转Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Agree that we should keep the surgical as well as N95 masks for our healthcare workers as the top priority, since they face patients every day. Not just covid patients, but also other patients, who need to be protected too. But we shouldn’t try to demonise the wearing of masks just to preserve the masks for the healthcare workers (HCWs). Instead, we should be open to the idea of improvising masks for use among the public. We shouldn’t laugh and snigger at people trying all sorts of protective barriers. They can be just a plastic shield, or a plastic “curtain” from a hat, a chic designer mask, a simple folded handkerchief, perhaps with a cotton layer in between, a lovingly home sewn mask by grandma or mother. Whatever we wish to improvise, we should not be made to feel silly or unfashionable. A full face shield forms a barrier for the eyes, nose and mouth too. A mask or face shield is no substitute for hand hygiene. So do wash our hands (more...)