Question: Coronavirus & home sewn masks?

[oldtimer]

Could you please share the source(s) for these tests? I have some Chinese masks that are supposed to be KN95 certified (equivalent of FFP2), but I suspect they might be fake

The tests weren't from an official source. The writer is a blogger from Singapore as far as I can glean and is not a mask expert. https://ximplifyit.blogspot.com/2020/02/genuine-or-fake-surgical-masks-3-quick-tests.html?m=1
The tests seemed to me like a very basic start to reassure myself the masks weren't made of useless materials. Who knows about the quality though.

I also bought some KN95 masks and wish I hadn't wasted the money. They're most likely fake because they are unmarked. The website makes a big deal about them being TGA (Aus equivalent of FDA) "approved" but there is no such category. They have simply been listed on the site because it's legally required.

They also claim to be FDA approved which is not necessarily great either. I read that the FDA requires products to have been adequately tested by the manufacturer before listing. The FDA does not do any testing itself. This is the FDA certificate issued for the NK95 masks I bought. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence!

If you can't read it, the main part says:

 

[oldtimer]

How do you tell if there are 3 layers? I'm finding it very difficult, since I can't separate them out. I have a nasty feeling some I bought (from the local pharmacy, of all places!) are only two, because they seem very thin. Some of mine, I'm not sure whether they have 2 or 3 layers.

I sacrificed one of mine and cut it up so I could see if the filter would burn. They felt extremely thin to me too.

 

[mango]

The tests weren't from an official source. The writer is a blogger from Singapore as far as I can glean and is not a mask expert. [...]

I also bought some KN95 masks and wish I hadn't wasted the money. They're most likely fake because they are unmarked.

Thank you for clarifying

It's really really disgusting that so many companies export/sell fake and substandard PPE, and are being so dishonest about it

Having said that, I wouldn't think the fake "KN95" masks are completely useless to the wearer; wouldn't they still offer a certain amount of protection from droplet transmission at least? Even if they don't protect from airborne transmission, I mean. And they would still help protect others from the wearer's germs, like fabric masks and simple face coverings do? It's obviously not good enough, but hopefully better than nothing?

As far as I understand KN95/FFP2 don't offer proper protection against viruses anyway, only N95/FFP3 do.

I would love to see someone perform a test to check if the fake KN95 masks are more effective as is, or cut up and used as a disposable filter inside a home sewn fabric mask.

(My KN95 masks are marked KN95, CE etc, but I'm still having doubts...)

 

[JemPD]

How do you tell if there are 3 layers? I'm finding it very difficult, since I can't separate them out. I have a nasty feeling some I bought (from the local pharmacy, of all places!) are only two, because they seem very thin. Some of mine, I'm not sure whether they have 2 or 3 layers.


And, in case there's anyone here who's been blithely "decontaminating" their masks using UV light, BEWARE:
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/med...oronavirus/ar-BB16DH58?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=ASUDHP

We are leaving our N95 masks to dry out & decontaminate naturally - ie leaving them in an open box in the garden shed for 14 days before wearing again. - Since the longest i have read of active virus being found on a surface was 9 days... I assume it is safe to re-wear after that time.

 

[Keela Too]

I’ve been making masks again for #TheBigCommunitySew

And did a video, as folk in the FB group I’m in were asking.



(6 minutes)

 

[ahimsa]

I'm not planning on washing any of them, though - just leaving them for several days to self-sanitise.

I'm assuming that's OK?

I don't know, but I've read recommendations that cloth masks should be washed on several different websites.

Here's a quote from a recent article on the NPR (National Public Radio) website that recommends washing daily (which I take to mean every day that the mask is used):

What should we do with that dirty mask? How often should we be washing a cloth mask?

Aronoff recommends washing your mask at least every day: "It's fine to wash it by hand with soap and water or with laundry detergent or put it in the washing machine. These masks can be air-dried, or they can be put into a dryer on high heat." The most important thing is that the mask gets cleaned. It's a good idea to have several cloth masks that you can rotate in and out so you don't have to wash just one every day.

Link = https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889431742/what-you-need-to-know-about-protective-face-masks

Even ignoring the issue of coronavirus I would want to remove any oils as well as other dust/dirt. I don't want to my face to break out after contact with a dirty mask.

So I've been washing our cotton masks each time we wear them (which is rarely).

 

[mango]

Twitter thread:



ETA: To clarify, I read this Twitter thread as ironic and found it funny because it's so absurd. The absurdity is even more obvious of you have a look at the whole thread, not just the first tweet.

 

[Mithriel]

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I think she was being ironic.

 

[ladycatlover]

I missed this the other day, but am about to watch it. If you go to their Twitter feed there are lots of tweets about the main points in this discussion.

 

[Mithriel]

I think she was being ironic.

I really hope she was being ironic because the number of things i have seen complaining about the side effects of masks make you despair.

One comment said that instead of wearing a mask everyone should be eating well and exercising to boost their immune system then they won't get infected.

 

[mango]

I really hope she was being ironic

I'd say definitely ironic Have a look at the whole thread, not just the first tweet, if you're in doubt about that

 

[Amw66]

I’ve been making masks again for #TheBigCommunitySew

And did a video, as folk in the FB group I’m in were asking.



(6 minutes)

Great video @Keela Too .
I made the same mask , but due to lack of materials I made a small pocket for the nose piece on the inner lining ( my nose piece was a couple of bits of florist wire encased in electrical tape and I don't know how well that would fare at 60 degrees in the wash).

I also did not have much elastic: we found sports/ dock martin laces are a good alternative - they don't hurt your ears if you have sensitive ones as they go round your head . You thread them up from the bottom of one side to make a large loop.

My daughter had a few DM patterned laces which is a nice contrast.

 

[ladycatlover]

Which? (Consumer organisation in UK) has an article on making masks, and some suggestions about what kind are suitable and where to source them if you can't make your own (obviously a limited list, but could be useful to start with).

I think it may be available for non subscribers, but can't be sure. Plus it's UK, so it's possible those of you elsewhere may not be able to access it. I found it interesting and suspect will find it useful once we get to Wales. We're taking my sewing machine! Though whether I have time to use it or not is a different matter!

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fac...ks-where-to-buy-them-and-how-to-make-your-own

 

[Sean]

Have not been following mask design, but this one seems a good fit.

 

[Perrier]

Have not been following mask design, but this one seems a good fit.

Yes, she did a nice job indeed. I tend to like to add a little channel over the nose where I put in a wire grocery tie, and this means I can always press it closer to the nose.

I am also wearing a visor now over two masks. I wish there were videos around about how the covid aerosols travel in that scenario: mask and visor.

 

[perchance dreamer]

I am also wearing a visor now over two masks.

What kind of visor are you wearing? Is it the same as a face shield?

I've started wearing face shields to grocery stores, in addition to my mask. The only disadvantage I've found is that it's sometimes hard for people to hear me with both the mask and the shield in place. The other day I was at the fish counter at a busy grocery store, and I asked for a trout fillet. The fish guy showed me the crab. I repeated that I wanted trout, and he took me to the scallops. Finally, he understood me when I spelled it out. Thank god! I was beginning to think I'd have to mime it. That said, it was loud in the store, and the fish people stand well back from the customers.

I do get some odd looks because face shields are not yet common in Austin in non-medical settings. My sister said that in Seattle, she sees face shields fairly frequently, many of them worn by Asians.

 

[Perrier]

What kind of visor are you wearing? Is it the same as a face shield?

I've started wearing face shields to grocery stores, in addition to my mask. The only disadvantage I've found is that it's sometimes hard for people to hear me with both the mask and the shield in place. The other day I was at the fish counter at a busy grocery store, and I asked for a trout fillet. The fish guy showed me the crab. I repeated that I wanted trout, and he took me to the scallops. Finally, he understood me when I spelled it out. Thank god! I was beginning to think I'd have to mime it. That said, it was loud in the store, and the fish people stand well back from the customers.

I do get some odd looks because face shields are not yet common in Austin in non-medical settings. My sister said that in Seattle, she sees face shields fairly frequently, many of them worn by Asians.

A friend shipped me a couple; his students made them on 3d computers; it looks just like the sort worn by nurses. I really like it. But I do not know really how much aerosol it keeps out. I live in Canada;you don't see too many on the street, but no one bothers me.

 

[perchance dreamer]

A friend shipped me a couple; his students made them on 3d computers; it looks just like the sort worn by nurses. I really like it. But I do not know really how much aerosol it keeps out. I live in Canada;you don't see too many on the street, but no one bothers me.

I'd really like to see a study of how much protection a face shield adds when worn with a mask, as opposed to wearing a mask by itself. Maybe studies haven't been done on this because face shields aren't yet commonly worn in non-medical settings. But common sense tells me that an additional barrier would add at least some added protection.

 

[NelliePledge]

I'd really like to see a study of how much protection a face shield adds when worn with a mask, as opposed to wearing a mask by itself. Maybe studies haven't been done on this because face shields aren't yet commonly worn in non-medical settings. But common sense tells me that an additional barrier would add at least some added protection.

I had a hairdresser who cuts hair in your home yesterday and she was masked and had a plastic shield too.