Where to get medical grade face masks?

[Steve Carlton]

I've always thought people walking around with these on were nuts. Nowadays, it looks like the way to go. I can't find any anywhere short of ordering and waiting until late April or May. Any suggestions? I should probably get gloves as well for when I'm touching things outside my home.

[sc_rufctr]

If all else fails you could make your own. All you need is a pleated "furnace filter", some fabric and a sewing machine.

Just cut out two pieces of fabric and sandwich a piece of furnace filter between them and sew them together.
Don't sew across the fabric. Just on the edges to hold it together. Some elastic ear loops or full ties and that's it. (I'd use cotton or silk - Try and use a natural fabric)
Just a simple rectangle big enough to over from below your chin to over the top of your nose.
If you wanted to get real fancy you could sew in a garden tie (plastic coated wire) into the top so you can mold it over your nose.

It would have to be better than using just a scarf although a scarf is better than nothing.

How many masks could you make from one of these?

[Sooner or later]

We don't have enough medical grade for just the nurses, doctors, and staff that are putting themselves at risk everytime they walk into a hospital.

That is why we haven't recommended it. Where will we be when doctors and nurses start dropping like flys just when we need all hands on deck.

Don't go that way. Try using a bandana. I plan on using my Crested Butte scarf if I must go out. Better then nothing. Keep your distance from others. Stay at home as much as possible.

[nota]

lol

you can't unless you get real lucky
or pay too much

wife made some masks out of cloth
then got a/c filter to cut up to make better ones
gloves we had for car work

[aigel]

I don't think there is any supply readily available to the public. What are you trying to achieve?

G

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I have some "like new" masks level III. They haven't been worn in weeks. PM if interested.

[flatbutt]

Steve, whatever you wear don't get over confident with it. A truly protective mask will have more than one layer, with appropriately sized pores and be close fitted. The "off the shelf masks are not fool proof Steve, be careful.

[Steve Carlton]

I'm just looking for something better than a scarf (which I don't have, anyway) for going to the grocery store, etc. I thought I saw on TV that masks are now recommended, and I can see why gloves would be. I wind up handling stuff I buy at Safeway, then the clerk touches it. Then I touch the door handle and steering wheel in the car, then the door knob to my house. It's impossible to wash your hands often enough.

I'm not looking to get N95 masks, and I have to believe the medical providers are going to soon get the better or top quality stuff they need. I figured if someone here had a good source to recommend, many of us could benefit from that.

[rfuerst911sc]

Does a standard dust mask offer any protection ? I would think it's better than a scarf or bandana .

[LEAKYSEALS951]

For trade: N95 mask. Will trade for porsche 3.6 engine.




Seriously Steve-
You mention two modes of transmission. Things on hands, and things in air(droplets).

(at least this is what I am doing- until you hear me start hacking next week)

Use the self checkout at the grocery stores. It reduces the hand to hand contact and close particulates of conversation with cash person. It also reduces them and their bagger from touching yo' stuff.

When buying self checkout stuff, make sure the bar code will go through without having to call the attendant over for help. No special order stuff, etc.

If possible, walk around with clorox wipes in pocket. Go to store? Gas station? Grab a wipe. Open doors/ grabs things with wipe. Likewise, use gloves.

I haven't touched a door handle in public in over a month. Likewise, haven't touched a gas filler either- and every one I grab with a wipe makes the wipe filthy- I then throw the wipe out in the trash, grab the door handle with my soaking wet clorox hand, and vamoose with a full tank of gas, and a cleaner handle for the next person.

edit- It is challenging to do the "upside down 911" gas handle pump thingee with a wipe- but it can be done!


In stores, just steer clear of people, don't talk if possible, and use self checkout. If you use touch screen at gas station/ self checkout, use wipes, or wipe hands off immediately afterwards with wipe.

Make homemade wipes with bounty towels and homemade pelican alcohol concoctions if needed.

Oh yeah.. my 3.6 conversion- I want it to be a rebuild (if possible). No motormeister crap!

[cabmandone]

If you're not wearing a face shield to go along with the mask, why bother?

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Does a standard dust mask offer any protection ? I would think it's better than a scarf or bandana .

No, at least that's my position. N95 has a specific construction to filter out 95% of particles at about 0.3 microns IIRC. Dust masks do not, plus N95 are made to seal around nose and mouth, the dust masks not so much.

[Cajundaddy]

N95 masks are probably overkill for most of us unless we are standing over patients all day. The hepa filter material is 0.3 micron and will work for general walking around and groceries. Several Youtube vids on how to build them in 10 minutes or less.

https://www.cowaymega.com/what-is-a-hepa-filter/

The lower our concentration of exposure, the lower the risk. I recommend a mask any time you are in an enclosed space sharing air with others not in your household.

[Sooner or later]

Expect more of this.

LAREDO, Texas — Laredo City Council this week mandated anyone who enters a building that is not their home must cover their mouth and nose with a mask, bandana, scarf or any fabric, reported the Laredo Morning Times.

KGNS reported city police will use discretion, but those who do not comply could face a fine between $50 to $1,000. Also, it's an arrestable offense.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

Expect more of this.

LAREDO, Texas — Laredo City Council this week mandated anyone who enters a building that is not their home must cover their mouth and nose with a mask, bandana, scarf or any fabric, reported the Laredo Morning Times.

KGNS reported city police will use discretion, but those who do not comply could face a fine between $50 to $1,000. Also, it's an arrestable offense.

wow

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

No, at least that's my position. N95 has a specific construction to filter out 95% of particles at about 0.3 microns IIRC. Dust masks do not, plus N95 are made to seal around nose and mouth, the dust masks not so much.

The masks are designed to prevent you from spreading. Not to prevent you from getting. If your eyes are still exposed to droplets, you aren't doing much. The mask keeps droplets from spreading if you cough, sneeze, or are a spit talker.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by cabmando

The masks are designed to prevent you from spreading. Not to prevent you from getting.

Bingo! I've been wearing masks in the office (not just with patients, but with staff) for some time now just to make the point. All my coworkers look at me like WTF, are you Howie Handel? I jokingly tell them I've already got it, but we just don't know it yet.

[pmax]

i don't think the loose fitting "medical grade" masks are any more effective than your home made variety.

What's nuts are people wearing masks and not social distancing since they can't hear what the other is saying.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by pmax

i don't think the loose fitting "medical grade" masks are any more effective than your home made variety.

What's nuts are people wearing masks and not social distancing since they can't hear what the other is saying.

I was in a store the other day and wanted to tell a lady wearing a mask just below her nose that it wasn't doing much for her but I let it go.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

if I was jury rigging a "homemade" mask. I would try to incorporate a "made to fit" upper and lower section. The type I and II mask have a thin aluminium strip on the top to mold around your nose for a better fit. Type III (or at least the ones we have) have a strip on the top and bottom, so you can get a good seal around your nose and under your chin. If the mask is working, you will see it suck in and out as you breath. Likewise, it will not fog up your glasses from air that escapes upward.

Thinking out loud- In the end of the world scenario, I would experiment with straightened paper clips on top and bottom, and then bend them to accomplish similar fitting, perhaps even very thinly cut strips of aluminum flashing.
Just brainstorming ideas to improve all the FB mask people are making out of window shades and such....