so mnay experts so few qualifications

The main benefit I see in a mask is not filtration of viruses but it stops people touching their mouth and nose. People touch their faces about 20 times per hour. Also if people cough into a mask the droplets can\t go too far. On the fabric, I read the other day that the blue workshop bathroom toweling is above average. Denim is good too but not the stretch denim.

The mask primarily prevents a person with the virus from coughing out virus laden droplets. However, as droplets fly through the air, they can potentially land on the mask of others. People suck air in and out through the masks. Any virus on the mask can get sucked in unless the mask is designed to filter it out (N 95).

The majority of health care workers in western countries (some studies say all) get the virus because of mistakes in either putting on protective gear or taking off protective gear. They inadvertently get the virus on them. But there are multiple levels of protection. Western hospitals have frequent air exchanges in every room so that all virus particles floating around have been taken up by the air handlers (and filtered out) in about six minutes (although some are recommending ten plus minutes before entering the room). After 30 minutes a room is considered safe to be cleaned with bleach to kill any virus on surfaces.

What about hospitals that don’t have air handlers that exchange air in the room multiple times every minute? The virus will still be in the air. How about places that don’t clean with bleach? The virus will be still around. What about hospitals that don’t provide workers with impermeable gowns, gloves, goggles, N95 masks and positive pressure ventilation hoods (if indicated). They will get the virus.

Fun factoid. This coronavirus has been detected in feces.

Please be safe out there. Stay away from people at beyond droplet distance, wear masks, and wash frequently with soap and water.

Stiliko wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:33 pm

Kuroneko wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 12:45 pm
...he tested a variety of cloth materials to see which ones not only allowed for breathability, but also filtered small particles — such as viruses.

"Our instruments could read down to 0.3 microns, which is about the size of a big virus," Segal Said.

I’ve read this before and I can’t help but think there is some fundamental misunderstanding on how virus’ are propagated.
They don’t fly thru the air by themselves.

“A “naked” virus can’t go anywhere unless it’s hitching a ride with a droplet of mucus or saliva,”
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronav ... s.amp.html

The mask needs to protect you from droplets which can be screened with scarves, krama, bandannas & most ordinary cloth. Just need to remember when you take them off they can contaminate your hands, so wash thoroughly with soap & water right away.

Can't get to refs at present just read up on Bioaerosols These are much finer than droplets and can transmit viruses through breath

Kuroneko wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2020 5:22 pm

Stiliko wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:33 pm

Kuroneko wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 12:45 pm
...he tested a variety of cloth materials to see which ones not only allowed for breathability, but also filtered small particles — such as viruses.

"Our instruments could read down to 0.3 microns, which is about the size of a big virus," Segal Said.

I’ve read this before and I can’t help but think there is some fundamental misunderstanding on how virus’ are propagated.
They don’t fly thru the air by themselves.

“A “naked” virus can’t go anywhere unless it’s hitching a ride with a droplet of mucus or saliva,”
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronav ... s.amp.html

The mask needs to protect you from droplets which can be screened with scarves, krama, bandannas & most ordinary cloth. Just need to remember when you take them off they can contaminate your hands, so wash thoroughly with soap & water right away.

Can't get to refs at present just read up on Bioaerosols These are much finer than droplets and can transmit viruses through breath

could not edit my post but here's a start re Bioaerosols. The idea that viruses only travel on droplets is at least contentious

Coronavirus Aerosolized Through Talking SARS-CoV-2 viral particles cause COVID-19 disease

April 8, 2020 – National experts have concluded that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is aerosolized through talking or exhalation.

However, it's not yet clear if the viral particles are viable and emitted in doses sufficient to cause an infection, which leads to the COVID-19 disease.

"While the current SARS-CoV-2 specific research is limited, the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing," wrote Harvey Fineberg, MD, Ph.D., chair of the National Academies Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, in a rapid expert consultation issued April 2, 2020.

Previously, on March 26, 2020, researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha published a study 'collected air and surface samples from rooms of patients with COVID-19 disease and found viral RNA in the air both inside and outside the rooms and on ventilation grates.'

During the initial isolation of 13 individuals confirmed positive with COVID-19 infection in this study, air and surface samples were collected in eleven isolation rooms to examine viral shedding from isolated individuals. https://www.coronavirustoday.com/sars-c ... 19-disease

Rapid Expert Consultation on the Possibility of Bioaerosol Spread of SARS-CoV-2 for the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 1, 2020)

In a recent study conducted at the University of Hong Kong, not yet subject to peer review, Leung et al collected respiratory droplets and aerosols from children and adults with acute respiratory illnesses with and without surgical masks. The investigators found human coronaviruses [other than SARS-CoV-2], influenza virus, and rhinovirus from both aerosols and respiratory droplets. Surgical masks reduced detection of coronavirus RNA in both respiratory droplets and aerosols, but only respiratory droplets and not aerosols for influenza virus RNA. These findings suggest that surgical facemasks could
reduce transmission of human coronavirus and influenza infections if worn by infected individuals capable of transmitting the infection.3

While the current SARS-CoV-2 specific research is limited, the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing.

https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25769/rapid ... ril-1-2020

Singapore Masks Up
Wearing of masks to be made compulsory on public transport: Khaw Boon Wan
11 Apr 2020 05:34PM
SINGAPORE: The wearing of masks will be made compulsory on public transport, Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Apr 11).

Mr Khaw said the measure was needed to prevent transmission of the coronavirus when crowds return to buses and trains in the post "circuit breaker" period.

"I think a practical compromise is for all commuters to wear masks when they use public transport. We will make mask-wearing compulsory for public transport.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and National Environmental Agency (NEA) have also stepped up masks requirements for workers and people visiting the markets.

Starting from Monday, all workers who sell or prepare food and drinks will have to wear masks or face shields, said SFA.

Meanwhile, people not wearing face masks will not be allowed to enter the 40 markets managed by NEA or NEA-appointed operators starting from Sunday.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/si ... n-12633738

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:47 pm Singapore Masks Up
Wearing of masks to be made compulsory on public transport: Khaw Boon Wan
11 Apr 2020 05:34PM
SINGAPORE: The wearing of masks will be made compulsory on public transport, Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Apr 11).

Mr Khaw said the measure was needed to prevent transmission of the coronavirus when crowds return to buses and trains in the post "circuit breaker" period.

"I think a practical compromise is for all commuters to wear masks when they use public transport. We will make mask-wearing compulsory for public transport.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and National Environmental Agency (NEA) have also stepped up masks requirements for workers and people visiting the markets.

Starting from Monday, all workers who sell or prepare food and drinks will have to wear masks or face shields, said SFA.

Meanwhile, people not wearing face masks will not be allowed to enter the 40 markets managed by NEA or NEA-appointed operators starting from Sunday.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/si ... n-12633738

I noticed they didn't give a time frame on this. Will this be the new normal going forward? "Ninjas Only" allowed on buses and in markets by order of the law?

Gator wrote: ↑Sat Apr 11, 2020 8:12 pm

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:47 pm Singapore Masks Up
Wearing of masks to be made compulsory on public transport: Khaw Boon Wan
11 Apr 2020 05:34PM
SINGAPORE: The wearing of masks will be made compulsory on public transport, Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Apr 11).

Mr Khaw said the measure was needed to prevent transmission of the coronavirus when crowds return to buses and trains in the post "circuit breaker" period.

"I think a practical compromise is for all commuters to wear masks when they use public transport. We will make mask-wearing compulsory for public transport.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and National Environmental Agency (NEA) have also stepped up masks requirements for workers and people visiting the markets.

Starting from Monday, all workers who sell or prepare food and drinks will have to wear masks or face shields, said SFA.

Meanwhile, people not wearing face masks will not be allowed to enter the 40 markets managed by NEA or NEA-appointed operators starting from Sunday.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/si ... n-12633738

I noticed they didn't give a time frame on this. Will this be the new normal going forward? "Ninjas Only" allowed on buses and in markets by order of the law?

As in many countries, the advice on wearing masks in Singapore is evolving with the health crisis.

Previously, the Government advised masks to only be worn when a person was not feeling well. However in a speech last Friday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said they will no longer discourage people from wearing masks.