Ozone and UV light will degrade the rubber bands over time on the N95 masks, but will destroy the virus. Maybe buy a big bag of rubber bands at an office supply store.
I saw one guy do a test on his N95 mask at a 3M facility. He used it for 7(?) days when riding his bike in a smoggy city - I think it was 2 to 3 hours a day. The mask was pretty grungy from sweat and stuff and dirty. Still was at 97% or so of the original rating. (So 97% of 95%.)
But yes - need to destroy the virus. Seeing as the masks are a fabric, the virus won’t last as long as on a hard surface. But iirc the coronavirus can still last quite a long time on fabric - 8 hours???
Note - a N95 mask will only filter to 0.3 microns. That covers about 50% of the flu particles emitted from a person. A real-life example of how one views the world - are you a class half-full or half-empty type of person!?
Or perhaps it is more of a class half-full versus an empty glass - which makes it even more logical to wear a mask. Plus the reminder to keep your hands away from your face.
Read somewhere that a Asian doctor wrapped his N95 at the end of the day with paper towel. Drying them helps. You need to kill the viri present overnight basically.
Ozone and UV light will degrade the rubber bands over time on the N95 masks, but will destroy the virus. Maybe buy a big bag of rubber bands at an office supply store.
Note - a N95 mask will only filter to 0.3 microns. That covers about 50% of the flu particles emitted from a person. A real-life example of how one views the world - are you a class half-full or half-empty type of person!?
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I always have bag of rubber bands on hand. I bought the masks as a just in case measure—was going through a Doom and Bloom medical hand book. I guess I’m the optimist. I have never taken a flu shot.
I haven’t had the flu(or at least so mild I didn’t know it) since I got the Asian Flu in college-40 years ago. We don’t go anywhere in the winter except a weekly run to the grocery store-and we use wipes hand sanitizer on the cart and our hands respectively as a habit.
I will only use the masks, if one of us gets sick. Surgical for the patient-N95 for the caregiver. I have a whole bunch of trash bags to modify For disposable coverall. I also have face shields and disposable shower caps.
I thought about buying something that would filter out more, but really didn’t know enough to know what to get. I do have several empty 5 gallon clear water bottles I could wear and duct tape to a trash bag shirt. LOL
If it’s not droplets and is just floating around in the air, one would need a full hazmat suit with air source. I do have a portable oxygen tank but really with out a negative flow room can’t see that working. LOL
Thanks.