Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@pcweber

You should be tested for IgG antibodies. 

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@cwbullet

It would be easier if I was there or closer to a military installation, retired USAF veteran I am.

They're just initiating massive testing here so just waiting for my turn. This area of Spain was hit really hard since there was no screening at the international Airport last year. Knowing that I have antibodies is not what I really need. What I need is the vaccination which is still a way off.

What's been a great help has been having the prusa printer to experiment with during this pandemic. I continue to learn 3d blender and work my project, which slowly is taking shape. I'll post it on the forum when I finish it, still a bit to wait. 

I enjoy reading your posts and try to add my two cents if I can help. Keep it up.

Finally, thank you for your service on the front lines in the ER. The countless lives you and your peers have saved with the psychological effects, PSD and such, not unlike those my brothers in arms have suffered during the long wars in the past two decades. Stay safe. 

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@pcweber

I would still get the vaccine regardless.  The antibodies might let you know the severity side effects you will have.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

For those who care, I and my wife got our first Moderna shots last Friday.  This is for Sarpy County, Nebraska, US.  In our state it's handled by the county.  Information on shots was spotty for a long time, but when they opened it up, it opened up and many I know have been vaccinated.  We got our shots at a local 'compounding pharmacy' which was under contract with the county to immunize people.

At my last annual 'wellness exam' I had to have some blood work and I asked if they could test for Covid antibodies, as right before the Covid hit the fan I was at a large indoor music festival (last week of February 2020) and could have very well been exposed.  The test was negative.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Unfortunately most masks, except N95 and N99 offer minimal protection for the wearer.  Or even better, buy a proper respirator with changeable Filters, but all these options are expensive to run, and very uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, also you have pretty much no chance of being able to buy N95 or N99 in some countries, do a google search and you will see what I mean 😉 

The sole intention of a normal cloth type mask is to prevent you from spreading the virus to other people, i.e. by coughing or breathing out particles, which get trapped in the mask.

I feel so sorry for frontline workers, having to wear the cheap, often very poorly fitting 3 layer masks, and maybe a face shield, yes it is better than nothing, but it does not prevent them from breathing in airborne particles. 

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying they are useless, even a little protection us better than none.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@clarmrrsn

I think that depends on what you mean by protection.  A simple 3 ply mask will protect the under significantly from an infection.  Even reducing the viral load by 30% reduced infection rates and a 3 ply mask reduces it more than that.  

Just so you know, I am a medical professional and a planner for the US Military.  If there is one thing I know better than 99.9% of the globe and 80% of medical professionals, it is COVID.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@cwbullet

I did not realise you were a medical professional, take care out in this madness.

There were a few points I was trying to make, I am not trying to take anything away from your profession, skills, or experience, I have great respect for all healthcare workers. 

However, I must say that my experience has been that the majority of masks, even 3 ply do not offer as much protection as many would have you believe, let me explain why I feel this is the case.

My partner works for the UK NHS, and I have tried many samples of  the 3 ply masks that have been supplied to our health care workers, they may be 3 ply, but some are cheaply made and very poorly fitting, with flimsy nose guards and elastic that barely hold the mask against your face.  There have been varying levels of quality, from good, to absolutely hopeless.

It does not matter how many ply's a mask has, what those layers are made of, if the mask does not fit properly, it is not protecting its wearer.  When air is able to rush in through all sides of a mask, it is just redirecting airflow.  

Yes you are 100% correct they do offer limited protection, but in my experience that all depends on how well the mask fits each individual.

N95 and N99 are the masks that should be getting supplied to all healthcare professionals during this pandemic, they have a rubber gasket around the complete parimeter of the mask to form a seal.  But unfortunately most governments cannot source enough of these types for all front line staff, or maybe cannot stretch to the extra expense that these masks incur.

I have also had a rather personal interest in finding masks that offer as much protection as possible, I have done quite a bit of research on the subject. And tried many, many different types of masks in the process.  

I have a reduced immune system, and unfortunatly in a rather higher risk group, although I have been shielding, I have also worked for around half of the pandemic.  I am an engineer and I am sad to say hardly any of our customers were wearing a mask on any site I went to, and although me wearing a mask was offering me some level of protection, I was mostly protecting my customers. 

My recommendation from all this bottom clenching experience would always be to wear a mask that fits you properly.  Yes get the best mask you can for the job, quality 3 ply masks are good, but fit is everything.

Check when you breathe in that air is not rushing in from all directions, that you are breathing through the mask, check that you cannot blow a candle out as well when wearing it, as some masks, even 3 ply have been known to be wafer thin and not fit for purpose.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@clarmrrsn

I agree with what you are saying.  I think the problem is a lot of peopel are saying the cloth masks do not work.  That is based on zero viral particles being expressed.  That is not an acurrate measure.  Sure, N95 is preferred and ideal but it is also not sustainable 24/7 for anyone.  They are rough on the skin and not ideal for long term use.  That is where the cloth masks come in.  They will reduce gthe viral shedding to a point where it is less likely to spread.  Even if you do get the virus, it will be a lower viral load.  

I use a single ply mask.  I caught COVID from someone else and it was not from breathing it in.  I know my exposure due to cell phone tracing.  I am 99% sure my exposure was hand to eye at work.  I am very careful but even that will not reduce the risk to 0%.  Even an N95 will only reduce the risk so much.  An N95 and face shield are superior together.  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

I have mostly just worn a very well fitting cloth mask through all the pandemic.  And fortunately have not caught it, but hand hygiene is very important, I used more hand sanitiser than Tesco when working.

3 cloth masks I got from Aldi believe it or not, these are the best fitting masks I could find, they have a small triangle that goes up to near the top of the bridge of your nose, and good elastic straps and side elastic skirts.  Although they are only cloth they are 2 layer and found them very effective.  I tried the ones with replaceable carbon filters as well, but very warm to wear for long periods, and I am not convinced as the main mask is pretty poor quality,

Going on from a comment above, I had tbe vaccine last week and had a really bad night of shivering, shaking, almost hyperventilating and felt like all my limbs were detached and floating around the room. Felt a bit nasty for 4 days afterwards.

What does this mean for my reaction to the vaccine?  I heard that strength of reaction can be an indication of effectiveness, but you hear a lot. 😀

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@clarmrrsn

Aldi is awesome.  I miss having one in town.  That and the Real we're my favorite stores in Germany.  I loved in Bavaria for 4 years.

My German stinks, but I try.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@cwbullet

Aldi is good, unfortunately I have forgotten what it looks like inside.

Not been anywhere except walks and driving the Mrs to the shops, shielding is wonderful.

I can visualise every imperfection in each wall of the house...lol

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@clarmrrsn

That is unfortunate.  We now have Aldis in the US.  I enjoy the difference between the Eurupean flair and the US stores.  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@cwbullet

I'm planning on it, just waiting for my turn. Who is next is still sketchy, govt says 80+ and those who live with them are next, along with teaching professionals. I'd love to once again freely visit my daughter and our granddaughter.

BTW, coincidentally the autonomous government is undertaking an effort to verify the persons who've got antibodies. This region having been heavily hit will provide a more accurate picture of what's going on since there were many that may have had the virus unknowingly. 

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@clarmrrsn

I wear a hybrid cloth mask treated with something that has been certified by Spain, Portugal, and France for 50 to 100 uses. I wash it following each use, diligently maintain 2 meter distances and avoid shopping at peak hours.

Finally, I stay home a lot; got my mk3s just before the covid outbreak became known. This has helped me weather the confinements, both the initial as well as a voluntary minimum exposure time outside of the house. 

Although I know that there'll be at least one more wave of infection before control is restored; I feel like the end of this nightmare is on the horizon. 

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Replying to push the spam down the list in the this forum.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Posted by: @cwbullet

@clarmrrsn

I agree with what you are saying.  I think the problem is a lot of peopel are saying the cloth masks do not work.  That is based on zero viral particles being expressed.  That is not an acurrate measure.

 

A study was done with the flu virus. Which is also an aerosol virus.  An ill fitting (aka, not professionally fitted) cloth mask was under 40% effective at stopping the spread of the flu.

Wearing a cloth mask had an infection rate of 1.4, anything over 1 means you are spreading the disease still. 

Covid 19 is about 3 times qs infectious as the flu, which means even more people will be infected even when you wear a mask.

Distance is what really works, but so few care about that.  Oh, they give it great lip service, but in real life they stand 3 or 4 feet away instead of more than 6.

That is why so many are against the cloth masks, they are very ineffective and cause other issues, such as hateful people shrieking at those who cannot wear them and people getting kicked off a plane because their 2 year old would not keep a mask on...

They create an atmosphere of hate during a time when we should be more caring.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

40% is a significant improvement. I'm surprised an unfitted simple mask approaches 50% effectiveness. Combined with other measures, it sure adds up. Follow the guidance and wear the mask properly, and it does even more so.

If you're trying to say a cloth mask won't filter out a virus, does it make sense to say it's cutting off your flow of oxygen? 

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@bobstro

I have not claimed it cuts off oxygen,  though any mask does that to a degree.  Only issue for that is if you are doing heavy exertion. 

My point is that it really doesn't stop the spread of the virus.  If you are near a mask wearer who is infected, your chances of that person infecting you are still high. 

Those on their self righteous crusade to verbally attack those without masks are not helping anyone.  They are just assholes. 

And to show that many who are not pro mask are using science to support their claim.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@cybrsage

If it cuts off oxygen, it does not affect blood oxygenation.  I have tested them at work.  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@cwbullet

A mask reduces airflow.  It must, or it does not work at all.

When a healthy person needa to increase airflow (such as when performing a task which required heavy exertion) wearing something that reduces airflow is a bad thing.

When a person has a health condition where they can barely get enough airflow as it is, wearing something that reduces airflow is a bad thing.

Being an asshole who verbally attacks someone for not wearing a mask is also a bad thing.

Which of these truths do you say is false?