OT: Panic Buying. When Will it End?

[CantStopTheRock]

Mask adjusting happens when people first try wearing them. It's like first putting on a watch if you don't wear one. Once you adjust to it, or learn how to put it on properly from the outset, you don't continue with the adjusting and face touching. In a very short time, the mask becomes a strong reminder to not touch your face.

Really?
Do you own one?
What happens when you wear a mask for a prolonged period of time? Especially the cheaper ones you buy from a drugstore?

Please enlighten someone who is surrounded by them everyday for the past 20 years and has seen first hand morons in public the last few weeks constantly touching their face because of them

You make things sound so easy. Please remember we need to already instruct people how to wash their hands because they do not know how (apparently 10000x of repetitions not enough practice). Also constant reminders to stay home when sick and they cannot even manage that

So because some people don't wash their hands properly, should we just tell everyone that washing their hands is pointless?

That is what you took from that?

We are arguing about masking the entire population and it's effectiveness.

When people are struggling with simple tasks like washing their hands or staying at home - why assume they would do any better with something they have never used before. People keep touching their face - so why do you think putting something that can be uncomfortable on their face will not increase touching? CDC,WHO, and NHS have said otherwise - and I have already seen this in public.

At least washing hands, social distancing, covering up when sick (or staying home), and stop touching your face does not eat into supplies and the effectiveness far outweighs them wearing a mask.

There is no debate about if those simple things are good or bad. They are the most crucial and easiest things to implement.

People are great at following directions btw...

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Courtside]

I'd be wearing masks if I could actually buy some but they've been out everywhere for a month. I don't really care about the stigma, I'm big enough to defend myself physically and most people stop talking **** to you once you talk **** back.

I started wearing masks last week. A bit on Wed, more on Thur and then pretty much at all times from Friday on when around people. I also carry a small spray bottle of 99% alcohol, which I clean grocery carts with, spray my hands with at certain intervals or after any payment systems, doors opened, before getting back in my car, etc...

The mask thing turned a lot of heads last week, and started some conversations. I have a strong enough sense of IFGAF that if anyone looked at me, I looked at them right back. There was definitely some social stigma but it changes every passing day. More and more it seems that people are trying to wear something, if not a mask. Yesterday I went to Walmart to grab some things for a flight attendant friend who has fallen ill and been told to self isolate. Knowing I had more masks coming, I took a plastic pouch that had a few remaining from the 10 it started with. In any case, I did notice several people give me funny looks, so on three different times I pulled the pouch out of my hoodie pocket and extended it to the person asking "Want one?".

Every single person took the mask and immediately put it on.

I showed them how to fit it to their face better and they were all super thankful afterwards. All of them asked where to get them or if I had more. I had to answer no to both, unfortunately. It tells me that the stigma is disappearing and more people would use them if they had access to them. That's a positive sign that if this continues for while and acceptance of this issue reaches further into those who are currently dismissive, that eventually when mask availability exists, that it can be one additional piece of the mitigation plan.

[Indeed]

I'd be wearing masks if I could actually buy some but they've been out everywhere for a month. I don't really care about the stigma, I'm big enough to defend myself physically and most people stop talking **** to you once you talk **** back.

I started wearing masks last week. A bit on Wed, more on Thur and then pretty much at all times from Friday on when around people. I also carry a small spray bottle of 99% alcohol, which I clean grocery carts with, spray my hands with at certain intervals or after any payment systems, doors opened, before getting back in my car, etc...

The mask thing turned a lot of heads last week, and started some conversations. I have a strong enough sense of IFGAF that if anyone looked at me, I looked at them right back. There was definitely some social stigma but it changes every passing day. More and more it seems that people are trying to wear something, if not a mask. Yesterday I went to Walmart to grab some things for a flight attendant friend who has fallen ill and been told to self isolate. Knowing I had more masks coming, I took a plastic pouch that had a few remaining from the 10 it started with. In any case, I did notice several people give me funny looks, so on three different times I pulled the pouch out of my hoodie pocket and extended it to the person asking "Want one?".

Every single person took the mask and immediately put it on.

I showed them how to fit it to their face better and they were all super thankful afterwards. All of them asked where to get them or if I had more. I had to answer no to both, unfortunately. It tells me that the stigma is disappearing and more people would use them if they had access to them. That's a positive sign that if this continues for while and acceptance of this issue reaches further into those who are currently dismissive, that eventually when mask availability exists, that it can be one additional piece of the mitigation plan.

Indeed, I went to Costco and one of the lady (grandma) stared at me, she came over and asked where I bought the mask. Since I bought it in Japan 2 years ago when I travel there being sick, so I couldn't help her.

It is no surprised to me that many people I see wearing mask are not coughing. Those coughing and I don't see them wearing a mask.

[VancouverRaps]

How many of these big retail businesses still operating are really “essential”?

A lot of them could at least just close their stores to the public and operate online with delivery. Like electronics stores and home furniture/hardware/appliance stores.


I feel bad for their employees, especially if the job involves face to face customer service. Needlessly putting lives at risk just to avoid revenue loss.

[CantStopTheRock]

I'd be wearing masks if I could actually buy some but they've been out everywhere for a month. I don't really care about the stigma, I'm big enough to defend myself physically and most people stop talking **** to you once you talk **** back.

I started wearing masks last week. A bit on Wed, more on Thur and then pretty much at all times from Friday on when around people. I also carry a small spray bottle of 99% alcohol, which I clean grocery carts with, spray my hands with at certain intervals or after any payment systems, doors opened, before getting back in my car, etc...

The mask thing turned a lot of heads last week, and started some conversations. I have a strong enough sense of IFGAF that if anyone looked at me, I looked at them right back. There was definitely some social stigma but it changes every passing day. More and more it seems that people are trying to wear something, if not a mask. Yesterday I went to Walmart to grab some things for a flight attendant friend who has fallen ill and been told to self isolate. Knowing I had more masks coming, I took a plastic pouch that had a few remaining from the 10 it started with. In any case, I did notice several people give me funny looks, so on three different times I pulled the pouch out of my hoodie pocket and extended it to the person asking "Want one?".

Every single person took the mask and immediately put it on.

I showed them how to fit it to their face better and they were all super thankful afterwards. All of them asked where to get them or if I had more. I had to answer no to both, unfortunately. It tells me that the stigma is disappearing and more people would use them if they had access to them. That's a positive sign that if this continues for while and acceptance of this issue reaches further into those who are currently dismissive, that eventually when mask availability exists, that it can be one additional piece of the mitigation plan.

Indeed, I went to Costco and one of the lady (grandma) stared at me, she came over and asked where I bought the mask. Since I bought it in Japan 2 years ago when I travel there being sick, so I couldn't help her.

It is no surprised to me that many people I see wearing mask are not coughing. Those coughing and I don't see them wearing a mask.

Not a surprise to me.

People that don't really need them are buying and hording them so then sick people and HCW that need them can't get them.

They are meant to stop sick people from spreading the virus not healthy people from getting sick. What kills me is I have not seen one person with a mask with eye protection, so you walk through air borne droplets and it can just as easily gets in through your eyes.

It's pretty sad that people are still going out with a cough and cold

[mkot]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

EDIT: here's the data reported by Chinese mobile carriers
https://www.chinamobileltd.com/tc/ir/operation_m.php?fbclid=IwAR2kq73kK0i-sQJXc7ISyVPI3f7MViuGOlbXKyOHCYnNn23YlQctDWbftj0
https://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/sc/ir/operating.php?type=monthly&fbclid=IwAR03djoaeEnNXQKEXPDwGIXCj8htvvTAfa3OMTEJoscLyTKhFoTY4AEvHRc
https://www.chinatelecom-h.com/sc/ir/kpi.php?fbclid=IwAR0yq8J4EHBlLDk5qD5cAGpLPb4SUul4VuPT0JGY_Y_XyBij9BuPvcOxZ3w

EDIT: So after reading more into the numbers, here's a brief summary:

According to the numbers provided by these 3 mobile carriers, Jan 2020 and Feb 2020 mobile customer = -862000 -7254000 -1186000 +430000 -5600000 meaning -14,472,000 in total. That's not including Feb 2020 numbers from China Unicom.

[CantStopTheRock]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

But some people here thinks the CDC, WHO, NHS are full of **** and that we need to trust the Chinese Governments recommendations on health... Who do we trust?

[hankscorpioLA]

If you are practicing proper social distancing, there is no reason to wear a mask.

[mkot]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

But some people here thinks the CDC, WHO, NHS are full of **** and that we need to trust the Chinese Governments recommendations on health... Who do we trust?

Listen to CDC but make the correct judgement yourself. For exmaple CDC told their people yesterday "Behave like you have the virus" but at the same time keep telling people do not need to wear mask if you don't have any symptons. Well? They can't have it both ways. Wear mask people, bottom line is you don't know you have it!

[hankscorpioLA]

How many of these big retail businesses still operating are really “essential”?

A lot of them could at least just close their stores to the public and operate online with delivery. Like electronics stores and home furniture/hardware/appliance stores.


I feel bad for their employees, especially if the job involves face to face customer service. Needlessly putting lives at risk just to avoid revenue loss.

That's where we are now in California. All retail stores are closed. Pretty much the only businesses that are open are restaurants (take out and delivery only), banks, grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, gas stations, laundromats/dry cleaners, and, of course, marijuana dispensaries.

[Courtside]

Not a surprise to me.

People that don't really need them are buying and hording them so then sick people and HCW that need them can't get them.

They are meant to stop sick people from spreading the virus not healthy people from getting sick. What kills me is I have not seen one person with a mask with eye protection, so you walk through air borne droplets and it can just as easily gets in through your eyes.

It's pretty sad that people are still going out with a cough and cold

Just to be clear... these are products that I have been using for many years and already had on hand. I bought a modest quantity of P95 disposables in Jan and then some replacement cartridges for my paint mask (which I obviously don't wear outside). I buy from industrial sources - not medical suppliers.

If you were insinuating that I have been stockpiling or hording them, then you can shut that thinking down right now.

Even the two x 50 packs of surgical masks I had, I have been working through since late November or so. I have more en route as a good will measure from one of my lighting suppliers in China, so I was willing to share and give some of what I had away, but I'm still deciding what to do with the ones that I have coming. I will probably sell some so that I can donate the others, and then use the funds raised to get more and see if I can't help fill a need somewhere, if they'll even accept them from me as a non established source for this stuff.

[hankscorpioLA]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

But some people here thinks the CDC, WHO, NHS are full of **** and that we need to trust the Chinese Governments recommendations on health... Who do we trust?

Listen to CDC but make the correct judgement yourself. For exmaple CDC told their people yesterday "Behave like you have the virus" but at the same time keep telling people do not need to wear mask if you don't have any symptons. Well? They can't have it both ways. Wear mask people, bottom line is you don't know you have it!

I don't think that's the correct guidance.

If you think you have it, then practice social distancing and stay at home. Only go out for essentials. Stay 6 feet away from anyone else.

You only need to wear a mask if that isn't possible for some reason.

[CantStopTheRock]

Not a surprise to me.

People that don't really need them are buying and hording them so then sick people and HCW that need them can't get them.

They are meant to stop sick people from spreading the virus not healthy people from getting sick. What kills me is I have not seen one person with a mask with eye protection, so you walk through air borne droplets and it can just as easily gets in through your eyes.

It's pretty sad that people are still going out with a cough and cold

Just to be clear... these are products that I have been using for many years and already had on hand. I bought a modest quantity of P95 disposables in Jan and then some replacement cartridges for my paint mask (which I obviously don't wear outside). I buy from industrial sources - not medical suppliers.

If you were insinuating that I have been stockpiling or hording them, then you can shut that thinking down right now.

Even the two x 50 packs of surgical masks I had, I have been working through since late November or so. I have more en route as a good will measure from one of my lighting suppliers in China, so I was willing to share and give some of what I had away, but I'm still deciding what to do with the ones that I have coming. I will probably sell some so that I can donate the others, and then use the funds raised to get more and see if I can't help fill a need somewhere, if they'll even accept them from me as a non established source for this stuff.

Sorry if you thought that, in no way was I talking about you. You are sharing them, I wish other people would do the same.

Yahoo had an article about some prick who bought 17,000$ worth of sanitizer and was crying that Amazon and eBay banned him from selling. I'm talking about those tools.

[Courtside]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

But some people here thinks the CDC, WHO, NHS are full of **** and that we need to trust the Chinese Governments recommendations on health... Who do we trust?

Not just the Chinese Government. How about South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore... all countries with far more successful containment plans than the CDC and WHO and NHS have had. No one is saying that these western agencies are full of ****, they are saying that maybe the Asian countries that rely heavily on masks as part of their strategy are doing something right in making sure they create enough of a supply to even implement them. There are scores of doctors and government officials in affected countries stating they wish there was more masks and PPE available like there are in Asian countries.

You don't think there is a reason for this?

The CDC, WHO and NHS have all admitted that priority needs to go to HCP so that the impending shortage is not made worse. They of course do not want the public going and buying up the inventory, so they tell the public that they shouldn't need them.

The logical deduction here isn't that masks don't do anything, it's that there is not an adequate supply so they will absolutely not make a recommendation to the public that they should go out and get them.

The CDC is nor releasing documents pertaining to home made masks, by the way, and suggesting that cloth masks or scarves be used if recycled and reworn masks are not adequate. Masks matter.

[Courtside]

Listen to CDC but make the correct judgement yourself. For exmaple CDC told their people yesterday "Behave like you have the virus" but at the same time keep telling people do not need to wear mask if you don't have any symptons. Well? They can't have it both ways. Wear mask people, bottom line is you don't know you have it!

I don't think that's the correct guidance.

If you think you have it, then practice social distancing and stay at home. Only go out for essentials. Stay 6 feet away from anyone else.

You only need to wear a mask if that isn't possible for some reason.

Social distancing doesn't help if you are ultimately touching things that those people who are 6' away also touched, after they were eating, touching their faces, picking their nose, etc... and then you go and touch your face or carry that to other surfaces.

Further, the mask isn't primarily for the protection of the wearer, but to reduce contagion from leaving the person wearing the mask. The fact that people can carry and transmit COVID for days or weeks without showing symptoms is the exact reason why it isn't only sick people who should attempt to cover their faces when they have to break isolation and go out into the world to do essential things.

[Reeko]

Not a surprise to me.

People that don't really need them are buying and hording them so then sick people and HCW that need them can't get them.

They are meant to stop sick people from spreading the virus not healthy people from getting sick. What kills me is I have not seen one person with a mask with eye protection, so you walk through air borne droplets and it can just as easily gets in through your eyes.

It's pretty sad that people are still going out with a cough and cold

Just to be clear... these are products that I have been using for many years and already had on hand. I bought a modest quantity of P95 disposables in Jan and then some replacement cartridges for my paint mask (which I obviously don't wear outside). I buy from industrial sources - not medical suppliers.

If you were insinuating that I have been stockpiling or hording them, then you can shut that thinking down right now.

Even the two x 50 packs of surgical masks I had, I have been working through since late November or so. I have more en route as a good will measure from one of my lighting suppliers in China, so I was willing to share and give some of what I had away, but I'm still deciding what to do with the ones that I have coming. I will probably sell some so that I can donate the others, and then use the funds raised to get more and see if I can't help fill a need somewhere, if they'll even accept them from me as a non established source for this stuff.

Sorry if you thought that, in no way was I talking about you. You are sharing them, I wish other people would do the same.

Yahoo had an article about some prick who bought 17,000$ worth of sanitizer and was crying that Amazon and eBay banned him from selling. I'm talking about those tools.

Lol saw that guy in an interview. He was trying to sell certain hand sanitizer products for $70, Amazon and eBay banned him for price gouging. So now he's stuck with all that hand sanitizer in his garage and no one to sell it to. I think he ultimately decided to donate all of it.

[CantStopTheRock]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

But some people here thinks the CDC, WHO, NHS are full of **** and that we need to trust the Chinese Governments recommendations on health... Who do we trust?

Not just the Chinese Government. How about South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore... all countries with far more successful containment plans than the CDC and WHO and NHS have had. No one is saying that these western agencies are full of ****, they are saying that maybe the Asian countries that rely heavily on masks as part of their strategy are doing something right in making sure they create enough of a supply to even implement them. There are scores of doctors and government officials in affected countries stating they wish there was more masks and PPE available like there are in Asian countries.

You don't think there is a reason for this?

The CDC, WHO and NHS have all admitted that priority needs to go to HCP so that the impending shortage is not made worse. They of course do not want the public going and buying up the inventory, so they tell the public that they shouldn't need them.

The logical deduction here isn't that masks don't do anything, it's that there is not an adequate supply so they will absolutely not make a recommendation to the public that they should go out and get them.

The CDC is nor releasing documents pertaining to home made masks, by the way, and suggesting that cloth masks or scarves be used if recycled and reworn masks are not adequate. Masks matter.

The CDC/WHO/NHS didn't just change their tune because of the shortage, first off. That was their stance before all this happened. The dozens of quotes I have already posted where from case studies from 2018 and 2019. Doctors in other countries are wishing there was more supply because HCW are running low, not because they want to mask the entire population.

I agree the amount of supply we had to start is a joke

South Korea had one of the highest infection rates, so I'm not sure how a nation that already wore masks yet still got terrible results to start prove masks were working. Numbers only slowed down after strict rules were in place and they stayed testing like crazy

Contributing a few other Asian countries success to masks is not telling the whole storey, in fact little of it

The CDC suggested home made masks over nothing for HCW, not everyone.

HCP use of homemade masks:
In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.

[Raps in 4]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

But some people here thinks the CDC, WHO, NHS are full of **** and that we need to trust the Chinese Governments recommendations on health... Who do we trust?

It's not like China is the only sample we have. The virus has spread globally. There is nothing to suggest this is deadlier than we thought it was.

[NinjaBro]

Everyone needs to remain skeptical on the data coming out from China. Today China Mobile had reported to have lost 7.25 million of their customer. That's just one mobile carrier. Let that sink in...

https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/flvb5e/china_mobile_loses_725_million_users_for_the/

This virus is deadlier than the Chinese trying to suggest...

EDIT: here's the data reported by China Mobile
https://www.chinamobileltd.com/tc/ir/operation_m.php?fbclid=IwAR2kq73kK0i-sQJXc7ISyVPI3f7MViuGOlbXKyOHCYnNn23YlQctDWbftj0
https://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/sc/ir/operating.php?type=monthly&fbclid=IwAR03djoaeEnNXQKEXPDwGIXCj8htvvTAfa3OMTEJoscLyTKhFoTY4AEvHRc
https://www.chinatelecom-h.com/sc/ir/kpi.php?fbclid=IwAR0yq8J4EHBlLDk5qD5cAGpLPb4SUul4VuPT0JGY_Y_XyBij9BuPvcOxZ3w

I have no doubts the Chinese government is FOS with their data reporting but you're suggesting that the loss of 7.25 million users from China Mobile is a direct result of death. We're in a pandemic and recession. People paying their phone bills may not be the top of everyone's priority right now considering so many are worried about how they're going to pay their rent or that their loved ones are dying.

The loss of their customer base can be a result of many reasons. I've been considering cancelling my phone service with Bell and going with another provider for a while now. Once this pandemic is over I will be doing that. Bell has been raping me with exorbitant fees for far too long so I can't wait to be gone from them.

[Raps in 4]

But some people here thinks the CDC, WHO, NHS are full of **** and that we need to trust the Chinese Governments recommendations on health... Who do we trust?

Not just the Chinese Government. How about South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore... all countries with far more successful containment plans than the CDC and WHO and NHS have had. No one is saying that these western agencies are full of ****, they are saying that maybe the Asian countries that rely heavily on masks as part of their strategy are doing something right in making sure they create enough of a supply to even implement them. There are scores of doctors and government officials in affected countries stating they wish there was more masks and PPE available like there are in Asian countries.

You don't think there is a reason for this?

The CDC, WHO and NHS have all admitted that priority needs to go to HCP so that the impending shortage is not made worse. They of course do not want the public going and buying up the inventory, so they tell the public that they shouldn't need them.

The logical deduction here isn't that masks don't do anything, it's that there is not an adequate supply so they will absolutely not make a recommendation to the public that they should go out and get them.

The CDC is nor releasing documents pertaining to home made masks, by the way, and suggesting that cloth masks or scarves be used if recycled and reworn masks are not adequate. Masks matter.

The CDC/WHO/NHS didn't just change their tune because of the shortage, first off. That was their stance before all this happened. The dozens of quotes I have already posted where from case studies from 2018 and 2019. Doctors in other countries are wishing there was more supply because HCW are running low, not because they want to mask the entire population.

I agree the amount of supply we had to start is a joke

South Korea has one is the highest infection rates, so I'm not sure how a nation that already wore masks yet still got terrible results prove masks were working

Contributing a few other Asian countries success to masks is not telling the whole storey, in fact little of it

Korea had terrible results? They are located right next to China and are major trading partners. Korea saw their first outbreak around the same time as Italy.

Korea today:

8,652 cases
94 deaths
1.1% mortality rate

Italy today:

47,021 cases (grossly underestimated by their own admission)
4,032 deaths
8.6% mortality rate

Korea has arguably handled the outbreak better than any country. Their case only strengthens the argument that masks are an important part of containing a viral pandemic.

China has also contained their outbreak, and with less casualties than Italy (despite being the first country infected). Guess what, masks were an important part of China's strategy in dealing with this too.