Myth Busted: N95 Masks Are Useless at Protecting Wearers from Swine Flu | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 751716 Australia 08/19/2009 03:15 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | What a genius. S/he works out that its main purpose is to prevent the user spraying others when sneezing or coughing, and then somehow can't quite work out that it works in the reverse way as well. If someone coughs or sneezes on the wearer, the virus ends up on the mask, and is MUCH less likely to be taken in. Also, it stops you inadvertently touching your nose and mouth with your hands. That type of mask is NOT meant to filter the virus, it just 'catches' it. In other words, your whole article is a useless crock of shit. Here's a much better one - the upshot is that even a cheap dust mask from a disposal house will work quite effectively. [link to www.abc.net.au] But thanks for trying, anyway. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 717591 United States 08/19/2009 03:39 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 745478 United States 08/19/2009 03:44 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | In order for a disease to spread each infected person has to infect on average more than one other person. Even methods that are not totally effective can cut down the infection rate to the point that the disease will never reach the pandemic level. Notice how Americans never wore masks and never took the swine flu seriously enough to take any action at all to halt the spread. The CDC is completely fucking worthless. The CDC is more concerned about promoting the profitable vaccines than actually preventing disease. Washing yours hands is completely worthless if you are in the same room as an infected person. One couch or sneeze and all the air in the room is infectious for a short period of time. School students should have been required to wear masks. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 751743 United States 08/19/2009 04:03 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 751701 India 08/19/2009 09:06 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | What a genius. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 751716S/he works out that its main purpose is to prevent the user spraying others when sneezing or coughing, and then somehow can't quite work out that it works in the reverse way as well. If someone coughs or sneezes on the wearer, the virus ends up on the mask, and is MUCH less likely to be taken in. Also, it stops you inadvertently touching your nose and mouth with your hands. That type of mask is NOT meant to filter the virus, it just 'catches' it. In other words, your whole article is a useless crock of shit. Here's a much better one - the upshot is that even a cheap dust mask from a disposal house will work quite effectively. [link to www.abc.net.au] But thanks for trying, anyway. Actually, you miss the point. And end up being a crock_de_shite yourself. > Surgeons wear the n95 to prevent patients from getting infected VIA THEIR BREATH. Which means should they breathe OUT germs, or cough, it shouldnt affect the patient. Since the distance from nose/mouth to mask is almost nill, it effectively traps the virus within the mask. >Now the reverse, as you cleverly put it, is NOT true. The virus can wing its way around the sides. The gap where the mask is stretched from around the nose over the cheek area CAN bring in the virusses. >Like the author says, thats the reason why you dont see BioHazard personnel wearing n95 masks. They wear special masks, like gas masks, which is totally sealed. |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 751701 India 08/19/2009 09:08 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 751701 India 08/19/2009 09:16 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Flu fears trigger sales of masks, bleach and staples by Jeremy Allen Geneva - August 4, 2009 | 08:00 Switzerland’s two largest supermarket chains, Coop and Migros, say sales of hygienic face masks, disinfectants and rubber gloves have gone up in recent weeks as consumers prepare for the swine flu pandemic. Some experts fear that the virus could mutate into a more dangerous strain. Although the country’s health department only recommends buying face masks, chains are seeing higher demand for canned goods, pasta and rice. Coop spokeswoman Denise Stadler told Swisster that sales of face masks that serve to protect the wearer from those contaminated with the virus, had gone up dramatically in recent weeks. Although not revealing an exact figure, she said: “We are selling a lot at the moment – between 1,000 but no more than 10,000 per day, with four-figure daily sales." Coop’s sales of disinfectants such as bleach have also gone up 10 percent on average compared to previous years. The supermarket is also currently selling 50 percent more disposable medical gloves. Sale of soap is also on the up. “The topic is in everybody’s ears at the moment and the health office has issued recommendations. As a result, people want to be prepared for any situation," said Stadler. “If the flu pandemic gets worse, they will be prepared,” she added. Stadler also said she believes that customers are using disinfectant products to clean door handles to prevent germs spreading. Migros, Switzerland’s largest retailer, also registered a similar increase in sales of the same items, although officials were not prepared to provide exact figures. Both supermarkets said they are making sure that they have extra provisions available via their online shopping services. LeShop (Migros’s online shopping facility) and “Coop@home” have also noted increased sales of products to combat swine flu, while customers are purchasing more on-line cannned food, pasta and rice, in preparation for potential quarantine. [link to www.swisster.ch] |
gsbltd
User ID: 611855 United States 08/19/2009 09:17 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | OP: You're confused. RESPIRATOR MASKS -which are mentioned twice in your lengthy caution- are named thus because they have a one-way valve mounted on the front of the mask, centered over the wearer's mouth. THIS is the point of air intake and NOT around loose edges as you state. If a mask does not have this valve... then it's NOT a respirator! While it is true that to perform effeciently, the edges MUST be flat against the person's face the majority of air inhaled through such a mask enters through the respiratory valve. I've never seen an N95 mask with such a valve. Many people mistakenly think that the N95 masks will take care of all their worries; the truth is: there are many levels of protection from even papercone masks [the type we're discussing]; the N95 masks you are describing are PARTICULATE MASKS which are only effective in controlling DROPLET/DUST exposures. Droplets are anything moist that exits your body through nasal or vocal cavities [nose/mouth]. For example, after the 2001 Anthrax scares here in the U.S., federal facilities were issued 3M N100 Respiratory Masks to supplement the standard-issue N95's that are used around machinery that generate alot of dust, as airborne particles/droplets are all the N95's are good for, and that's why they're called Particulate Masks. For bacteria/viral protection you need to use an N100 -or higher-rated- mask, and even then everything is based upon proper FIT. Of much greater concern should be the simple fact that virtually ALL safety masks only come in ONE SIZE. Look around you at the different sizes/shapes of faces and imagine ONE PRODUCT that fits every single one of them while maintaining optimum efficiency. IMPOSSIBLE! I've seen very large people struggle just to get the elastic bands behind their ears - and if the mask won't fit your face... you're wasting your time in the first place. BTW: at least here in America, most supermarkets/food stores have Alcohol-based sanitary wipes at the entrance so customers can wipe down cart handles, etc before using them. I should think this would be a pretty standard practice in Europe, as well. BUT: I WILL give you this, OP... your thread title is ACCURATE! N95 masks ARE useless in protecting against viral transmissions. Last Edited by GSB/LTD on 08/19/2009 10:17 AM |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 733500 United States 08/19/2009 09:26 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 237207 United States 08/19/2009 09:44 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
gsbltd
User ID: 611855 United States 08/19/2009 09:52 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | NOT TRUE! The masks are designed to filter INCOMING air - if a person has a virus, wearing the mask won't necessarily prevent them from spreading it when they exhale. The paper fibres used in the mask construction are also aligned like the valve.... to inhibit transmission from one direction while allowing free-flow in the other. Last Edited by GSB/LTD on 08/19/2009 09:52 AM |
anonymous User ID: 751864 United States 08/19/2009 09:56 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | China used mask across thier country with SARS ..and washed down every thing possible with clorox, all day long for months even streets and buildings....it stopped the spread of highly infected droplets going into a massive poplulation..makes sense to me...or just do nothing ? |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 751873 United States 08/19/2009 10:00 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Wraithwynd
User ID: 717743 United States 08/19/2009 10:04 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I randomly met a woman who worked for the W.H.O.- she said to apply medical tape around the mask to make it air tight and that this would guard against bird flu. I do not know if it would work for the swine. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 717591For a moment it would work, until the tape started to loosen. If you have a beard - your screwed. :-D Sinkhole list: Thread: Sinkholes Updated 28 Dec 2010 find a sinkhole, add it to this thread, please. "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." (1 John 3:15, NKJV). |
gsbltd
User ID: 611855 United States 08/19/2009 10:05 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Agreed. Chlorine Bleach remains the most economical, effective and readily-available product around for people to use in controlling most forms of contamination in their personal environment. Keeping a spray bottle of full-strength bleach around to douse suspected surfaces is not only easy, it's very good sense! Of course: COMMON sense must prevail when spraying or the obvious power of bleach will become immediately understood! Not only from it's bleaching properties... but also as a respiratory irritant. Concentrated Chlorine fumes can KILL. In fact: one of the commonly-used weapons of WWI was....Chlorine Gas. You may have noticed that also in China they frequently wore the old-fashioned cloth form of surgical masks. You remember? The big [up to 6"x10"] fabric rectangles with two loops that Doctors wore before the paper versions? These old types not only came in several sizes... they could also be washed and BLEACHED to render them not only reusable but also pretty sterile. Crafty people could easily make their own emergency masks based upon the old design... but, again: they would NOT protect you against viral transmissions - only Dust/Droplet. Consider them to be reusable Particluate Masks. BTW: these cloth masks became so common in China that entire lines of fashion masks were produced - with many people decorating their masks with cutesy designs. Talk about smiling in the face of the Grim Reaper!!! Last Edited by GSB/LTD on 08/19/2009 10:18 AM |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 751869 United States 08/19/2009 10:10 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | well.. i've got some just in case..But I think it's the vaccine that is going to make everyone sick..not the actual swine flu.. [link to www.prisonplanet.com] check the above link about viruses that target specific races..absolute insanity under Dubya Bush |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 751805 United States 08/19/2009 10:11 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I'm getting the vaccine as soon as I can. It's worked, I believe. I'll take the chip.. screw it. Thanks to GLP I see Swine Flu crawling across my bed at night. Swine Flu again at a school crossing, glaring at me. At dinner Swine Flu brings me water, and says.. 'take a sip, you look thristy'. Dammit, if you guys were supposed to scare me into not taking the vaccine, you failed. I am so fcking afraid of Swine Flu now, I look like Michael Jackson when I leave my oxygen chamber I spend 90% of my time in. Thanks a lot! |
gsbltd
User ID: 611855 United States 08/19/2009 10:12 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
gsbltd
User ID: 611855 United States 08/19/2009 10:27 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Fortunate Son: Thanks for adding the link! BTW: did you notice the type of mask the woman/baby are wearing in the picture taken in Mexico? It would be useless in stopping transmission of an airborne virus. I suspect that's one reason the outbreak was so widespread... somebody made some quick cash on hustling those masks to desperate ignorant people, so many more got sick than was necessary. BTW: I'm convinced that 1. the virus was weaponized and that 2. it was deliberately released [possibly to test it's widespread efficacy]. However - that's for another thread!! Last Edited by GSB/LTD on 08/19/2009 10:31 AM |
UNCHAINED
User ID: 707563 United Kingdom 08/19/2009 10:30 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 550635 United States 08/19/2009 10:55 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Ive been wearing masks my whole life for different trade reasons. The N95 will stop you from inhaling. But, you can capture the droplets with your eyes so they need to be protected. If you are concerned about the N95, get the next one up. They are the same but have a charcoal layer that absorbs contaminates. JUST REMEMBER TO KEEP THE MASK IN A ZIP LOCK WHEN NOT IN USE because as with many quality filters, they are working when you are not wearing them. The charcoal will dry up. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 748661 United States 08/19/2009 11:17 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
who's a moran? you are... User ID: 751767 Switzerland 08/19/2009 11:25 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | What a genius. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 751716S/he works out that its main purpose is to prevent the user spraying others when sneezing or coughing, and then somehow can't quite work out that it works in the reverse way as well. If someone coughs or sneezes on the wearer, the virus ends up on the mask, and is MUCH less likely to be taken in. Also, it stops you inadvertently touching your nose and mouth with your hands. That type of mask is NOT meant to filter the virus, it just 'catches' it. In other words, your whole article is a useless crock of shit. Here's a much better one - the upshot is that even a cheap dust mask from a disposal house will work quite effectively. [link to www.abc.net.au] But thanks for trying, anyway. what a moran. did you even read the article you linked? if you did, you would see that it only states that masks stop the spread of people with flu to other people. not the other way, like you assumed dumbass. |
Resister
User ID: 669410 United States 08/19/2009 11:42 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | If I did not have chain armour, I would rather take an arrow in the chest wearing a leather vest than being bare chested.Something is better than nothing . Quoting: UNCHAINEDDing! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. N95s are not perfect but something is better than nothing and a little common sense goes a long way. Leather will protect against small cuts and scrapes. N95s is much the same. See an arrow or sick person coming? Get the heck out of the way! Avoid people who look obviously sick. Don't touch every public object you see and then rub your eyes and nose. N95s will help some with the big stuff immediately, like if someone sneezes right around you, but you need to get out of the area and wash your face and hands and get a fresh mask. "God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, & always, well informed... If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty... Let them take arms... What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. " - Thomas Jefferson in 1787 |
Pondlady02 RN User ID: 719487 United States 08/19/2009 11:46 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | NOT TRUE! The masks are designed to filter INCOMING air - if a person has a virus, wearing the mask won't necessarily prevent them from spreading it when they exhale. The paper fibres used in the mask construction are also aligned like the valve.... to inhibit transmission from one direction while allowing free-flow in the other. Quoting: gsbltd |
Pondlady02 RN User ID: 719487 United States 08/19/2009 11:48 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | If I did not have chain armour, I would rather take an arrow in the chest wearing a leather vest than being bare chested.Something is better than nothing . Quoting: ResisterDing! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. N95s are not perfect but something is better than nothing and a little common sense goes a long way. Leather will protect against small cuts and scrapes. N95s is much the same. See an arrow or sick person coming? Get the heck out of the way! Avoid people who look obviously sick. Don't touch every public object you see and then rub your eyes and nose. N95s will help some with the big stuff immediately, like if someone sneezes right around you, but you need to get out of the area and wash your face and hands and get a fresh mask. One for each DING !!! |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 752004 United States 08/19/2009 01:37 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 691227 United States 08/19/2009 02:40 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | The guy is a paranoid delusional. If a mask works one way, it works the other way from other people sneezing or coughing on you. And people who run around when it is clear that they are not suppose to infect other people. Again, it is anti-social claiming stuff which is not real. Actually a N100 mask is really needed, and no there is no guarantee that it will stop it 100%. But it will help along with the N95 mask. Otherwise all can wear a gas mask. Assuming a gas attack can not come your way is just another agenda where people think that they have another Right to offend people who only in the end want to control. It is too bad they do not control theirselves. Nobody in this world would believe that crap, and soldiers just don't run around with gear for such purposes because the rest of what they're fighting is going to change their behavior. Go ahead though, because............... |
Be aware
User ID: 752045 France 08/19/2009 03:28 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I randomly met a woman who worked for the W.H.O.- she said to apply medical tape around the mask to make it air tight and that this would guard against bird flu. I do not know if it would work for the swine. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 717591and if you shake the hand of somebody while wearing this mask it's worth nothing !! |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 386232 Brazil 08/19/2009 03:30 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |