Quote:
Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix
During a golf cart ride, something occurred that prompted me to do a little research. We were passing through a section of the multi-modal path where we were alone....no one was visible in front of us and no one had passed us going the opposite direction for some time. We both detected the strong smell of aftershave. I recognized the scent because I have a friend who uses too much of it daily. We had our masks around our necks and pulled them up to cover our faces. We could still smell the aftershave for some time as we drove along.
When I got home I did some research. The particle size of the airborne perfumes is between 30 and 150 micrometers. The particle size of the COVID-19 virus is 70-90 nanometers...a nanometer is 1000 times smaller than a micrometer.
I draw two conclusions:
1. Airborne particles can hang around for a decent amount of time
2. If I can smell perfumes through my mask, I can also inhale
COVID-19 particles through it.
Note: I have never assumed that the mask is protecting me, but might be protecting others, but there are many who feel bulletproof while wearing homemade masks.
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The conclusions are based on faulty "research." What you're smelling isn't perfume. It's the FUMES left behind after the perfume has already been sprayed and the alcohol carrier liquid has evaporated. The particle size for fumes of perfume is less than .3 micrometers.
In addition, many men put aftershave on their necks in addition to their faces.
In addition, many masks don't cover the entire lower face all the way to the sideburns, but aftershave is typically applied all the way to the sideburns.
In addition, some men might put their masks on immediately after applying the aftershave, which means it's on their fingers when they put the mask on - and the scent is therefore transferred to the outside surface of the mask.
Summary: it's a nothingburger.