Have several questions about reusable respirators (also, hello!)

2747 Views 30 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Gunn, Mar 8, 2020

UncleGrandpa

Discussion Starter · Mar 2, 2020

Hi, I hope this post finds you all well. I'm not sure I'd call myself a prepper but I'm a pretty methodic person and a huge germaphobe so I've been doing my best to prepare for a huge epidemic. Hopefully this won't come to pass in the Americas but one has to be ready for the worst.

Anyway, I'm planning to move to a more rural area than I am in right now and have a few dozen disposable n95 masks for the family. And my dad has a reusable 3m mask that he used for fumigating once (I bought it for him) and several spare filters. So I was wondering if reusable masks can be used during an epidemic.

The reason I'm asking is the disposable ones you can just throw away after each use. Say you go to buy food supplies, you come back home and throw it in the trash. But with the reusable ones, you need to wash them each time you get home from the outdoors, don't you? And what about the cartridges, since they're usually longer lasting, about 40 hours continuous use on them, are we supposed to throw them out after each trip or do we place them in a bag while the facepiece is being cleaned? I'm just worried that the virus could get smared all over the cartridge if it's placed in a bag. Or maybe I'm being paranoid.

Anyways, what is the cleaning protocol for using this more complex type of mask during an epidemic? I'm sure it's a little bit different than what we'd do if we just used the mask for painting since paint will not multiply or infect you if it's not cleaned and stored to perfection.

Thanks so much for any advice!

Victoria

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

jimcosta

· #2 · Mar 2, 2020

I have no knowledge about the reusable mask.
However, in a crisis you can spray a mist of bleach sanitizer mix on the N95 mask and reuse it after it dries.

Mix Ratio: 1 TBL spoon of bleach to a gallon of water.

I assume you can use the same mix to clean the reusable mask.

Chiefster23

· #3 · Mar 2, 2020

Any thoughts on using a UV light to disinfect an N95 mask?

Mad Trapper

· #4 · Mar 2, 2020

Get yourself several kerchiefs and dress up like a cowboy bandit or a muslim wench.

Dump them in a bleach/water bucket when you get home, rinse, dry, reuse......

Reactions: 3

BamaDOC

· #5 · Mar 2, 2020

Chiefster23 said:
Any thoughts on using a UV light to disinfect an N95 mask?

after you've worn one for a few hours... your own saliva coats the interior...
it smells like bad breath....

id toss it...

Reactions: 2

Prepared One

· #6 · Mar 2, 2020

The N95 masks will only prevent you from infecting others. It will do nothing to stop a virus. Just some food for thought.

Reactions: 2

hawgrider

· #7 · Mar 2, 2020

'Seriously people - STOP BUYING MASKS!': Surgeon general says they won't protect from coronavirus

The surgeon general has a message for people who want to run out and stockpile masks to combat the coronavirus - don't.

"Seriously people - STOP BUYING MASKS!" Surgeon General Jerome Adams tweeted. "They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus,

https://news.yahoo.com/seriously-people-stop-buying-masks-170148731.html

Reactions: 1

Green Lilly

· #8 · Mar 2, 2020

Prepared One said:
The N95 masks will only prevent you from infecting others. It will do nothing to stop a virus. Just some food for thought.

This is from the FDA's website regarding the use of N95 masks-

However, some N95 respirators are intended for use in a healthcare setting. Specifically, single-use, disposable respiratory protective devices used and worn by healthcare personnel during procedures to protect both the patient and healthcare personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material. These N95 respirators are class II devices regulated by the FDA, under 21 CFR 878.4040, and CDC NIOSH. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, N95s regulated under product code MSH are exempt from 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CDC NIOSH which outlines the framework for coordination and collaboration between the FDA and NIOSH for regulation of this subset of N95 respirators.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices...nfection-control/masks-and-n95-respirators#s4

Seems they are saying the protect both the patient and the healthcare provider, which means a person that is not sick and wears one will have protection from a person that is sick. They want the general public to stop buying them because they do not have enough for healthcare providers right now. The biggest issue with using these is the manner in which you don and doff them. If you don't do it properly you can be exposed to the virus. Loose fitting ones are also an issue, think children, they need masks that are made for their smaller face structure. They are made for single use, not multiple uses. Folks that have breathing issues will also have difficulty with them because they do somewhat restrict breathing.

Regarding the OP's question, you would have to be really really thorough in the cleaning of the reusable respirator. I am not sure how you would clean the filter insert without damaging it. If it were me, I would trash the removable filter after use, even though it states it is rated for 40 hours.

See less See more

Kauboy

· #9 · Mar 2, 2020

Eyelash Packaging and labeling Service Carton Box

Proven to inactivate 99.99% of tested strains on five minutes of contact with the surface.
Shown to be effective against seasonal A and B influenza, Pandemic H1N1, H2N2, Avian, Duck, Swine, and Equine flu strains.
According to the packaging, they use two mechanisms for deactivating a virus.
1. An outer layer coated with a 2% solution of citric acid to reduce pH levels
2. An inner layer treated with metal ions (copper 1.6% and zing 1.6%) which form ionic bonds with negatively-charged side groups on influenza viruses

A painter's dust mask might do little to nothing.
But there are some types that are specifically designed to prevent the wearer from receiving infection.

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Gunn

· #10 · Mar 3, 2020

I use n95's about everyday, especially when around TB patients. The Curad mask^^^^ looks like our masks we use for flu and the like.

Reactions: 1

Chiefster23

· #11 · Mar 3, 2020

Everyone is telling us to stop buying masks because they are not effective. THEN WHY IN THE HELL ARE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS USING THEM?

Reactions: 3

Gunn

· #12 · Mar 3, 2020

Chiefster23 said:
Everyone is telling us to stop buying masks because they are not effective. THEN WHY IN THE HELL ARE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS USING THEM?

Because they make us look "Cool"? If we even SUSPECT someone has this virous, we use masks. I think they are trying to avoid a run on the masks. My brother from Commiefornia called and asked if I could send him some masks, he can't find any.

Reactions: 1

Kauboy

· #13 · Mar 3, 2020

They are telling people to stop buying them, but lying about the reason.

True surgical masks that are designed to block spray WILL be effective against contracting the virus if used properly. Most people don't use them properly.
The reason they are telling people to stop buying them is because medical institutions are having a hard time getting them. My kid's dentist is even having a tough time ordering them. They are being rationed by the suppliers.

For now, your risk of contracting this thing in the U.S. is slim to none.
That can change, and we are a community that likes to be ahead of the curve, so keeping masks on hand isn't a bad idea. Just don't go crazy.

Reactions: 1

TG

· #14 · Mar 3, 2020

I have a few boxes of masks, I really don't need that many.. I have so much because a neighbour was moving and left a few different types (hundreds of them) in boxes on the curb LOL
I almost feel like I should sell them :vs_laugh:
Maybe $20 per mask?

MountainGirl

· #15 · Mar 3, 2020

Kauboy said:
View attachment 104201

Proven to inactivate 99.99% of tested strains on five minutes of contact with the surface.
Shown to be effective against seasonal A and B influenza, Pandemic H1N1, H2N2, Avian, Duck, Swine, and Equine flu strains.
According to the packaging, they use two mechanisms for deactivating a virus.
1. An outer layer coated with a 2% solution of citric acid to reduce pH levels
2. An inner layer treated with metal ions (copper 1.6% and zing 1.6%) which form ionic bonds with negatively-charged side groups on influenza viruses

A painter's dust mask might do little to nothing.
But there are some types that are specifically designed to prevent the wearer from receiving infection.

I'm just gonna dip a bandana in orange juice.

Face Skin Lip Chin Eyebrow

See less See more

Reactions: 2

TG

· #16 · Mar 3, 2020 (Edited)

What is the point of a mask when your eyes are uncovered?

P.S. Even when you do a hard sneeze, some snot actually comes up internally as high as your eyes, most people touch their eyes/faces more than a hundred times per day, you will spread what ever bug you're carrying one way or another.

This happens a lot more often than you think: https://www.nyogmd.com/2013/04/ques...en-i-blow-my-nose-mucus-comes-out-of-my-eyes/

Reactions: 3

Chiefster23

· #17 · Mar 3, 2020

I have a few n95 masks and a small quantity of surgical masks. I also have a beard with no plans to shave it off. I understand that without shaving and proper fitting and proper procedures of removal of the masks, they are not 100% effective. So what? Let’s say they are only 30% effective under these conditions. Maybe only 20%. That’s still 20 to 30% better than not wearing one at all. I feel that these warnings against using masks are all because the country got caught short handed and there are not enough to go around to the medical providers. So the “leaders” are telling us commoners to avoid their use. Perhaps we would have been better served if adequate stocks were already on hand. Now Washington is all fired up to drastically increase production...... I agree! And if the virus spreads, distribute the masks and instruct the population in proper use.

MountainGirl

· #18 · Mar 3, 2020

Chiefster23 said:
Perhaps we would have been better served if adequate stocks were already on hand. Now Washington is all fired up to drastically increase production...... I agree! And if the virus spreads, distribute the masks and instruct the population in proper use.

Not possible. DO THE MATH.

US population - 327+ Million. Lets make this easy. Say only 50Million need a mask.
Gonna want a fresh one daily? Say you work 5/days/week. Everybody else stays home.
That means... we'll need 200 Million masks per week - for the working population.
That's almost 1 Billion masks per month. How long is this need to mask-up going to last?
And - guess where we get the 'materials' to make the masks. ROFL

I applaud your optimism that the gov could actually do this.
Oh...they'll make masks - but you'll never see one.

Reactions: 1

Chiefster23

· #19 · Mar 3, 2020

I didn’t mean stockpiling masks for everyone. I only meant to stockpile enough for the medical community to use in a scenario just like this one. Enough to carry them over until production can ramp up.

Reactions: 2

Chiefster23

· #20 · Mar 3, 2020

I agree with your numbers above. You estimate 1 billion masks a month as unreachable. I’ll wager that domestic paper companies are currently producing 1 billion rolls of toilet paper a month. So why is 1 billion masks a month unreasonable?

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.