OT: COVID-19 Face Mask Recommendations
I will be returning to work in the next few weeks and would be interested in people’s recommendations for a reusable face mask that is really breathable.
Thus far my public activities have been intentionally limited so I have been using a less than ideal mask (polyester-ish stretchy material). However, given my renewed mass transit commute and the office setting for my job, I would really love to get something that will both protect me/public as well as not suffocate me in the process.
I ordered these 100% cotton face-masks and am happy with them. They're comfortable, look professional, and are rewashable. However, they're not great outdoors -- if it is >70 and humid, it can be unpleasant but not extraordinarily so.
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0016018
Not a recommendation, but the visuals from this study show the effectiveness of a spectrum of options and how effective they are at reducing the distance aerosols travel.
For those who (like me) were just looking for the money shot from that study -- how far do germs from a cough travel?
No mask: 8 ft.
Bandana: 3ft 7in.
Folded handkerchief: 1 ft 3 in.
Stitched Mask: 2.5 in.
CVS Cone Mask: 8in.
Thanks. I was so focused on the cool graphics that I neglected to post the simple bottom line.
I have something like this:
Ultimately, I don't know how effective it is...the one I have is supposed to be a step below the n95, ASTM level 3, I believe. But it DEFINITELY is more comfortable and cooler than the cloth mask that I have. I also don't have to mess with it because the strap on the back allows me to get a nice tight fit on my face.
I love it.
When I'm out running, I never wear a mask. There is no one within 30 feet of me and I don't see the point. I will not be entering any 5-10Ks where runners are all packed in.
Or don't wear them at all.
From now on, Michigan football shall and will only recruit guys named Kyle.
Any questions?
Under those conditions I'd be wearing an N95, with something else over it.
I scored some 3M 8210's and they're not bad, but I've never worn one for more than a few hours. If it was all day I'd get one with the exhaust valve and cover it with a polyester sleeve.
My wife is a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and the strongest of mask proponents. She wears an N95 at work-it is taxing. A good cloth mask offers good protection...very good protection if your colleagues are similarly protected.
That's the thing, mask compliance seems to vary widely depending on where you are. Where I live, in Royal Oak, almost everyone is wearing one at the stores (Home Depot being a notable exception). When I went shopping in Canton, it was probably about 2/3.
Somerset mall? Maybe half. But they were all young people.
Hope you and your wife are doing well and successfully dodging the rona.
13 mile Meijers two nights ago only about 2/3 of shoppers had masks on.
Frentz & Sons is proving very tough to socially distance in the few times I’ve been fwiw.
That will protect you, but the exhaust valve defeats the purpose of protecting anyone else. The exhaust air is not filtered.
I know, that's why I wear a cloth mask over it.
But whenever I'm in a crowded indoor space I'm usually wearing a half face, P100 respirator.
N95's are extremely uncomfortable
So is that fluid the Rona puts in your lungs.
Face Shields. Why this isn't the norm vs unhealthy surgical masks is beyond me. Beside, the so called experts seem to ignore the fact that masks should be changed out approx every two hours. No one does this.
But do your own DD.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-shields-masks-covid-.html
I've seen a few people wearing these, along with N95 masks, out and about. I'm thinking about getting a few in advance of the 2nd wave.
I really don't want to catch this fucking thing.
If you really don’t want to catch it, why are you spending so much time at stores? (Per your comments on Home Depot, Lowes and the mall?).
I shop once every 2 weeks and I've been to the mall one time. Had to get a last minute birthday gift for the wife.
My interactions with the public are as limited as reasonably possible.
I wear a mask everywhere in public, but I'll tell you there's no possible way I'm wearing a face shield. Much too vain. If they were required I'd never leave the house. Not recommending to others, just saying
On the bright side, I've noticed a lot more cleavage, see thru tops, and short skirts lately. Have to show off what you can with half your face covered.
Also, women seem to find me more attractive with the mask on. Which is kind of depressing.
Where have you noticed these see thru tops and short skirts now? Question is purely covid/science related.
Home depot and Lowe's, oddly enough.
The mall was some next level shit. It was like fashion week. Nipples everywhere.
I go to the wrong Lowes, I guess. :(
Guess I gotta do some shopping at the Somerset Mall.
Because face shields protect the wearer, not everyone around the wearer. The mask requirement is to protect others
If you read the study, face shields are very effective at reducing exposure to the virus. They stop droplet transmission and decrease the amount of virus inhaled by the person wearing the shield. They can be an effective alternative to masks for people with glasses and constant fogging and people who are deaf and need lip reading. Additionally, they protect your eyes at the same time.
Igot that, but point still stands. Face shields are about the person wearing the face shields protection. Masks are about protecting other people.
From the article
"It protects you, the wearer," Esper said. "But if you cough, because this face shield is away from your face, those droplets can still get out better than if you have a mask on, where they basically get sucked up by the mask itself."
I think effectiveness need depends on your work situation entirely (will it be on all day, or off/on?etc). For public transit I’d probably go pretty heavy, and probably wear glasses and maybe gloves just to limit my face/eye touching exposure prior to getting to the office. That said, the strongest comfort recommendation I can make is get something that ties or connects around the head instead of something with the ear bands.
The keys are to pursue a TIGHT-KNIT fabric and to find one with excellent fit. That will both ensure effective filtering as well as help avoid unfiltered air movement around the mask perimeter. 3 (or 2, but 3>2) layers of cotton is quite fitting in this way.
Beyond that, there are bonuses for materials like polypropylene with electrostatic potential. That boosts filtering to great extent. Such materials are not comfortable on their own, and belong sandwiched between sleeves of cotton. They also can lose their cling in the wash, but can be recharged by an iron or vigorous rubbing.
Otherwise, here are three things to avoid:
(1) do not use a mask with a valve on the front. These allow you to exhale unfiltered air around others, thus defeating the primary mask purpose, to protect others
(2) do not wear a face shield alone. This is not a mask. It is a mask augment. Though valuable as a pair, it is close to worthless on its own.
(3) Avoid N95’s in times of rising crisis, or at the very least consult news on the supply chain to ensure you aren’t depleting the market of materials that healthcare providers are seeking as well.
/your friendly MGomedical doctor and MGobiochemist
I just came across this and it's probably the best choice for a face mask you can make.
https://news.yahoo.com/indian-man-wears-gold-face-mask-ward-off-134617710.html
A mask our president might wear.
Schlissel I presume.
That guy is from the western city of Pune. For some reason, I trust his judgement. I just ordered mine.
These Adidas ones are by far the best ones I've used. Highly recommend
https://www.adidas.com/us/face-covers-m-l-3-pack/H08837.html
some of the older ones had a lot more character
I prefer a single bar facemask, like Garo Yepremian.
some classics in this group, meloche, eddie giacoman, jimmy rutherford, bunny laroque:
This is an opportunity. Make one of those with N95 filtration and I'd wear it constantly.
Social distancing wouldn't be a problem. People would part like the Red Sea.
My avatar is my mask. I get some looks.
I've seen a couple of people do the full-on invisible man mask, head completely wrapped up. Hey, whatever floats your boat and keeps your droplets contained.
Most of the posters on this thread are some kind of special.
That's all. Happy 4th.
Too cool for school aren't ya?
OP, you've got some balls if you're going to be using public transportation.
Of course, details are important. I'm picturing a worst-case scenario (CTA trains in Chicago on Friday evenings after work). Rolling bars, basically, minus bartenders and -- with a few exceptions, anyway -- drinks. Any express bus would be the same or worse. Some regular buses, too. It would be one thing if everyone wore masks. Anyone care to bet on whether the antisocial element will be following those guidelines?
Not sure about the comfort level, but I don't think Covid is getting through this. Dupont makes it.
Get that in Maize & Blue, produce a couple hundred thousand & then we can watch the weirdest football game ever.
I’ve actually found these from Mden to be pretty comfortable.
https://www.mden.com/product/Valiant_University_of_Michigan_Themed_Design_Facemasks?VG2002+SEARCH
My wife bought some from Figs that are pretty comfortable as well.
The wife gave me a set of those for Father’s Day. They aren’t bad at all. Pretty comfortable and breathable.