Face Masks and Breathing

[darrell]

Hepa material is not cheap so it will get expensive to replace it every time you wash the mask.
[/quote] I have no idea but can a furnace filter or vacuum cleaner bag which indicate hepa be repurposed?

[Lee]

Not sure how many of you saw todays information on the tests completed on 14 different types of masks. 13 were better than no mask to some varying degrees from 95% effective for the N95 on down. One mask being used by many is actually worse then no mask and that is the fleece neck gator some of us wear when riding. These gators actually break up the larger droplets and emit many more smaller droplets.

When you say fleece do you mean like a winter neck gator.? That would be hot wearing this time of year. One example is polartec.

[Lee]

Hepa material is not cheap so it will get expensive to replace it every time you wash the mask.

I have no idea but can a furnace filter or vacuum cleaner bag which indicate hepa be repurposed?
[/quote]

You could cut the material out but the hepa filter in our vacuum is around $50.
Pretty sure the cabin hepa filters in cars are higher.

[darrell]

Not sure how many of you saw todays information on the tests completed on 14 different types of masks. 13 were better than no mask to some varying degrees from 95% effective for the N95 on down. One mask being used by many is actually worse then no mask and that is the fleece neck gator some of us wear when riding. These gators actually break up the larger droplets and emit many more smaller droplets.

When you say fleece do you mean like a winter neck gator.? That would be hot wearing this time of year. One example is polartec.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/scie...d=72285844

[Lee]

Not sure how many of you saw todays information on the tests completed on 14 different types of masks. 13 were better than no mask to some varying degrees from 95% effective for the N95 on down. One mask being used by many is actually worse then no mask and that is the fleece neck gator some of us wear when riding. These gators actually break up the larger droplets and emit many more smaller droplets.

When you say fleece do you mean like a winter neck gator.? That would be hot wearing this time of year. One example is polartec.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/scie...d=72285844

That sounds like the think fuzzy material I call polartec.
The different neck gators we wear on the motorcycles are a thin material like silk but man-made.
This thin material is not as good as a multi layer cloth mask but like I mentioned about our trip it worked as a backup in case I forgot to grab a cloth mask when getting off the bike.

[36654]

Hepa material is not cheap so it will get expensive to replace it every time you wash the mask.

I have no idea but can a furnace filter or vacuum cleaner bag which indicate hepa be repurposed?
[/quote]

There's a whole world of devoted fans to certain Kirby HEPA vacuum bags for masks.

I think a MERV13 filter approximates 95% BFE

[Ray]

There's a whole world of devoted fans to certain Kirby HEPA vacuum bags for masks.

I think a MERV13 filter approximates 95% BFE

Perhaps an inappropriate comment..., but, with all due respect, didn't I tell you guys to avoid PP (personal protection) envy?

And, from my days as an ER doc, I'll simply remind you that mixing PP and a vacuum cleaner never ends well.

(Right. Only jokes about farts are more universal.)

By the way, if you add filter material, it has to fill the whole mask and then the mask has to fit well.... Sound like a lot of work. (Or, it sounds like a project an old bike mechanic and machinist would find relaxing.)

Also - BFE is tested for 3.0 micron particles and germs. N95 is tested for smaller particles - 0.3 micron. As noted, most cloth masks without filters will meet 95% bacterial filtration efficiency without adding a filter. If you're going to add a full-mask filter, aim for N95 or better....

If you want to save money and time worrying about whether you have statistically sufficient protection, simply order a bunch of Chinese KN95 masks from Amazon, and you'll have a mask that when used with a little common sense, will keep your risk for sucking up some viral particles acceptably low. If you want to keep your risk at zero..., well..., good luck. We'll see you in a few years.)

[36654]

There's a whole world of devoted fans to certain Kirby HEPA vacuum bags for masks.

I think a MERV13 filter approximates 95% BFE

Perhaps an inappropriate comment..., but, with all due respect, didn't I tell you guys to avoid PP (personal protection) envy?

And, from my days as an ER doc, I'll simply remind you that mixing PP and a vacuum cleaner never ends well.

(Right. Only jokes about farts are more universal.)

By the way, if you add filter material, it has to fill the whole mask and then the mask has to fit well.... Sound like a lot of work. (Or, it sounds like a project an old bike mechanic and machinist would find relaxing.)

Also - BFE is tested for 3.0 micron particles and germs. N95 is tested for smaller particles - 0.3 micron. As noted, most cloth masks without filters will meet 95% bacterial filtration efficiency without adding a filter. If you're going to add a full-mask filter, aim for N95 or better....

If you want to save money and time worrying about whether you have statistically sufficient protection, simply order a bunch of Chinese KN95 masks from Amazon, and you'll have a mask that when used with a little common sense, will keep your risk for sucking up some viral particles acceptably low. If you want to keep your risk at zero..., well..., good luck. We'll see you in a few years.)

Honestly, I would like something that fits as well as the size large 3M half-mask respirator I use in the wood shop. No fogged glasses

[Ray]

Honestly, I would like something that fits as well as the size large 3M half-mask respirator I use in the wood shop. No fogged glasses

Huh. What's the rating on that 3M mask. (Many are N95 or better.) Can you get more? Go with what you like. Pence doesn't understand; it doesn't need to match the suit and starched shirt. It's not a fashion contest.

This is the one my wife owns for work with ceiling tile and is used by a couple of my critical care colleagues.

   

Secret to avoid fogged glasses.
1. Pull the mask up over your nose,
2. pinch the clip. (If you don't have one, get one - the wife finds pipe cleaners are more popular than flat clips.
3. Pull your glasses far enough down your nose that any leak around the nose does not hit the glass. (I will note that this look is a hit in academics if you're using small readers.)

Secret to ear irritaion: Tie the elastic loops together in back and pull over your head as a unit. (Or buy hooked elastic bands from Amazon that pull the elastic loops away from the ears.)

[Lee]

1. Pull the mask up over your nose,
2. pinch the clip. (If you don't have one, get one - the wife finds pipe cleaners are more popular than flat clips.

Debbie was worried the pipe cleaners would rust with daily washing and uses plastic coated wire. We were not sure what type of metal a pipe cleaner uses.
I think she buys it from the craft department at Walmart. She said florist also use this type of wire. I'll try to remember and ask what it's called.
Some type of wire is a big help to have a mask fit your nose.

[Lee]

Pence doesn't understand; it doesn't need to match the suit and starched shirt. It's not a fashion contest.

Debbie might disagree



   

[36654]

Honestly, I would like something that fits as well as the size large 3M half-mask respirator I use in the wood shop. No fogged glasses

Huh. What's the rating on that 3M mask. (Many are N95 or better.) Can you get more? Go with what you like. Pence doesn't understand; it doesn't need to match the suit and starched shirt. It's not a fashion contest.

This is the one my wife owns for work with ceiling tile and is used by a couple of my critical care colleagues.



Secret to avoid fogged glasses.
1. Pull the mask up over your nose,
2. pinch the clip. (If you don't have one, get one - the wife finds pipe cleaners are more popular than flat clips.
3. Pull your glasses far enough down your nose that any leak around the nose does not hit the glass. (I will note that this look is a hit in academics if you're using small readers.)

Secret to ear irritaion: Tie the elastic loops together in back and pull over your head as a unit. (Or buy hooked elastic bands from Amazon that pull the elastic loops away from the ears.)

That's the same mask as I use in the wood shop. The only problem with using it for COVID is the exhaust valve. The person wearing the mask is protected by the filters, but the exhaust valve minimizes any protection for others. There has to be a filter on the valve for it to offer the "community" protection of the non-N95 masks.

Relative to the ear loop irritation, the tied strap masks are less convenient but offer a bit more control for keep the mask in place (i.e., not migrating under the chin). I'm thinking a mini ROK strap would be the ideal solution.

[Olgry1]

Apparently the main difference between people who struggle to breathe with masks and people who do not is whether they breathe primarily through their noses or their mouths. People who breathe through their mouths tend to have a harder time wearing a mask. (Not that it isn’t possible to breathe, but it feels more constricted.) I’ve been paying closer attention to my breathing the last few days. Even when I exercise, I tend to be a nose breather.

This brief article summarizes some good information: https://www.sinusandnasalspecialists.com...breathing/

And this article is useful for helping children adjust to wearing a mask. It is also helpful for adults: https://www.childrensmn.org/2020/07/15/b...aring-mask
[/quote]


Thanks for the information Darrell.

I've had a difficult time breathing with a mask on even though the oxygen tubing is supplying the appropriate amount of oxygen to my nose. In the past I would inhaled through my nose and exhaled through my mouth.

The past few days when wearing a mask I have focused on inhaling and then exhaling through my nose. That simple change has made breathing with a mask on significantly easier for me. I purposely tried two different styles of masks and found the results were the same.