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CoVid-19 Part VII - 169 cases ROI (2 deaths) 45 in NI (as of 15 March) *Read OP*
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The other problem with all of the above that while even surgical masks will offer some protection and lower the risk of infection(particularly from those already infected if they're wearing one), a thick scarf wrapped around your face would be about as effective. If not more so as the seal is better against your face. The N95 Oval Type is not much better. I have a link somewhere of a large scale study of infection risks comparing surgical versus oval types and the difference was tiny. Yes they "filters down to 99%", but it's again down to fit and seal around the face. It's no use if the mask itself can filter 99% if there are air gaps around your chin, nose and cheeks. They're filtering nothing. Put it another way; what kind of masks do the military have in case of biological/aerosol/nuclear attack? It's not paper masks that's for sure. As you note the other major problem is they're essentially one use and into the bin. Not good for any long term protection.
This type, or the half face type are far more effective and short of positive standalone air supply pressure masks about as good as can be had.
They're also reusable and can be wiped down with alcohol and other disinfectants. The particle filters themselves don't have a time to failure as such, not unless someone is operating in an extremely dusty environment for a while, even then the filters are replaceable and cheap. The disadvantages are they're hard to breath in and are uncomfortable for long periods of time. When filtration is actually that efficient that's par for the course. They're also more expensive, though being not disposable that would work out better long term.
There are a load of different companies that produce them. The last time I bought one(don't ask) I got it for under 20 quid. No doubt price gouging will be in play now, but the chances are such masks are more off the bogroll panic buyers idiot radar and they're supplied through industrial and hardware outlets rather than pharmacies. I'm just thinking that if someone like yourself or anyone is going to be working on the medical frontlines of this crisis it might be a plan to buy them personally through a hardware place until the health bodies kick into gear?
Aye, good points. As part of my preparatory pack for this two weeks ago I already have one each of the half-mask type for myself, parents, siblings and family in addition to ordinary face masks with replaceable filters. I'm leaving surgical masks for work and only sourced things which wouldn't interfere with sourcing within the HSE.
I got one with non-replaceable filters because I figured there would be problems sourcing replacements and also because I don't trust myself to replace the filters properly. Best to just have a one-piece solution which works for up to 28 days ( roughly ) than be faffing around with replacement filters, F something up and then be unprotected entirely.
I would caution people against using alcohol to disinfect their face masks or filters. Alcohol ( even in spray form ) can degrade the filters.
As to the study of performance... Pretty much everything I've seen is that surgical masks and properly fitted N95 masks perform pretty much the same for the general populace. Unfortunately because most people don't fit them properly that "same" performance is generally abysmal.
Anyways, hopefully the post and videos I linked to will help people derive some benefit from their outlay.
If there's interest I plan to go into N95 vs N99 filters and the pros and cons.
TLDR: Go for the N95 because in the real world they'll work better than the theoretically superior N99.0 -
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Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,315 Mod ✭✭✭✭
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The long incubation would be the "killer app" for such a pathogen. Covid is a good example. In both MERS and SARS, while more deadly people became obviously unwell and weren't nearly as infectious before symptoms kicked in, so containment was much simpler. This virus has a much longer period of being asymptomatic and infectious.I would say the Black Death was a closer fit. 70% mortality rate in many places. An ebola style hemorrhagic fever, that had a 14 day incubation period with asymptomatic or mild symptom infectiousness, would likely replicate the black death, and then some.
Yeah I have the half face one with PP3 filters. I found it fine if not moving about much, but I'd not be jogging with one.Funsterdelux wrote: »You wouldnt be long getting used to them though. Ive been using one (same but without eye shield)whilst kangooing the concrete floor.. They seem a bit restrictive at the start but you ll be greatful you did use them.
I remember reading a US military report into military personnel wearing gas masks and they found a major drop off in combat effectiveness and it was mostly down to the restricted breathing and that would be for young very fit men in their early twenties for the most part. Many worry about Artificial Intelligence. I worry far more about Organic Idiocy.
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Pseudonym121 wrote: »Well, walks are very low risk but after running the figures for this about 3 weeks ago now I'm very much in the "We need to do EVERYTHING we can to stop spread" camp.
Plus, I think most of my Consultant colleagues and I seem to be taking the view that we not only need to keep ourselves safe for ourselves but also for our patients. There's only 1300 of us employed in the HSE. We need to be there when we're needed --- hence no walks or anything else risky. I don't think walks and exercise need to be banned but I certainly wouldn't be doing them outside. The indoor treadmill or garden is where its at ;-)
Hell, I have a Consultant colleague and friend who is out on fairly long-term sick leave with a very serious issue who is accelerating his return to work so he can be back by the end of the month. He's literally sprinting towards the fire instead of away from it. It makes me proud of the front line staff.
My thanks to you and your colleagues.
I am fortunate to live outside an urban area and have taken to increasing my level of fitness by increasing exercise with long hill walks, as I understand that is likely beneficial for the immune system. The scenery helps.
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