WRONG: surgical mask worn by Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shorthall yesterday

CORRECT: barrier mask worn by Dublin city centre dude last week

This afternoon.

Minister for Health Simon Harris has said there is “room for improvement” around the wearing of face coverings.

He said that there is clear public health advice around the wearing of face coverings and appealed for people to do so.

Last month, the Government advised that face masks or coverings should be worn in situations where social distancing might be difficult.

It also advised that people should not use medical/surgical or PPE masks and that these should be kept for healthcare workers.

It is recommended that the general public wear barrier masks, which may help prevent the spread of viral infection to others.

People getting on public transport or going into supermarkets “should wear” a face covering, he added.

And the very best of luck with all of that.

FIGHT!

People urged to wear face coverings in shops, on public transport (RTÉ)

Rollingnews

Safe.

And swanky.

This afternoon.

Dublin city centre.

Yesterday: Mask A Broadsheet Reader

Rollingnews

Meanwhile…

Homeware stores i.e. those primarily selling furniture, bedding, curtains, kitchenware, crockery ARE NOT allowed open from Monday. They are not classed as an essential service. Hardware stores (selling tools, an essential) ARE allowed open. #Covid_19 #restrictions

— Sharon Tobin (@sharontobin) May 15, 2020

Um.

Kildare Designer Fionnuala Bourke and her range of masks

Aileen Gaskin writes:

Kildare native, Fionnuala Bourke, better known for designing costumes for international dancers, pole dancers and WWE stars, has turned her hand to designing face masks alongside her father, a fire engineer, and a team of sewers.

Three weeks ago the father and daughter designed a unique style of mask, with adjustable straps, after Fionnuala decided that she could help people in her area and turn her design studio into a mask making factory.

In the last three weeks, over 2,000 euro has been donated to Fionnuala’s GoFundMe page.

To date, they have made roughly 1,000 masks in four different washable styles. All of the non-medical masks are currently being donated all over the country by a team of volunteers.

Fionnuala has filmed a sewing tutorial  to anyone who wants to sew their own masks. See @fibourkedesign.

Chin up.

It may never happen.

Louis Le Fronde writes:

I noticed this clever face mask when I was in a restaurant in Beijing [China] last year. They were being worn by the chefs, bar staff and waiters. I thought to myself, what a cool device, to avoid spreading germs (colds, flu, bugs etc) and viruses).

I further thought to myself, what if these were mandatory in every bar, cafe and restaurant together with latex gloves and regular handwashing? Could this reduce the spread of colds, infections and other bugs?

Also imagine if these were used in every supermarket, cafe and shop. I wonder how many lost work days would be saved?

Face Mask