I need some 3M N95’s

[PingSpike]

If I were in your situation and had a box of valved ones on hand I would have no issue at all using them to protect myself in situations where a mask would not otherwise be required (eg outside, socially distanced = your walks). No sense putting hours into the ones you need for high risk situations.

Viper GTS

I really feel like you should be able to wear a scarf or whatever they have over the ventilated one and be better off all around. And the ventilation valve...is that really worse for protecting others than the homemade cloth masks that don't seal and don't have a nose clip? I realize arguing with hospital polices isn't going to get you anywhere.

 

[dullard]

There's a chance I could use masks also. I won't ask yet, but there is a chance of wanting to take an international medical related flight that I am not because of the risk of the virus from flying. I'm not quite to the point of being for sure on the trip, and knowing how safe I'd be on the flight if I had the mask.

Studies have been done on other highly contagious respiratory-spread diseases on planes. Planes aren't the problem. Getting to the ticket counter (in a line near other lines), getting through TSA (in a snaking line), getting onto the plane (at a crowded gate and in a crowded line in the jet bridge)--those are the problem spots.

The plane itself bathes you in HEPA filtered air as long as you open up the air valve above you. The pilot can switch this to be 100% outside air, and there is no virus at 30,000 feet in the atmosphere. You are safe while on the plane. It is just getting to the plane that is fraught with danger. But, that is danger that you can somewhat control (protective gear in lines, space yourself out at the gate, pre-print your tickets, get onboard last, etc).

 

[Craig234]

The plane itself bathes you in HEPA filtered air as long as you open up the air valve above you. The pilot can switch this to be 100% outside air, and there is no virus at 30,000 feet in the atmosphere. You are safe while on the plane.

Sitting around people all flight, enclosed, doesn't seem safe at all, though.

 

[dullard]

Sitting around people all flight, enclosed, doesn't seem safe at all, though.

It doesn't seem safe to sit in a can, 30,000 feet over the ocean, moving at 575 mph either. But it is.

Wear a mask and a face shield to be extra safe. The disease transmissions in a plane are from the person beside you and directly behind you. If they have Covid, you'll likely get it too. But, you'd also likely get it from them crowded at the gate first.

 

[Geekbabe]

I really feel like you should be able to wear a scarf or whatever they have over the ventilated one and be better off all around. And the ventilation valve...is that really worse for protecting others than the homemade cloth masks that don't seal and don't have a nose clip? I realize arguing with hospital polices isn't going to get you anywhere.

I will gratefully accept masks with ventilation valves. I have cloth masks that I paid to have made, they have nose wires & double elastic bands like N95’s, I slip pm 2.5 charcoal filters into the pocket & wear them over my good masks.

 

[Craig234]

It doesn't seem safe to sit in a can, 30,000 feet over the ocean, moving at 575 mph either. But it is.

That sort of false equivalency removes your credibility.

Wear a mask and a face shield to be extra safe. The disease transmissions in a plane are from the person beside you and directly behind you. If they have Covid, you'll likely get it too. But, you'd also likely get it from them crowded at the gate first.

Yes, that's what I said, spending a lot of time enclosed near people. Mask and shield protect others, not you, mostly. Amount of time of exposure is a big factor. Enclosed space is a big factor. Those are hugely different between 2 feet away in a plan for hours, and 6 feet away for a couple minutes at the gate.

 

[Midwayman]

FWIW if you don't mind looking kinda weird the half mask respiration filters are a lot easier to get. I have a half mask with some p100 carts on it. There are a ton of filters rated above n95 for those and they aren't really used by the medical folks so supply hasn't been hit as bad.

 

[Midwayman]

Sitting around people all flight, enclosed, doesn't seem safe at all, though.

Safe is relative I suppose. Risk zone is supposedly about a 2 row slice. Air doesn't go down the length of the plane. It goes top to bottom and swirls side to side mostly. I'm less worried about the plane than I am the lines to get onto the plane. The gangway looks to be the worst.

 

[dullard]

Yes, that's what I said, spending a lot of time enclosed near people. Mask and shield protect others, not you, mostly. Amount of time of exposure is a big factor. Enclosed space is a big factor. Those are hugely different between 2 feet away in a plan for hours, and 6 feet away for a couple minutes at the gate.

Again, this has been studied for other respiratory diseases. People with known respiratory infections were contact traced and their disease spread a lot at the terminal and to the person beside them on the plane. It does not spread 2 or more seats over on the plane. It does not spread 2 or more rows over. It does not spread backwards on the plane. But it does spread a lot in the lines getting ready to board the plane.

In a plane, you aren't in enclosed air, which is the important part, because you are bathed in clean air. Being in an enclosed space is not what you need to be concerned with, it is enclosed air is where you get into trouble.

Also, the masks don't protect you is mostly a myth. They can and do protect you. But, they are not foolproof nor are they perfect. So, we don't want to rely solely on them.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I may have some smalls. I'll pm you this afternoon when I have a chance to check stock

I don't know if you should trust this guy.

 

[dullard]

I don't know if you should trust this guy.

Why not? He seemed credible on the Simpsons.

 

[Craig234]

Safe is relative I suppose. Risk zone is supposedly about a 2 row slice. Air doesn't go down the length of the plane. It goes top to bottom and swirls side to side mostly. I'm less worried about the plane than I am the lines to get onto the plane. The gangway looks to be the worst.

Here's what CNN reported on this.

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, tells CNN he does not currently advocate traveling by airplane, particularly in the United States.

"We have been recommending to our patients only really essential travel at present, because in this country, the virus is not under control. It's all over the country and continuing to spread in an inhibited fashion," Schaffner tells CNN.

Schaffner's perspective is people should only travel for personal reasons, in unavoidable circumstances.

"Even then, we ask them to do that very, very cautiously, wearing their masks at all time, keeping social distance," he adds.

Schaffner is principally concerned about the potential for the virus to spread in crowded airports, where it's difficult to maintain social distancing. He also expresses worries about travelers being tightly packed in the cabin...

"Once we get a vaccine or vaccines, and they can be shown to be reasonably effective and safe and they start to be distributed, then -- if we were vaccinated -- then we can travel," says Schaffner.

That is pretty negative about flying, including inside the plane. It's hard to not be within 6 feet of others during the flight, not to mention, who knows about the surfaces of the last several flights' passengers you touch. You can protect somewhat from that, don't touch your face and wash your hands, but it's hard about passengers seated near you.

 

[dullard]

Here's what CNN reported on this.
"Schaffner is principally concerned about the potential for the virus to spread in crowded airports, where it's difficult to maintain social distancing. He also expresses worries about travelers being tightly packed in the cabin... "

The underlined portion is what I have been saying. The principle concern is catching the disease prior to even getting on the plane. The phrase "also expresses worries" reads to me like the worry in the cabin is non-zero but not as important as the concern of catching it in the airport.

Transmission from objects seems to be quite rare. Focus most on staying out of the air coming out of infected people. Secondly, be concerned with washing your hands and not touching your face, but just don't let that distract you from your main focus of staying out of their direct coughs/sneezes/breath. Using a face shield is the best defense from touching your face and eyes so you can focus on the primary concern.

 

[drnickriviera]

I don't know if you should trust this guy.

Pfft. I did add plenty of breathing holes with a paper punch. Now she won't be starved of oxygen!

 

[darkswordsman17]

Pfft. I did add plenty of breathing holes with a paper punch. Now she won't be starved of oxygen!

Nah, you should've posted a pic of anasthesia setup and a tank of nitrous and go "she'll be so happy!"

Or maybe scuba gear with scuba tank with doctor's note "under the sea". Or topical, one with prescription for one free trip to space and one spacesuit.

Random thought potentially related...can you transmit via farts?

 

[darkswordsman17]

The underlined portion is what I have been saying. The principle concern is catching the disease prior to even getting on the plane. The phrase "also expresses worries" reads to me like the worry in the cabin is non-zero but not as important as the concern of catching it in the airport.

Transmission from objects seems to be quite rare. Focus most on staying out of the air coming out of infected people. Secondly, be concerned with washing your hands and not touching your face, but just don't let that distract you from your main focus of staying out of their direct coughs/sneezes/breath. Using a face shield is the best defense from touching your face and eyes so you can focus on the primary concern.

Well look at this hoighty toighty...you elitist, not everyone can afford to charger private jets!

(Don't take this post seriously.)

 

[Craig234]

Random thought potentially related...can you transmit via farts?

Yes. But clothing generally acts as a mask.

 

[Geekbabe]

I got you @Geekbabe. I have a box of small made in the USA 3M N95 masks my family probably won't use. I bought it back in January at Home Depot as cheap insurance when I feared this COVID-19 might blow up here in the US and the world. Unfortunately my worst fears came true and this virus has spread worldwide.

PM me your info, and I'll try to get this shipped out to you today if I can or Monday. There are 18 masks instead of 20 because I gave 2 to my nephews at the start of this virus pandemic.

And no need for payment.

The masks arrived today! Thank you so freaking much

 

[Geekbabe]

I may have some smalls. I'll pm you this afternoon when I have a chance to check stock

The masks arrived yesterday , thank you so much