zlacker

>>hhs+(OP)
If Amazon wanted to win immediate trust and lasting goodwill, they should secure suppliers for "Amazon's choice" cotton surgical masks, providing priority service to hospital systems in regions of need, but also (publicly), their own warehouse and delivery workforce. They have the leverage, analytics, and supply chain to make it happen.

Edit: We need to provide enough masks so that people don't feel like they are depriving the hospital system. Also, we need more corporations in America to step up and set an example, protecting their workers and customers. People should stay home, but when they have to venture out (or are needed for work), they should be wearing masks!

>>tcbawo+O5
I'm pretty sure cotton masks offer little to no protection. What you need is a n95 respirator.

>>eloff+n6
What hospitals need are N95 respirators and surgical masks. A family member of mine is a doctor at a large hospital system. They have a mask shortage and have been encouraged to use scarves and t-shirts if necessary. Plain cotton masks would offer considerable benefits if everybody began wearing them in public. Countries in Asia, where it is common for everyone to wear masks have a lower R0 value.

>>tcbawo+U7
> Plain cotton masks would offer considerable benefits if everybody began wearing them in public

This goes against the current WHO recommendation

> If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

>>dehrma+5e
Their guidance does not seem to suggest that people should not wear masks in public, nor does it comment on the effectiveness of doing so.

From their site:

  If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
  Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
  Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
  If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2...