dinah7peters wrote: ↑February 3rd, 2020, 2:29 am
TD-40 wrote: ↑February 1st, 2020, 3:40 pm
What are those masks supposed to do? The fabric is not going to filter out a microscopic virus.
It's better to do something to prevent rather that doing nothing and if being affected you will blame government.
This is correct, do something rather than doing nothing....
We do not have any vaccine yet here in Japan, but wearing masks was always considered to be normal in case of feeling sick, coughing...to prevent infection of others.
Everybody is using a mask here of various quality, without being forced by any regulation, because of this covid-19 threat.
Other healthy people next to a sick person are using a mask too to protect themselves against infection. This is the custom here in Japan.
Masks are keeping tiny wet particles when talking or coughing within the mask, and masks are keeping off wet particles away from entering the mouth or nose of a healthy person.
But to wear a mask is only a small part of reducing the possibility of infection - for example:
To protect yourself even better wear glasses or protective goggles (like those against pollen allergy), this helps a lot to prevent particles in the air to enter your eyes.
Often infections are going via your hands touching something, to wash your hands very regularly with virus killing fluid is also important.
BTW, Japanese in general do not shake hands, no hugs, it's not a custom here. they keep distance, just bow when greeting each other.
People facing each other like a cashier in a supermarket and a customer are now very often separated by a plexiglass shield. Staff is using gloves...
Keep restrooms very clean, use air filter machines with HEPA filters and ionizer system etc.
Vaccination against pneumonia and seasonal flu is highly recommended, it is available everywhere against a small fee.
To be infected AT THE SAME TIME with pneumonia/flu AND Covid-19 might trigger a life-threatening condition.
I can continue this list.... it's NOT only about wearing a mask.
The result is easy to see if you compare data of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan with European countries and USA, Mexico, Brazil...
Today Japan (126 million people)
Confirmed infections by PCR test 404.990 since Feb. 2020
Active infections today 33.357
Deaths 6.395 since Feb. 2020
In critical condition 773
Hospital beds in Japan, reserved solely for use of Covid-19 patients are totally 57.780, only 56.6 % are occupied, about 24.423 beds are ready, but no patients.
There are 28.197 medical ventilators and 1412 2-step-EMCO (heart/lung assist machines) ready, but by far not enough patients for them at this moment.
All Japanese have full health insurance cover, nothing to worry about medical bills.
---------------------------------------------
Today Mexico (129 million people)
Confirmed infections by PCR test 1.932.145 since Feb. 2020
Active infections today 275.868
Deaths 166.200 since Feb. 2020
In critical condition 5.692
See the difference?