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Japan to give face masks to 50 mil households to fight virus

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I guess 2 is better than nothing. Don't know how that helps for families

13 ( +16 / -3 )

In Kobe,right now, there are free masks available if anyone is active at ‘midnight’

4 ( +7 / -3 )

A bottle of alcohol and color-safe bleach too, please.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

2 masks per household

oh my god thank you so muuuccchhh

16 ( +19 / -3 )

I know it sounds 'cute' but it turns out that the simple act of wearing a a mask is vital to reducing the spread of this virus.

Article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-transmission.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

So now we know why Abe has been wearing that ill fitting, strange looking mask. He had to show off how good it is, and this is our hard earned tax money being put to good use. Which of Abe's friend's company is responsible for making these masks. Two per household? What a joke. If there are 4 people, do they have to share them. What a great way to spread the virus even faster!

15 ( +18 / -3 )

Japanese twitter was absolute ablaze last night after this announcement. Good memes, good jokes. I love a little dissent amongst the wider Japanese public, generally it's pretty rare.

PS you can make a more affective, and better fitting mask at home. A quick google will bring you to some fairly good choices.

Luckily we've got enough masks for a while. I guess having a hoarder for a Mother in Law comes at handy in times like this. They should distribute these to people who really need them.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Just knew Abe would come through and show the world how to do things proper :)

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Wearing a mask is useful for trained medical personals, but not for ordinary people if they do not wear it correctly with careful hand hygiene.

The Abe admin has been consistently incompetent against coronavirus. The mask distribution is a joke.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

What the government should do right now is not handling out two washable face masks per household but giving enough money to face mask manufacturers with a pledge that the government will buy all masks they produce.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I hope it's from Sharp. I hear they are the only one that makes the bluetooth-enabled mask

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Do you know the cost of distributing these mask is over US$ 450 Million!

Is this WORTH?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

And what about testing? And getting hospitals prepared? And procuring ventilators and other vital equipment? And enforcing social distancing? Or even just shutting down the dam Pachinko Parlors?

Giving out 2 facemasks is OK, but it should be about item 16 on a long list of countermeasures. It should NOT be the centerpiece headline health move and it really concerns me that right now, apparently, it is.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

So the Japanese government still believe everybody wearing masks is the solution. I do agree wearing masks do help but experts says the chance of catching the virus in the air is relatively low. It is now touching your face that matters. Why not ramping up testing and quarantine those infected?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

What happened to 0.6 billion masks Abe promised to secure? It is unimaginable industrially advanced country Japan cannot produce simple masks automatically.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

2 masks per household ...?!

delivering them at the end by the month?

lol!! wtf

the man is an imbecile.

that's it abe? your stimulus package to the 'ippan jin' is two masks per household ?

never before in my life have I ever seen such utter uselessness !!

14 ( +17 / -3 )

After a few hours you can turn them inside out. Next day you are at a loss!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

by the end of the month that should read.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I'm Japanese.

I'm sad.

What an ignorant leader we have...

2 masks?

We have 3 people in the family.

We can make masks out of gauze and rubber bands.

Lift the consumption tax.

That's more helpful.

23 ( +24 / -1 )

WARNING

°

Three layer yarns mask is enough and if you clean it every night you will be enough protected.

My advice is to put those protection. The virus is more potent than we thought. Too many people die without anything to be done. Normaly, we save them when there are famous or important to economy or science. But here, there is nothing to do. They die in 24h.

Gloves, hair protection, mask, and passing your clothes to heat vapor to sanitize them.

Amend to people not wearing mask and basics protection in public should be put in motoin in asia if you want to avoid lockdown (moment where mask may not be enough).

°

NadAge

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

If schools are not closing, the first move should be to distribute them to schoolkids.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Hopefully they are made in Japan, Imabari comfort.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

So that's why Abe has been wearing that ridiculous granny mask for the last few days?

I wonder which LDP donor got the contract for this little bit of pantomime.

Ludicrous. Typical Japanese crisis management. Pretend there isn't a problem, then do pointless ceremonies to demonstrate the concept of action rather than actually taking action.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

The spin on this story is hilarious. Two masks to 'fight the virus'? Comedy gold!!

7 ( +12 / -5 )

I know it sounds 'cute' but it turns out that the simple act of wearing a a mask is vital to reducing the spread of this virus. 

Some experts disagree.

https://youtu.be/JGTtGCq9grE

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

I would rather have the government’s time and money getting masks and PPE into our hospitals now. If the nurses are protected better, then a patient stands a better chance whatever there illness. As very little testing happening none of us know if we are a carrier of this awful virus.

My wife's hospital does not provide masks for nurses, which I will add is not uncommon in Japan. Her hospital has been trying to buy masks without success.

She would use 2 to 3 a day but now she can only use 1, as we have not seem masks in the shops for 2 months.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Phil, by law, you have the right to refuse the work if it is life threatening.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

The govt should provide free masks as needed. This is pandemic, not anti-missile drill.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

If you have a family of four, just cut them in half. Problem solved.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

And in sole occupancy situations people can double up?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday the government will distribute cloth face masks to roughly 50 million households in Japan as stocks of disposable masks have run out at drugstores and other shops amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Perhaps this administration should have listened to its people when they screamed out don't send our stock supplies to China we will need it. Of course we all know what happened as our supplies went elsewhere and allowed the Chinese to buy bulk boxes and dwindling our resources.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Actually, 2 cloth masks is all you need. Wear one, wash it, hang it up to dry. Wear the other one the next day. Be sure to stick a panty liner in the mask:

https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/lifestyle/hygiene-and-beauty/panty-liners

I've been doing that, and MAYBE it helps.

2 per household means you have to leave the rest of your family "out to dry".

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

rgcivilian1, Japanese are more human than you are.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Phil, by law, you have the right to refuse the work if it is life threatening.

I’m so happy that I’m self-employed, less stress and frustration for me. If I worked for a company in Japan, I would never go to work in this pandemic. I guess I would have to quit if they forced me to come in.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

bass4funk, I believe that right now the nurses and doctors are high risk professionals. They must be protected as such, professionally and following the laws.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Return to sender.

They should just send them to families that request them.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

According to the W.H.O. website:

Cloth (e.g. cotton or gauze) masks are not recommended under any circumstances.

(https://www.who.int/publications-detail/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak)

2 ( +4 / -2 )

...….. wow just wow! 

Dumber than DUMB!!

Why am I not reading about places being converted to hospitals, more beds for existing hospitals etc

Negligence beyond belief!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The photo's caption should be changed to "People sort of wearing face masks walk in Yokohama".

For those that say studies show masks are ineffective, the lad on the right is one of the reasons.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This is a joke right? Do we get coupons for free pizza too?

if this is the best the world’s third largest economy can do to protect its citizens, then God help us all!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

My family made our own masks ever since this began.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sorry, masks only work if they filter small droplets, snugly fit around the nose and face, are changed frequently (when a mask gets moist it loses the ability to filter droplets), is removed correctly (don't touch the mask, just the strings), disposed of correctly and used in conjuction with other hygiene rules such as frequent and proper handwashing and social distancing. Yanking it up and down to eat or have a fag renders them ineffective. Mask wearing has been shown in studies to make users complacent towards hygiene rules over time. In short, these cloth masks are just a wate of money and put users and others at risk. The one Abe has been wearing is a poor fit, too small with large gaps at the sides. He needs to advicate social distancing instead.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

If I worked for a company in Japan, I would never go to work in this pandemic. I guess I would have to quit if they forced me to come in.

Many people can’t just quit a job. You know, putting food on the table and bills to pay and stuff like that.

This isn’t the best time to go job hunting.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Great, so instead of financial assistance for time missed we are getting a mask the WHO not only explains is useless, but is actually more likely to house and spread infection than not wearing one at all.

Only in Japan.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

This is worthless. You need N95 masks. Plain cotton masks won't do the job.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

You already delayed the most important decisions. What we are now going to need are more ICU beds and ventilators. Pls do something about that.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Great, so instead of financial assistance for time missed we are getting a mask the WHO not only explains is useless, but is actually more likely to house and spread infection than not wearing one at all.

Only in Japan.

This idea has changed and now people outside of Japan are wearing masks, too. My parents went to the supermarket wearing masks. WHO have said nothing of significance. At the very least, it would help prevent people from spreading the disease, which is why the WHO advice was very idiotic.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The average household has less than 2.5 people, so sending out three per household would be too much.

If you live with more than one other person, you're in the minority and one of your neighbours is bound to have a spare.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

They should just send them to families that request them.

I agree. People are able to make their own cloth mask if they want masks. That will cost them around 550 for a set of 3 if they go to 100shop and they can have them fitting (thread and needle set1, piece of cotton 2, washable felt/fleece or any no easy water-trought 1, set of hair tie 1) and if you are bad at sewing you should most likely be able to find some friend/neighbor willing to do it for around 5000yens at most (production time). Regarding the time use could be a good idea to include working/studying mask dispositive : people come with a face mask, on the middle of the day they remove it and sterilize it (good opportunity to make sure people master mask removal and sterilization) to replace it with the one cleaned the day sterilized the day before. Repeat sterilization at home process at home in the evening. That should mean 3 cloth masks by person.

The production of disposable mask should be oriented in producing mask for people which need it (the obvious medical staff, care staff, cops, ... and the administrative&co staff working alongside them + people with some health issue which make them need disposable masks).

Choosing to wear a disposable one is not even a matter of if you find them effective or not but, since the production is around 4 masks a month by person, more of should you really be the one it is oriented to ?

(not even talking about the environmental cost)

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

as a taxpayer, i am so glad that my money is being put to such fantastic use! Those tax are totally worth paying! TWO masks per household? since i am a single person household, WHAT A STEAL! i get two masks all to myself.

on a serious note... i don't know whether to laugh or cry at this... but on another serious note, Trump suggested his citizens should wear scarves instead of masks... i guess, we still have it better...?????

are they trying to battle it out for who is the biggest clown of this pandemic???

6 ( +7 / -1 )

This is great news. Hopefully my bank manager will accept the currency of 'Mask' for this month's mortgage payment.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

SJToday  07:41 am JST

Wearing a mask is useful for trained medical personals, but not for ordinary people if they do not wear it correctly with careful hand hygiene.

The Abe admin has been consistently incompetent against coronavirus. The mask distribution is a joke.

This sort of thinking has helped the virus spread EVEN MORE in countries where people are reluctant to wear masks. It is true that masks do very little to avoid the infection, but it does work when you are on the GIVING END.

I believe you are one of those who are reluctant to wear a mask. Give up and put on a mask because you have already been infected(asymptomatic). It is not that hard to make one too. Simple googling will solve the problem.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

There's a video circulating on Chinese Social Media showing some guy wiping "blue" face masks destined for Japan on his feet whilst saying "konnichiwa".... there really are sick individual around - and I mean that in the depraved sense.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

*you may be already infected.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

My government is socially inept. Useless.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I would rather receive one time stimulus check $1200 like USA does than receive 2 masks?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I don’t need fricking masks-I need money to make up my income to pay my office rent

is this the best that the Japanese government can do?

There are no words....

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Only 2 mask ??? 2 days ???. Foreingers too ???.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

therougou: "At the very least, it would help prevent people from spreading the disease, which is why the WHO advice was very idiotic."

No, what's idiotic is claiming masks help, then looking at how the boy in red in the photo -- the one with his nose uncovered, like 50% or more of how people here where them much of the time -- and still claiming masks are helpful. If your parents wore masks to the supermarket, and those masks were not N95, then what your parents did was lull themselves into a false sense of security, thereby further endangering themselves more. Think about the people who always catch the flu year in and year out; most of them have had flu shots and/or wear masks all the time. This year, a sudden shortage in masks, with many who always wear them complaining that they don't have any, or not enough. Low and behold, the lowest influenza infection rate on record -- concrete proof that it's not masks, but how people take care (especially with the threat or reality of having none). And that's just the flu -- these flimsy cloth/paper masks do not stop the penetration of the virus, and the virus can very, VERY easily get in through the openings, and collect as well in the moisture instead and outside the mask. Now take that, along with people pulling down there masks always at the part in front of the mouth where the moisture has collected, putting something into their mouths and wiping their noses with bare hands, then lifted the masks over mouths (and maybe noses) after warming their chins or hanging off their ears, and then putting those damp hands on a train or escalator handle/railing.

Sorry, bud, but you've bought into the lie that has cost people not only a fortune here, but no doubt their lives in some cases, and also allowed resellers to make thousands at the hands of the gullible and paranoid.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Well... if coupled with a policy of not allowing people out of the house except for 1 person per day to purchase essentials then two rotating washable masks would suffice.... but you need to have that policy of enforced isolation in place .... maybe that is what is coming.....

As to the effectiveness of mass use of masks in attenuating at least the rate of transmission the data seems to support it - https://www.maskssavelives.org/

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Nothing wrong with people using masks. They aren't 100% protective but are a million times more effective than not wearing one at all.

That said, what an utterly stupid action, giving 2 masks to everyone at this stage. Screw the masks, listen to the medical experts and Declare a National Emergency. Now, before the outbreaks may explode in the major cities. If it doesn't, great, it can always be called off. But do it now rather than later when it's too late.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

OssanAmerica: "Nothing wrong with people using masks. They aren't 100% protective but are a million times more effective than not wearing one at all."

Not when they cover only stupidity. When people put on masks, they often drop common sense and start touching stuff they wouldn't come close to without a mask, then rub their eyes, etc. Like I said, show me someone who's got the flu, I'll show you someone who wore a mask when they got it. In fact, it would be an interesting survey to ask all those infected if they often wear masks; I bet 99% would say yes.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

and you get a mask, and you get a mask, and you get a mask, and you get a mask........Eh, What about Charlie?

And one for Charlie.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

For O.G government has BILLION yens and its people, what a gift, two *** masks! What a joke especially for families! That's pathetic and ridiculous especially compared to all other countries helping financially each person!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

2 per household only makes sense if they come with a Lock-down order. Family of five generally needs only one on any given day. Only one household member is allowed to do the essential grocery shopping for the whole household, to limit crowds in the stores.

The back-up mask can be the one in the laundry, drying, ironing for sterilizing process or in the event that a family member has to accompany a weaker one to a medical visit, etc..

If there is no lock-down and people are still going to work and, in some places, school, this is really ridiculous.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is just Abe making it look like he is doing something. does he expect people to wear the same mask indefinitely and to share them within a family?

This is the information on face masks from the Australian Government health advisory webpage.

Do face masks protect against COVID-19?

Face masks are not recommended for the general population.

People who have symptoms and might be infected with COVID-19 are required to stay in isolation at home and should wear a surgical face mask when in the same room as another person and when seeking medical advice to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to anyone else.

Health care workers who are caring for patients with suspected COVID-19 should use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect themselves against COVID-19.

Abe would have done better sending instructions on social distancing.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

they are still in short supply due to surging demand and slumping imports from virus-hit China.

So first our globalists make us dependent on China, then China sends us epidemics, and then we are dependend on China for help. Same situation in the pharmaceutical industry btw, it has been the stated policy goal of the CCP to make China the pharmacy of the world. And then have the enormous pressure on dissidents.

I so hope this is a wake up call. Quarantine China until it gets rid of the CCP!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I wish the Japanese government would have invested more in the production of masks (and other related stuff) instead of buying a bunch of useless and defective US fighter jets.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Disillusioned:

Face masks are not recommended for the general population.

And you think they would not issue this order if there was a ready supply of face masks? You do NOT think this order is meant to avoid hoarding? Do you play chess?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I don’t need fricking masks-I need money to make up my income to pay my office rent

No one pays for your rent. Swallow your pride and ask your families for money. There must be someone employed full-time and kind enough to help you. Besides, there ARE jobs if you are not too picky, too. Perhaps you should have made more careful financial plans when you started your own business.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Perhaps you should have made more careful financial plans when you started your own business.

Perhaps you should learn a little empathy.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@commanteer: To be empathetic is true, but when one starts a business they need to prove to themselves that they have enough for a rainy day and in this situation a rainy season.

One who needs rent for a business and does not have a plan should not be in business.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Many people still do not understand how masks works, amazing.

Anyway, we all knew that there are a lot of asymptomatics out there right?

The C.D.C. director says new data about people who are infected but symptom-free could lead the agency to recommend broadened use of masks.

https://www.google.co.jp/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-transmission.amp.html

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Do we start to think small now, even at the Abe level?

kind of trickling down.... as did not happen so far.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

when one starts a business they need to prove to themselves that they have enough for a rainy day and in this situation a rainy season.

I don't know if you have ever started a business, but most businesses have to bootstrap their way up. Every successful entrepreneur has experienced early days and trying times when failure seemed very likely. Very few walk into a business with piles of cash on the side just in case of martial law or a plague.

Rainy days are one thing... but this is an extreme event and many small and medium sized businesses will close forever. Their employees will join the unemployed. Most likely, a few large companies will also fail, and most will also lay off employees. This is not the sort of risk most companies can plan for.

When the economy goes back on line, it will be with large masses of unemployed and many destroyed businesses. These people took a reasonable risk and got hammered by a once-in-a-lifetime event. So, yes they deserve empathy, and respect. Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy. Those who think they are protected because they draw a salary from a large company or organization may see the error of their ways another 6-12 months down the line.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

my wife's parents were killed in the tsunami father served 35 years in Japanese Air Force, J gov't didn't give us jack I don't expect them to change.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

No, what's idiotic is claiming masks help, then looking at how the boy in red in the photo -- the one with his nose uncovered, like 50% or more of how people here where them much of the time -- and still claiming masks are helpful. If your parents wore masks to the supermarket, and those masks were not N95, then what your parents did was lull themselves into a false sense of security, thereby further endangering themselves more. Think about the people who always catch the flu year in and year out; most of them have had flu shots and/or wear masks all the time. This year, a sudden shortage in masks, with many who always wear them complaining that they don't have any, or not enough. Low and behold, the lowest influenza infection rate on record -- concrete proof that it's not masks, but how people take care (especially with the threat or reality of having none). And that's just the flu -- these flimsy cloth/paper masks do not stop the penetration of the virus, and the virus can very, VERY easily get in through the openings, and collect as well in the moisture instead and outside the mask. Now take that, along with people pulling down there masks always at the part in front of the mouth where the moisture has collected, putting something into their mouths and wiping their noses with bare hands, then lifted the masks over mouths (and maybe noses) after warming their chins or hanging off their ears, and then putting those damp hands on a train or escalator handle/railing.

Sorry, bud, but you've bought into the lie that has cost people not only a fortune here, but no doubt their lives in some cases, and also allowed resellers to make thousands at the hands of the gullible and paranoid.

Sure smith, you are right and everyone else is wrong.

Because surely the low influenza rate has nothing to do with the warm winter, and wasn't already low before the mask shortages. And surely there aren't more people wearing masks in general, despite the shortages.

And surely doctors aren't avoiding the influenza test as a precaution against the coronavirus.

Not to mention, you missed my points which were:

1) People outside of Japan and asia are now turning to masks (if they can get them). Korean and Chinese experts have also recommended them. So this isn't a Japan vs the world issue anymore.

2) Even when they can't protect you, they can protect sick people from spreading the virus. So telling non-sick people not to wear them is counter-productive because a good portion of them will have the virus without knowing it.

3) WHO are the ones that helped China cover up the virus to begin with, and then told other countries not to ban Chinese from entering. So in general their advice has not been helpful.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Most of the paper masks now on sale are disposable ones. I wonder why they don’t make reusable masks that are washable or that are durable with electronic ranges?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Most of the paper masks now on sale are disposable ones. I wonder why they don’t make reusable masks that are washable or that are durable with electronic ranges?

They do, I don't know if they are still in stores as I haven't gone out, but the Rakuten ranking is all filled with masks.

https://ranking.rakuten.co.jp/

The washable ones would say 水洗い可能 like this 4-mask set.

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/roryxtyle/ojr-3d-black-mask-4ea/?l2-id=Ranking_PC_top-0-day_rnkRankingMain&s-id=Ranking_PC_top-0-day_rnkRankingMain_3

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Nevermind the one I linked doesn't ship until around the 25th. A lot of them are sold out or backordered.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

No, what's idiotic is claiming masks help

Lol you fail to understand how masks help until now? You wear them to prevent infecting other people.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You wear them to prevent infecting other people.

As well as yourself.

There are a lot of people out there who when told that masks were not 100% effective, unfortunately misunderstood that to mean that they were 100% ineffective. They then took on that stance as an argument on the internet, making it emotional, so that when faced with the actual facts coming out, that yes, wearing a mask does provide a degree of protection, they are stuck between the rock of what they previously said, and the hard place of the reality of the situation.

Hence people still trying to claim that wearing them is useless, in spite of that not being true.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Lukebeston

Allow me to clarify.

The panicking population and the ineffectiveness of the government have directly contributed to my falling income.

Why should I plead to friends or relations to bail me out?

I have paid multiple taxes in Japan for over three decades and have never received a single benefit myself.

Anything the government gives to support me (now) has already been paid to the government of Japan already, many times over.

Also, in the future I will continue to pay taxes long after this pandemic is over.

Are two masks going to be of much use to me?

Really?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

therougue: "Because surely the low influenza rate has nothing to do with the warm winter, and wasn't already low before the mask shortages. And surely there aren't more people wearing masks in general, despite the shortages."

You're right, it has nothing to do with that. The same people who think so are the ones who have said "This virus will die out when it gets warmer"... until they're reminded Singapore had one of the highest outbreaks when other countries, Japan most notably, were busy covering it up.

"1) People outside of Japan and asia are now turning to masks (if they can get them). Korean and Chinese experts have also recommended them. So this isn't a Japan vs the world issue anymore."

Against the advice and common sense of WHO, who, by the way, recommends N95 masks. Paper masks are only recommended -- same as winter scarves -- as a "last resort". And I love how you try and justify the years upon years of a nation having worn masks and still getting sick with the sudden wearing of masks as a last ditch effort in countries with tens of thousands sick. But hey, bud... you and your family can keep in that line-up from 7 a.m., or buy masks online from resellers for 100 times the cost. It's just a shame that people like yourself are the reason the world is laughing -- and they are -- that while other nations' governments are looking at practical solutions to helping people and the economy of the nation, Japan's leaders are going to spend 60 billion yen on sending two masks per household. Bravo, my friend.

"3) WHO are the ones that helped China cover up the virus to begin with, and then told other countries not to ban Chinese from entering. So in general their advice has not been helpful."

Yeah, better to listen to Abe or people paranoid their chins might get cold if they don't have a mask covering them while they wipe their nose with their backs of their hands; they know what's going on.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The effectiveness of wearing a face mask to protect yourself from contracting viruses is thought to be limited. If you wear a face mask in confined, badly ventilated spaces, it might help avoid catching droplets emitted from others but if you are in an open-air environment, the use of face mask is not very efficient.

source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30134-X/fulltext

0 ( +0 / -0 )

On the other hand... if you actually are working in and around people who have the virus, (namely Health-care workers), then this is troubling:

Updated response:

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577.responses#covid-19-shortages-of-masks-and-the-use-of-cloth-masks-as-a-last-resort

And the 2015 research:

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577

Conclusions This study is the first RCT of cloth masks, and the results caution against the use of cloth masks. This is an important finding to inform occupational health and safety. Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection. Further research is needed to inform the widespread use of cloth masks globally. However, as a precautionary measure, cloth masks should not be recommended for HCWs, particularly in high-risk situations, and guidelines need to be updated.

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I think, Abe's Government would have spent their money far better, by doing what they could to see an increase in domestically produced disposable face masks - even if it meant Nationalising a Company or two in order to see that getting done.

However, I suspect, we will start to seem a campaign of stigmatization against people seen to be wearing the hoarded disposable type, under the grounds that Health Care workers need them more than the General public.

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