluency in Norwegian and different socio-economic circumstances

Sounding familiar?

[NineBerry]

What they say:

If the epidemiological situation worsens substantially in a geographical area, the use of facemasks as a precautionary measure should be reconsidered.

The situation in Norway was at that time (in June) about 10 new cases every day. That's nothing compared to the situation in our countries and they also see a rise in cases now. That's why they do now actually reconsider the situation and will introduce mask wearing:

The use of face masks in Norway could become recommended in the event of a resurgence in the amount of infected. Iceland has introduced it as a partial requirement while Denmark recommends the use of a face mask.

-”If face masks are to be used, they should be used correctly. You must ensure that the face mask covers both the mouth and the nose.”, says the Department Director, Line Vold, of the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) at Friday’s press conference on the Corona situation.

-”At the event of a resurgence, face masks can be recommended in Norway, for example, in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing. Our recommendation will be sent to the Ministry in mid-August.”, said Vold.

https://norwaytoday.info/news/face-mask ... d-denmark/

[Scot Dutchy]

Here is the WHO recommendations:

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item ... )-outbreak

On the use of facemasks:

Guidance on mask management
For any type of mask, appropriate use and disposal are essential to ensure that they are as effective as possible and to avoid any increase in transmission. WHO offers the following guidance on the correct use of masks, derived from best practices in health care settings:
•perform hand hygiene before putting on the mask;
•place the mask carefully, ensuring it covers the mouth and nose,adjust to the nose bridge,and tie it securely to minimize any gaps between the face and the mask;
•avoid touching the mask while wearing it;
•remove the mask using the appropriate technique: do not touch the front of the mask but untie it from behind. •after removal or whenever a used mask is inadvertently touched, clean hands with an alcohol-based handrub, or soap and water if hands are visibly dirty;
•replace masks as soon as they become damp with a new clean, dry mask;
•do not re-use single-use masks;
•discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of them immediately upon removal.

Who does that? No one. So they are pointless. Never the rest of the recommendations.

[Scot Dutchy]

What they say:

If the epidemiological situation worsens substantially in a geographical area, the use of facemasks as a precautionary measure should be reconsidered.

The situation in Norway was at that time (in June) about 10 new cases every day. That's nothing compared to the situation in our countries and they also see a rise in cases now. That's why they do now actually reconsider the situation and will introduce mask wearing:

The use of face masks in Norway could become recommended in the event of a resurgence in the amount of infected. Iceland has introduced it as a partial requirement while Denmark recommends the use of a face mask.

-”If face masks are to be used, they should be used correctly. You must ensure that the face mask covers both the mouth and the nose.”, says the Department Director, Line Vold, of the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) at Friday’s press conference on the Corona situation.

-”At the event of a resurgence, face masks can be recommended in Norway, for example, in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing. Our recommendation will be sent to the Ministry in mid-August.”, said Vold.

https://norwaytoday.info/news/face-mask ... d-denmark/

Quoting an opinion in newspaper as opposed to official policy.

[NineBerry]

The manual of my car (when I still had one) said I had to walk around the car and check the tyres before each ride. Never made that. Guess, the car never worked.

[Tero]

There has never been home schooling in Finland. School attendance is required by law. Schools will open. There was some missed education in the spring so teachers will do review of some sort.

https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/scho ... m/11478552

Heinonen said there could be school closures in the autumn, as the coronavirus situation develops, but only if they are absolutely necessary to control the virus. Municipalities or the regional state development agencies could order school closures, said Heinonen.

The board also said it was preparing a report into remote learning experiences this spring, with problems in sourcing devices and a lack of study skills expected to feature.

Schools are waiting on new recommendations from THL on mask use and other precautions to be taken to keep schools safe during the pandemic.

The guidelines are expected this week, but some limiting factors on coronavirus transmission are already known.

"Schools have to take care to ensure they have enough space," said Anni Miettinen of the board. "Consideration can also be given to whether for example a rota of school dinner turns or even classroom time is possible."

Experts from the education agency emphasised that any gaps in learning that opened during the spring, when most students did remote learning, should be closed as quickly as possible.

[Scot Dutchy]

The manual of my car (when I still had one) said I had to walk around the car and check the tyres before each ride. Never made that. Guess, the car never worked.

Not quite the same is it?

[NineBerry]

Yes, it's quite the same.

[Scot Dutchy]

Sorry but no. Were the tyres protecting from a virus?

[NineBerry]

All these measures are supposed prevent yourself from getting infected. But the main purpose of a community mask is for carriers not to infect other people. Meaning: If you are a carrier, it doesn't matter that you touch the mask, you are infected anyway but wearing it will still reduce the amount of virus that goes to the environment.

[NineBerry]

Germany really has to take care now. Numbers of daily cases going up. And the test positivity rate also up to 1% from 0.6% at the end of June / first half of July. Not looking good.

[Scot Dutchy]

All these measures are supposed prevent yourself from getting infected. But the main purpose of a community mask is for carriers not to infect other people. Meaning: If you are a carrier, it doesn't matter that you touch the mask, you are infected anyway but wearing it will still reduce the amount of virus that goes to the environment.

There is no evidence that it works. You are just making the same old presumption. Who handles masks like the WHO say you should even to get no influence on the spread of the virus. It is completely nonsense. People have the same old mask in their pocket. How many people carry sanitiser to clean their hands when putting the thing on. The whole thing is a total nonsense. Who throws away their mask when finished with it? No one. They cost a €1 a toss. For some far too expensive. Who is controlling the quality? No one. A bit of old t-shirt is enough.

[Brian Peacock]

It's not a silver bullet Scott. It's one of a number of measures to reduce the risk of infection. Face coverings reduce infection risk in certain circumstances because a mask, or even a handkerchief over the mouth and nose, will reduced potentially infected aerosols being exhaled into the environment. Social distancing is another measure that reduces the risk, in certain circumstances, and a comprehensive test, track and trace system can help identify where and when such measure are needed and likely to be most effective.

[Scot Dutchy]

It's not a silver bullet Scott. It's one of a number of measures to reduce the risk of infection. Face coverings reduce infection risk in certain circumstances because a mask, or even a handkerchief over the mouth and nose, will reduced potentially infected aerosols being exhaled into the environment. Social distancing is another measure that reduces the risk, in certain circumstances, and a comprehensive test, track and trace system can help identify where and when such measure are needed and likely to be most effective.

Oh Brian. There is no evidence. An old rag for your mouth or using a single use mask time and time again. So I put an old rag across my face is better than what... Oh my goodness me. Sorry I and many in this country will tell you to go to a quiet place. We dont drink the kool-aid. We are looking for facts and they are difficult to find. We find a lot of propaganda but facts?
Just a simple question; do you actually look at the quality of masks and how are they being controlled?
The UK has lost control of everything. Your leader is useless. He could fight his way out of brown paper bag.