https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/1233725785283932160

N95 masks will filter particles as small as .3 microns IF worn properly (good seal). Virus are much smaller at .1 microns.
Virus infect through other mucous membranes i.e. YOUR EYES.

Just saying folks

most of the times viruses are in respiratory droplets which are much larger than the virus itself.  It is unlikely there will be a cloud of virus particles in the air by themselves.  That is why we put masks on the sick patients so they dont cough out the droplets into the air.    The masks will reduce some chances of infection but work better if fit well (with no beards) combined with hand washing, absolutely no touching the face, eye protection,  etc.

nothing is ever 100% absolute in medicine but there are ways to reduce risk.     

Try putting a little Tabasco on your finger tips and see how long it takes before you unconsciously touch your eyes or nose or mouth.  It is hard.


notice the surgeon general said masked dont work, save them for healthcare workers?  Why would I even bother wearing one if they did not work at all. 

Another thing about the filter masks is that effectiveness goes down with use. I’ve heard effectiveness of the N95 masks in 3-5 hours before the effectiveness degrades.

Another thing about the filter masks is that effectiveness goes down with use. I’ve heard effectiveness of the N95 masks in 3-5 hours before the effectiveness degrades.

Depends on the mask.

A $5 disposable is a one-time-use mask.  Reusing them beyond one use is not a good idea for many reasons.

The half-face style rubber masks with replaceable filters are a better choice for about $40 or less.  Those actually have a chance of creating an effective seal, have valves to let exhaled air out, and can be used with a variety of filters that last longer but can also be replaced with new.

Neither of these protect the eyes, where many infections are introduced.  If you're not wearing eye protections, too, then you're still at risk.

Best defense is frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your face unless you just washed your hands, and steering clear of crowded places and coughing people.  Avoiding the need for a mask is better than having one that's only a certain percentage effective.

If you are sick, it's advisable to then wear a mask to avoid not only infecting others, but to prevent other types of infections while your immune system is busy fighting whatever you already have.

I have a full-face painting/fiberglass resin mask but things will have to get really bad before I bust that out. The best thing about n-95 is that even if it does not keep the virus from getting in it does help from getting out. Plus people wearing masks remind everyone to wash their hands and not take unnecessary risks.

I have a full-face painting/fiberglass resin mask but things will have to get really bad before I bust that out. The best thing about n-95 is that even if it does not keep the virus from getting in it does help from getting out. Plus people wearing masks remind everyone to wash their hands and not take unnecessary risks.

Not to mention the benefit of certain faces being partially hidden from public view.   

Like all PPE, hard hats, gloves, eye protection, etc, all are the LAST line of protection.  The best and first line, which often times is not avoidable or practical, is avoiding the risk all together. 

Like all PPE, hard hats, gloves, eye protection, etc, all are the LAST line of protection.  The best and first line, which often times is not avoidable or practical, is avoiding the risk all together.

Agree. The false sense of security is like the “gotta do something” feel good aspect of gun control, but I digress. Misuse of PPE counter productive.

I actually have PPE for/from work that can protect me pretty well for Covid-19, but I never even thought about using it. At least not yet...

So long story short is don't take hits to the eye...that may be difficult for some.

Another thing about the filter masks is that effectiveness goes down with use. I’ve heard effectiveness of the N95 masks in 3-5 hours before the effectiveness degrades.

"effectiveness degradation"  usually includes ability to breathe thru mask. Too much particulate on the outside coupled with exhaled moisture on the inside makes "mud".
Better NP-95 masks have exhalation valve to decrease heat and moisture.
My go to mask stored in my trauma kits, IFAK, FA kit and CERT bag are Base Camp models.
3D design, nose foam, non-wovan + activated charcoal filter, nice fit and their foldable so store in bags nicely.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TT7GDRP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just checked, currently unavailable 

I also have a box of the 3m 8511's which I ordered for auto body work.

But in 2 day's, I'll have no reason to go anywhere, anytime and am prepared to do so.

So long story short is don't take hits to the eye...that may be difficult for some.

heads

heads

He doesn’t have that kind of “friends”, or so he said previously 😝

He doesn’t have that kind of “friends”, or so he said previously 😝

....
Eeewwww

"effectiveness degradation"  usually includes ability to breathe thru mask. Too much particulate on the outside coupled with exhaled moisture on the inside makes "mud".
Better NP-95 masks have exhalation valve to decrease heat and moisture.
My go to mask stored in my trauma kits, IFAK, FA kit and CERT bag are Base Camp models.
3D design, nose foam, non-wovan + activated charcoal filter, nice fit and their foldable so store in bags nicely.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TT7GDRP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just checked, currently unavailable 

I also have a box of the 3m 8511's which I ordered for auto body work.

But in 2 day's, I'll have no reason to go anywhere, anytime and am prepared to do so.

Yup. The exhaled vapor was what I was heard and thinking of the effectiveness.

You not gonna be in Hauula in two weeks? 

From my retired aunt who was involved with management systems in multiple ”big pharma”/healthcare corps. She was mostly joking in the context of when this came up, but still...

Actually, all a healthcare conspiracy.   Use anti-bacterial products which not only drives the profit up for anti-anything companies while slowly reducing human natural immunity.  So, more humans get sick and hospitals make more money with more patients, pharma sells more drugs and makes more money.....

Mind you she lives on a large farm away from metro. Not quite a prepper, but she is largely a “I am happy on my own and away from people” person and lives that way.

Yup. The exhaled vapor was what I was heard and thinking of the effectiveness.
Don't Inhale !     

You not gonna be in Hauula in two weeks? 

    Been a rough and Sucky couple of months.
Had to make choices, I chose Friday.   
    Rockette will be participating. 
I'll be a spectator, on standby if I can make it up and there's still room. 

See you there.   

From my retired aunt who was involved with management systems in multiple ”big pharma”/healthcare corps. She was mostly joking in the context of when this came up, but still...

Mind you she lives on a large farm away from metro. Not quite a prepper, but she is largely a “I am happy on my own and away from people” person and lives that way.

This is why hand sanitizers say kills 99% of bacteria. 1 is for lawsuit and 2 is cause ur hands need bacteria on them. Or u will get black spots on them.

Regular soap is fine, no need anti bacterial labeled soaps.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

One thing to note is just because the mask is advertised to work and you feel it "fits" good or has fancy filters etc. As a nurse we get fitted yearly with 3m masks or duckbilled n95 masks. They will place our masks on and put a clear headsuite thing in, spray a fine mist of bitter tasting mist, make us move our heads up down side to side, talk. And at no point should you have any bitter taste sensation. Just like everything else in this world. A mask is a tool and only as effective as the user using it. Like others have stated, the flu and other viruses are majority droplet, meaning about any face mask will work. Airborne vectors such as TB need a n95 mask. But even then it takes a prolonged exposure time.

Also no facial hair. That is why fireman and pilot are clean shaven.

One thing to note is just because the mask is advertised to work and you feel it "fits" good or has fancy filters etc. As a nurse we get fitted yearly with 3m masks or duckbilled n95 masks. They will place our masks on and put a clear headsuite thing in, spray a fine mist of bitter tasting mist, make us move our heads up down side to side, talk. And at no point should you have any bitter taste sensation. Just like everything else in this world. A mask is a tool and only as effective as the user using it. Like others have stated, the flu and other viruses are majority droplet, meaning about any face mask will work. Airborne vectors such as TB need a n95 mask. But even then it takes a prolonged exposure time.

The Air Force taught us to use an effective method to check the seal.  Place both hands on the filters and inhale.  If the filter inlets are covered, there should be no air coming in at all.  The rubber gaskets (diaphragms) covering the exhalation holes should automatically prevent air from coming in.

If you don't "suck" the mask tight against your face, you don't have an effective seal or mask.

Locate the failure point/s:

1.  Seal between mask and skin is not good.
2.  Diaphragms that prevent back-flow of exhaled air through exhaust holes need replacing/straightening out.
3.  Filters are not sealing at attachment points.
4.  There's a leak somewhere else.

If the mask is working, but it's still not sealing completely to your face, you may need a different size or style of mask. 

If it seals when you inhale, and then becomes loose when you exhale, you should still not trust it.  All it takes is a few seconds of not breathing in (creating a seal) or out (creating positive pressure) to any real degree for the broken seal to be a problem -- especially if your next breath is inhaling.

We were treated to some tear gas once we had our masks adjusted and tested.  We had to remain in the little training shed for 5 minutes with masks on to ensure the seals were good.  Then we removed our masks and stayed for 10-15 seconds just to get a whiff of the gas before exiting.

I didn't feel any effects until the bus ride back.  The guy in front of me had his window open, and the tear gas particles on his field jacket blew right into my face!