My SIL is making masks for the entire family, there are about 60 of us. This is what she and my brother are doing and researched:
We experimented yesterday with HEPA filter inserts and she got it pretty much figured out. This allows you to use the washable mask and take the HEPA filter in and out from the pocket she made in the mask. The HEPA filter is supposed to sit out for, say, 4 days after using it for one whole day to allow any virus you might have captured in it to die off. So, if you make 4 HEPA inserts you alternate, and you wash your cloth facemask every day, you have a totally reusable mask system that you don’t have to keep replacing.
Turns out, a good source of HEPA material is vacuum cleaner bags (If they say they are HEPA rated). Some air filters are HEPA rated, but they might be hard to get these days. Even if you don’t have a HEPA filter, using MERV 12-16 material from a typical home HVAC air filter can help. Even a coffee filter will help. It’s just that HEPA means it won’t let 99.97% of 3 micron particles pass through. The virus is supposed to be captured if the filter meets this HEPA standard.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Interesting. We haven't started wearing masks yet. I feel my DH and boys would tug at it too much and not know how to properly remove it and would increase their risk of getting the virus by touching their faces. I feel I would end up doing the same.
I dug into my painting supplies and found 4 3-M masks so will be using those until my SIL sends me the cloth ones. I actually have a lot of Hepa filters for my A/C units and vacuum so will be sending some to my SIL.
The innovation in times of need is astounding. I keep thinking about our landfills that for years have been overwhelmed with the PPE going into or the pollution from burning it, not to mention the cost of using these items only once. We may have found an alternative to this waste just through the crafts of people.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I saw a bunch of people at the grocery store with a variety of masks on. Two were wearing N95 incorrectly. It totally defeats the purpose if you don’t use the straps. It isn’t supposed to be comfortable.
My boss's wife made me a mask - I went to Lowe's and got the Filtrete 1900 filters for allergens, bacteria and viruses - you can cut the fabric in those to fit your masks.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
My boss's wife made me a mask - I went to Lowe's and got the Filtrete 1900 filters for allergens, bacteria and viruses - you can cut the fabric in those to fit your masks.
I have those as well. An entire case
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
My friend from Church made me and my family (including the baby) face masks, another one made my daughter, family and extra for her coworkers at the hospital face masks at the hospital
Today I saw some nurses wearing headbands with buttons on them. They hook the ear loops to the button instead of their ears. It wouldn’t work for the N95 but it’s perfect for floor nurses taking care of non covid patients.
Thing is, if people don't use them properly, and keep their hands off of them, the mask isn't going to do any good.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Thing is, if people don't use them properly, and keep their hands off of them, the mask isn't going to do any good.
The mask isn't to protect you - it protects others from you and what you are expelling.
Yes. And if they are not used properly, they won't do any good.
Constant adjusting, moving it to talk, gaps, all cause spread.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
For those who are sewing the masks
and can't find elastics -BUNGEE CORDS
TO THE RESCUE!
What are bungee cords except very
strong elastics. Using a scalpel or
exacto knife, open a bungee cord and
remove the strands of elastic. Tie a
knot at each end and use as your
pattern directs.
Nm it won't post, but it said not to use vacuum bags or air filters as they are made of spun glass and when you cut them to use in your masks you will breath that stuff in.
-- Edited by NAOW on Thursday 9th of April 2020 06:20:33 PM
Nm it won't post, but it said not to use vacuum bags or air filters as they are made of spun glass and when you cut them to use in your masks you will breath that stuff in.
-- Edited by NAOW on Thursday 9th of April 2020 06:20:33 PM
Correct, if there is fibre glass in the bags do not use them. One reason why I specifically spoke to hepa filters.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
