MEDICAL MATTERS

[Stanley]

That doesn't sound like the best news ever Margaret! Keep me informed about her. I hope whatever it is clears up soon.....

[plaques]

The first large study to suggest that face masks had no affect on the transfer of the Covid virus or Influenza virus. Dr John Campbell apologising for his part in promoting them. I see no reason to apologise the virus was an unknown factor and the advice was seen to be correct at the time. Time will tell if the medical authorities take action on the study or will they just let them drift out of use? Masks.

[Stanley]

What has always puzzled me Ken is if masks have no effect, why are they still standard issue for medical staff doing procedures?

[Sue]

The first large study to suggest that face masks had no affect on the transfer of the Covid virus or Influenza virus. Dr John Campbell apologising for his part in promoting them. I see no reason to apologise the virus was an unknown factor and the advice was seen to be correct at the time. Time will tell if the medical authorities take action on the study or will they just let them drift out of use? Masks.

I did say this at the time, however there was a huge volume of research rapidly done that said otherwise. I think it is a difficult thing to prove one way or another. Certainly I think the home made masks were useless and I eventually went back to the blue ones. Home made masks were too thick to breathe in by the time you added all the layers suggested and quickly got wet through with moisture from respiration . If it was raining as well you were walking around with a sodden cloth round your face which if not handled correctly ( and few did especially within a household) became a haven for transfer of infection . In France home made masks were not allowed unless constructed to conform to a stated medical standard. However we had little defence at the time and we needed something. Evidence also suggests they did have a psychological effect because they altered peoples behaviour ie they were more aware of the seriousness of the illness and generally stuck to other precautionary advice

[Sue]

What has always puzzled me Ken is if masks have no effect, why are they still standard issue for medical staff doing procedures?

I think the study refers to protection against covid and influenza and not other conditions. The masks worn by medics are in general a single use and disposed of correctly regularly if not after every patient. The general population did nt do that fn wearing the same mask several times through out the day

[plaques]

I believe that the bio-research establishments have long know that masks are of a very limited value. The better ones used by Doctors etc (N95) are multiple layers and 'fluffy' fibres they allow particles of 0.3 microns but virus particles are 0.12 microns (may be wrong with these sizes but the the holes are bigger than the virus). Fortunately the particles have Brownian movement. (they jiggle about) and get caught on the fibres. As Sue says those used by the public are of little use but may help with other disciplines that are worthwhile.

[Tizer]

Forget for a moment all the agonising over masks and note this. When the RN carrier HMS QE stopped over in Cyprus many of the crew took advantage of the `recreational facilities' ashore. Covid had just arrived and nobody was wearing masks. When they returned to the ship a lot of them were ill and were Covid +ve. The commander had to isolate them as well as possible but they were still in contact with people bringing them food and medical help and being allowed out for exercise. The ship had to carry on its journey through the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean. He ordered (not advised, ordered) everyone to wear a mask. A couple of hundred had Covid and infections continued to be detected due to people having been infected by the returned personnel but the virus didn't manage to spread further. Considering that they all lived and worked in such an enclosed environment I'd say that it's worth wearing a mask when you might be going to encounter virus-infected people.

[PanBiker]

One thing that cannot be ignored is that the wearing of masks, however effective and the other regimes that said wearing encouraged cut down the incidence of seasonal influenza while the rules were in force. So much so that there wasn't really a recognisable "flu season" at the same time. Which was a blessing under the circumstance. "Coughs and sneezes spread diseases".

[Stanley]

A benefit of mask wearing that isn't often mentioned is that it's an outward and visible sign that the chance of infection has been recognised and this may indicate a willingness to take other measures like distancing and not spending time indoors with gatherings of strangers.

[Stanley]

Some progress reported from Australia. My grand daughter had the drain removed this morning and now they are working on pain relief.....

[Big Kev]

Positive news

[Stanley]

Quite Kev. But we aren't out of the wood yet....

[Stanley]

Katie is home and the pain is under control now. Perhaps we can look forward to recovery......

[Cathy]

Let’s hope so.

[Stanley]

[PanBiker]

Small gains are always a step in the right direction, more can be expected.

[Stanley]

No news is good news this morning........

[Stanley]

Not feeling very well this morning so I think I'll go for a lie down. See you later when I feel better.

[Stanley]

Back up after a big sleep and I think I am better. Haven't the faintest idea what was wrong with me.

[Stanley]

Keeping a very careful eye on myself this morning......

[Cathy]

[Stanley]

Still not sure what happened Cathy. I have a suspicion I might not have drunk enough water. I shall make sure it isn't that and stay inside in the warm.

[Wendyf]

Could it have been low blood sugar Stanley?

[plaques]

Keeping a very careful eye on myself this morning......

And I don't like what I see. Sorry about that Stanley but I couldn't resist it. More seriously, some of these virus complaints that are flying about give a four day warning ie: they come back after four days with more intense symptoms. Take care and look after yourself.

[Stanley]

Low blood sugar didn't occur to me Wendy and I had done nothing out of the ordinary to trigger it. All part of the great adventure we call getting old! The strangest things happen and you get used to doing the best you can under every circumstance.