[JoeinFL]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

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.

Perhaps stay a little farther away than the 6 feet requirements. If you’re in jeopardy of having a sneeze get infect you while following in a golf cart, maybe you’re A bit too close anyway.
Just a thought.
Stay safe.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by TedfromGA

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…”


[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

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.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

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.

Yes, increasing thickness of certain materials helps a little and different materials such as tea towels are pretty good, pillow cases are not too bad - but you also have to consider breathability . You won’t wear something that is too difficult to breathe through.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by rmd2

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

DIY No Sew Face Mask Easy and Quick for Anyone - YouTube

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Just got home from Fresh Market. Great time to shop. Only counted fifteen shoppers. Unfortunately, only my wife and I plus two more were masked.

[Bowtorc]

Wow!

[bpascani]

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..

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by bpascani

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..

You are making bikers sound like lepers. Quite dreadful.

[Linnberg]

see next msg

[Linnberg]

Total Deaths in Lake, Sumter and Marion is 11.
7 in Sumter. I believe The Villages may be 5.
Total from all 3 counties (which is way more than just the Villages) with COVID-19
Positive 400+, Hospitalization 63
There may be way more positive as the total testing results for our area still shows as only a little over 1000.

[ALadysMom]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

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.

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?

[Linnberg]

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.

[ALadysMom]

Originally Posted by Linnberg

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.

I accept that there is a shortage of N95s and that medical personnel need them more than I do. Why did officials begin by telling us they wouldn’t help us? Why lie about it early & often? How did they immediately know there would be a shortage? There wasn’t a shortage during 2008-9 H1N1 Swine flu which was also a deadly widespread respiratory virus.

If non-medical masks are now officially advocated, why doesn’t our government supply them to us? We can’t even buy them. Aren’t there any private sector producers who could supply them?

I often watch NHK, Japanese “Public” tv. They commonly wear fancy personalized masks (or sometimes surgical masks) in public all the time. They have 94 deaths and 4667 confirmed. They only recently locked down. I was told that they do it out of respect for others. Interesting?

[Bowtorc]

JUST ANNOUNCED 225 cases in the villages.

[NancyLee]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

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

Well, that certainly is a lot of can'ts. Could you not find any scarves or bandannas to buy or borrow? Or use a tee shirt. Also, if she cannot sew, use safety pins to hold the mask together. Be safe.