DIY face masks? Which work -- which don't

Discussion in 'Coronavirus Pandemic Discussions' started by HumbledPi, Mar 29, 2020.

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  1. HumbledPi

    HumbledPi Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]

    If you're considering making a face mask, choose the most effective material which is a vacuum cleaner bag. They can be found at most supermarkets, Walmart or Home Depot. Just go into one of these stores very early in the day when there's less people in the store. Go in, get the bags and get out as quickly as possible. Several websites have instructions and warnings on how to DIY a face mask.

    This is only one of many;
    https://starks.com/vacuum-bag-surgical-masks/#instructions
     
  2. MrTLegal

    MrTLegal Well-Known Member

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    That's really interesting, thanks for posting.

    I wonder if the vacuum cleaner bag is being evaluated based on the entire bag or whether they are really saying that you could just cut a section from the side and create a workable mask.
     
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  3. HumbledPi

    HumbledPi Well-Known Member

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    You're welcome. This video looks a little complicated but may be worth the trouble. They're using a HEPA filter vacuum mask.

     
  4. tharock220

    tharock220 Well-Known Member

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    https://starks.com/shop/?filter_accessories=bags

    Buy our vacuum bags.

    Unless you're infected or working in health care, you don't need a face mask. I did self-checkout at HEB a couple times. I take an extra plastic bag and put it over my hand before I touch the credit card machine when I'm ready to pay.
     
  5. Zorro

    Zorro Well-Known Member

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    For our Health Care Workers it looks like we have a better solution:

    FIGHTING THE CORONAVIRUS ALSO SEEMS TO INVOLVE A LOT OF FIGHTING THE FDA:

    The Trump administration has approved the first system for sterilizing specialized face masks worn by front-line health workers battling the coronavirus, potentially easing the severe shortage of the protective gear.​

    The rather dense FDA also reversed course on a daily cap for the decontamination system, less than 24 hours after Ohio’s Republican governor criticized the FDA on Sunday morning for the limit.​

    As of Sunday night, the agency will let the machines be deployed to sites around the country and there won’t be a limit on the number of masks they’re allowed to clean each day.​

    At issue was the dense FDA’s ridiculous decision to sharply limit the emergency use of the system that decontaminates specialized N95 face masks, allowing doctors and nurses to safely reuse them. On Saturday, the FDA approved Battelle’s Columbus headquarters to sterilize 10,000 masks per day, even though the have the capacity to decontaminate 80,000/day!​

    “The dense FDA’s ridiculous decision to severely limit the use of this life-saving technology is nothing short of reckless,” Gov. Mike DeWine, whose state is home to the company that makes the technology, said in a statement Sunday morning.​

    DeWine said he appealed directly to President Donald Trump to allow broader adoption of the system, and Ohio’s attorney general threatened to sue if FDA didn’t act quickly to authorize more extensive use.​

    This is Trump at his best, quickly intervening in these things, but there’s still delay in the "do nuthin'". Look for Trump to announce that he’ll have a team of managers from outside government evaluate the performance of the FDA, CDC, NIH when this is over, with those found to have under-performed, promptly sacked.
     
  6. HumbledPi

    HumbledPi Well-Known Member

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    A hospital autoclave can sterilize thousands at the same time.
     
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  7. Zorro

    Zorro Well-Known Member

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    Yup!

    These masks are very important for our front-line warriors battling hand to hand with this deadly virus, inches from the deadly spewing afflicted, fighting for their lives against slow strangulation.

    Our singular focus has to be keeping our front line troops properly equipped and supplied. April's likely the month that we turn the tide, though it's going to take a heroic national effort.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2020
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  8. HumbledPi

    HumbledPi Well-Known Member

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    I agree. The more I research, particularly studies coming out of China and the UK, the face mask is more for the protection of others, not yourself. If a person has had coronavirus or has symptoms then they won't spread it if they wear the face mask. Gloves give people a false sense of security as well. People don't realize that those gloves may be contaminated, so if they scratch their nose, or touch their face with gloves, they got it. I don't touch anything like the keypad to put in my PIN number when making a purchase. I have a small plastic bag that I put my finger on before hitting the key pad. And, I never do transactions with cash, only with my debit or credit card. Cash can carry the virus also.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2020
  9. Steady Pie

    Steady Pie Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Just buy a mask lol they're online.
     
  10. HumbledPi

    HumbledPi Well-Known Member

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    Your cavalier response, "just buy a mask lol" shows that you are one of the many people in an area of this country that don't realize what's happening yet.

    Personally, I don't need any N95 masks, I have an entire box of them. I ordered them years ago for my husband who has allergies for when he does heavy yard work. As manager of an O2 company, I knew that the N95 hepa particulate mask was the most effective. So, I have no need to buy. But, if you have googled to purchase masks or if you have tried ordering from Amazon, you might find an N95 mask for about $10 each which includes shipping and If you happen to find one on EBay it will cost you close to $100.

    The problem with either option is that you're not going to see it delivered until May or June at the earliest.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2020

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