People better wear a mask in Mass where Corona Virus is spreading

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Mask is a vital item now in Tokyo. I think it is so for Church goers. I don’t want to sit next to the infected person who just not is aware of it. But they are no where to find.

I first woke up at 6 o’clock today. I rode a bicycle and checked 8 convenience stores. Not even a single mask left. Next I woke up before 10 o’clock and hurried myself to the biggest drug store as it opened. About 40-50 people were in a line waiting for the doors to open. I joined. In a few more minutes, 15 more persons joined. When the store opened, the staff told us there was no arrival of new masks. People bought toilet papers and left.

Tokyo parish has canceled all public Masses until 3/14. But the building will keep being a contagious contact point after 3/14 so all people should wear a mask.
 
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Just to be clear, unless it’s a N95 respirator, a regular surgical mask is not effective against COVID-19. Furthermore, if your respirator doesn’t fit properly it will be completely ineffective. Finally, if too many people unnecessarily stockpile respirators, a shortage could put the health of medical workers and those who need them at risk.
 
Here in Japan, medical workers get the necessary masks first and then whats left are distributed to the retail stores. I think it is extreme to say mask does not work at all. These arguments are probably all over on Internet by now. I am hearing Influenza spread is far less this year because people are well prepared. I think it can’t prevent 100%, but it has lots of effect. Even if people think masks don’t work, they should wear them as an etiquette where people gather in a small space.
 
We realize that masks are a big part of Japanese culture, but here in USA, it is unusual for people to wear a mask and we have been advised here that people who are not sick should not be wearing the surgical masks. Health care workers are supposed to wear the N95 respirators and have them properly fitted.
 
Thanks for this comment. I will be more careful about writing my view from Japan. I kind of wondered why I got an angry response (that’s how I read) on this thread. Sense of etiquette or sanitary may differ greatly across the globe.
 
You did not get an angry response, you got a truthful response. The truth is that most masks do not work. They are not tight enough to keep out what needs keeping out. The respirator type do that, but are difficult to find and to fit properly.
 
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The masks are supposed to keep people from spraying the germs on others.
For that purpose, they do work somewhat because a person wearing the mask doesn’t spray mucus.
Also it’s considered polite in Japan to wear masks on a fairly regular basis, not just when it’s a coronavirus scare.
It’s unusual for Japan to not have any masks.
 
That is why they are recommended for people that have the virus, but not for people who don’t though. Honestly, if they don’t protect you from getting it, I am not so sure how well they work in their ability to not spread it.
 
Then how come Japanese government is recommending everyone to wear it? Perhaps other governments are issuing the similar guideline. 100% protection is false. I agree. When someone without a mask sneeze near you and their salvia goes in the air, you think salvia goes though the mask? I wonder where people get this extreme view about the mask. If it can block 50% of transmission, it is absolutely better than nothing. It probably is truth in the hospital where it treats the infected. For the general people who can try maintaining enough distance from each other, a mask is enough. In Mass, although this is hard but it may block transmission.
 
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I suppose it is a case of the government wanting to cover all the bases, and because people may not know they are infected yet.
 
People who witness life here will think wearing a mask is a necessary measure because not everyone wears a mask and they may cough or sneeze hard in front of you. If they don’t wear, you better wear. I will stop discussing about the efficiency of a mask further.
 
Sorry one more. Before preparing to sleep…

The Japan gov’t says “If you wear a facemask in confined, badly ventilated spaces, it might help avoid catching droplets emitted from others.”

I am not sure the Church building has good ventilation, but I will wear it. And not everyone, including the infected, is wearing it. So you better wear it.

mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/dengue_fever_qa_00014.html#Q6

"#### Q6: When should I wear a facemask?

If you have symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, wearing a facemask is proved to be highly effective in catching the droplets, and therefore might help prevent the spread of viruses.

The effectiveness of wearing a facemask to protect yourself from contracting viruses is thought to be very limited. If you wear a facemask 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 facemask is not very efficient."
 
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A more prudent approach would be for those with any inkling they have previously been exposed to the virus, or for those who are experiencing symptoms as simple as sniffles, coughs, etc., should forgo Mass (with a clear conscience) to prevent the spread, until the medical community figures out what is going on.
 
Again, in Japan they have different ideas about etiquette and disease transmission, even when there is no coronavirus.
Let’s not pile on the OP, I can see where it would be unsettling for a Japanese person to find no masks at the store.
I am US citizen and not in Japan so I will not be wearing one myself because it’s not our way (and they’re probably out at our stores too from people freaking out over this virus).
 
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