I've given up on those cloth or paper, over the ear masks.
I now sport a respirator mask. Not one of those Chinese knock-offs (I've already gone that route) but a quality American mask that is widely used in industry and by firefighters. It has a full face filter that seals surprisingly well and two, one-way exhaust vents that keep it from turning hot and damp.
I had a hard time getting one of these respirator masks. The company's web site usually shows them sold out. Same with the replaceable filters. You just have to keep going back until stock is available. They're usually sold out in minutes.
I feel a bit guilty wearing a respirator mask. That's because they don't work like the usual mask. The more common mask works to protect others, the idea being that if everyone wears one it will greatly reduce virus "shedding." However, people have stopped wearing masks in my town. I suppose it's due to the warmish weather and the idea that the island has become Covid-free. It really hasn't. This won't last long.
June is the start of tourist season here and there will be visitors coming here some probably because they think the place is Covid-safe. Some of them will likely spread the virus here anew and, by what I'm seeing during my rare outings for groceries, we'll be wide open for infection.
The respirator mask doesn't protect others. It protects the wearer. Lab tests show the filters catch 99 per cent of particles as small as .1 micron. Covid particles are said to be .3 microns in size. It's not bullet proof but it's as close as anything I've found on the market.
When people stop wearing masks, it's every body for him/herself.
Except it doesn't have to be that way. California governor Gavin Newsome has done the right thing and ordered that everyone must wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors when physical distancing isn't possible.
The new rules require face coverings when people are riding in taxis and rideshare cars, taking public transit, standing in line to enter a building or walking through common areas like hallways, stairways, elevators and parking garages.
It also requires masks for people working in a building visited by the public even if no other people are present and at all locations where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution.
Masks are also required outdoors in spaces where people can’t maintain six feet of distance from one another.
Will that thing get hot in warm weather?
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone thinks we don't need to worry there is this: "3 months ago, COVID-19 was not even in the top 75 causes of death in this country. Much of the last month, it was the #1 cause of death in this country." The speaker is Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, an internationally known expert in infectious disease epidemiology who has advised both Democratic and Republican Presidents. He has impressive credentials and serves as the Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. He has also served as interim Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). You can read the full interview here: https://www.bluezones.com/2020/06/covid-19-straight-answers-from-top-epidemiologist-who-predicted-the-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0qjJFMKYOWY-yuZCTFgWhHizGWMF1eb59nRirv27ExK-DUhK2krDjcwCE
Yes, I expect a black mask will get hot if you're out in the sun. At my age, Toby, I treat the sun as if I was a vampire. I'm hoping for a wide brimmed summer hat for Father's Day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that terrific link.