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Testing the Efficacy of Homemade Masks: Would They Protect in an Influenza Pandemic?
ResearchGate ^ | 2013 | Anna Davies and 5 others

Posted on 02/26/2020 6:55:41 AM PST by Lazamataz

This study examined homemade masks as an alternative to commercial face masks. Several household materials were evaluated for the capacity to block bacterial and viral aerosols. Twenty-one healthy volunteers made their own face masks from cotton t-shirts; the masks were then tested for fit. The number of microorganisms isolated from coughs of healthy volunteers wearing their homemade mask, a surgical mask, or no mask was compared using several air-sampling techniques. The median-fit factor of the homemade masks was one-half that of the surgical masks. Both masks significantly reduced the number of microorganisms expelled by volunteers, although the surgical mask was 3 times more effective in blocking transmission than the homemade mask. Our findings suggest that a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better than no protection. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1-6).


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: chinavirus; chinaviruspreppers; disease; infectious; masks; n95; prepper; preppers; shtf; survival
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To: headstamp 2
There's more to it than just one commander grasping at straws as your comment seems to suggest:

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anecdotes-from-the-archive/defense-against-poison-gas-1915/

The first defense was a simple flannel pad, soaked in chemical solutions (or, if necessary, urine) and held over the mouth. This defense had originated in the industries that employed or produced such gasses and was carried on board naval ships that carried lead-acid batteries (which could leak chlorine gas if the sulphuric acid electrolyte mixed with seawater). It was effective enough for short-term exposure to lower concentrations of gas, but not against prolonged exposure to gas during a battle; and there was no eye protection:

“The first form of respirator, supplied to the British troops in Flanders ... was based upon a pattern supplied by the Admiralty. Over a million of these respirators (made by voluntary labor), consisting of a covering for the mouth and nose of stockinette lined with cotton-wool, were sent out toward the end of April. These respirators, however, have not proved efficacious in warding off the evil effects of the gases when these latter have reached the trenches in a fairly condensed form, and Dr. Haldane has been sent out again to Flanders to experiment with various forms of larger respirators and head coverings of helmet shape, in which cotton wool or cotton waste soaked with chemical solutions can be employed.” During the war 90,000 people, mostly soldiers but also some civilians, died of gas poisoning; in the years after the war, people continued to die from lingering effects of gas exposure sustained during the war.

- Chemistry Goes to War: Our compilation of articles from Scientific American on chemical warfare from World War I to current wars is at https://www.scientificamerican.com/magazine/sa-classics/chemistry-goes-to-war/

21 posted on 02/26/2020 7:21:06 AM PST by Don W (When blacks riot, neighbourhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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To: Lazamataz
Seeing social media indications that the old anti-malaria drug chloroquine (Aralen) may be effective against Covid-19.

Not proven. But studies of the cheap, well studied, and readily available compound are under way in China, with patients getting 400 milligrams a day for five days.

22 posted on 02/26/2020 7:22:35 AM PST by G Larry (There is no great virtue in bargaining with the Devil)
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To: All
I'll be happy to make some of these for the #ItsFlu crowd


23 posted on 02/26/2020 7:23:05 AM PST by JonPreston
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

Just put underwear over your head.
= = = = = = = = =
You mean drape or are you talking SUPER WEDGIE?
Some of the ‘ladies’ already sell ‘used undies’ maybe turn it into a REAL ‘gross’ business and claim it is for medical research??...

Morale was bad, the troops were ready to revolt.

The CO came up with a brilliant idea....

“MEN, today we will change underwear and I do hope it improves morale”

“Hans, you change with Schmidt, Schultz you change with Gustav....etc...etc


24 posted on 02/26/2020 7:23:19 AM PST by xrmusn (6/98"HRC is the Grandmother that lures Hansel & Gretel to the pot")
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To: SkyDancer

Almost all viruses will easily pass through masks. What you are missing is viruses do not float free in air. They are suspended in tiny moisture droplets. Those droplets do not pass. In the cold and low humidity of winter those droplets are smaller and suspend in air longer, hence winter flu. Even the small winter droplets do not pass masks. Masks are better at preventing spread out rather than in.

Without a mask those virus laden droplets lodge in the mucous membranes of the nose throat and lungs. Without eye protection they lodge in the eyes and some (Apparently Corona) can spread that way too.

The probably bigger benefit of masks is they prevent you from subconsciously touching your mouth or nose. (3 times an hour on average) The surface to hand to mouth or nose or eyes transmission route is usually a more efficient way to infect someone with a substantial viral load.

Virus has also been found in urine and fecal matter so avoiding public bathrooms like the plague (pun intended) is highly advised. (Flushing aerosolises what is in the bowl/urinal)

Gloves, goggles, n95 masks, throwing our clothes in a dryer for 15 minutes on hot, an immediate shower and good hand disinfection after being out is about all we can do.


25 posted on 02/26/2020 7:23:20 AM PST by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (TRUMP TRAIN !!! Get the hell out of the way if you are not on yet because we don't stop for idiots)
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To: Don W

repaired links

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anecdotes-from-the-archive/defense-against-poison-gas-1915/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/magazine/sa-classics/chemistry-goes-to-war/


26 posted on 02/26/2020 7:23:58 AM PST by Don W (When blacks riot, neighbourhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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To: magna carta

I have a 3M 6000 series resp. I used while spraying lawn chems.
Glad I kept it
Has adaptor over the vapor cartridge to hold N 95 pads which I got the last box of 20 at Home D last week


27 posted on 02/26/2020 7:25:52 AM PST by Bell Bouy II
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget

I was thinking more of the virus itself not the carriers like moisture.


28 posted on 02/26/2020 7:26:23 AM PST by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
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To: Lazamataz
Look kids give it up with the panic over this stupid 🦠 virus OK thanks If you don’t ever want to get sick just simply take silver
29 posted on 02/26/2020 7:31:35 AM PST by Truthoverpower (The guv mint you get is the Trump winning express !)
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To: SkyDancer

Very very very little virus itself floats free in the air. Minuscule amounts. 99.99999% or something like that is suspended in moisture droplets.


30 posted on 02/26/2020 7:36:01 AM PST by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (TRUMP TRAIN !!! Get the hell out of the way if you are not on yet because we don't stop for idiots)
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To: Lazamataz

Suppose you spray the mask every 30 minutes or so with an anti-virus spray? Just don’t breathe in when you spray.


31 posted on 02/26/2020 7:37:12 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Truthoverpower

Colloidal Silver is so yesterdays snake oil. What really works is lavender oil, crystals and hot yoga in the nude. Trust me. It cures everything from cancer to vaginitis. There have been studies on this.


32 posted on 02/26/2020 7:39:25 AM PST by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (TRUMP TRAIN !!! Get the hell out of the way if you are not on yet because we don't stop for idiots)
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget

Have to be careful all around. I constantly use that sanitizing jell, carry several small bottles with me and refillable at crew stations.


33 posted on 02/26/2020 7:49:23 AM PST by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
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To: Lazamataz

You won’t be able to find a mask .... most are made in CHINA!

Listen to this episode .... if you don’t have time for the whole thing, the guy you really want to hear comes in about 21:45 .... more than eye-opening:

https://pandemic.warroom.org/ep-15-practical-preparedness/

Steve Bannon, Jack Maxey, and Dr. Steven Hatfill are joined by Rosemary Gibson to discuss medicine supply chains and preventative medical gear preparedness as a matter of national importance as the coronavirus continues to spread.


34 posted on 02/26/2020 7:51:34 AM PST by Qiviut (President Trump defies political gravity while Nasty Nan is a walking obscenity. MAGA!!)
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To: cnsmom
"Will a ski mask work?"

Only if you plan to knock off the corner package store.

35 posted on 02/26/2020 8:08:11 AM PST by Psalm 73 ("You'll never hear surf music again".)
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To: Truthoverpower

Silver makes you bluer than Roy Orbison.


36 posted on 02/26/2020 8:13:34 AM PST by JZelle
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To: cnsmom

Maybe - and if you happen to be passing by a handy bank, it could serve double purpose.

Masks are most effective for containing the amount of “material” spewed out by the wearer than preventing ingestion/contact with that sprayed by others...the question is how much concentration of the virus is required for it to take hold and how much can be slowed down/limited by masks.


37 posted on 02/26/2020 8:16:06 AM PST by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches, or Trump in general, while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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To: Lazamataz

My method is when someone nearby coughs or sneezes, to close my eyes and hold my breath...that way I can clean up and not worry about forgetting the mask itself is probably contaminated...


38 posted on 02/26/2020 8:17:53 AM PST by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches, or Trump in general, while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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To: Lazamataz

Diapers and tampons.


39 posted on 02/26/2020 8:31:12 AM PST by SgtHooper (If you remember the 60's, YOU WEREN'T THERE!)
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To: GOPJ
GOPJ :" A high rise building IS a cruise ship to a virus..."

High rise survival requires a totally different "mind-set " than what you are used to commonly doing.
Preventing contamination in a high rise building requires different habits and preparations, but can be done.
When out and about, upon entry to your unit, take off your shoes and leave them in the hallway (prevent in-house contamination).
When using an elevator, use your clothing covered elbow, rather than using your finger (prevent contamination).
Upon entry to your unit, strip off the clothes you wore outside, bag them,& set aside to be washed separately from others.
Expect common services to be sporadic, or non-existing (ie.: mail, UPS, FedEx, etc.

If you have a common heating and air duct or chase system, be prepared to place duct tape and plastic sheeting over the air inflow, especially if you learn someone in the building has the flu.
In this case, window supplied fresh air is your friend.

A water storage is recommended (bottled water, empty 2 liter bottles, etc.,) as is also a 3-4 week supply of canned goods.
Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, almost religiously - think as cross contamination of foods/meats.
Do not hand shake with any of your neighbors, just say "Hi" and go about your business.
If there are children in the household, have enough toys and games to remain 'in house'. Play with the kids, yourself and stay indoors.
Remember - Isolation is your healthy friend and companion.

40 posted on 02/26/2020 8:32:13 AM PST by Tilted Irish Kilt
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