Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 1742363)

I'm still scratching my head about why the wearer of the mask is not protected to some degree. Actually, I did read an article that does say the wearer does have some degree of protection. Sorry, no link as I've been reading LOTS about coronavirus and I don't bookmark everything I read.

From where I'm sitting, if a home made mask can prevent droplets from a sneeze or cough from escaping into the air, then it should be able to stop droplets from entering the mask from the other side of the mask.

Originally Posted by GoPacers (Post 1742310)

Unless you somehow obtained an N95 mask, the mask is not intended to protect you. Furthermore, nobody is supposed to have an N95 mask other than medical personnel at this time.

The purpose of the mask is to protect others from you should you have the disease.

Originally Posted by njbchbum (Post 1742342)

kcrazorbackfan - Where are masks available to purchase? My friend has been to Sam's club pharmacy - was told they never sold them; CVS on Avenida Central - nope; grocery stores - nope; Home Depot - was told they were donated locally; Lowes - nope; Rural King - nope; Tractor Supply - nope. She doesn't sew and has no bandanas, hankerchiefs or scarves.

Where can she or her husband go to buy masks? Thanks

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1742305)

Wear a freaking mask!

Picture this - you're riding behind another cart or even approaching another cart when someone that has been exposed (you really can't tell this, can you?) sneezes and you drive through the sneeze droplets. Guess what? You could get infected and by the looks of most of the people I've seen driving a cart without a mask, if you get infected, YOU COULD POSSIBLY DIE.

Mine is own from the time I leave the house to go to work until the time I get home.

You are not invincible - WEAR A FREAKING MASK.

Originally Posted by brendayarema (Post 1742440)

You can easily make a mask with 2 layers of 100% cotton material accordion style folded and place a coffee filter in between the layers. Fold over each end over a rubber band. Simple but somewhat effective to go out. Masks help me remember not to put my hands near my nose or mouth so it is protection for me. Throw the coffee filter away and immediately wash (in machine) the material. Anything I can do is a plus in my book. Lots of good non-sew masks on the internet and the supplies are already in my home. Stay safe and healthy everyone.

Originally Posted by brendayarema (Post 1742440)

You can easily make a mask with 2 layers of 100% cotton material accordion style folded and place a coffee filter in between the layers. Fold over each end over a rubber band. Simple but somewhat effective to go out. Masks help me remember not to put my hands near my nose or mouth so it is protection for me. Throw the coffee filter away and immediately wash (in machine) the material. Anything I can do is a plus in my book. Lots of good non-sew masks on the internet and the supplies are already in my home. Stay safe and healthy everyone.

Originally Posted by npwalters (Post 1742309)

That scenario is WAY low on my list of things to worry about. I'll just continue to ride my bike without a mask. Guessing I'm more likely to be hit by a car than get sneezed on from long distance.

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1742318)

I guess you "bikers" would look funny wearing a mask along with your spandex.

To each, their own; I choose to try and protect myself as much as possible, you choose to play Russian roulette.

Originally Posted by njbchbum (Post 1742342)

kcrazorbackfan - Where are masks available to purchase? My friend has been to Sam's club pharmacy - was told they never sold them; CVS on Avenida Central - nope; grocery stores - nope; Home Depot - was told they were donated locally; Lowes - nope; Rural King - nope; Tractor Supply - nope. She doesn't sew and has no bandanas, hankerchiefs or scarves.

Where can she or her husband go to buy masks? Thanks

Originally Posted by bluecenturian (Post 1742738)

People are ridiculous. Please read up on that article and not just the headline, do some research on the topic. I have been involved with bio & chemical weapons response for some time now. The study refers to thermodynamics and air currents. And yes while in a lab with all kind of special technology that could happen it is extremely unlikely it would happen in the real world. If you are that concerned about droplets travel 200 feet I would think you would not go out or put on a tyvek suit and an apr with a canister filter for optimum protection. Please stop believing the worst case scenario and just do the basics, Keep 6 feet away, wash your hands and don’t touch your face.

Originally Posted by robinrodriguez (Post 1742771)

Coffee filter with rubber bands stapled to it or fold a napkin or papertowel like u are making a fan , staple rubber bands and spread over nose and mouth

Originally Posted by prntxpresn (Post 1742770)

Unless you have an N95 mask, the mask is not intended to protect you. Nobody is supposed to have an N95 mask other than medical personnel at this time.

The purpose of the mask is to protect others from you should you have the disease.

Originally Posted by bhemingway (Post 1742548)

Does anyone on this thread understand how our rights are being taken from us? Yes I understand common sense, but how many of you worry about the flu? Do you wear a mask all "flu" season? How about H1N1 during Obama's time in office? Wear a mask then? Probably not. Fear is what is guiding most people thanks to the overly hyped press going on adnauseam. Be sensible and keep your distance from others. Don't let this take over your lives.

Originally Posted by npwalters (Post 1742736)

Fortunately for everyone I don't own any Spandex. I am able to look at the facts and make a decision that is free from mass hysteria and right for me. The odds of a sneeze from a cart traveling back to me, infecting me, and then me dying as a result are so low that I'm willing to just continue on with my life.

I can see wearing a mask in a place such as the grocery store - BTW.

If you and others want to wear a mask outdoors; by all means drive on. Just don't try to push you fear on to me.

Originally Posted by TedfromGA (Post 1742626)

Are face masks effective?

Unless it is N95 and properly sealed around the mouth and nose, it will not stop virus infection. Also note the virus can enter your body via your eyes so to truly protect you need sealed goggles or a full face shield.

Some facts via google research - you draw your own conclusion:

N95 masks filter 95% of particles greater than 0.3 microns.

Perioperative Considerations for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Average diameter of covid 19 virus is 0.12 microns.

Coronavirus - Wikipedia

Covid 19 virus is mainly spread during close contact and by small droplets produced when those infected cough, sneeze or talk. Small droplets typically have a diameter of 5.0 microns or larger.

Coronavirus disease 2019 - Wikipedia

Surgical masks: “Does NOT provide the wearer with a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles and is not considered respiratory protection”.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs...raphic-508.pdf


From CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy):

COMMENTARY: Masks-for-all for COVID-19 not based on sound data | CIDRAP

Worth while reading the full report which is about 3 pages which contains references. The short version about mask performance (efficiency) is quoted below: (um is shorthand for micron)

“...Mask, N95 respirator filtering performance

Following a recommendation that cloth masks be explored for use in healthcare settings during the next influenza pandemic. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study of the filter performance on clothing materials and articles, including commercial cloth masks marketed for air pollution and allergens, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and scarfs.

Filter efficiency was measured across a wide range of small particle sizes (0.02 to 1 µm) at 33 and 99 L/min. N95 respirators had efficiencies greater than 95% (as expected). For the entire range of particles tested, t-shirts had 10% efficiency, scarves 10% to 20%, cloth masks 10% to 30%, sweatshirts 20% to 40%, and towels 40%. All of the cloth masks and materials had near zero efficiency at 0.3 µm, a particle size that easily penetrates into the lungs.

Another study evaluated 44 masks, respirators, and other materials with similar methods and small aerosols (0.08 and 0.22 µm). N95 FFR filter efficiency was greater than 95%. Medical masks exhibited 55% efficiency, general masks 38% and handkerchiefs 2% (one layer) to 13% (four layers).

These studies demonstrate that cloth or homemade masks will have very low filter efficiency (2% to 38%).

Medical masks are made from a wide range of materials, and studies have found a wide range of filter efficiency (2% to 98%), with most exhibiting 30% to 50% efficiency…”


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Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 1742797)

It's about YOU sneezing, and whoever is riding their bike behind you, or walking behind you, or in their golf cart behind you, or in a car with the window down behind you, or on a motorcycle behind you - getting your sneeze on their clothes/in their face.

Not saying that you "must" wear a facemask - but I am saying that your reason for refusing to wear a facemask is selfish and myopic.

If you had said "oh - I don't have allergies and don't really sneeze much but if I did, I'd sneeze into my elbow/shoulder" I think people would be more understanding of that explanation.

Originally Posted by Margterrymcg (Post 1742794)

Wait, Laredo, Texas? What happened to six gun slinging, bull riding, whiskey from the bottle drinking, knocked back with Lone Star-there are no Country songs about wearing a face mask unless it’s to holdup the filling station-signed-an effete Eastern snob

Originally Posted by Two Bills (Post 1742364)

In all honesty, has anyone been in a queue, and had a person cough or sneeze near them?
On our rare ventures to shop for food, we have never heard or seen anyone do either.

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1742314)

The mask is not for you...but still it can protect you from an unanticipated nearby cough or sneeze. Not wearing a mask in public is also advertising, “I don’t give a sh... about you.” In Laredo Texas you’d get $1000 fine for stepping outside your house without one.
Those Texans... always ahead.

Originally Posted by prntxpresn (Post 1742770)

Unless you have an N95 mask, the mask is not intended to protect you. Nobody is supposed to have an N95 mask other than medical personnel at this time.

The purpose of the mask is to protect others from you should you have the disease.

Originally Posted by RockyMountainMan (Post 1742843)

Not quite sure I understand this. If the mask prevents YOU from getting the virus, which you seem to think, then what difference does it make if I'm wearing one? People are starting to become irrational about this thing. If I'm not wearing a mask, doesn't it say that "I don't give a s___t about myself?? You're protected because you're smarter than me and wear a mask! Here's a thought for all the people out there that think they know what's best for everyone else...the masks DO NOT prevent your from getting it OR me from giving it to you. Ponder that!!

Originally Posted by RockyMountainMan (Post 1742843)

Not quite sure I understand this. If the mask prevents YOU from getting the virus, which you seem to think, then what difference does it make if I'm wearing one? People are starting to become irrational about this thing. If I'm not wearing a mask, doesn't it say that "I don't give a s___t about myself?? You're protected because you're smarter than me and wear a mask! Here's a thought for all the people out there that think they know what's best for everyone else...the masks DO NOT prevent your from getting it OR me from giving it to you. Ponder that!!

Originally Posted by devorejh (Post 1742425)

It’s not your place to think for us. If you want to wear your mask, wear it! Those of us that don’t wear them are doing what we feel we need to do to be safe. I wear gloves when I go to the store or pump gas and that is my thing. This is still the United States of America and we are free to do what we feel is right for ourselves. I personally don’t feel the masks do any good. My choice, not yours.