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Post by sam9 on Jun 28, 2020 16:06:01 GMT
I’ve learned a lot from this thread! I never knew that cloth masks started getting wet after 20 minutes of wearing and should then be changed out. My shopping trips take longer than 20 minutes. 😮 And that fabric masks wear out after 20 washes. And that handwashing is bad. So I’ve been doing just about everything wrong it seems.
Does all this make disposable the way to go? Can someone tell me if the ones that Costco are selling (50 for $20) in Canada smell?
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Post by jenjie on Jun 28, 2020 16:06:27 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. That’s smart! I can try. |
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,190 
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Post by gina on Jun 28, 2020 19:10:20 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. Same. I wore my two cloth handmade masks a few times back in April. They are sitting unused now. They are way too hot for me. I prefer the disposables. I keep a baggie of clean ones in my car, and a pile in my desk basket so my kids know where to grab some before heading out. Its working well for us. |
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Post by flanz on Jun 28, 2020 19:48:44 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. Thank you! I agree, the valved masks are hazardous in this circumstance. I understand that the primary reason for wearing masks is to protect others, not myself. However, while sewing hundreds for donation I came across info that indicates using batik (tightly woven cotton), three layers and additional blue paper towel filter comes close to an N-95 and offers some decent protection to the wearer as well. |
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Post by flanz on Jun 28, 2020 19:49:52 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. I shudder at the environmental cost of this. |
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Post by flanz on Jun 28, 2020 19:50:57 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. Can you use a silver or white sharpie to mark one side of the mask so you can differentiate? |
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Post by flanz on Jun 28, 2020 20:04:14 GMT
@redsquirreluk – We live in wildfire country and I am extremely sickened by and sensitive to smoke, so have opened boxes of N95s at home. I only wore one once during this time of SIP. I believe you are correct in this statement, “we're supposed to change a mask after it gets damp (more than 20 minutes of continuous wearing” but can only imagine the situation with in classroom learning if this is to be enforced. Yikes!
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Post by katiekaty on Jun 28, 2020 21:19:22 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. Source for this information, please? |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 28, 2020 22:00:24 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. I shudder at the environmental cost of this. I do too. But both choices, fabric & disposable, have an environmental cost. Fabric mask cost includes the water usage, the electric production, the electric usage of the washer & dryer, microplastic shed if the fabric is synthetic, the cleaning agent used to clean it, etc. Also the manner in which masks or mask making supplies are obtained, whether you had it shipped to you, or you drove to get to a store to buy it, or if you are like me and walk literally everywhere (no car) to buy it factors in a carbon footprint. There are no perfect solutions when dealing with a pandemic. I'm doing my best to keep me & mine safe. But if you meant to shame me, why? |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jun 28, 2020 22:02:23 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. Source for this information, please? See my follow-up message in this very thread. The French norms are strict. The Direction Générale des Armées homologation is very hard to get (only a handful of mask makers got it as far as I know, not basic cloth masks but special seamless woven knit masks). Those masks scored by far the highest in filtration percentage. The mask sellers following the norms to the letter have sent out their fabric masks with a warning of how many maximum washes are recommended. There are several articles out there including this one. Throw it through Google Translate if you're interested. It doesn't look like many other countries have such strict approaches to norms for cloth masks. Merely putting the mention that it isn't a medical or personal protection equipment appears to be enough. AFNOR, the French normalisation (as in making norms) society, the all-ruling instance over norms in the country, also explicitly states ( X) that masks have to be sold with the exact amount of maximum washes with 5 being the minimum to enter France's market (Google Translate the quote below): Only some of the seamless woven knit masks have made the 30+ mark for individual washes so far. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jun 28, 2020 22:27:58 GMT
I'm curious if there are studies that the French government is looking at in regards to these guidelines?
If I am going to take the time to wear a mask, I want it to work as well as it can. But this seems like overkill in parts of my brain.
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Post by flanz on Jun 28, 2020 22:34:55 GMT
I shudder at the environmental cost of this. I do too. But both choices, fabric & disposable, have an environmental cost. Fabric mask cost includes the water usage, the electric production, the electric usage of the washer & dryer, microplastic shed if the fabric is synthetic, the cleaning agent used to clean it, etc. Also the manner in which masks or mask making supplies are obtained, whether you had it shipped to you, or you drove to get to a store to buy it, or if you are like me and walk literally everywhere (no car) to buy it factors in a carbon footprint. There are no perfect solutions when dealing with a pandemic. I'm doing my best to keep me & mine safe. But if you meant to shame me, why? I'm sorry, I honestly didn't intend to shame you. Just thinking about the vast number of disposable masks being used now makes me uneasy. And you make good points about the enviro. costs of fabric masks too. |
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Post by drummergirl65 on Jun 28, 2020 23:05:40 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. How I remember which way is facing outward, I took a sharpie pen and placed a small dot on the inside corner. This way I knew which was "inside or outside" |
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Post by Zee on Jun 28, 2020 23:34:58 GMT
I’ve learned a lot from this thread! I never knew that cloth masks started getting wet after 20 minutes of wearing and should then be changed out. My shopping trips take longer than 20 minutes. 😮 And that fabric masks wear out after 20 washes. And that handwashing is bad. So I’ve been doing just about everything wrong it seems. Does all this make disposable the way to go? Can someone tell me if the ones that Costco are selling (50 for $20) in Canada smell? Nonsense, surgical masks are worn a lot longer than 20 minutes. You think surgeons switch out every 20 min? They can be worn for hours. Fabric is NOT going to wear out after 20 washes unless it's very thin one ply, think about it. I haven't yet heard that hand washing is wrong but that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard yet. Good God. If any of this was true all of us nurses would be sick. |
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Post by sam9 on Jun 28, 2020 23:41:49 GMT
I’ve learned a lot from this thread! I never knew that cloth masks started getting wet after 20 minutes of wearing and should then be changed out. My shopping trips take longer than 20 minutes. 😮 And that fabric masks wear out after 20 washes. And that handwashing is bad. So I’ve been doing just about everything wrong it seems. Does all this make disposable the way to go? Can someone tell me if the ones that Costco are selling (50 for $20) in Canada smell? Nonsense, surgical masks are worn a lot longer than 20 minutes. You think surgeons switch out every 20 min? They can be worn for hours. Fabric is NOT going to wear out after 20 washes unless it's very thin one ply, think about it. I haven't yet heard that hand washing is wrong but that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard yet. Good God. If any of this was true all of us nurses would be sick. I kind of came to this conclusion myself this afternoon. I think everyone everywhere would already be dead if it took 20 minutes of boiling a mask to make it safe to wear again. Every expert, all over the world, agrees that hand washing and social distancing are our best first defences. I definitely don't put my hands in boiling water. P.S. I was referring to handwashing of masks as being unacceptable as per sleepingbooty 's report of French standards. Only machine washing and drying is considered acceptable in France. |
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Post by katlady on Jun 29, 2020 1:46:02 GMT
I was at Target today and saw disposable masks, 20 for about $16. They also had a bunch of 70% alcohol too.
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Post by Zee on Jun 29, 2020 3:02:54 GMT
Nonsense, surgical masks are worn a lot longer than 20 minutes. You think surgeons switch out every 20 min? They can be worn for hours. Fabric is NOT going to wear out after 20 washes unless it's very thin one ply, think about it. I haven't yet heard that hand washing is wrong but that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard yet. Good God. If any of this was true all of us nurses would be sick. I kind of came to this conclusion myself this afternoon. I think everyone everywhere would already be dead if it took 20 minutes of boiling a mask to make it safe to wear again. Every expert, all over the world, agrees that hand washing and social distancing are our best first defences. I definitely don't put my hands in boiling water. P.S. I was referring to handwashing of masks as being unacceptable as per sleepingbooty 's report of French standards. Only machine washing and drying is considered acceptable in France. Thanks for clarifying! I thought somewhere someone was denouncing washing your hands and I was just... I wouldn't hand wash a mask though. In the machine they go along with my scrubs. I do a small load when I get home each day. |
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Post by mikewozowski on Jun 29, 2020 4:00:52 GMT
i hope the masks are good for more than 20 minutes of wear since most nurses are wearing ONE per 12 hour (or more) shift.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jun 29, 2020 7:34:20 GMT
I'm curious if there are studies that the French government is looking at in regards to these guidelines? They carry out their own tests by the Direction Générale des Armées (General Direction of the Armies). They used nanoparticles the size of the coronavirus and looked at when the particles could start getting through + oxygen levels (some cloth masks' weave tightened up so much after several hot washes that it was getting difficult to breathe in them). The disposable surgical masks last for longer than 20 minutes from what I recall. Around 4h? But yeah, they protect the people around you, not yourself from others. I know that the FFP2 (N95) approved for use in Europe can last up to 8h and still be safe. Here is the link to the French government's website page on how manufacturers can get their masks tested for homologation. The different testing units all use tech approved by the Direction Générale des Armées. |
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Post by gale w on Jun 29, 2020 8:53:27 GMT
I admit I don't wash my mask often. I might wear it twice a week for about 30 minutes to an hour each time. I just make sure it's more than 48 hours between wearings since the word is, the virus doesn't live that long on fabric. If it wasn't long enough I would spray it with HOCl in between or something but so far I haven't gone anywhere 2 days in a row. I'm the only one who wears it. Either way, it is pretty hot-I actually sweat under it and I'm starting to break out. So I think I'll get a box of disposables from the link posted-it's about half the price of the boxes I saw at walmart today.
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Post by maryland on Jun 29, 2020 15:21:29 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. If someone could invent a "cooling" mask, they would make lots of money!  I would stock up on those for the summer. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 13, 2020 9:56:42 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. I wanted to say a big Thank You for recommending eFavormart! I ordered when I first saw this thread, one 50 ct. box of adult masks, one 50 ct. box of kid masks, just to see quality and fit. They are great! And the price at $14.99 is less than half of what any b&m store in my neighborhood sells them for. The shipping was quick, too. And the packaging was secure when it arrived. I just ordered three more boxes of adult size & three more boxes of kid size this morning. Thanks again for the solid recommendation!😁 |
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Post by mollycoddle on Jul 13, 2020 10:24:11 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. When it is very hot, I find them more comfortable than cloth. I generally use cloth, but it was in the 90s last week, and my cloth mask was oppressive. |
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Post by bianca42 on Jul 13, 2020 12:02:17 GMT
I have disposable ones in my glove compartment as an emergency backup. I put on my mask at the post office about a month ago and the elastic snapped. If I didn't have a backup, I would have had to leave and come back.
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Post by monklady123 on Jul 13, 2020 12:20:14 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. I shudder at the environmental cost of this. And this is the main reason why I'm not wearing disposable ones. I just can't stand the idea of tossing so many away. And I often see them just lying on the ground where some lazy person left it instead of taking it to a trash can. I'll stick with my pretty cloth ones, and I'm not worrying about them degrading after however many washes. I go to Costco and the grocery store, and I stay away from everyone. |
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Post by mom2jnk on Jul 13, 2020 12:34:21 GMT
I'm curious if there are studies that the French government is looking at in regards to these guidelines? They carry out their own tests by the Direction Générale des Armées (General Direction of the Armies). They used nanoparticles the size of the coronavirus and looked at when the particles could start getting through + oxygen levels (some cloth masks' weave tightened up so much after several hot washes that it was getting difficult to breathe in them). The disposable surgical masks last for longer than 20 minutes from what I recall. Around 4h? But yeah, they protect the people around you, not yourself from others. I know that the FFP2 (N95) approved for use in Europe can last up to 8h and still be safe. Here is the link to the French government's website page on how manufacturers can get their masks tested for homologation. The different testing units all use tech approved by the Direction Générale des Armées. Wait?!? This does not make sense. Why are they testing filtration at this level? It doesn't make sense scientifically when you think about how the virus spreads and what the purpose of wearing a mask is... The point of wearing any type of mask is to stop the expulsion of droplets from our nose and mouth into the air around us when we exhale. And to a smaller extent, stop the inhalation of these suspended liquid droplets. The coronavirus can be present in these respiratory droplets. The coronavirus itself does not just fly around in the air. It is a virus. It can't survive on its own. So testing fabric for nanoparticle filtration levels doesn't make sense here. The virus isn't flying around by itself. Do any of the simple disposable masks filter at nanoparticle level? I do not think so. They "leak" around the edges, etc. So, all of these simple (non-N95) disposable masks straight out of the box the very first time wouldn't provide this level of protection either! But yet, they are still proven effective at decreasing cornonavirus transmission. By stopping the transfer of respiratory droplets, not flying virus particles. |
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,835
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 13, 2020 14:20:05 GMT
We have both. We wear the cloth ones except when we go to the gym because they get all sweaty.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,010
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Post by mimima on Jul 13, 2020 14:21:12 GMT
I keep a box in my car. I was happy that I had them the other day when my mask fell out of my purse at the house.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 13, 2020 14:31:27 GMT
I don’t have a supply of cloth masks. Some peas generously made and gave us a bunch back in March which we sent to the hospital with dh to distribute.
So we have a couple and I just ordered a couple.
I'm going to be in a classroom with a crapton of kids. I feel I need to be ready and if ds goes back, he will need them as well.
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Deleted
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Apr 18, 2024 18:37:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2020 14:40:14 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. I shudder at the environmental cost of this. Me too. All the people saying they're using wipes, disinfecting, using plastic shopping bags... |
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I would stock up on those for the summer.
