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-   -   Wuhan coronavirus outbreak — worries as it spread to HK & beyond (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-kong-macau/2002434-wuhan-coronavirus-outbreak-worries-spread-hk-beyond.html)

Visconti Jan 21, 2020 12:08 pm

So, time for masks?

889 Jan 21, 2020 1:59 pm

"There is no retail stock of N95 breathing mask as the hospital authority has put a hold on all outstanding stocks."

You can buy these on Amazon US. Free shipping with a min US$49 order, including other stuff. (In my experience, shipping was amazingly fast. YMMV)

helvetic Jan 21, 2020 7:25 pm

How much is a safe personal supply of N95 masks? I'm in SG and might as well stock up here.

889 Jan 21, 2020 8:15 pm

Based on what I see on Amazon, cost is not significant.

tentseller Jan 21, 2020 8:37 pm


Originally Posted by helvetic (Post 31979521)
How much is a safe personal supply of N95 masks? I'm in SG and might as well stock up here.

Nobody knows. I know some HK doctors who stocked up from overseas sources for 2003 and was still using them their regular clinical usage after the Beijing Olympics.

I might not have few hundred at my residence but I have reliable supply chain from other places on earth. It would be nice to have one in your back pocket.

Visconti Jan 21, 2020 10:05 pm

Ordered some individually wrapped N95s today from Amazon that will arrive tomorrow. As 889 observed, it's pretty cost effective.

helvetic Jan 21, 2020 10:47 pm

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-c...-idUSKBN1ZL019

Cathay allows crews to wear masks. Great development. I hope they all do.

helvetic Jan 22, 2020 1:27 am

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...first-case-new

Macau has its first reported case. HK still clear for now but not for long I imagine.

supersympa Jan 22, 2020 2:43 am


Originally Posted by helvetic (Post 31980343)
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...first-case-new

Macau has its first reported case. HK still clear for now but not for long I imagine.

Bloomberg News:
China Seeks to Contain Virus as Outbreak Spreads to Hong Kong. Fatalities rise to nine; U.S. and Macau report first cases
WHO to determine Wednesday whether to declare health emergency

China ramped up efforts to contain a new respiratory virus, as
the outbreak spread to Asia’s financial capital with the first reported case of
the deadly illness in Hong Kong.
Officials stepped up monitoring of transportation links in China and ordered a
nearly complete shutdown of the central city of Wuhan where the virus
originated, as the death toll increased to nine.
Hong Kong reported its first case, Cable TV reported, citing unidentified people.
A representative for Hong Kong’s hospital authority didn’t immediately respond
to requests for comment. The first diagnosis in the U.S. also emerged.
Health officials around the world are racing to control the SARS-like virus that
emerged in central China last month. The World Health Organization will decide
Wednesday whether to declare the virus an international public health

InsomniaBA Jan 22, 2020 4:03 am

https://www.hongkongfp.com/2020/01/2...g-kong-source/


A mainland passenger arrived on the G5607 Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link train in Hong Kong at 7:54pm on Tuesday with signs of a fever, a spokesperson for the MTR Corporation (MTRC) told HKFP. The man told Department of Health officials that he had been to Wuhan.

wco81 Jan 22, 2020 12:57 pm


Originally Posted by tentseller (Post 31977011)
The following has been circulating in HK Social Media. It is IMHO a very good translation of the speech in Chinese to English which I verified with a recording of the actual speech.

-------------

Dr. Yuen Kwok Yung, a highly respected doctor during the previous SARS period gave the following advice in a speech yesterday.

1. He suggests Hong Kong people should try to avoid going to China during this period of time.
2. If going on a flight, make sure you wear a mask.
3. Always have antiseptic cleanser or towel readily available.
4. The virus “Coronavirus” is similar type of virus like the previous SARS or MERS. This time it is OC43. There is still no known method of tackling this virus.
5. If you have to go to the market, make sure you wear a mask. Be very vigilant.
6. Health Authority announced that this virus is very serious. However, as the virus is found to be able to enter your body if your throat or throat mucous is dry, the one precaution they suggest which can be taken is to ensure your throat or throat mucous is always in a moist condition. In fact, they suggest not to allow your throat to become dry, as in 10 minutes of being dry, the virus will find ways to enter into your body. So do not refrain from drinking water, always have a bottle handy.
For adults, they suggest drinking 50-80cc of warm water; for children 30-50cc. Just drink if you feel your throat is dry. Do not hesitate. However drinking more than the amount recommended is not necessary, as it will just want to pass through your system. The idea is to “Keep your Throat Constantly Moist”
7. Before end of March, try not to enter crowded places, MTR or public Transport, and wear a mask if necessary.
8. Avoid eating too much deep fried food and take plenty of Vitamen C.
9. Control Centre advice on symptoms of this virus:
- fast and high fever, hard to lower, but if successful, the fever will return very soon.
- next stage is coughing, in long duration, people affected are mainly children.
- Adults has mainly throat symptoms, together with headaches and physical discomforts.
- the virus is “highly” contagious.
- elderly and young children are most susceptible, so take super precaution.

-------------

So what happens when you have to eat or drink on a flight?

Take the mask off and consume food and liquids which may have been handled in a contaminated plane?

Dang, I don't know that travel insurance will allow me to cancel my trip next month.

wco81 Jan 22, 2020 1:22 pm


Originally Posted by tentseller (Post 31976917)
Just a heads up to the must go to HK FTers - There is no retail stock of N95 breathing mask as the hospital authority has put a hold on all outstanding stocks.

The proper authorities might implement a more stringent health scan for returnees from China.

The good side is that many who went through 2003 are being more careful with precautions.

If you need to bring a gift, a box of N95 mask would be most welcome and appreciated just like in 2003.


Originally Posted by tentseller (Post 31977080)
You should buy an N95 grade mask and wear it on the plane as well as during your layover time at HKIA. There will travellers originating from China in the departure area.
One is not sure about the plane as well.

Take care of yourself. I personally do not like wearing breathing mask as well but I wear them to not suffer the potential consequences.

OK, I see a CDC bulletin about using N95 respirators for SARS.

It's interesting, drugs stores in the US stock "antiviral masks" which are cheap, like under $10 for a box of disposable ones.

But the N95 respirators, some of them with holes to allow easier breathing, are marketed at home improvement stores for things like working with paint or other work where you want to filter out particulate matter. CDC lists some brands of 3M but the 3M Cool Flow doesn't even mention blocking out viruses.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-N95-W...B2-A/202077815


So what is it, anything with N95 designation indicates a thick membrane which would block viral pathogens?

InsomniaBA Jan 22, 2020 1:37 pm


Originally Posted by wco81 (Post 31982488)
OK, I see a CDC bulletin about using N95 respirators for SARS.

It's interesting, drugs stores in the US stock "antiviral masks" which are cheap, like under $10 for a box of disposable ones.

But the N95 respirators, some of them with holes to allow easier breathing, are marketed at home improvement stores for things like working with paint or other work where you want to filter out particulate matter. CDC lists some brands of 3M but the 3M Cool Flow doesn't even mention blocking out viruses.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-N95-W...B2-A/202077815


So what is it, anything with N95 designation indicates a thick membrane which would block viral pathogens?

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...n-virus-spread
This might be interesting

OSSYULYYZ Jan 22, 2020 2:35 pm

Five Travellers from China under Observation in Québec

garykung Jan 22, 2020 2:49 pm


Originally Posted by wco81 (Post 31982488)
OK, I see a CDC bulletin about using N95 respirators for SARS.

It's interesting, drugs stores in the US stock "antiviral masks" which are cheap, like under $10 for a box of disposable ones.

But the N95 respirators, some of them with holes to allow easier breathing, are marketed at home improvement stores for things like working with paint or other work where you want to filter out particulate matter. CDC lists some brands of 3M but the 3M Cool Flow doesn't even mention blocking out viruses.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-N95-W...B2-A/202077815


So what is it, anything with N95 designation indicates a thick membrane which would block viral pathogens?

Because the N95 designation DOES NOT mean it can block virus or viral pathogens.

N95 is a NIOSH rating that basically means the mask is certified to block about 95% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size or larger. The reason why places like Home Depot carries N95 masks is N95 masks can be used in various working settings. So by using a N95 mask, a worker can avoid respiratory diseases by inhaling particles. But because of various legal requirements, N95 masks from Home Depot are not certified to use for medical settings, as those N95 masks require additional FDA certification (like 3M N95 1860).

It does not mean N95 masks from Home Depot won't work as designed. In the perspective of personal protection, as soon as you don't intend to use it in a hospital, it will still work as intended, i.e. blocking particles but not virus.


Originally Posted by InsomniaBA (Post 31982545)

That's actually a correct advice. Other than a positive pressure respirator, there is no mask or respirator that can guarantee preventing virus. The air is not saturated by virus, so a N95 or even a P100 mask will be a overkill (and it is not a guarantee as well). If you don't work in a medical setting, a surgical mask is sufficient.

Avoid crowded area is better than wearing a mask.


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