To wear a facemask, or not? It’s a simple decision – or is it? 

The Lismore App was wondering what people are doing locally when it comes to personal protection against Covid-19.

With a shortage of available face masks to buy in the local area, some people are wearing their own home made face masks when they go shopping.

So, are face masks as effective at stopping the spread of coronavirus as we all think, and should we all be running out to buy one, or make one?

The Australian Department of Health is telling us that there is no need for the general population to be wearing masks to protect themselves from coronavirus, but that frontline medical workers should be wearing them, as they could be more exposed to people who may have the virus.

The UK Government has said Britons do not need to wear face masks in public, while in America, President Donald Trump is now recommending Americans wear ‘non-medical cloth’ face coverings, after previously suggesting that masks were unnecessary for people who weren't sick.

Types of masks and effectiveness

Should we make our own gear?

Recently, there was a call to action from the NSW Government for Northern Rivers businesses to help out and start making high demand products such as face masks, hand sanitiser, hand wash soap, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing and paper products. 

The call comes after supermarkets shelves were quickly emptied of these products and they became hard for many concerned locals to get, and Service NSW were reported as being unable to get supplies from its traditional sources.

The call has been hailed by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin as an opportunity for businesses in a downturn due to COVID-19, to adapt to making new things, and thrive. Local businesses can register their interest here.

Lismore runs dry (almost)

Firstly, The Lismore App checked in with local pharmacies to see how available face masks were and discovered many of them hadn’t been able to get face masks delivered for weeks or months.

Lismore’s Southside Pharmacy are out of stock and haven’t been able to get any masks since January. The same goes for Blooms the Chemist on Keen Street and the Chemist Warehouse on Ballina Road. 

Goonellabah Pharmacy are out of stock, but have them on order.

Chempro on Woodlark Street currently has little blue masks for $2 each, with no limits on the number of masks purchased. Priceline Pharmacy has some at a cost of $5.99 each and a limit of one mask per person.

Local seamstress Jeht Burgoyne wearing one of her masks.

Local masks under construction

Local seamstress Jeht Burgoyne is making masks in her workshop at home and said she did her research on what was needed to make them, and then experimented with different materials 

“I knew the linings needed to be from a non-woven fabric,” Jeht said. 

“You can’t use two woven fabrics. So, the inner lining is different to the cotton outside layer and I put in triple pleats so it fits around head and chin properly. 

“I’ve also put aluminium strips in so it fits around the bridge of the nose - and they are reusable and hand wash-able in warm water with disinfectant. 

“A friend of mine who is a surgeon said the nose piece was important, and I’ve been supplying them to medical staff on the Gold coast too.”

As a creative person, Jeht has made masks with colourful designs and said she’s also sold some to people in Sydney and Victoria who are buying them for their loved ones with compromised immune systems or in nursing homes. Her masks cost $22 each and you can find them here.

Edda Lampis wearing her bandana mask.

Bandana mask fashion

Edda Lampis wears a home made mask when she leaves the house and washes it when she gets home. It’s made from a bandana, folded and held on with elastic bands.

“I have them in lots of different colours, so I’m still fashionable and I can colour coordinate with my clothes,” she said.

“It’s good to think about fashion at a time like this. It makes me feel good and I look great - no shame."

World Health Organisation guidelines

Until now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that if you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection, or if you are coughing or sneezing. 

However, WHO advisers are considering whether to suggest new guidance for the public on wearing face masks as a way to limit the spread of coronavirus.

This comes after new research suggests that coughs and sneezes may project particles further into the air than previously thought — six metres for a cough and up to eight metres for a sneeze.

The WHO website states “masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water” and if you wear a mask, you need to cover your mouth and nose and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.

“Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water,” the website states.

“Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.

“To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.”

Matt Farragher wears a home made mask.

Australia

Australia’s Commonwealth Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said face masks were crucial protective equipment for health workers, but "not recommended for the Australian public".

He has also stated that limited supply and the potential for misuse was what informed the Government's advice, and he wouldn’t rule out a move to masks in the future.

There are some concerns that if everyone is wearing masks (which are in short supply in places) then it will be taking away precious resources from medical staff who really need to wear them. 

So, should everyone wear a mask?

The question about whether we should all be wearing masks or not is still being debated around the world.

The debate depends on understanding how coronavirus spreads and how closely people follow hygiene guidelines when using any protective gear.

Some research has shown that people can often shed the virus two days before they begin to show any symptoms – and some people with the virus don’t show any symptoms at all.  

Some people believe if everyone wears a mask when they leave their house, then people who have the virus, but who don’t have symptoms will be wearing a physical barrier that can catch infected droplets that escape their mouth or nose. That helps protect everyone.

Some believe that the available scientific evidence does not show that masks are effective enough in public settings to warrant a mass recommendation. Wearing a mask could also give people a false sense of protection, where they ignore recommended advice about staying away from other people, or not going out in public if they have a fever, cough or other virus symptoms.

Some people believe it causes the wearer to touch their face more often, but for others, it is a deterrent - a reminder to not touch your mouth and nose while wearing it.

Government hygiene advice

The Australian Government’s recommendations for good hygiene practice are as follows:

• cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue

• put used tissues straight into the bin

• wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet

• use alcohol-based hand sanitisers

• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

• clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces such as benchtops, desks and doorknobs

• clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as mobile phones, keys, wallets and work passes

• increase the amount of fresh air available by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

Alcohol-free hand rubs have not been shown to be effective against viruses like COVID-19, and experts recommend against using them.

Everyone must also stay 1.5 metres away from other people whenever possible.

You must self-isolate if you are sick, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or have recently returned from overseas. 

For more coronavirus information, click Coronavirus