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Mask up - and then mask up again
By adamg on Mon, 01/25/2021 - 10:14am
WBZ talks to the head of Brigham and Women's infectious-disease division on why you should consider wearing two masks, now that that more contagious strain of Covid-19 is here.
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Comments
I’ve been double masking ...
... since November. I hope more people chose to do so.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the double mask steams up my glasses less.
Can't get construction
Can't get construction workers to wear one mask, never mind 2.
It's a mess.
It's agreed!
Totally irresponsible is what it is!
Moisture
Double masking keeps the moisture issues contained a bit better, too. Less glasses fogging.
Almost a year into this...
...and American "civilians" still have no easy access to N95 masks. We should be ashamed of ourselves.
Nope
But you can get the KN95 masks which are effective enough.
I order mine from NewEgg.com .. I get some ram, a hard drive, and some masks in one order.
FDA certified?
I also just bought some KN95 masks online and had a hard time tracking down ones that were on the FDA certified list. Lots out there that are not. Although like many COVID things, the guidance is opaque, and I’m still not absolutely sure the ones I bought were legitimate even with them being on the FDA list.
I worry about counterfeit
One reason I have been hesitant to buy N95 or KN95 masks is because I am always leery of counterfeit masks made in the same pattern as these masks but using under-spec’d materials. At the beginning of the pandemic their were a lot of shady PPE vendors online selling knock-off gear.
Its a game of chance
But I will say.. the ones I have fit better, are thicker than a papermask.
No scientist but having a mask that fits better like a KN95 does is probably better than a paper one.
tbh I bought the first box cuz I needed to sand something... and they blocked out the sand dust so it does fine particles. (the paper masks did not)
They seemed OK so I ordered more.
I have tons of KN95 masks.
as well as a few cloth ones. I think I'll start doubling up on masks.
And how should we fix this problem?
The factories are cranking them out 24/7 but it still makes the most sense that people who are actively treating COVID patients should be prioritized. Sure, it would be great if everyone who wanted an N95 could get one, but until the supply catches up, a double mask is a good alternative.
Had the Defense Production Act been utilized...
...manufacturers could have been ordered to convert factories to produce masks, and vials, and syringes, and all the stuff we've been short of since last February. Patriotism may have been enough to motivate auto manufacturers to crank out planes and tanks in World War II, but since 1950 this law has been on the books.
GM
Yeah, but they did that with GM. They cranked up and learned to build ventilators (would you want a V1.0 vent?) Just about the time they got going, the supply of ventilators stabilized and their goods were not needed. Some businesses can pivot on a dime, but a hell of a lot cannot. (And then there is the supply chain issue. I read that Jordan's furniture can't get some furniture because the companies that normally make that weird material that goes across the underside of couches pivoted to making mask fibers. It's complicated shifting gears....)
If two is good, is three
If two is good, is three masks even better?
If they're thinner or 1-ply, maybe!
I've seen a recommendation to wear a three-layer mask -- cloth on the inside and outside, and a better filter layer in the middle.
The other approach is a two-layer cloth mask over an N95 or similar.
Mixing materials might allow catching a wider variety of particles sizes while allowing sufficient air flow.
If I understand correctly, however,
N95 masks are reserved for people who work in the medical fields.
Why not?
There's a level of madness to all of this. First, we were explicitly told not to wear masks. Then, we were told to get something over your nose and mouth ASAP. Now, we are told that the thing you were wearing to cover nose and mouth was useless.
Honestly, I've seen people double masking since September, and I begrudge them nothing, but since the scientific community has spent the past 9 months noting that a single mask does a lot, I'm hesitant to follow this.
Fuck everything we're doing
Fuck everything we're doing five masks.
A mask, a mask protecting mask ...
And a mask protector protecting mask!
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/gary-busey-ad/n9737
No, it is not
Air will follow the path of least resistance. You want that to be though the masks, not any imperfectly-sealed spots around the edges of the masks.
Time to really stock up.
.
We go through 60 to 70 masks per month at a dollar a mask.
I know some people wear one mask multiple times, but I'm not sure you're supposed to.
Get ones that can be washed
Get ones that can be washed and worn over and over.
Washing masks daily?
The disposable ones are easier in my opinion.
Washing masks is easy
if you put them in a lingerie bag. Then air dry.
Washing cloth masks
We've got a couple dozen cloth masks at this point - eShakti makes really good inexpensive ones, double layered with a pocket for inserting a paper filter (We slip a paper mask inside.) No need to wash them daily - we machine wash them in lingerie bags along with the rest of the laundry.
No, get a pack of multiple
No, get a pack of multiple masks, then wash them all together at the end of the week. You can also apply this principle to other things you wear, like socks and shirts.
That's why you buy a whole bunch
Get a couple dozen, and you can just use your washing machine once you've gone through a bunch.
I have about 21 fabric masks
I have about 21 fabric masks and filters to put in them. They get worn, then put in the laundry bag, and washed when I do laundry. It's... pretty simple.
Don't use the disposable ones --
it's wasteful and expensive. Make or buy a few 2-3 layer cloth masks. Launder the mask with the rest of your clothes and switch to the next mask in your rotation.
Get a Costco Card
I've been buying the disposables for $20 for 50.
Job Lot has had a lot of good deals on PPE stuff, too.
I generally use cloth and wash them, but they get wet wet wet wearing them outdoors and the disposables work better.
NewEgg
Ill chime in and plug newegg.com
They have paper masks for 10 bucks for 50.
Cheapest place I've seen that has masks.
Thanks for the tip. Giving Newegg.com a try
Just bought some of those KN95 masks that they say are FDA CE certified to try out the store. Looks like a worthwhile place for other things too. Bookmarked them.
In the meantime, I'm double-masking when I go out. I have dozens of masks, both 3 layer paper ones that can be fitted somewhat, as well as the 3 layer washable cloth ones.
(Edited to specify FDA CE certified.)
We have a new travel ban,
We have a new travel ban, that will help a bit.
What about the old school
What about the old school paper surgical masks? Are we supposed to double up on those as well? Right now my solution is wearing the mask but with thick scarf wrapped around my face when I'm outside. Problem is that's not going to work when it warms up in the Spring.
So double up on paper masks, or not?
Saw an interview with "The
Saw an interview with "The Fauch" last night. The solution is paper surgical mask first then a cloth mask. It's so nice when an expert shows you.