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This is a discussion on Wearing Masks During A Pandemic within the First Aid and Medical Preparedness forums, part of the Survivalist, Prepper, Bushcrafter, Forest Rangers category; It all boils down to the size of the virus particles and the mesh size of your mask materials. The mesh has to be small ...
It all boils down to the size of the virus particles and the mesh size of your mask materials. The mesh has to be small enough to filter out the virus otherwise the mask ain’t doing squat. Then you have to properly wear the mask and most people are not properly trained in mask use. If you have a beard or facial hair no mask is going to help you.
CDC reports out today state that surgical masks that everyone is wearing today are completely ineffective at filtering out aerosol virus particles. One study of new infections in July found that the majority of people infected ‘always’ or ‘mostly always’ wore a mask.
No. Not some simpleton mask.
“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech."
Benjamin Franklin
Social distancing is the only true way to not get/catch the virus. So just stay away from other people pretty simple.
I'm not a sheep falling in line with all the others just because I'm told to do something. Been proven numerous times that a mask doesn't stop one thing. So why do you keep going along with the charade?
Have worn my full face motorcycle helmet with the sun shield down into a store. Just to make a point and really got the looks. Heck it's a face covering, right..
One thing I do like about the whole mask thing is nobody cares anymore if I'm carrying a gun. As long as I have my little mask. Think it's ridiculous now I'm required to wear a mask with my gun to go in anyplace.
That which doesn't kill me had better start running.
Can you please provide a link to a peer reviewed study that states n 95 masks don't stop one thing? Such info would be helpful. Most preppers, at least in the past, considered masks as a good tool to have.
I'm curious why every healthcare professional wants or uses N 95 masks if they are as worthless as you state?
“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech."
Benjamin Franklin
If we are talking the current kung flu, the virus is 0.1 microns. An N95 mask filters 95% of the particles at 0.3 microns. In other words, the mask may stop a few kung flu but certainly not all. Add to that the fact that it does not protect your eyes at all plus if you have any open cuts or abrasions... So, for our current situation, an n95 mask is of very little (if any) value other than to virtue signal that you care.
To your larger question: "Should a prepper have a supply of N95 masks?" Sure, it does not hurt. But I am not inclined to think they will do much to protect from most viruses, since viruses are usually very small. But for use in a dusty environment they seem like a reasonable precaution and certainly better than a standard sanding mask.
rest in peace Corporal Bradley Coy 06/08/92-10/24/14
Rest in Peace Sgt Mackie. 10/19/19
Should you have masks? Yes, they have many benefits.
Do they stop the SARS-COV2 virus? No, this virus is too small for almost any mask to filter it in aerosol form.
There are numerous factors, aside from pore size, that contribute the failure of mask protection in use by the general public.
Primarily, face/mask touching without washing your hands after.
Secondly, no seal around the face.
Thirdly, mask reuse with no sanitation.
*IF* the mask is catching anything on either side of the membrane, and you touch that side, and don't wash your hands before touching ANYTHING ELSE, you're spreading or contracting it.
Without following proper mask protocol, they are useless flaps of "better than thou".
Even N95 effectiveness is largely overstated. They don't appear to offer any better protection from viral infection than a common surgical mask.
This was shown in a study performed 11 years back on the flu, using medical professionals who were trained on the proper procedures for wearing masks. The study showed workers still got the flu, and at nearly identical rates between N95 and surgical mask wearers.
Even the idea that "wearing a mask protects everyone around you" is being called into question: Can surgical masks protect you from getting the flu?
Admittedly, that article from last year focuses a lot on bacterial spread, but the arguments would still hold true.
If we ever see another real pandemic, the best course of action won't be masks. It will be staying home and washing your damn hands.
What we're seeing now is all the people who don't want to stay home, and demand everyone around them wear a mask to "keep me safe from you" so they can feel comfortable while still getting infected.
"Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem"
or
"I prefer perilous liberty to peaceful servitude." - Thomas Jefferson