If you have a mask that has a valve, use it around anti-maskers, around maskers use a surgical mask

[Demonaut]

I still have a valve masks

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I was wondering how to rig the valve to blow purple smoke out of it.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

3. That's what I do.

I cover the valve with another cloth mask. If nobody else is even wearing masks, then screw them. Off comes the cloth mask. and I still have N100-rated protection for myself.

Edit: I'll do the right thing and not condone this idea anymore -- i.e., exposing the exhalation valves.

[Demonaut]

4. lol, carbon filter too

[Buckeye_Democrat]

9. I'm using this one...

... and I wear a large cloth mask over it, if others are nice.

https://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/airstealth_usa/

[KPN]

17. Great idea. I'm bringing both with me from here out.

[uppityperson]

5. I taped the inside of my valves, don't want to have to care for sick people

[Demonaut]

6. what do you mean?

[uppityperson]

11. I put tape over the valve on the inside of my mask

It looks like a valved mask, but the valve is taped shut to protect everyone else from me. I understand the desire to make the non masked understand how bad the disease can be and how they are helping spread it, but won't infect them on purpose by wearing a mask with an open valve. ( I'm a nurse)

[LisaL]

19. Can you breathe in it, though?

I don't think it's possible to tape a valve on the inside of the mask of an industrial reusable mask and still be able to breathe. The only solution is to cover the valve with a cloth or a surgical mask from the outside.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

21. I think it depends.

Some of the "N95" masks are nylon with carbon and other layers of filters, and I think a person might be able to exhale through them without using the valves to make it far easier.

[LisaL]

22. I don't think you'd be able to breathe in a STEALTH mask if you block the valve with tape.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

25. I tried when I first got it.

Not easy!

It's obviously super-easy to exhale through the one-way valve. The cloth mask over it doesn't make it much harder. Just like exhaling through a cloth mask without it, except glasses don't fog because the valve is directed downward.

[uppityperson]

46. Yes, it's a vogmask. Layers of cloth and filters

[cayugafalls]

7. Where do you even find n100 valved masks?

unless you had them before all this, I have not been able to find anything but n95 or kn95.

So just have to make do with what we got.

[Demonaut]

8. I got mine months ago, I doubt if you can find them now

[LisaL]

13. Not true.

You can still buy this mask on amazon.
Trend STEALTH/ML Stealth Air Half Mask, APF10 (Medium/Large)
No replacement filters, though.

[Demonaut]

31. corrected, mine are 3M units I bought at the beginning of the pandemic

[Buckeye_Democrat]

12. These can still be found.

The filters are expensive and hard to find, but the filters should be included from various online retailers like woodworking stores.

https://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/airstealth_usa/

[LisaL]

14. Amazon sells it.

In stock right now, I just checked. No replacement filters, though.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

18. Yeah, replacement filters are the problem.

They supposedly last a long time unless commonly exposed to dirty environments, though.

[Ms. Toad]

10. Please do not wear them around ANYONE

anti-maskers do not live in isolation. They participate in the community at large, they have parents in nursing homes, or they work in nursing homes, their children attend schools with teachers who may be forced to go back to work - or perhaps with your own children.

[LisaL]

15. There is nothing wrong with the valved mask if you put another mask on top of the valve.

Like a cloth mask or a surgical mask. You't still get the same filtering effect.

[Demonaut]

32. right, surgical masks are more disposable

[OhioChick]

40. +1000

If valve masks offered that much protection to the user and those they come into contact with, they'd be using them in hospitals and not recycling their 3M N-95's.

[Beartracks]

16. Okay, sorry to be ignorant. I've seen those in web ads, What's the valve for?

==========

[LisaL]

20. So you can breathe.

Most of the reusable respirators have valves.

[Beartracks]

24. So you breathe IN thru the mask material and OUT thru the valve?

That is, the mask is strictly for the wearer's protection?

========

[Buckeye_Democrat]

27. Yep, but the valves can be covered too.

Many of them weren't originally designed with a plague in mind. Originally used for outdoor activities in pollution, woodworking, etc.

[LisaL]

29. Exactly. I don't think any of these industrial masks were designed with covid in mind.

They are designed for working in dusty environments and so on. Or like you said, pollution in countries where air is very bad quality.
So being able to breathe better by freely exhaling unfiltered air was not a concern.
Well, it is a concern now.

[Grokenstein]

28. Exhaling.

Valve masks filter "inbound" air, while the valve lets "outbound" air out sans filtering. Which is great if all that you're concerned about is dust and particulates, but for COVID-19 it will need a second mask or other form of additional filter to protect others.

[LisaL]

23. Seriously, though, I think it's a very bad advice.

Are you going to change the mask depending on who is around you?
Once you put the mask on, you have to keep it on.
How are you going to know who is going to be around you, maskers or anti-maskers?
Put you surgical mask on top of your valved mask, and then you are getting better protection for yourself and are not being an ass.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

26. Yeah, that's the best advice.

I get mad at non-maskers, but it's in the best interest of everyone to block our droplets even if we're "sure" that we're not infected.

[Tipperary]

44. Thank you.

Some of the stuff I read here.

[Arkansas Granny]

30. I have a mask with a valve, but it's covered by two layers of cloth on the inside.

How does that affect the mask?

[Demonaut]

33. idk

[LisaL]

36. Why would a valve have two layers of cloth on the inside?

Is that a homemade mask?

[Arkansas Granny]

43. No, I found it on Amazon. It has a pocket for a filter, but I can't breathe

with the filter in. I feel like I'm wearing a plastic bag.

Even without the filter inserted it feels like a filter material sandwiched between 2 layers of cloth, plus the filter pocket, so it's actually 4 layers thick over nose and mouth. It fits my face snugly and my glasses don't fog up like with the disposable masks.

[safeinOhio]

34. To save yourselves get a good

shield and a cheap mask. It’s the safe way to go.

[LisaL]

35. If it's airborne (which it is), a shield is not enough.

[safeinOhio]

37. Blocks the spray that goes thru

the mask. Mask mostly protect the other person. That’s great. Shield protects you. Safer for both. I predict it’ll be a big thing soon.

[Sugarcoated]

38. What's best to protect the eyes?

Safety goggles or something like that?

[OhioChick]

42. The hospitals originally supplied these....

In which the staff had issues with fogginess and not being form fitting.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQUTQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They're now using these, anti-fog and are tight around the eyes, which you want.
I purchased some spares for them on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Radians-Extremis-Safety-Glasses-Black-Gloss-Frame-Clear-Anti-Fog-Lens/122228279871?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[LisaL]

45. How is the PPE situation? Do they have enough N95 masks now?

[OhioChick]

47. It's getting worse.....

Everyone is still recycling a few N-95 masks and using paper bags.
There aren't enough N-95's and as of now, no more are in the pipeline in the future, so I'm told.

Most healthcare workers are scrambling to buy their own protection, which is costing a fortune. Authentic N-95's can't be found anywhere.

Whenever you hear the idiot or his sidekick on MSM saying we have "so much PPE", assume it's BS just as everything they say is.

Stay safe.

[OhioChick]

41. The hospitals all use a 3M N-95 mask with a face shield and goggles n/t