Face masks

[nyxx]

Supine, I did buy a pack of things that claimed to be n95 masks for train travel but I think they’re fake crap, the fit & quality is terrible. Chatted to a relative whose colleagues test them, they said there’s tonnes of fakes out there, I’ve been stumped as to how obtain legit ones. Some suggestions here I’ll have another look at that. Altho also not sure where we’re up to in supply chains for people who absolutely need them due to being at much higher risk of exposure.

zora, maybe I need to clarify, I’m making some 3 layer masks now, but most of what I’ve given to people already were 2 layers. Still better over those flimsy single layer ones but still not great with how things have panned out.

 

[Boudicca]

I’m making some 3 layer masks now, but most of what I’ve given to people already were 2 layers. Still better over those flimsy single layer ones but still not great with how things have panned out.

The problem with three layers is breathability. I have been making two layers plus pocket for a filter. I even bought and cut up vacuum cleaner bags to make filters, but I've never actually used the filters as I find it very hard to breathe through them. And higher thread count cotton may be better, but it also makes it harder to breathe through. And all the layers in the world are no use if it doesn't fit properly.

But unless it's a fitted N95, we cannot see a mask as foolproof protection. It's about risk reduction, and anything over the nose and mouth is helpful.

 

[Roadkill]

These sort of tests seem like a good idea to check how good the mask is?

Ah. I've just run a couple of those tests on the multi-layer cotton masks I normally wear vis-a-vis the ones work issued me with in the summer, which aren't very comfortable and feel as if they don't seal properly around the nose. Surprisingly, the latter did a lot better, so it's them I'll be wearing from now on.

 

[muscovyduck]

Ah. I've just run a couple of those tests on the multi-layer cotton masks I normally wear vis-a-vis the ones work issued me with in the summer, which aren't very comfortable and feel as if they don't seal properly around the nose. Surprisingly, the latter did a lot better, so it's them I'll be wearing from now on.

I skipped the smell test and I've got a lung full of someone's fucking sandwich on the train rn. Fuming

 

[dessiato]

Everything I'm reading suggests that people in the uk are relatively reluctant to both wearing a mask all the time.

We have a simple rule here, wear a mask.

Police have fined a lot of people who weren't.

It might be why, as bad as it is here, we are not as bad as the UK.

 

[existentialist]

Everything I'm reading suggests that people in the uk are relatively reluctant to both wearing a mask all the time.

We have a simple rule here, wear a mask.

Police have fined a lot of people who weren't.

It might be why, as bad as it is here, we are not as bad as the UK.

When I was in France before Christmas, a majority of people just walking around on the street were masked. Over here, it's rare to see anyone out on the street in a mask.

 

[nyxx]

The problem with three layers is breathability. I have been making two layers plus pocket for a filter. I even bought and cut up vacuum cleaner bags to make filters, but I've never actually used the filters as I find it very hard to breathe through them. And higher thread count cotton may be better, but it also makes it harder to breathe through. And all the layers in the world are no use if it doesn't fit properly.

But unless it's a fitted N95, we cannot see a mask as foolproof protection. It's about risk reduction, and anything over the nose and mouth is helpful.

Is this sort of taking us over to the crafty mask thread?

Yeah the trade off between stronger filtering vs breatheability is tricky.

The latest stuff I’ve read says a layer of something nonwoven is the best way to increase filtration without compromising breatheability. Either nwpp or some kind of interfacing. I’ve had a look and it’s possible to buy suitable nwpp by the metre but am slightly reluctant to because it’s new (all the other materials I’m using are recycled/upcycled) and it’s not biodegradable.
Still, better to make something reuseable. I’ll probably go for it for the next lot I make. (Assuming it’s still available given the customs changes )

Agree that any mask is better than no mask. I’ve made one of two layers of much thinner fabric for someone who’s exempt and struggles with wearing them, she finds this one bearable and that’s definitely better than none.

 

[miss direct]

Does anyone have a link to a really good, reusable one on Amazon? Searching for masks there is problematic.

 

[magneze]

Not Amazon but KN95 Anti-Pollution Face Masks - 20 Pack We have some and they're good.

 

[Jay Park]

Not Amazon but KN95 Anti-Pollution Face Masks - 20 Pack We have some and they're good.

can wash those, too

 

[magneze]

Doubt it. Just leave for 3 days.

 

[Jay Park]

Doubt it. Just leave for 3 days.

no, you can wash them. I've done it. A multitude of times. Almost as many times as you've had hot dinners since covid started.

 

[magneze]

Fairly sure you can't without the proper equipment. How To Clean Your N95 Mask Or Face Covering With Covid-19 Coronavirus

 

[Jay Park]

Well I'm fairly sure I have, quite sturdy you see these 94s. Just washed one today in fact.

 

[Doctor Carrot]

Any recommendations for reusable masks? I work in a shop and I've gone from wearing nothing, to a face shield and now I wear a standard surgical mask. I actually find these quite comfortable, as wearing a mask for 9 hours a day goes anyway, are these much cop with the new variant or should I switch to something different?

 

[skyscraper101]

Any recommendations for reusable masks? I work in a shop and I've gone from wearing nothing, to a face shield and now I wear a standard surgical mask. I actually find these quite comfortable, as wearing a mask for 9 hours a day goes anyway, are these much cop with the new variant or should I switch to something different?

I like these nice brushed cotton ones which don't irritate my skin, and keep my face warm in the cold, as well as coming in my favourite colours (grey, black, and white). 5 for a fiver on ebay.

Face Mask 100% Cotton Washable Reusable Breathable Protection Cover 5Colour Pack | eBay

Foldable and recyclable dust mask, you can put it in your pocket and take it with you. Reusable And Washable Face Mask Black - Mouth & Nose Protection Masks. 100% Cotton 3 Layer Reusable face mask, simply wash and reuse.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[magneze]

N95s are a paper based material so just for the avoidance of doubt and for safety do not try to wash them. Read the link I posted above.

Personally I have 3 which I simply rotate. Apparently 3 days is enough not to worry about the virus on them any more. See here: N95 Mask Re-Use Strategies - SAGES

I'm not medically trained and in fact I've used mine a lot more than the 5 recommended in that link since I'm not wearing them for 8 hours. Just for going to shops for food.

Now I've read that I may get a new 3.

 

[magneze]

Any recommendations for reusable masks? I work in a shop and I've gone from wearing nothing, to a face shield and now I wear a standard surgical mask. I actually find these quite comfortable, as wearing a mask for 9 hours a day goes anyway, are these much cop with the new variant or should I switch to something different?

N95 is more effective but I think you'd find it uncomfortable for 9 hours a day. I find it uncomfortable for more than 30 minutes if doing a big supermarket shop. However, many people do wear them all day.

 

[Supine]

N95 is more effective but I think you'd find it uncomfortable for 9 hours a day. I find it uncomfortable for more than 30 minutes if doing a big supermarket shop. However, many people do wear them all day.

I wear n95 for 8-10 hrs a day when I'm on site. You do get used to it.

 

[Supine]

N95s are a paper based material so just for the avoidance of doubt and for safety do not try to wash them. Read the link I posted above.

They aren't paper based. Don't wash them though as the material partly works using electromagnetic forces and that might not like water.

 

[Boudicca]

I like these nice brushed cotton ones which don't irritate my skin, and keep my face warm in the cold, as well as coming in my favourite colours (grey, black, and white). 5 for a fiver on ebay.

Face Mask 100% Cotton Washable Reusable Breathable Protection Cover 5Colour Pack | eBay

Foldable and recyclable dust mask, you can put it in your pocket and take it with you. Reusable And Washable Face Mask Black - Mouth & Nose Protection Masks. 100% Cotton 3 Layer Reusable face mask, simply wash and reuse.

www.ebay.co.uk

These are jersey and so full of holes. The 100% cotton needs to be woven, not knitted. They might be comfy but there are much more efficient ones out there.

 

[skyscraper101]

These are jersey and so full of holes. The 100% cotton needs to be woven, not knitted. They might be comfy but there are much more efficient ones out there.

I mean, anything short of N95 is always going to be imperfect. But these are 3 layer cotton, and for 9 hours of wearing way more comfortable than anything else I've worn.

 

[magneze]

They aren't paper based. Don't wash them though as the material partly works using electromagnetic forces and that might not like water.

Good to know. They feel papery.

 

[zora]

There is a good little video here on how they work

 

[nyxx]

When stretch fabric stretches, the weave gets wider, the gaps between the threads get bigger.

 

[Fez909]

Any recommendations for reusable masks? I work in a shop and I've gone from wearing nothing, to a face shield and now I wear a standard surgical mask. I actually find these quite comfortable, as wearing a mask for 9 hours a day goes anyway, are these much cop with the new variant or should I switch to something different?

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/content/airism-face-mask.html

 

[platinumsage]

I've not found a fabric mask that fits securely around the nose, so I think their filtration capabilities are largely irrelevant, and they should be viewed more like airflow redirectors, like sneezing into your hand.

 

[Cid]

Good to know. They feel papery.

Polypropylene apparently... this article seems ok; the inventor’s recommendations.

N95 Respirator Cleaning and Reuse Methods Proposed by the Inventor of the N95 Mask Material - PMC

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Not health agency approved, but practical. Main points for normal people:

• 4 mask rotor using numbered mask for each day should be fine. E2a: though bear in mind this is storage at room temp of 21c.
• do not use soap and water, or alcohol.
• can be heat sterilised, though may change mask fit.

 

[wemakeyousoundb]

Coronavirus: Morrisons to ban shoppers who refuse to wear face masks

 

[Doctor Carrot]

Coronavirus: Morrisons to ban shoppers who refuse to wear face masks

I think all supermarkets should band together in this. I'm at the point where I shame mask less customers enough to make them think twice about it next time and many buy one on the spot from the box we have on the counter.