Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1742857)

I must have not expressed myself well.

A non N95 mask, like the ones we might wear, mainly protects other people from the wearer, to my understanding. But, as I shop or walk when someone rides, walks, or carts by and sneezes or coughs or even talks too closely as they might be passing, the mask will protect me against their larger droplets. So even if the mask protects a little bit, over a large number of people wearing one, it becomes significant.

And, by me wearing a mask I am letting others know that if I should sneeze or cough, or sing or talk too closely, they are protected by the mask from me.

And, I can tell you I am NOT happy with anyone, not wearing one outside their house. People in a closed car no windows down are the exceptions.

Originally Posted by merrymini (Post 1742515)

A great deal of evidence suggests that porous cotton, such as a tee shirt, is ineffective, and, as such, would be false confidence. There is so much information, I almost do not know what to believe because most of it contradicts some previous statement. If you want to wear a mask, do it, but leave everybody else alone because it is very difficult to get these masks and they are most important for the medical community first and foremost.

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 1742520)

I was in Walmart 3 weeks ago and a woman in a scooter was coughing non-stop. I kept holding my breath and trying to get away from her, but we seemed to want the same things in the same aisles. So yes people who seem sick can be found in stores. And she was not trying to cover her mouth at all.:ohdear:

Originally Posted by llmcdaniel (Post 1742572)

Sue Lehota of the Village of Bonita is sewing them and selling them for $5 apiece. The money pays for material and elastic, and then she donates the rest to a charity she supports.

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 1742510)

Agreed!

Originally Posted by PugMom (Post 1742610)

a doctor told me he leaves his in the sun @ the end of the day, something about uv light that kills the germ. it's still very unknown territory, we've never had a flu that mutated & crossed species on such a grand scale

Originally Posted by carhirsch (Post 1742908)

what if we all wear masks...then nobody would get infected

Originally Posted by queasy27 (Post 1742927)

Simplest mask of all? Cut ear slits in antiseptic wipes.

I was searching whether it might be any help to spray disinfectant on the outside of homemade masks, or if breathing those fumes is bad for us.

Has anyone seen recommendations one way or the other?

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 1742335)

The point is to keep YOUR germs off MY face, after you sneeze. If I'm behind you, I'm the one who ends up with the spray from your sneeze on my face.

If you aren't able to sneeze into your shoulder or elbow or a tissue, then wear a mask, and keep your germs away from everyone else.

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 coffeebean (Post 1742938)

I don't plan on being on the front lines in close contact with Covid-19 patients.

Did the studies assess double and triple thickness of all materials? How about adding a filter such as a paper towel or a coffee filter or a hepa filter vacuum filter bag? I would imagine that would add a bit more efficiency to the home made masks.

Something is better than nothing.

Originally Posted by rmd2 (Post 1742704)

What keeps the ends from slipping out? Could you explain how the ends fold over the rubber bands to keep them secure??

Originally Posted by bpascani (Post 1742955)

My understanding is that, the homemade mask are certainly helpful for protecting EVERYONE, as are the commercial "non" N95 masks. Apparently adding a piece of paper towel on the inside is additionally helpful. SO, I guess if you are in a golf cart, and come across a biker, make sure you cover yourself well!! Particularly if they don't have on a mask!! STAY SAFE, STAY HOME, BE SMART! God bless us everyone..

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 Linnberg (Post 1742987)

N95 masks protects the user as well as others. It has special material and filter. They are for HEALTH CARE WORKERs ONLY as not enough in the whole world for everyone and they need multiple as they only last once or twice. It is the only protection between them and their positive patients (along with protective gear, eye covering and gloves)
The rest of us only need masks to ensure if we are asymptomatic but could be positive, we will keep it from reaching others. Those masks (Not N95) will probably not protect you and you have to hope the rest of the people you meet in crowd situations ie; grocery stores care enough to protect you by also wearing a (NON N95) mask.

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 Bowtorc (Post 1743007)

JUST ANNOUNCED 225 cases in the villages.

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 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.

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 golfing eagles (Post 1743013)

Just announced by WHOM????

I don't know where you got that number, but there are, according to the FDOH, 36 cases in zip code 32162, and 12 in 32163. That is the bulk of the villages. There are 298 cases in Sumter, Lake and Marion Counties combined

Please don't post unsubstantiated rumors

Originally Posted by gsovas (Post 1742524)

Oh Please:
I am NOT going to wear a mask as I drive my golf cart in this beautiful weather. You have multiple choices in the way you live with the current situation. If you think you may get droplets from a sneeze from the golf cart in front of you doing 20mph you may 1. Insure your windshield is up, 2. Drop back a distance to insure no one sneezes in front of you or 3. Stay Home

Originally Posted by ALadysMom (Post 1742986)

You’ve never been near a person who has sneezed or coughed in public? You are living lucky. Maybe you should play the lottery.

This illness produces violent unexpected sneezes & coughs. Heck, my allergies can do it to me any time. I will wear a mask for the same reasons I clean things even though I can’t prove it does anything good...what if?