Face masks

[8ball]

Apologies if this has been posted before, if this table is correct, it claims even a leaky N95 mask will help more than a cloth mask. The cheap FFP2 masks I use, always leak near the nose.

2hats the time periods listed in this table, are these plausible based on research you've seen?



the table was pulled from this article

COMMENTARY: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind COVID-19 protection

www.cidrap.umn.edu

Wearing nothing works surprisingly well.
Though it has some downsides, according to the naked rambler.

 

[2hats]

2hats the time periods listed in this table, are these plausible based on research you've seen?

I recall a study with similar estimates elsewhere (can't find it right now; may have been pre-omicron and/or pre-vaccines anyway). Would take the absolute times with a pinch of salt; the relative times (factors) are likely pretty good though (as they hint). Maybe (speculation) a FRSM might now be somewhat more effective if a significant proportion of infectious viral titre is now typically in saliva (and falls close to the source as ballistic spittle); though that would obviously necessitate everyone wearing them. I tend to use a KF94 (or similar) and, when in close proximity to others, tightly overfit a cycling mask minus the original filter (alternatively you could make a badger seal as described upthread).

Thought I'd throw this in here too (don't recall spotting it before) - DIY home mask cleaning (caution - insert standard disclaimer):
Zulauf et al. Microwave-generated steam decontamination of N95 respirators utilizing universally accessible materials. mBio. 2020; 11:e00997-20. DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00997-20.

 

[gentlegreen]

I do sometimes worry about the fit of my FFP2s, but I usually manage to get them so they suck in and out with my breath - but they sometimes still mist my glasses a bit ... so it isn't down to my stubble ...
But my exposure to risk is minimal and I used less promising masks for over a year ...

 

[HAL9000]

I recall a study with similar estimates elsewhere (can't find it right now; may have been pre-omicron and/or pre-vaccines anyway). Would take the absolute times with a pinch of salt; the relative times (factors) are likely pretty good though (as they hint). Maybe (speculation) a FRSM might now be somewhat more effective if a significant proportion of infectious viral titre is now typically in saliva (and falls close to the source as ballistic spittle); though that would obviously necessitate everyone wearing them. I tend to use a KF94 (or similar) and, when in close proximity to others, tightly overfit a cycling mask minus the original filter (alternatively you could make a badger seal as described upthread).

Thought I'd throw this in here too (don't recall spotting it before) - DIY home mask cleaning (caution - insert standard disclaimer):
Zulauf et al. Microwave-generated steam decontamination of N95 respirators utilizing universally accessible materials. mBio. 2020; 11:e00997-20. DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00997-20.

thanks

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Apologies if this has been posted before, if this table is correct, it claims even a leaky N95 mask will help more than a cloth mask. The cheap FFP2 masks I use, always leak near the nose.

2hats the time periods listed in this table, are these plausible based on research you've seen?



the table was pulled from this article

COMMENTARY: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind COVID-19 protection

www.cidrap.umn.edu

What does the timescale mean? Is that 15 minutes of standing next to someone infected with no masks on? 15 minutes of being in the same room? Or 15 minutes of being in sainsburys with someone else in sainsburys who is infected?

 

[8ball]

That’s interesting reading. I typically use surgical or cloth masks. I need to rethink this.

Or you could spend less time hanging round strangers.

 

[8ball]

What does the timescale mean? Is that 15 minutes of standing next to someone infected with no masks on? 15 minutes of being in the same room? Or 15 minutes of being in sainsburys with someone else in sainsburys who is infected?

Look, if you start with that kind of finickiness it's going to start to look like nonsense.

 

[NoXion]

I just wear a mask and stay the fuck away from other people as much as humanly possible. I don't see the point in getting worked up over the details. That just sounds like another way of stressing out.

Also, I make sure to never touch door handles, handrails etc with my bare hands while out in public. Long sleeves are helpful in this regard.

I think that's good enough.

 

[krtek a houby]

Nature of work means that there's almost constant interaction with the public. And a continuous need to mask and ensure sanitation and hygiene.

Am sick of wearing them, but can't envisage a future without the damn things.

 

[Doctor Carrot]

Apologies if this has been posted before, if this table is correct, it claims even a leaky N95 mask will help more than a cloth mask. The cheap FFP2 masks I use, always leak near the nose.

2hats the time periods listed in this table, are these plausible based on research you've seen?



the table was pulled from this article

COMMENTARY: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind COVID-19 protection

www.cidrap.umn.edu

Very interesting. This seems to explain why no one at my work, whether they mask up or not, has been infected despite working all the way through every wave since March 2020. The vast majority of interactions any of us have with any customer is 2 minutes at the most and that's at a distance of about 5 feet and with a door that's always open ventilating the place.

 

[wemakeyousoundb]

I actually quite like wearing them even if it makes my laboured breathing harder.

I am often the only conspicuous person wearing them at work in a small badly ventilated venue, but hey I have been testing negative all the way through so far despite the fact that it does have to come off when I am having a drink.