Masks

[woodypup59]

You'd have thought with all the technology at their disposal, the teams could come up with masks that stay put.

The type with a solid frame are much better than the thin fabric ones.

[n3il123]

I noticed that last year the teams all seemed to be using super duper masks with vents etc, but now they all seem to have gone to the normal bit of fabric, perhaps they are cutting costs!

Not that the expensive masks stayed put any better mind!

[Jasandjules]

Should be gone by now in any event,

[Mick87]

n3il123 said:

I noticed that last year the teams all seemed to be using super duper masks with vents etc, but now they all seem to have gone to the normal bit of fabric, perhaps they are cutting costs!

Not that the expensive masks stayed put any better mind!

The Italian government has banned them because the company selling them said they were medical grade masks and when tested they wasn't.

They now sell them as "not classified as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). It is not certified as a MD (Medical Device)." for £36 each.

[48k]

Jasandjules said:

Should be gone by now in any event,

Depends which country they're in surely?

[TheDeuce]

48k said:

Jasandjules said:

Should be gone by now in any event,

Depends which country they're in surely?

To an extent - but then again with so many in the paddock vaccinated, in addition to very regular PCR tests... There is an increasing argument that the masks are overkill surely... Wherever they are in the world, they're in the same bubble.

Same argument in the film industry, where I work and we have had about the same covid measures in place as F1. As a result, like F1, most film sets are about the safest places you can be! I imagine several hundred times safer than popping to a local supermarket etc.

I think we're entering the phase of corporate liability and culpability when it comes to when to sack off the masks. We don't need them anymore... it's just no one wants to be the person to make that decision...or even suggest it I imagine.

There might not be much logic in it, but I reckon we're all stuck with the bloody masks for a good while yet.

[SmoothCriminal]

Jasandjules said:

Should be gone by now in any event,

I'm so glad they have got rid of them for the drivers post quali/race interviews

[48k]

TheDeuce said:

48k said:

Jasandjules said:

Should be gone by now in any event,

Depends which country they're in surely?

To an extent - but then again with so many in the paddock vaccinated, in addition to very regular PCR tests... There is an increasing argument that the masks are overkill surely... Wherever they are in the world, they're in the same bubble.

Same argument in the film industry, where I work and we have had about the same covid measures in place as F1. As a result, like F1, most film sets are about the safest places you can be! I imagine several hundred times safer than popping to a local supermarket etc.

I think we're entering the phase of corporate liability and culpability when it comes to when to sack off the masks. We don't need them anymore... it's just no one wants to be the person to make that decision...or even suggest it I imagine.

There might not be much logic in it, but I reckon we're all stuck with the bloody masks for a good while yet.

There may be a PR aspect to it - if they are in a country which requires masks but they could in theory go without because bubble - it may be the right thing to do to be seen to be wearing masks.

[paulguitar]

I think it is all about appearances, but it makes no logical sense, for example, for people outside and distanced to be wearing them. I'm getting really concerned about the apparent unwillingness to move away from this. It really needs to stop now, basically.

[Evanivitch]

n3il123 said:

I noticed that last year the teams all seemed to be using super duper masks with vents etc, but now they all seem to have gone to the normal bit of fabric, perhaps they are cutting costs!

Not that the expensive masks stayed put any better mind!

Originally many people thought the public face coverings were intended to protect the wearer, and thus filter on the inhale. Hence they had valves for exhale.

Bit that was never the case. The face coverings are supposed to reduce the risk of asymptomatic spreaders sharing the virus through exhaling. Hence an exhale valve would defeat the point entirely.

[defblade]

Hamilton has got one (ok, more than one, probably ) that appears to fit reasonably and NOT move when he talks.
It's got a few folds/tucks/whatever in to give it structure, so probably pricier than a standard surgical one, but I can't imagine they are that expensive in F1 terms that the rest of the paddock couldn't adopt them.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

defblade said:

Hamilton has got one (ok, more than one, probably ) that appears to fit reasonably and NOT move when he talks.
It's got a few folds/tucks/whatever in to give it structure, so probably pricier than a standard surgical one, but I can't imagine they are that expensive in F1 terms that the rest of the paddock couldn't adopt them.

We actually researched into these for our hair/beauty salon as obviously talking while wearing is incredibly important. I actually used an interview with Hamilton as an example to the staff of which was best as it completely encloses his face while talking-as opposed to the rubbish ones used by most teams.

They aren't cheap and are more easily available in the USA;

https://www.amazon.com/PURE-MSK-Trifold-Disposable...

They are very good.

Despite anti-bodies or vaccinations, I suspect the problem for F1 drivers is test positive-miss race. Covid-19 still has the danger of deciding the championship even if someone doesn't fall ill from it.