Author Topic: Masks (Read 208246 times)

Ergel · « **on:** March 31, 2020, 08:27:23 AM »

Someone is selling KN-95 masks from China near me. 60 shekel for 2 or 100 shekel for 4. It says Naisian on them. Are they worth buying? If I have a beard, will they do anything for me? I think they said they are washable? Is there such a thing? Or are they single-use only?

israshot · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2020, 09:22:23 AM »

Quote from: Ergel on March 31, 2020, 08:27:23 AM

Someone is selling KN-95 masks from China near me. 60 shekel for 2 or 100 shekel for 4. It says Naisian on them. Are they worth buying? If I have a beard, will they do anything for me? I think they said they are washable? Is there such a thing? Or are they single-use only?

A mask is good only to protect others from yourself in case you're positive or with symptoms or just for precautions. To protect yourself from others you'll need more than that, especially if you have a beard.
(Talking about beard... https://www.ch10.co.il/news/583437/#.XoJBZOpvaUk )

CountValentine · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2020, 09:54:57 AM »

Quote from: israshot on March 31, 2020, 09:22:23 AM

A mask is good only to protect others from yourself in case you're positive or with symptoms or just for precautions. To protect yourself from others you'll need more than that, especially if you have a beard.
(Talking about beard... https://www.ch10.co.il/news/583437/#.XoJBZOpvaUk )

Please don't post wrong information. An N95 mask will protect you. A surgical mask is to protect others.

Ergel · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2020, 09:58:01 AM »

Quote from: CountValentine on March 31, 2020, 09:54:57 AM

Please don't post wrong information. An N95 mask will protect you. A surgical mask is to protect others.

Correct. But he said it authoritatively, so it must be true.
But on the other hand, it wasn't on WhatsApp so it might not be true.
Hmm...What to do?

Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:00:36 AM »

Not sure how much N95 helps if you have facial hair.

yuneeq · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:02:19 AM »

Quote from: CountValentine on March 31, 2020, 09:54:57 AM

Please don't post wrong information. An N95 mask will protect you. A surgical mask is to protect others.

Didn't see anyone mention N95 until your post. KN95 is not N95.
KN95 is Chinese standard and not equivalent.

CountValentine · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:02:54 AM »

Quote from: Ergel on March 31, 2020, 09:58:01 AM

Hmm...What to do?

You willing to shave your beard?

CountValentine · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:03:43 AM »

Quote from: Dan on March 31, 2020, 10:00:36 AM

Not sure how much N95 helps if you have facial hair.

If you are referring to a beard you need to shave it.

CountValentine · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:05:00 AM »

Quote from: yuneeq on March 31, 2020, 10:02:19 AM

Didn't see anyone mention N95 until your post. KN95 is not N95.
KN95 is Chinese standard and not equivalent.

I would not buy anything from China.

aygart · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:05:03 AM »

How to make your own surgical mask. Not as effective but better than nothing

http://psa.gov.in/sites/default/files/pdf/PSAManualonMasks_PIB_FINALpdf.pdf

Dan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:05:14 AM »

Quote from: CountValentine on March 31, 2020, 10:03:43 AM

If you are referring to a beard you need to shave it.

Question is if you won't, does the N95 still give some level of protection?

CountValentine · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:06:34 AM »

Quote from: Dan on March 31, 2020, 10:05:14 AM

Question is if you won't, does the N95 still give some level of protection?

It still filters but nowhere near as well.

aygart · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:10:14 AM »

Quote from: Dan on March 31, 2020, 10:05:14 AM

Question is if you won't, does the N95 still give some level of protection?

Not less than a surgical mask.

Dan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:10:37 AM »

Quote from: aygart on March 31, 2020, 10:10:14 AM

Not less than a surgical mask.

But is it more?

aygart · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:11:31 AM »

Quote from: Dan on March 31, 2020, 10:10:37 AM

But is it more?

I will speculate that it is slightly more since what goes through the mask itself is filtered better but not by a tremendous amount.

yuneeq · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:17:13 AM »

A surgical mask is basically open from the entire top and sides and welcomes all airborne particles. N95 masks, even if poorly fitted, will be a much tighter fit around the face, and even if not sealed 100%, will significantly reduce airborne particles compared to surgical. IMHO.

CountValentine · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:19:53 AM »

Quote from: Dan on March 31, 2020, 10:05:14 AM

Question is if you won't, does the N95 still give some level of protection?

Yes but how much I have no idea.
I had to wear respirator masks for many months. Even a perfectly fitted one is not 100%.
With a beard a fitted mask (N95) will still fit better than a surgical mask. It still filters better so based on that I would say yes but that is only a guess.

AsherO · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:22:07 AM »

Quote from: Dan on March 31, 2020, 10:05:14 AM

Question is if you won't, does the N95 still give some level of protection?

What are bearded Hatzalah members wearing?

aygart · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:32:25 AM »

https://medium.com/@Cancerwarrior/covid-19-why-we-should-all-wear-masks-there-is-new-scientific-rationale-280e08ceee71

List of studies. Knock yourself out
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLrm0pqBN_5bdyysOeoOBX4pt4oFDBhsC_jpblXpNtQ/preview#

Ergel · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2020, 10:39:42 AM »

Wait, so what is KN-95 mask?