Mask suggestions for future proofing.

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#2855367 24-Jan-2022 11:07

sudo:

There's been a lot of talk about masks, but you really need to try each one to get an idea what fits your face/works for you.

How many people would be interested in a sampler pack, of two (or three) of each of the most recommended mask types?

That would be the ideal! I'd love to do a sampler pack to see what works. I have so many issues trying to find masks that are suitable.

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jonathan18

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#2855553 24-Jan-2022 12:37

zenourn:

One warning I just stumbled upon. The QSi Help-it FFP2 ‘Duckbill’ N95/P2 masks available from several suppliers protect the wearer but not others. There has been a recall of these masks in certain cases : https://www.nzpfu.org.nz/news/covid-19-update-only-use-3m-aura-masks/National-Notice-Masks-V3.pdf

Interesting, thanks; that and other webpages I’ve read talk about masks manufactured in 2018 and 2019, but I’ve not found anything to show that QSI changed the design to fix this. Indeed, this bit from their website makes me suspicious:

It provides respiratory protection for the wearer from the transfer of micro-organisms, body fluids, and particulate material.

It’s worth knowing that a mask can pass P2 testing but not be adequate in protecting others - so it’s not as simple as just finding a mask that meets a particular standard.

These are the masks I have ordered from NXP, so may be worth cancelling the order…

zenourn

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#2855945 25-Jan-2022 09:17

I've been interested in how I can potentially reuse my P2/N95 masks. With a family of five and proper use protocol we would be going through them extremely quickly if disposing after every use.

A useful finding by University of Auckland scientists is that dry heat at 70'C for 15 minutes is enough to deactivate the virus on PPE:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460122/covid-19-new-zealand-scientists-develop-system-to-disinfect-ppe

I'd ideally like to see a proper scientific article backing this up and I assume this is coming. They have also published a review looking at disinfection methods and what effect they have on the mask. There they recommended a two-hit process (storage for 4 days then either UVC/heat):

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/medrxiv/early/2020/04/06/2020.04.02.20051409.full.pdf

I've purchased this 25L oven from kmart that has both an electronic temperature and timer setting that I'll use for disinfection:

https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/25l-air-fryer-and-oven---silver/3877301

Although could potentially use the main oven I don't think the kitchen is the ideal place to disinfect potentially contaminated items!

I've also ordered a combined UVC and heat treatment system but this is more expensive, and likely overkill, given the above results.

itxtme

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#2855961 25-Jan-2022 09:45

Latest suggestions is to leave them in a paper bag for 5 days. Lab tests show the virus is only surviving 72 hours on objects.

Oblivian

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#2856090 25-Jan-2022 13:41

A doc on the box other night suggested starting with 7pp

1 each day, 7 days min stand down time to self disinfect.

clinty

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#2856186 25-Jan-2022 17:15

So from the press conference ( but waiting on the actual MoH guidance ) it seems that if you are mandated worker you need a Type IIR/EN14683/ASTM Level 2/3 mask at a minimum

Have noticed there are blue "surgical" masks around that don't meet that requirement - just something to be aware of :)

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Oblivian

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#2856187 25-Jan-2022 17:22

Slight difference to what the quotations say for joe blow?

"We're also now requiring that a face covering be an actual mask," Ardern said.

This means the use of T-shirts pulled up over the mouth or other haphazard measures will be discouraged.

Have to love the word discouraged.

'please follow rules without us asking you or really enforcing'

...cumbersome to assign people to assess if scarves or makeshift face coverings were properly fitted.

"We are asking for something that connects over your face."

She said the Ministry of Health could advise people on mask use.

"It has to be something that is actually made to be a face covering."

Bloomfield said medical surgical masks, or three-layer masks, or some combination of them, was recommended.

"We're not going to be recommending the use of N95s for the general public."

Emp me, as noones being very committal at this point. And many or. Not /must/ be there yet

I just left somewhere where they were equally self interpreting from the media updates it needed to be medical now and they will need to go under lock and key to stop theft. But doesn't seem that way just yet.

zenourn

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#2856301 25-Jan-2022 19:41

itxtme:

Latest suggestions is to leave them in a paper bag for 5 days. Lab tests show the virus is only surviving 72 hours on objects.

Oblivian: A doc on the box other night suggested starting with 7pp

1 each day, 7 days min stand down time to self disinfect.

I'm rather suspicious of these purely passive approaches, it is amazing how robust viruses can be under the right environmental conditions.

Here is research showing that infectious virus could still be detected on a surgical mask after 7 days:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(20)30003-3/fulltext

Heating up to 70'C is a much safer bet. In the same article showed that the virus was inactivated in 5 minutes under that condition, so the Auckland researchers coming out with a recommendation of 15 mins likely gives a good safety margin.

mdf

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#2856316 25-Jan-2022 20:52

Disclaimer: a relative of mine runs this store.

I've got a few of these masks: https://footballcentral.co.nz/collections/health-safety/products/kn95-face-mask-10pk-black

I've just taken the last box of current stock but the next order will be arriving in the next couple of weeks. These are slightly smaller fitting (so great for older kids) but I find that the shape keeps cloth away from directly in front of your mouth so are good for longer wears.

clinty

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#2856533 26-Jan-2022 11:36

Fitting Surgical and N95 masks at home

Some good suggestions - I like the idea of envelopes for each day of the week for the N95/P2

Clint

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#2856535 26-Jan-2022 11:37

At $40 per 20 N95 or P2 box and using one day only each it will get expensive soon for a famly...

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mdf

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#2856634 26-Jan-2022 13:38

clinty:

Fitting Surgical and N95 masks at home

Some good suggestions - I like the idea of envelopes for each day of the week for the N95/P2

Clint

I came across this infographic - thought it was good: https://news.hr.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/01/N95-and-Cloth-Mask-care-and-reuse-guidelines_Final.pdf

mdf

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#2856638 26-Jan-2022 13:40

freitasm: At $40 per 20 N95 or P2 box and using one day only each it will get expensive soon for a famly...

+1, though it does sound as though there are ways to reuse.

Though my biggest concern is really whether school kids can be expected to wear masks all day, every day. And keeping them well fitted etc. etc.

I'm currently 3D printing more ear protectors to try and address this, though I'm not sure whether the penny has really dropped with my kids as to how unpleasant it's likely to be. Still school holidays.

Oblivian

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#2856646 26-Jan-2022 13:56

Are they onboard though? Good if they are. Most the teens I see hanging outside McDonald's and so on seem to not care as if they know they can't be challenged for age when they are likely 13-15. Often got them around their chins or not at all. Bulletproof and all that.

Reality soon to hit. Some parents not so on to it, no penny dropped even at the announcement going by reactions

Why find out the real detail, when you think you heard '4 and up' rather than YEAR4. When you can jump straight online to the covid19 govt page when they post and hurl abuse the government and say you are 'pulling your kids out of pre/school because 'breathing their own breath back in is bad for their brains'.

(I kid you not. I had to take a screen grab for the lols)

floydbloke

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#2856649 26-Jan-2022 14:02

I think in reality noone will be able to fully comply with all regulations 100% of the time.

I expect the authorities know this but tighter rules means more mask wearing all round = less spread of the virus.

In the end this whole pandemic is, and always has been, a numbers game.

Sometimes I use big words I don't always fully understand in an effort to make myself sound more photosynthesis.

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