Re:Estimated 1.56B face masks will have entered oceans in 2020
by yunesj on Tuesday December 15, 2020 @03:29PM
(#25434818)
3M respirators with P100 filters have a comfortable silicone seal, aren’t very expensive, and actually prevent the wearer from infection.
We settled on a public policy where we are only as safe as the worst mask an infected person is wearing. I would have preferred an alternative policy where people who don’t want to get sick simply wear an effective mask.
I do encourage covering the exhale valve, though, just to be extra safe and considerate.
Re:Estimated 1.56B face masks will have entered oceans in 2020
by zucked on Tuesday December 15, 2020 @03:33PM
(#25434864)
I have respirators and filters left over from home improvement projects - have you ever tried to communicate through those? Your voice takes on this indescribable warbly tone. I wouldn't want to try and accomplish any errands wearing one of those. Maybe if I were riding public transit and able to not speak to anyone...
Re:Estimated 1.56B face masks will have entered oceans in 2020
by yunesj on Wednesday December 16, 2020 @10:34PM
(#25452129)
I don't have a lot of daily errands; mostly just picking up coffee or food outside and to go. I don't talk to people for that (except to say thanks!), and don't wear the P100 because it's low risk.
Places I've worn the P100: an airplane, grocery store, train, Uber, medical lab for a test. I found the peace of mind alone was well worth the inconvenience in these scenarios.
Re:Estimated 1.56B face masks will have entered oceans in 2020
by dheera on Tuesday December 15, 2020 @03:33PM
(#25434867)
I don't quite understand the policy argument. Can you explain the difference in the 2 policies?
The main policy issues I see are (a) unavailability of good masks, not ramping up mask production, not controlling hoarding with strict consequences (b) advocating for not wearing masks
- The cloth masks don't form a tight seal and leave two gaping holes on either side of my nose.
- The cloth masks don't have as fine a filter mesh and aren't as effective at filtering tiny particles.
That said, I don't go out that often, and my trips are limited in time, so I reuse a disposable N95/KN95 mask until I've worn it for as much as a total of 30-100 hours before I dispose of it. I also use reusable everything else wherever I can in my life, I just haven't found any actually good reusable masks that would pass e.g. NIOSH tests.