Physics of N95 Masks, or why they block abt. 100% of tiny viruses

[Buckeye_Democrat]

I've seen some people mention the very tiny size of the novel Coronavirus to argue against masks in the past, but that's not the problem.

It's the "mid-sized" droplets that are more likely to pass through them.

Video that explains it:

[helpisontheway]

1. However, the mask will block 95% of the mid sized droplets! Great video. Thanks. Nt

[Buckeye_Democrat]

2. Yep, it's still doing that too. nt

[Phoenix61]

3. I love science!

That is a super cool video. Thanks for posting!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

4. You're welcome! It also suggests to me...

... that blocking as many droplets from the source (masks for everyone) is very important.

The idea that evaporation from damp masks will release super-tiny viruses to even infect people who are properly wearing N95+ masks isn't true.

[SeattleVet]

5. Off to the Greatest Page with you!

Just shared this via Facebook...a guy I had served with many years ago has been spouting the right-wing idea that these masks are like a chain-link fence compared to the size of the virus particles, and thereby useless.

(We met up a few years ago after 30+ years in Spokane and had a nice lunch, then became Facebook friends. He unfriended me after a week or so because I was "posting too much anti-conservative and anti-religion" stuff. And we're the 'snowflakes'?)

[ProfessorGAC]

6. That's A Fun Video

I worked with charged fibers on a reverse osmosis project back in the 90s.
They were SUPER expensive nearly 30 years ago.
Electret formation has come a long way.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

7. SO WHERE ARE THE N95 MASKS - WHY hasnt the production of them been ramped up so that

we all can have them - not only health care people?

I thought the whole point of capitalism was so that people can make money making stuff that other people want and is DESPARATELY NEEDED.

Besides the health reasons, I have a whole host of WOODWORKING and lead paint stripping projects on hold cos I cant get a decent N95 mask .

[Liberal In Texas]

8. Try this place.

About $8/mask plus shipping and tax.
Not 3M. Chinese but NIOSH approved on the CDC website.

https://accumed.com/n95-mask-for-sale-respirator-safety-face-mask-z1.html

Downside is 20 masks per order. Makes it a bit pricey. But this plague isn't going away anytime soon. We're going to have to have good masks.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

9. n95decon.org

https://www.n95decon.org/

[Hekate]

10. Am sharing this. Thanks. However, have not solved the problem (well 2 problems)...

...of the N95 masks I have practically sawing my nose off, so that I had to reshape the metal piece. The metal piece doesn't want to bend, and the result is I can certainly feel the intake of air around it.

The second problem is that I have ordered some cloth masks (cotton, washable, 2 layers) but have doubts about how well they'll do the job. I plan to add a third layer of fabric when they arrive. These are obviously not going to be electrostatic, but at least will be both wearable and washable.

[crickets]

11. Neat. I had no idea how they worked. TIL - thanks, Buckeye! nt