Where to get medical grade face masks?

[wildthing]

I have 8 3M P95 masks (for when there was wildfire ash). Will trade for a 993...

CDC has not yet recommended wearing masks for the general public unless you are caring for someone who has the virus. Social distancing and shelter in place still the best.

Though I can see why there is a need for some level of protection when going out for essentials. Some people just can’t keep their distance...

[DanielDudley]

If everyone wears a mask, it works, even if they are just a bandana. But for it to work, everyone needs to do it.

[greglepore]

Have 2 n95's from a furniture project this past summer. Using those. Anyone buying them now is likely taking them from front line people that need them more than you.

Doing health care I'd wear one 24-7. Surprised dentistry is still going on unless emergent.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by wildthing

Some people just can’t keep their distance...

I'll share one more thing and STFU for a bit....

What you say is truth. I was in lowes the other day, using my "measures" and there were very few people there. I felt relatively safe, UNTIL some worker came around the corner out of nowhere, got in my face at point blank range and basically spayed out "CAN I HELP YOU?" right at me.

I was a little incensed on two levels
1. I am a curmudgeon, a PPOT curmudgeon no less. If we are in a home improvement store, unless you are Nick Offerman, you have NOTHING to help me.
2. Dude, I watched a youtube video last night, and I know more than you, so there!!!!

I have no idea of the ability to transmit by this method, but I had just watched this video the night before...And I haven't even really watched it, I just fast forwarded to the good stuff. I think this might have something to contribute to the asymptomatic transmission, but cannot state to what degree versus hand contact transmission.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzARpgx8cvE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0Oj1bKtUyEpX7N_m7CN-GfrZ2dHo9u1aeIu-fjSqYH7X51h27HlUyoYbg

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Have 2 n95's from a furniture project this past summer. Using those. Anyone buying them now is likely taking them from front line people that need them more than you.

Doing health care I'd wear one 24-7. Surprised dentistry is still going on unless emergent.

Dang Greg, and I was just going to shut up and saw your post!

https://www.vadental.org/news-details/2020/03/26/order-of-public-health-emergency-no.-2


I've been working part time since in my public health setting, only dealing with emergencies referred from ER care.
It's a Changed world.

[Scott Douglas]

I've got 10 N95 masks out in the garage that I bought last Dec when my lawn mowing supply was running low.
Today my wife decided we should sew some cloth masks up so we don't have to use the good ones for going to the store.
Here's what we came up with:



Might not be perfect but we won't be spreading anything we might have thru it.

[93nav]

If you are going to use a furnace filter to make a mask with, try and get one with a MERV number 1300 or greater. I use 3M filters and they do not have a MERV number printed on them, but are a '1600' and the labels says it filters out viruses. This is the 'purple' one.

There are also 3D printed masks using various filters. One (or more) with a powered fan to pull in the air. I can try and find the instructions online if there is interest.

Originally Posted by 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?

[sc_rufctr]

Thanks... Please share the 3D printed mask info.

Originally Posted by 93nav

If you are going to use a furnace filter to make a mask with, try and get one with a MERV number 1300 or greater. I use 3M filters and they do not have a MERV number printed on them, but are a '1600' and the labels says it filters out viruses. This is the 'purple' one.

There are also 3D printed masks using various filters. One (or more) with a powered fan to pull in the air. I can try and find the instructions online if there is interest.

[David]

Most dust masks like you buy at home depot are N95 rated. We have hundreds of them at work. We offered to donate 200 through corporate but haven't gotten a reply.

If they recommend us start wearing masks in public, I'll probably make one since dust masks are uncomfortable for long periods. We would have to start wearing them at work though if given the direction.

[Racerbvd]

I ordered a couple respirator mask off Amazon.
If you get desperate, here are a few alternatives.

[rfuerst911sc]

Byron those are great I got a good laugh from both 😁 . Thanks for posting

[cabmandone]

I think the car guy should add a snorkeling kit.

One more thing to the OP, you don't need medical grade. You're not exposed to this on a daily basis like the people in the medical field are. Save the medical grade stuff for the people who need it. All you need to be concerned about is preventing spread. If it makes you feel better to wear a mask, by all means do it but just understand why you're doing it and add to the mask some hand sanitizer for when you leave the stores or wherever you are and some disinfectant wipes for your steering wheel, shift arm, turn signal arm and door handles. Do what you can to minimize your own risk of getting/spreading this and you'll be fine. A cloth mask will work for what you need.

[93nav]

Sorry for the delay. Like I said there are lots. Some examples below, and a counterpoint argument at the bottom. There may be duplicates.

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Thanks... Please share the 3D printed mask info.

https://www.makethemasks.com/

https://creality.com/info/makers-guide-3d-printed-face-mask-no-worries-on-mask-shortage-

and-virus-infection-i00248i1.html

https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/copper3d-organizing-global-campaign-to-3d-print-antimicrobial-masks-on-a-global-scale/

antimicrobial-masks-on-a-global-scale/

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/tool/n95-masks-against-coronavirus-covid19-hackthepandemic

https://www.makermask.com/

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/tool/mask-for-corona-virus-covid-19

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/corona-covid-mask

https://firedbycorona.com/

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4213525


Counterpoint
https://www.infoq.com/news/2020/03/3d-n95-masks/