Wear your mask

[dela217]

I am wearing a mask at work.   But I am in a hospital.    I have the N95, and a lot of folks are wearing the N95 with a surgical mask over it to protect it.   

I find that the foam on the N95 degrades pretty quickly where it is supposed to form fit around your nose.

[mica]

I find that the foam on the N95 degrades pretty quickly where it is supposed to form fit around your nose.

Especially the Moldex brand, and especially if you don't have an exhale valve. The last time I tried to use one of those, my face was a tropical jungle, and the mask was noticeably damp after an hour.

Love the wild horses, Mica.    At first glance, I thought that was RealTree camo.

It's just some of the cotton fabric I had in my massive fabric stash - but when I wore it to the grocery store, the clerk said the same thing as you. My son's dry humor regarding the mask, "I can't see it, mom. Stop pretending you're wearing a mask!" so he's on the camo side as well.

Are you all referring to the Partridge Family bus, or is there another artist named Partridge who painted similar to Piet Mondrian?

You funny, Bill!

[sonicus]

I have a few Moldex series 8000 respirators  with exhaust valves , such as in my photo that can use a wide range of cartridges for particulate / organic vapor and chemical & N95 pre-filter applications that I like .  I actually recently wear that into a grocery store , LOL !   I already have respiratory conditions
 .
Stay safe & healthy everyone !

[edwin]

Are you all referring to the Partridge Family bus, or is there another artist named Partridge who painted similar to Piet Mondrian?

Bill, tgo

It's gotta be the bus. Which leads me to the idea that it would interesting to have glasses that sport the Furthur paint job. Of course, there would have to be some kind of subtle warping to the lenses for just the right effect.

[StephenR]

One of the things to be aware of with the masks is that since the idea is for them to protect you from inhaling any contaminated water droplets they need to be either washed/sterilized or discarded after use. You also need to thoroughly wash your hands after removing them in case the mask is contaminated, and avoid touching the front of the mask while it is on. I read the other day that the virus contaminated droplets can "live" on a mask for a week so theoretically you should either discard a N95 mask after using or have a weeks supply and leave each one sit for a week or so before wearing it again. Washable masks are a good option, they don't seal as well as an N95 mask but can easily be decontaminated.

Since the N95 masks do tend to get moist inside even if they have an exhale valve the worst thing you can do is use your hand to wipe the moisture off your upper lip and face after removing the mask. Social distancing, washing hands and not touching our faces are still the best preventative measures we can take but I also believe in wearing a mask for an added layer of protection.

[edwardofhuncote]

Me, in my gov't issue mask, standing my post at the Crystal Spring Microfiltration Water Plant. I don't really understand why they sent me green... I specifically asked for tie-dye. But I'm in it to win it. And since I come genetically predisposed to hard-headed-ness... here's where I'll be. 

[growlypants]

Lookin' good!!

[pauldo]

I heard that microwaving the N95 masks will kill the Blue Meanies and viral critters also.  I nuke mine at the end of the shift.

[sonicus]

You microwave them with the metal staples ?

[StephenR]

Did a quick search for "microwave N95 mask to sterilize" and found what looks like some good info about disinfecting various types of masks. Microwave is one method but you can't microwave an N95 mask if it has any metallic components like nosebands.

https://consteril.com/covid-19-pandemic-disinfection-and-sterilization-of-face-masks-for-viruses/


Wolf... the link above also gives directions on how to sterilize masks with replaceable/reusable filters like the one you have.

[sonicus]

Thanks Stephen !  That will be very useful .

[keith_h]

Me, in my gov't issue mask, standing my post at the Crystal Spring Microfiltration Water Plant. I don't really understand why they sent me green... I specifically asked for tie-dye. But I'm in it to win it. And since I come genetically predisposed to hard-headed-ness... here's where I'll be. 

You'd think they could have at least spent a little time to color coordinate the mask to your shirt and equipment.

[pauldo]

You microwave them with the metal staples ?

I just press the "go" button and walk away quickly!  :-D

No, there is no metal in the masks we have.

[lbpesq]

Well I'm officially "high risk" as, not only am I asthmatic, I turned 65 today!  Senior Management gave me this most excellent mask as a present.

Bill, tgo

[David Houck]

Bill, that is indeed an excellent mask.  Congrats on the milestone.