Pandemic Masks

Doom and Bloom ^ | 7/7/14 | Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones the Disaster Doctor

[Kartographer]

Your Strategy

doctor and patient with masks

You’ll need both standard and N95 masks as part of your medical supplies. I would recommend a significant number of each as the masks will be contaminated once worn and should be discarded. A simple truth regarding medical supplies in a pandemic: You can never have too many. Any “extras” you might have will be incredibly valuable barter items in times of trouble.

There are no absolute standards with regards to who wears what in the sick room. I would recommend using the standard surgical masks for those who are ill, to prevent droplets from coughing or sneezing (which can send air droplets several feet) and the N95 masks for the caregivers. In this fashion, you will give maximum protection to the medical personnel.

Remember, your highest priority is to protect yourself and the healthy members of your group. Plan out a sick room area and isolate those that might be contagious. Have plenty of masks, as well as gloves, aprons, eyewear, and antiseptics, and pay careful attention to every aspect of hygiene. Your survival may depend on it.

[SgtHooper]

Yup, or even a douse-and-dry in bleach should work. When the SHTF, discarders will be chastised, at least by me.

[SgtHooper]

Right, a doctor indicated that there are cracks in the hands of all humans through which infection can occur. So get your rubber gloves and suits as well.

[SgtHooper]

You can buy N100’s and P100’s as well for added filtering.

[SgtHooper]

I tried to microwave a fly one time, and it survived unaffected. To hell with microwaves.

[vetvetdoug]

Using normal aseptic techniques for all other viruses, fungi, and bacteria is not enough for the prevention of Ebola. Being safe against Ebola is much like abstinence is for prevention of pregnancy, the only way to keep from being affected is to avoid populations for a quarantine period of a month. Its going to take out a great many folks and animals and because of the publicizing of this outbreak it is just a matter of time before the Mohamed followers use it as a weapon...remember it was probably them that used anthrax.

[Shadowstrike]

what can you do about people who have a small face?

My Dad has a real narrow face, and these masks have big gaps at the side...

Suggestions?

[Eagles6]

Surgical or adhesive tape?

[Kartographer]

I seen where you can buy them in sizes.

[nomad]

The personal decon is in the event of an emergency exposure. As a former OSHA 80Hr trained HAZMAT worker I know all about decon procedure, personal decon as in a shower out is HIGHLY recommended after equipment decon. Besides, suits are not always 100% effective, ever have a tyvek suit rip on you? Shit happens and IF Ebola ever does get here, you`d better have a plan B.

[nomad]

A proper fit test should be done with any mask. If in doubt, try them out. We used to do the "banana oil" test but that's done with reusable full and half face APR and PAPR masks equipped with organic filters and done to test the face seal.

If you are using such masks with HEPA filters, a fairly credible test can be done with a cigarette. Waft smoke from the cigarette around the person`s face while having them speak, they should only be able to detect the lite scent of organic material burning. http://www.ehow.com/how_6323413_fit_test-respirators.html

[nomad]

Perhaps you can hot glue custom formed, foam air-conditioner type, seal material around the sides. I would suggest using a single edge razor and/or a Dremel tool with a sander drum to shape thin sealing strips. Either way do some basic fit testing.

[nomad]

Well it won`t work, high density areas such as liberal big cities will be breading grounds for the virus.

[nomad]

Now let me be clear on the face seal, nothing should be detected thru it. The slight burning scent from a cigarette test will be the smoke that gets thru the HEPA filters in a reusable type mask.

[bgill]

It will absolutely, without-a-doubt end up here in the US. The question is how it will be handled after that occurs.

With this admin., it'll be denial, denial, denial.

[dsc]

“west Africans, probably infected, had attended the recent World Cup event in Brazil”

If your scenario were correct, it would be possible for Ebola now to be in every corner of the world.

[bgill]

Gee, what activity involving close contact and swapping of bodily fluids occurs much more frequently and with more participants in high-population areas than in remote, rural areas.

It can be passed by bodily fluid. Not just through sex but through sweat. Think bumping into people on an elevator, a busy street or public transportation. Think a subway turnstile that has sweaty palms touching it every 2-3 seconds.

[ronnyquest]

"If your scenario were correct, it would be possible for Ebola now to be in every corner of the world."

Precisely my point. I'll bet this particular genie is already well out of the bottle and vacationing in Malibu.

[dsc]

“Precisely my point.”

I was afraid of that.

[PA Engineer]

Besides, suits are not always 100% effective, ever have a tyvek suit rip on you? Shit happens and IF Ebola ever does get here, you`d better have a plan B.

That is the reason I recommend military surplus. I prepare for NBC. Yes, a Tyvek suit split inside an enclosed refinery tank. Used duck tape. Tyvek does tear and that is why people who prep should also go surplus military, wear and inspect. Plan B is opsec. I have been a Prepper for going on 17 years.

I am aware it could get real ugly. My Wife is a doctor. I prepare accordingly.

[roses of sharon]

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