sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,001
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on Jun 28, 2020 5:19:22 GMT
I mostly wear cloth masks, but I have a small stash of paper ones for things like when I go to the hairdresser - I don't want dye on my cloth ones, and can just ditch a paper one when I'm done. We have compulsory masks here on all public transport (I don't drive) and in all shop and restaurants, so having the paper masks as a back up makes sense to me.
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Post by Legacy Girl on Jun 28, 2020 5:28:49 GMT
I find the disposable masks to be so much cooler than fabric masks. And especially with the hot weather we're now experiencing, I've been thinking of picking up a couple more boxes.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 28, 2020 5:32:25 GMT
I never made or bought any cloth masks... I work at a mfg facility that provides disposable masks for us to wear at work, and I just grabbed a couple extra ones to wear coming into/out of work, before I could find a box of the disposable ones at the store. The disposable ones are plenty comfortable enough for me.
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Post by lucyg on Jun 28, 2020 6:10:22 GMT
I bought a box of 12 to keep in my glove box, and got into it last week when I took the 11yo to the dentist and he needed one.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jun 28, 2020 6:31:48 GMT
Cloth masks have a limited lifespan. Those made with the best fabrics can only be washed up to 20-ish cycles before they're no longer effective enough because the weave has deteriorated and lets the nanoparticles through.
The extra disposable masks are an emergency measure in case I can't find new cloth masks when ours are all "washed up", to hand if we have to have someone over for a quick repair in our home, when I don't have access to a dryer (highly recommended after washing your masks) since we don't own one, etc.
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Post by flanz on Jun 28, 2020 6:38:35 GMT
It's my understanding that the disposable masks which are not N-95s do not offer protection from Covid-19.
Does anyone have info to the contrary? I saw a box of 50 for $20 at Costco last week but didn't buy any because of this belief. Am I wrong?
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jun 28, 2020 6:44:01 GMT
It's my understanding that the disposable masks which are not N-95s do not offer protection from Covid-19. Does anyone have info to the contrary? I saw a box of 50 for $20 at Costco last week but didn't buy any because of this belief. Am I wrong? Cloth masks don't offer protection from the novel coronavirus to the wearer either. It's a preventive measure for those around the wearer. This only works if everyone is wearing a mask which, alas, does not seem to be the case. You can read all about the disposable masks in this article. N95/FFP2 is the better choice but they're more expensive and still very hard to find where I live. Definitely avoid the valved ones since they don't filter the exhaled air meaning you might be exposing all those around you to your own germs/the virus.
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Post by phoenixcov on Jun 28, 2020 9:31:05 GMT
I have just bought a box of disposable masks for when I stop being shielded. I have COPD and the fabric masks are a no go for me as I struggle to keep oxygen levels to a reasonable level without trying to breath through fabric.
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Post by christine58 on Jun 28, 2020 10:46:37 GMT
I notice nearly everyone said they are grabbing a box of disposable masks now that they are in many stores. Why? I assume you had cloth ones? We are pretty much never out and have cloth masks as our "in case", but I don't want to figure out too late that we should have had some. Honestly, I prefer the disposable ones. I have some cloth ones but the disposable ones seem to fit my face better.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 28, 2020 10:49:14 GMT
I use mainly disposable masks.
It's just easier. I use it, I toss it in the bin.
I don't have to think about washing it, drying it. I don't have to worry about it wearing out.
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Post by ghislaine on Jun 28, 2020 10:55:58 GMT
Cloth masks have a limited lifespan. Those made with the best fabrics can only be washed up to 20-ish cycles before they're no longer effective enough because the weave has deteriorated and lets the nanoparticles through. This is the first that I have heard this. I am going to have to poke around to find out more.
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Post by jenjie on Jun 28, 2020 11:18:48 GMT
Cloth masks have a limited lifespan. Those made with the best fabrics can only be washed up to 20-ish cycles before they're no longer effective enough because the weave has deteriorated and lets the nanoparticles through. This is the first that I have heard this. I am going to have to poke around to find out more. Same. I wash mine every time I use them. I’m thinking of picking up a pack of disposables. My masks are not typical, they are a single piece of black fabric cut out with ear holes sliced into them. I ordered them back in the beginning. So when I take it off, I don’t know which side has been touching my face and which side has been exposed. Which causes a problem if I were to put it back on. So I either wear it in the car between stops if it’s just around town, or I go through a handful each outing. Then they all go right into the washing machine. I originally was going to leave them sit a few days and rewear. I’m interested in a link bc if I need to go back to that plan I will.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jun 28, 2020 11:29:32 GMT
Cloth masks have a limited lifespan. Those made with the best fabrics can only be washed up to 20-ish cycles before they're no longer effective enough because the weave has deteriorated and lets the nanoparticles through. This is the first that I have heard this. I am going to have to poke around to find out more. The French AFNOR rules heavily emphasised this at the start of the pandemic in Europe. From Popular Science: You can get more washes out of them by using your washing machine rather than boiling them. But it all depends on the quality of the fabric and tightness of the weave. Maximum recommended in our nook of the world is 15 to 20 washes. Of course, you can reuse the elastic to make new masks as long as it's got enough of give. Since you speak French, I thought I'd include the fabric recommendations by AFNOR (Association française de normalisation) for both types of masks you can sew at home:
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Post by shescrafty on Jun 28, 2020 11:32:36 GMT
This is the first that I have heard this. I am going to have to poke around to find out more. Same. I wash mine every time I use them. I’m thinking of picking up a pack of disposables. My masks are not typical, they are a single piece of black fabric cut out with ear holes sliced into them. I ordered them back in the beginning. So when I take it off, I don’t know which side has been touching my face and which side has been exposed. Which causes a problem if I were to put it back on. So I either wear it in the car between stops if it’s just around town, or I go through a handful each outing. Then they all go right into the washing machine. I originally was going to leave them sit a few days and rewear. I’m interested in a link bc if I need to go back to that plan I will. I bought a UVC sanitizing box. So I put my mask in there each time I wear it and then hand wash it every week or so. I use Dial anti-bacterial soap and let them sit in hot, soapy water and hand scrub them for at least 30 seconds each. They air dry. I feel like this would break them down less than being in my washing machine for over an hour each time. I hang them outside to dry. We also have filters inside that separately get put in the sanitizing light box.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jun 28, 2020 11:43:04 GMT
I bought a UVC sanitizing box. So I put my mask in there each time I wear it and then hand wash it every week or so. I use Dial anti-bacterial soap and let them sit in hot, soapy water and hand scrub them for at least 30 seconds each. They air dry. I feel like this would break them down less than being in my washing machine for over an hour each time. I hang them outside to dry. Hate to be *that* person, the party pooper, but UV light degrades fibers and handwash is *not* recommended. Friction by hand scrub is also very tough on the fibers and will degrade them. The official recommendations over here are: 60°C/140°F wash in the machine and immediately transfer them to the dryer when the wash cycle has ended. Avoid letting air dry. Very annoying as I don't have a dryer.
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Post by shescrafty on Jun 28, 2020 11:43:35 GMT
This is the first that I have heard this. I am going to have to poke around to find out more. Same. I wash mine every time I use them. I’m thinking of picking up a pack of disposables. My masks are not typical, they are a single piece of black fabric cut out with ear holes sliced into them. I ordered them back in the beginning. So when I take it off, I don’t know which side has been touching my face and which side has been exposed. Which causes a problem if I were to put it back on. So I either wear it in the car between stops if it’s just around town, or I go through a handful each outing. Then they all go right into the washing machine. I originally was going to leave them sit a few days and rewear. I’m interested in a link bc if I need to go back to that plan I will. When we are out and about we take our masks off by the ear loops and fold them in half with the mouth side in. We loop the ear holes around the shifter in the car so they stay “closed“ until we need to put them on again. We hand sanitize each time we touch them (so once we take them off and then again when we put them on).
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Post by shescrafty on Jun 28, 2020 11:47:19 GMT
I bought a UVC sanitizing box. So I put my mask in there each time I wear it and then hand wash it every week or so. I use Dial anti-bacterial soap and let them sit in hot, soapy water and hand scrub them for at least 30 seconds each. They air dry. I feel like this would break them down less than being in my washing machine for over an hour each time. I hang them outside to dry. Hate to be *that* person, the party pooper, but UV light degrades fibers and handwash is *not* recommended. Friction by hand scrub is also very tough on the fibers and will degrade them. The official recommendations over here are: 60°C/140°F wash in the machine and immediately transfer them to the dryer when the wash cycle has ended. Avoid letting air dry. Very annoying as I don't have a dryer. Wow I will have to do more research-thanks! We have at least 5 fabric masks each and am getting more regularly as my best friend makes very comfortable ones that do not slide around at all. Once we put them on they stay over our noses and under my chin. Hopefully having multiples I switch out regularly helps. My son was told he should bring 7-10 for college. I am also getting him a box of disposable ones to keep a few in his backpack in case his get wet. They will have to wear them in any indoor spaces and while in class.
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Post by jenjie on Jun 28, 2020 12:14:03 GMT
Same. I wash mine every time I use them. I’m thinking of picking up a pack of disposables. My masks are not typical, they are a single piece of black fabric cut out with ear holes sliced into them. I ordered them back in the beginning. So when I take it off, I don’t know which side has been touching my face and which side has been exposed. Which causes a problem if I were to put it back on. So I either wear it in the car between stops if it’s just around town, or I go through a handful each outing. Then they all go right into the washing machine. I originally was going to leave them sit a few days and rewear. I’m interested in a link bc if I need to go back to that plan I will. When we are out and about we take our masks off by the ear loops and fold them in half with the mouth side in. We loop the ear holes around the shifter in the car so they stay “closed“ until we need to put them on again. We hand sanitize each time we touch them (so once we take them off and then again when we put them on). Yeah mine are not like that. Picture that you cut an oval out of a plain colored t shirt. Cut a few slits in the end to slide over your ears. That’s it. Either side could be front or back. And When I take it off it curls in on itself. It works for me currently bc I don’t really go anywhere. But I need to take a trip soon so I am going to have to pick up a pack of disposables.
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Post by ghislaine on Jun 28, 2020 12:38:42 GMT
Merci sleepingbooty! I had pulled up that Popular Science article but hadn't had a chance to read it yet. I just finished making Sunday morning waffles so I was multitasking. I will have to figure out the weights of the batiks I have been using. I had been amusing myself at the thought of quilts made with these masks after we get through this as a kind of historical document. The fabric of masks wearing out after 20 washes just means more material for such a thing.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 28, 2020 13:17:27 GMT
I find the disposable masks to be so much cooler than fabric masks. And especially with the hot weather we're now experiencing, I've been thinking of picking up a couple more boxes. Yes they feel Cooler
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 19:52:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2020 13:49:02 GMT
It's my understanding that the disposable masks which are not N-95s do not offer protection from Covid-19. Does anyone have info to the contrary? I saw a box of 50 for $20 at Costco last week but didn't buy any because of this belief. Am I wrong? You can go to website for the NIH, JAMA, and other reputable medical publications. Some articles from 2020 says masks will not protect the general population - that handwashing and social distancing are the best things to focus on. Other articles from 2020 contradict. No wonder there are so many "feelings" around mask wearing protocols.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,729
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jun 28, 2020 14:17:31 GMT
It's my understanding that the disposable masks which are not N-95s do not offer protection from Covid-19. Does anyone have info to the contrary? I saw a box of 50 for $20 at Costco last week but didn't buy any because of this belief. Am I wrong? Not much will stop viruses getting through because virus particles are microscopic. But viruses don't just fly around by themselves, they have to be suspended in droplets from people's breath/cough/sneeze/speech. A moisture particle WILL be stopped by a fabric mask. That's why we aren't supposed to touch the outside of a mask, because that's where the germs will have settled. And that's why we're supposed to change a mask after it gets damp (more than 20 minutes of continuous wearing), because then the virus can travel through the moisture to the inside. So if everyone wears masks, the chances of infected moisture particles getting into the general air and therefore onto other people will be vastly reduced. N-95s are designed for clinical environments. I know that the PPE availability crisis is much improved now, but personally I would save the clinical PPE for the clinicians.
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Post by greendragonlady on Jun 28, 2020 14:24:08 GMT
My husband has to wear a mask at work. They either have to wear the mask they provide (which is a black knit fabric and ridiculously hot) or a commercial surgical mask. They can't wear any other fabric masks. So we have disposables for him.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jun 28, 2020 14:37:31 GMT
Cloth masks have a limited lifespan. Those made with the best fabrics can only be washed up to 20-ish cycles before they're no longer effective enough because the weave has deteriorated and lets the nanoparticles through. This is the first that I have heard this. I am going to have to poke around to find out more. Same. And the cynic is me is thinking "please don't let word get out, then we'll have even fewer people wearing them as they'll see 'em as a waste of money and even an older mask is better than nothing, right?" I just bought a few new ones as my original/most used one is starting to get some loose strings so I guess I'll go ahead and retire it.
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Post by Baseballmom23 on Jun 28, 2020 14:58:46 GMT
My son was told he should bring 7-10 for college. I am also getting him a box of disposable ones to keep a few in his backpack in case his get wet. They will have to wear them in any indoor spaces and while in class. Oh....thanks for the reminder. I better go buy my son some extras now!
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jun 28, 2020 15:04:24 GMT
I work in a hospital, and I am still confused about everything. It seems like something new or different comes out weekly. It used to be daily. So I get I have to wear a surgical mask, to protect others. But they tell us it's to protect others from us. OK. so now we have to wear face SHIELDS. how is that protecting others from us. It's to protect US from them, right? It's not a PAPR though, so not fully enclosed. All we ever get for an explanation is that it's for our own safety. ok. then why haven't we been doing it for the last 3 months? and I know some others HAVE been wearing them for that long. And also then why don't thy just say masks are protect us from others and others from us?
oh..to the OP. cloth masks are harder to breathe thru, and heavier. Disposable/surgical masks are much lighter, and breathable. That is why.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,437
Location: So Cal
Member is Online
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Jun 28, 2020 15:20:14 GMT
I was going to buy some disposables from Amazon but wondering if anyone has and how they are. Not sure if I should trust the reviews.
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Post by padresfan619 on Jun 28, 2020 15:24:18 GMT
I assumed we were still leaving that kind of PPE to healthcare workers so I never considered buying disposable masks. I have enough cloth masks to last a week and always have to do a load of laundry at least once a week anyway, so they always get washed. I am not going out nearly enough to ever need a weeks worth of masks, but I have them for when I go back to work.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 28, 2020 15:57:34 GMT
I'm switching to the disposable masks now because they are much cooler than the ones I've made. I am using top quality quilting cotton that is pretty thick. A few weeks ago I had to pull out my rescue inhaler due to wearing a mask in the grocery store (I have asthma), which is what prompted me to switch. So when I take it off, I don’t know which side has been touching my face and which side has been exposed. Which causes a problem if I were to put it back on. You can use a bright colored Sharpie or fabric marker a small X or mark on one side of the mask. Then always use that side towards your face. My mom used this method when making shorts/pants for the younger grandchildren to help them tell the back from the front. If you want to order disposable masks, you can get a box of 50 from eFavormart.com for $14.99. They are in the US and ship quickly.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 28, 2020 16:01:58 GMT
This is the first that I have heard this. I am going to have to poke around to find out more. Same. I wash mine every time I use them. I’m thinking of picking up a pack of disposables. My masks are not typical, they are a single piece of black fabric cut out with ear holes sliced into them. I ordered them back in the beginning. So when I take it off, I don’t know which side has been touching my face and which side has been exposed. Which causes a problem if I were to put it back on. So I either wear it in the car between stops if it’s just around town, or I go through a handful each outing. Then they all go right into the washing machine. I originally was going to leave them sit a few days and rewear. I’m interested in a link bc if I need to go back to that plan I will. what if you put it dirty side up in a small square food container. Then you would always know (that is what i do with my masks even though I can tell which side is which)
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