N95 face masks, the best to use, are in short supply. I tried three drug stores today

[mfcorey1]

Last edited Wed Feb 26, 2020, 09:42 PM - Edit history (1)

and they are all waiting for new supply.

[SoCalNative]

1. And good luck getting more

because they are all likely made in China

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Save them for the health workers who need them more. They won't help at all unless

you know how to fit them. Their best use is for people who already have the virus - they help prevent already-infected people from spreading it to others.

[mfcorey1]

4. Thanks for that information. I will share with others!

[safeinOhio]

3. Even on Amazon,

no deals and high prices.

[superpatriotman]

5. I've read

400-500 nm in diameter so most masks will work

[RhodeIslandOne]

6. You should only use them if YOU are sick

That is what I've heard.

[Drahthaardogs]

7. N95 not needed

Its not airborne. A simple mask is sufficient

[EndlessWire]

23. Who told you this?

Who told you that this virus is not airborne? Is this a joke I'm not getting?

[Drahthaardogs]

27. Measles is airborne

This virus is not. If it were airborne, distances of 6 feet is not enough.

[irisblue]

28. The CDC says otherwise

Source--https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html


Snip--"Person-to-person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads."

Much more at source

[Drahthaardogs]

29. Air droplets is NOT the same as airborne...

Airborne viruses can circulate through the air, vents, etc.

[irisblue]

31. Would you please explain your points in more detail

Because it is not clear to me.

Thank you

[Drahthaardogs]

36. I dont k ow what to tell you except

A virus that transmits via airborne can circulate in the air. This one does not appear to do that.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

8. just plain ol' N95 masks?

That's what I use to keep from sucking in sawdust.

[budkin]

9. Luckily my wife saw the writing on the wall more than a month ago and ordered some

Granted, she and my children are medically fragile so they are the ones at risk from this.

[Kaleva]

10. I got mine early

They won't go to waste as I can use them doing very dirty work at the shop.

[ecstatic]

11. I have some cheap masks that I use for cleaning and bug spray

I'm wondering if I should even bother taking them on my trip? The box says, "surgical grade face masks. Helps filter out dust, bacteria, smoke and pollen."

[Kaleva]

12. several studies find that the cheaper surigcal masks are effective but they are going up in price

"According to a study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, families with kids who had flu-like symptoms and used the masks properly were 80% less likely to be diagnosed with the same thing.

Another study looked at 400 people who had the flu found that family members who wore a surgical mask and washed their hands reduced their chance of getting the flu by 70%.

“Individual brands of masks and that sort of thing hasn't been studied, but the few studies that have looked at them do have an effect – in some studies, up to 50 to 80% reduction in transmission,” UW virology expert Alex Greninger said. “They seem to stop large droplets, and I think the other key thing to mention with masks is that it really depends on what you're willing to wear.”

Coronavirus is most commonly spread through the air by coughing or sneezing or though close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

While masks do seem promising, it's also important to utilize other preventive measures. Make sure you wash your hands often during flu season, especially if you're around others who may be sick. Also, be sure to get your annual flu shot to protect yourself and others from spreading the virus."

https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/surgical-mask-effectiveness/281-9c762e52-c2ec-4dec-b5f3-77ee833fca1e

"At the start of flu season in the last two years, participants were randomly assigned to six weeks of wearing a standard medical procedure mask alone, mask use and hand sanitizer use, or a control group with no intervention. Researchers followed students for incidence of influenza like illness symptoms, defined as cough with at least one other characteristic symptom such as fever, chills or body aches, Monto said.

From the third week on, both the mask only and mask/hand sanitizer interventions showed a significant or nearly significant reduction in the rate of influenza-like illness symptoms in comparison to the control group. The observed reduction in rate of flu-like symptoms remained even after adjusting for gender, race/ethnicity, hand washing practices, sleep quality, and flu vaccination."

https://news.umich.edu/masks-hand-washing-prevent-spread-of-flu-like-symptoms-by-up-to-50-percent/

[Totally Tunsie]

13. Be careful if ordering online.

The scammers are already in high gear. I know, because I bought from Modern Beyond and got caught. What I received was nothing like the respirator N95 masks I had ordered. Thus, there's a credit card dispute in progress.

[blogslut]

14. The virus is not airborne

Like with the flu, wash your hands regularly and disinfect surfaces regularly.

[former9thward]

15. Don't bring science into a good media scare.

People don't want to hear it.

[Kaleva]

18. I thought it was confirmed that the virus is airborne?

"The deadly coronavirus is airborne, a Shanghai official has confirmed.

On Saturday it was announced the virus can now spread via aerosol transmission - meaning it can drift through the air for an extended period of time and cause infection if breathed in.

"Aerosol transmission refers to the mixing of the virus with droplets in the air to form aerosols which causes infection after inhalation," Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau deputy head Zeng Qun is quoted as saying by China Daily."

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/china-confirms-coronavirus-is-airborne/ar-BBZOXg2

[blogslut]

22. I've been wrong before

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-disease-2019-vs-the-flu

I suppose it can't hurt to wear masks but one should still wash their hands often and disinfect surfaces regularly, as well, mind surfaces, objects and physical contact in public spaces.

[Kaleva]

26. Wearing a mask is just one part of a strategy.

The other things you've mentioned are more important.

I have masks on hand but I see no need to wear them at this time. In the meantime, I'm taking other steps.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213020920

[Hortensis]

39. Same here. Though the masks I purchased in 2007 or so

are somewhere in our Georgia basement, and I just told my husband I didn't know where they were. If we became seriously worried, we'd return there anyway because my heat sensitivity and Florida don't mix. I do have lung issues, but any worry about that's in the future. Or not.

And now I'm going out to plant mint where a downspout and shade intersect.

[EndlessWire]

24. Who told you this?

Please provide a link to the study.

[ooky]

16. I buy them at Lowes. nt

[eleny]

19. They're out

[Demonaut]

17. I bought some two weeks ago, harbor freight, now they are out when I went back for more

2 N95 and six regular masks

[eleny]

20. Are homemade masks better than nothing?

If it comes to that it's recommended to wear one then I'm thinking of making some. Lots of instructions and some free patterns online.

[mitch96]

33. FYI on how to make a home made mask... better than nothing if you think you need one..

m

[Skittles]

21. they are no good, unless you use a new one every day

the virus can contaminate them

[Chainfire]

37. Not only that

I wore N-95s a lot in construction work. You can't wear them the second day because they stink to high heavens after you have breathed through them for a few hours.

[Mike 03]

25. I've always kept a box of 3M face masks with my emergency supplies (really for

wildfire smoke and dust) and you used to be able to order a large box from Amazon. Each mask should be individually wrapped. I've seen boxes at Walmart where three or four unfolded masks are shoved into a cardboard box together, not wrapped. It's better than nothing, but I would really try to get individually wrapped sterile masks.

[Recursion]

30. Goggles will do you more good

Masks can help people who are already sick from spreading it. Just wash your hands and don't touch your face.

[mrs_p]

32. N95 need to be fitted. There are

A number of different types, some of which may not for your face properly and won’t be effective.

I have to be fitted for mine every year.

[quickesst]

34. don't limit yourself....

.... to drug stores. Places like Home Depot and Lowe's carry a variety of face masks, including the n95.

Life Mask
Multipurpose N95 Respirator Mask (20 per Pack)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Life-Mask-Multipurpose-N95-Respirator-Mask-20-per-Pack-TC84A5350/205416739

[pansypoo53219]

35. masks are for the SICK or for medical workers. wash your hands.

[Chainfire]

38. And tell me how that helps

How does washing your hands help you when someone sneezes all over you.

[pansypoo53219]

40. go wash your face and hands.

[Iggo]

41. Which mask is second best?