Half of the paparazzi photos from the weekend were of celebrities wearing face masks or bandana-masks. To which I do have to ask… so we were supposed to have face masks and bandanas on-hand this whole time? Weeks ago, we were told that we didn’t need face masks, that we should donate our masks to hospitals and first-responders. And now it seems like there were A LOT of people who held onto their masks, which they definitely owned and didn’t donate, huh. And not only that, it seems like a lot of people had bandanas on hand, weird.
Anyway, these are some of the few photos of celebrities in LA who were not wearing masks. Chris Pratt, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Patrick Swarzenegger and his girlfriend, and Jack Pratt all took a walk together this weekend. They didn’t stand close to each other, and look at Jack practicing social distancing too! Chris seems to be wearing a neck kerchief, which I assume was originally supposed to be a makeshift mask. Jack has one as well! I wonder if Chris and Jack thought about wearing their masks outdoors and then just decided to breathe in the fresh air for their walk.
All of which to say… masks, I don’t know her. I don’t have any bandanas! I do have thin dish towels which I guess I could rig into some kind of mask. But again, I’m isolating and I only leave the house to take walks or go grocery shopping. I guess I should wear a dishcloth mask while grocery shopping, but do I need one for walks? Chris Pratt and Katherine aren’t wearing them! The CDC guidelines are somewhat vague about this – they’re just generally recommending mask-wearing in any public situation, and also recommending social distancing above all else.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
You don’t have to wear a mask if you’re out for a walk, do you? I thought it was just for situations where you’re indoors or near other people? If you’re outside on the street taking a bike ride or walking your dog, I don’t think you need to wear one?
No. Definitely save the masks for the grocery store and just go for walks in isolated places. And wash bandanas between uses, they’re better than nothing, I guess, but we aren’t allowed to wear cloth masks at my hospital because the research is leaning towards the risk of contamination going up with them.
I don’t wear one when I walk our dog. It’s a large open field that starts at the end of our block and I never see another person.
I would think remote, unpopulated open spaces are fine to go without a mask. If you don’t see other humans, its fine.
But if you are walking your neighborhood and crossing paths with your neighbors while you are out (even if they are on the opposite side of the street), you should be wearing a mask. I imagine the virus like cigarette smoke and I imagine everyone smoking a cigarette when I go out for a run. If I am close enough to them to smell cigarette smoke or walk through the smoke if they were smoking – I am too close and need a mask. (I wear a mask whenever I go beyond my front yard, period. end of story. I live with someone with heart failure and cannot risk getting infected and bringing it home.)
Think about this… you may be walking alone (or with the partner you’re soc. distancing with)…but WHO walked there before you, and were THEY wearing a mask? Experts are saying the droplets can hover in the air for HOURS. You could be breathing it in, it can get in your eyes… your hands (which you could then touch your face with).
It really isn’t a big deal to wear a homemade mask. I would think he’d esp. have Jack wearing something, considering all the problems he had as a baby… anyway.. just my 2¢.
Carry on.
It can still get in your eyes. Or you can touch your face even with a mask – I’ve seen people with masks who fiddle around more in and around their face than people without them. Also people need to understand that these homemade or simple surgical masks do not keep tiny droplets with particles away. You would need a mask with a filter that is fitted and handled correctly, but these should absolutely be for people in the health and care sectors. I wish people would understand that the simple masks are mostly for basic protection of others, not yourself.
Also all the data about how long the virus can stay on surfaces or in the air are lab data. I have heard several experts in my country say that there is no proof about mass contagion when shopping or even on public transport. The hotspots from where it spread in Europe were locations where people were in close proximity for a prolonged period of time, i.e. long conference meetings, apres ski parties in Austria, carnival parties in Germany, sports events in Italy. From there people took it home to families and colleagues, again spending time and being close.
Unless you walk past the exact spot where two minutes ago a contagious person coughed and sneezed like mad, you will not be in danger. Droplets can linger for a bit, but not for hours out in the open air at the exact same spot – wind and most of all gravity will pull the droplets away and down. The virus cannot exits by itself and float around in large quantities like feathers.
Why would you be indoors, near people outside your household? Unless you’re at an essential job or the grocery store, nobody should be doing that.
Some of us have dogs to walk, that’s why.
Fresh air is good for you!
During the Spanish Flu pandemic they had hospitals outside so patients could get sun and fresh air. It helped them recover faster. We’ve kinda forgotten that in the age or re-circulated air.
So if you are outside and there is nobody around, get some sun. It’s good for you.
Masks SHOULD be worn in public places where there is, you know, actual public. Like grocery stores, pharmacies, bus stops if you are still using, etc.
It’s also worth remembering that masks are one-time use – do NOT take them on and off – it completely defeats the purpose. I have 4 cloth masks. I put them on before going into a store, don’t touch while in store, and when I’m done, I sanitize my hands, take off the mask and put in plastic bag. As soon as I get home, the mask AND bag go into the laundry so they can be reused when clean. I see all sorts of BS where people take masks on and off. It’s dumb.
Yep…that’s how I’ve been treating my cloth masks as well.
I follow the same procedures as you. I really can’t wrap my head around why everyone is not this cautious when they go out and are not wearing masks when leaving the house (even for a walk). Now is the time to be extra careful for you, your family and your community.
I live in Quebec – we have the highest number of infections in Canada – and it’s still unclear on whether or not masks are a good idea. Some sources say yes, but only if you can’t maintain that 6 foot distance (so like in a grocery store, because the aisles are narrow), whereas others are saying yes, all the time…and still others are saying yes but only if you’re coughing / sneezing, or just coming out of isolation.
It’s very confusing, especially for someone like me who doesn’t have any masks or bandanas but does need to grocery shop every 7-10 days. I guess I’ll just wear a scarf over my nose and mouth when I’m in the store. I don’t want to use masks that are needed by people in hospitals, that’s for sure. They need them more than I do.
I’m in Ontario and bought my cloth masks from a canadian chick on Etsy. You can get 3-4 masks for like $30 and wash them between uses. Even better, get ones with a filter pocket and use a paper towel as a filter – it improves the blocking capability. When done, toss the paper towel and wash the masks. I have 4 so I have a clean one at all times.
Honestly, I’m team Horacio on that one: if you’re not sick and going to be coughing or sneezing a lot, there’s no advantage to wear a makeshift mask, social distancing remains the better option. The cart at the grocery gives you space (keep it between you and others), most have plexiglas walls for the cashier: that’s probably better protection than what a cloth mask can offer. I know it can be tricky in stores, but I went to one of the tiniest Canadian Tire this morning and we still managed to keep our distances by reducing the number of people allowed in the store and not having more than 1 person/alley (it’s a really small store).
Masks can be annoying, people tend to touch their face more because they’re trying to keep them in place, you need to be very careful when removing them… They provide a sense of security to some and that can be good I guess, but there’s nothing better than social distancing and washing your hands once you get home. Of course we have to be careful since we might be asymptomatic but masks won’t be more efficient at protecting others than distanciation.
Also remember: yes Quebec has the highest number of cases in Canada right now, but we also tested more people. Despite quite a higher number of positive cases, the numbers of people in the ICU and who died of covid is lower than in Ontario… More positive cases don’t necessarily means worst outcomes, sometimes it just means less backlog in the testing
In America, the mask recommendation by the CDC is not an either/or recommendation with social distancing. They have asked Americans to wear cloth masks in addition to social distancing. I see no *good* reason not to do both, at all times, when outside the confines of your property in America.
I respectfully disagree with your theory that masks cause you to touch your face more. I have been wearing face coverings and/or masks for the past two weeks when I go to the grocery or go for a jog. I am actually much much more aware of not touching my face when I wear a mask. It has trained me to become very conscious of where my hands are.
With respect, @Arpeggi, the problem here is that we don’t know if we’re sick. The data suggest that up to 25% of cases are asymptomatic. I’m scrupulous about social distancing, but also I wear a cloth mask, because I have no idea whether or not I have covid-19.
I’ve been wearing them in indoor public places and parking lots, but not while hiking/walking outdoors. How do you jog while just re-breathing your hot air? I can barely make it for a quick grocery trip before feeling like I’m not getting enough air. I legit think I would pass out if I had to jog with one.
I honestly don’t know why grocery stores aren’t implementing more “one-way aisles” in the stores, to prevent people passing too close or bending over someone to reach something! It’s just common sense to me! Follow ONE traffic pattern in the store…get what you need and move on down the aisle. Don’t need anything there? Just go with the flow and move on.
Agreed. it is time for this. Walmart is staggering the flow into their stores and only letting a certain amount of people in at a time in our area I have heard. Our meat and eggs are being rationed at the grocery store as well.
I can attest that I just left Stop & Shop and my location was just in the process of making the aisles one ways. Also, had the plexiglass at the registers. It’s happening somewhere. Email your grocer so they can implement this too. It’s incredibly helpful, as you suggested above.
I run in my neighborhood but I’m the only one on the loop so I don’t use the scarf over my face. However, I cover my face when I return to the building. I use a rear stairwell and don’t touch railings. I put a plastic bag with hand towel in my waistband. I haveanother baggie with bleach solution that I dip the paper towel before using door handles. So far, I haven’t encountered anyone in the stairwell. I’m a little confused by the scarf/mask too. I also wear my glasses since they provide some barrier too
It’s EXTREMELY rare to see people out in masks where I live. We’ve been getting more and more into the state of emergency with increasing restrictions, but nobody in masks while shopping. Everyone has to stat 6′ away from everyone else, and they’ve put arrows down in the stores for directing the flow of people, and only so many people in a store at a time. Husband had to go on a stock up run to the pet valu today and they’re only letting two customers in at a time.
Walking in your own neighborhood is encouraged but the 6′ rule still applies and no gatherings of 5+. We’re lucky to live in a more rural area so we can go walk in the woods or along the road without running into more than maybe one other neighbor.
I think if you’re outside and keeping a safe distance from others who may be out walking, you’re OK without a mask, but if you go into a place (like a grocery store or pharmacy) where you are distancing but stuck with “inside and not-very-well-circulated” air, you should wear one.
we went out walking this weekend and didn’t have one while at the (very deserted) park, but did wear one at the grocery store.
Luckily, my mom (who lives with me) can sew. She made us some masks based on a pattern online. I’m only using it if I have to go to the store. I don’t wear it when I take walks around my hood because I never encounter other people.
Etsy has tons for sale but then you will have to wash them before wearing in case the seller has the virus.
A scarf would work if you can’t make one.
My sister who is a doctor, and have been with covid patients in Manila always tell me to wear a mask whenever we go out when this pandemic started. Sometimes to double it, if we can. It is airborne. I would rather listen to her and be safe than be sorry later on. Of course, our young daughter doesn’t listen.
Kids think they’re invincible.
I saw a video either on reddit or Twitter where a guy made a mask out of a tshirt and rubber bands. The rubber bands would go around your ears, which ouch! I’ve been using this head band/wrap thing that is like a big fabric tube. I don’t know how effective it is germ wise but it’s what I got.
Tshirt material is a good sub if you don’t have a handkerchief. I use hair bands instead of rubber bands (I don’t have rubber bands). Works well for holding the mask in place and doesn’t hurt. Apparently there was a study that found that the disposable blue shop towels are a good filter to insert in diy masks. I’ll try and find the link. I don’t have any of those, but bc of my autoimmune conditions (lupus & psoriasis) I’m just staying in my house except for the occasional walk (at odd times to avoid running into anyone).
Stay safe and well Celebitches
I’m in Ottawa Canada and was alarmed to see the amount of people wearing masks when I went grocery shopping this past weekend. A few were homemade but I also wondered where people got their medical masks from, and how long they’ve been hanging onto them instead of donating.
It’s DUMB and here’s why.
Let’s say you are a mask hoarder. How many do you have? You have to wear a fresh one every time, so I bet a lot of these morons are re-using.
If you donate it, a doctor will wear a mask for the full day while seeing patients. That’s right, a full shift with NO food and NO water so they can stay with one mask!!! That’s maximizing the masks during shortage.
You are actually BETTER off wearing cloth masks and washing them than re-using a non-reusable mask! Makes me so mad!
I have a mask (not sure which kind, but definitely not an N95) that came with an earthquake kit I bought several years ago. I tried donating it, but no one would take a single mask that has been used. I wore it this weekend to the grocery store and got a dirty look/head shake from someone. I get that there ARE people who are hoarding masks and/or bought multiples right before this pandemic and didn’t donate, etc. But why are people getting so salty when they see one person wearing one mask? You don’t know how or why they obtained it. You don’t know if they’re immune-compromised or caring for someone who is. I wasn’t waving around an entire box of N95 masks around. Save your anger and judgment for the people who deserve it, like this administration who effed up the COVID response on an epic scale. Or GOP governors who refuse to close churches. Or Jared Kushner for telling states that the national stockpile is “ours” not “yours.”
I have a few N95 that I purchased years ago (found this weekend in a preparedness box) and am keeping them because I have pre-existing conditions as does my sister. I’ve actually stayed in but know I’ll have to go to doctor’s appointments at the end of the month and will use them then.
I think those that have a lot should donate but it’s not unreasonable for people to keep a few on hand for own personal use. It’s misplaced to judge people for using them for their own health.
I’ve got a small stash of surgical masks, but that’s because I’m an AEMT and they live in my jump bag. I’m currently recovering from back surgery, so I’m not working right now. I feel kinda guilty about it, but part of me is jsut dandy. I live with my 71 year old father and he’s high risk (higher than me, I have immune issues), so I’m much more worried about bringing it home to him than I am about contracting the virus myself. I’ve had my little stash for a year or so, there haven’t been many causes to use them/my personal bag (as opposed to the equipment on the ambulance) when I volunteer and work medical for events.
I live in Wyoming, and people are really stupid about socially distancing. Though I was heartened to see a lot more people in masks at the grocery store today.
I’ve started wearing masks and gloves if I go to the store, but not out for walks yet. Don’t go anywhere else. I only have one that I wash after each use, so until I make more, rationing use for when it’s hard to avoid people. We live near a few parks where easier to distance ourselves.
I live in Brooklyn and there is nowhere you can get away from people, even the wide walking paths are pretty full, so they recommend wearing masks at all times. With so many people asymptomic, wearing the mask is mainly about protecting others in case you have it. We go out only to walk dogs or go to grocery store and wear cloth masks a friend sewed for me and then wash them after each use.
My understanding is that the masks keep your own droplets contained, so you won’t spread to others. My mask protects you, your mask protects me, is the best description I’ve heard of it. i went for a short walk yesterday to drop something at the post office box, and debated wearing one, but didn’t. I only passed 1 other person, and we both nodded but stayed on opposite sides of the street.
Lots of people are making homemade ones, check local social media, or buy from someone on a site like etsy.com.
Every mask that is seen is NOT the mask medical professionals and essential workers need. I’m seeing a lot of paper masks, bandanas and home made mask. People are trying to protect themselves.
I am hoping the shortage of real PPE’S is resolved soon..
Be well
You can wear a cloth mask if you want…. but it’ll mostly be magical thinking if you think they’ll protect you. The CDC originally published their recommendation without ANY citations, then added some later BUT ONLY about asymptomatic transmission. They’re floundering. They need to offer something because they can’t offer tests.
Also, we’ve known that masks don’t work since 1920 when they failed to flatten the curve: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1362677/
Please note that they continue to say “experts believe” but they never say which experts or what they’re basing their beliefs on. Here’s what an actual expert says, and it’s the opposite: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-data
I saw an interesting video of a doctor in Italy spraying a mist from a water bottle right through a cloth mask, and then demonstrated on an N95 mask. Cloth masks offer comfort and reminder not to touch your face, but that’s about it.
Yup, and it’s not even the larger particles (like the “droplets” that come from coughing or sneezing) that you should be the most worried about — though if cloth masks don’t stop them, they certainly won’t stop anything smaller. The particles larger than 1 micrometer (μm) fall to the floor pretty quickly, but the ones that are smaller, and particularly the ones that are 0.3 μm, stay in the air for long periods of time and can very easily penetrate into the lungs.
The NYTimes has a good article on best materials for masks. Vacuum cleaner hepa bags are good, high thread count sheets, and tea towels. Here is link https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html
Can also use the hepa bags as a filter insert for reusable cloth masks.
The most important thing to understand with respirators is that their effectiveness comes from two separate things: filter and fit. What they’re doing in the NYT article is talking about the how effective a filter is. Unless the mask is well fitted to the face, air will take the path of least resistance and go around the filter. This is why respirators need to be fit tested; if they aren’t, there is no guarantee that the air is flowing through the filter and not around it. You can have an effective filter, but it won’t do anything unless you have a good fit as well.
They are almost certainly not testing the fit for these filters because fit is really really difficult to test for because it’s different for each person. Please be aware that good fit is integral if you decided to make any of these DIY masks at home.
Riverside County in California is mandating masks to be worn at all times outside the home. I think LA county will soon follow.
I don’t think any of us should be looking to celebrities to model appropriate public health behavior. Just because these people aren’t wearing masks, doesn’t mean they are behaving responsibly or safely. The Surgeon General just said this upcoming week will be like Pearl Harbor or 9/11. Dr. Fauci says this week will be “shocking”. Now is not the time to be lax.
Even if they are outside, one of them could be carrying the virus and not know it. They could come too close to someone and transmit it that way. The respiratory droplets can linger in the air for 1-2 hours after they leave. EVERYONE should live as if they have COVID19 but don’t know it yet. Cover your mouth and nose, always, whenever you leave the house, no matter what. Use the thickest fabric you can. Wearing a mask is not done to protect yourself from others. It’s to protect others from YOU. We all have a responsibility to do this. Do not leave the home without covering your face. Unless you are a child under 2 yrs old.
The mayor of LA said last week that everyone should wear a non-medical grade mask when out in public. The key here is non-medical. Save the medical grade ones for people on the front line.
I’ve actually seen a lot of people wear them on walks. Sometimes when you pass each other it’s not 6ft if the sidewalk is small. I’ve seen people go shopping in them too. And this was before the mayor and cdc recommend it.
As for handkerchiefs, I have them from going to music festivals.
You can make your own mask. There are plenty of tutorials. And there are plenty of non-sewing ones too. Colin Hanks has has on on his insta.
If you guys need or wants links to where you can buy non-medical masks, let me know. (Links are weird on this sites, sometimes it goes through and other times it won’t or I would link it now.)
Why wouldn’t you wear a mask / face covering when leaving your home?
I am hearing a lot of people trying to make excuses for not wearing them. The CDC has asked us to do this. What do you have to lose?
I went jogging this morning and wore a cloth mask underneath a cloth buff. It was difficult to breathe but I feel it is the LEAST I can do right now to help our community stop the spread. I saw an elderly man going for a walk with no face covering. It feels selfish to not being doing all we can on an individual level to stop the spread. If wearing a mask helps me protect YOU, why can’t you do the same consideration for ME? Thats just how I feel. Just do it people. Stop making excuses on why you shouldn’t.
Oh man, we’re still in this debate?! If you can figure out how to boil water/wear a seatbelt or cross the road etc you can figure out how to use a cloth mask carefully – and thank you for everyone who does this! People telling stories of….’ive seen ppl touch their faces more a mask/we just socially distance/I’m just walking outside and nobody will ever pass through my breathing & droplet path…’ just makes me FEEL THINGS. lol, sob. There are countries where people wear masks ALL the time outside in this pandemic and it’s normal & millions can figure it out.
The leading COVID 19 specialist in S. Korea was interviewed and he said he finds it so strange that N. Americans and Europeans DON’T wear masks. Masks are by no means 100%, but if it’s even 50 or 60% effective, I would rather don a mask and improve mine and other people’s chances. Every bit helps.
The CDC now says that everyone should wear a mask while outside their homes – it’s pretty clear.
All you need is a t-shirt and two rubber bands to make one. The CDC did a nationally televised demonstration on how to make one.
You’re spreading dangerous misinformation by telling the thousands of people who read your website that masks aren’t needed. The CDC say cloth masks are needed.
Wearing a mask if you are outside exercising can make it hard to breathe. When I was out for a walk last week, I wore a scarf. I only pulled it over my face when I was approaching someone.
Well, I plan to try and stretch all my grocery items currently in my house for as long as I can, so hopefully I won’t need to go for supplies until next week.
As for outside… I have been staying in my yard/driveway.
I do plan to wear a homemade mask and my washable gloves next time at the grocery store.
Come home and put everything I wore straight into the wash.
Masks are pretty easy to DIY, every little bit helps I think.
I made a couple of cloth masks for my husband and me to wear out of the house for work (him) and grocery shopping (me), but we haven’t been wearing them on our daily walks. All the walkers in my neighborhood give each other wide berths and stay at opposite edges of the roads. At this point though if I went to the main road (which has a sidewalk) to walk to the CVS or grocery store I’d probably wear one because the sidewalk is a much tighter space.