Different spin on the wearing of masks.

[rgG]

Since we know that a basic cloth mask or scarf doesn’t do much to keep you from getting infected, do you think maybe we are being encouraged to wear masks to help keep asymptomatic people from spreading the C19 virus?
They have always said to wear a mask if you have the virus, so maybe now they are assuming that since some people show no symptoms it would be better to have everyone wear a mask to help prevent them from spreading the virus.
Just my tin foil hat theory for today.

[TheTominator]

I think that's a reasonable interpretation for the wear-whatever-on-yer-face recommendation.
It is to stop infected people from spreading the disease as easily.

[Lizabeth]

Sewing a bunch this weekend. Found an alternative to regular elastic, which is in short supply - extra thick extra large hair elastics.

[anonymouse1]

The best I've seen on this, can't find it now, is something like:

A good n95 mask will knock out maybe 98% of the likelihood of getting a virus (and remember, if you're distancing, the likelihood of encountering a virus goes way down in the first place!)

A multiple layer bandana maybe knocks the likelihood down 80%? 60%? So not as good as an N95, but much much more than nothing.

There's stuff out there comparing n95 to surgical mask, and maybe to a bandanan, but i don't have time to find --have to work this weekend.

[Michael]

Lizabeth wrote:
Sewing a bunch this weekend. Found an alternative to regular elastic, which is in short supply - extra thick extra large hair elastics.

We found the bands that people put on baby girls to show that they are girls despite having little hair. They are 3/8" elastic in the middle with decorative sides. My wife is cutting off the decorative sides for some and leaving it for others.

[NewtonMP2100]

....rubber bands work too........and free.......

[DeusxMac]

I understand these recommendations usually list scarves and tee shirt material because virtually everyone will have these materials available, but what about other items and fibrous materials many might have which might provide better performance than just scarves or tee shirt material?

- Coffee filters

- Vacuum cleaner bags & filters

- Room air purifier filters

- the various respirator masks sold at hardware stores; like:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Large-Pai.../203632413
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-Pr.../202216315

[DP]

A good reason also is to keep people from touching their faces.

[rgG]

DeusxMac wrote:

- the various respirator masks sold at hardware stores; like:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Large-Pai.../203632413
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-Pr.../202216315

Every type of consumer mask has been OOS for weeks at HD and everywhere else.

[wurm]

I'm guessing those dust masks you (could) get at the Dollar Tree are maybe a half step above useless? I had a few in the shed. Better than nothing?