[Lekooks] Best DIY mask materials

Tue Apr 21 18:50:32 CDT 2020

Thanks so much, Mike.

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________________________________
From: Lekooks <lekooks-bounces at lekook.org> on behalf of Michael McNett via Lekooks <lekooks at lekook.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 11:39:02 AM
To: lekooks at lekook.org <lekooks at lekook.org>
Subject: [Lekooks] Best DIY mask materials

Hi, All,

First of all, an apology; I've been advocating for DIY masks using HEPA vacuum filters for some time, but recently I've learned that they are very hard to breathe through.  As a result, they cause far more air to be pulled in through gaps between the mask and your face, actually increasing risk.

It turns out that the best substances for DIY masks balance: a) filtering effectiveness with b) low resistance to air flow.  The first link below discusses that, although disconcertingly they don't show a airflow resistance chart (though they do make recommendations for optimal materials based on those results).

One thing to be aware of: current findings by the FDA and CDC indicate that there is little if any evidence that people expel the virus itself when they breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze.  Instead, they aerosolize droplets of various sizes.  As droplets get bigger, the number of viruses in them increase dramatically (by the diameter of the droplet multiplied by itself three times).  So a 2 micron droplet has 8 times as much as a 1 micron droplet, a 3 micron droplet has 27 times, 4 micron = 64, 5 micron = 125, 6 micron = 216, 10 micron = 1000, etc.

The larger the droplet, the faster it falls out of the air, which is why the 6 foot distancing recommendation is made.  That, however, assumes the air is absolutely still.  But if you're outside in a breeze, they could carry much farther.  The same is true if you're inside and between the infected person and a ventilation intake grid.  Tiny droplets, like the 5-10 micron droplets in which COVID-19 commonly travels, can be airborne for up to 2 1/2 hours.

This is why I disagree with the recommendations made by the CDC, Dr. Fauche, etc.  As the upper chart in the article below shows (the one measuring 1 micron filtration, which is far tinier than 5-10 micron droplets), masks - even those made from common materials - are vastly more likely to protect you from the virus than standing 6 feet away from an infected person's cough.

It is CRITICAL, however, that it be form-fitting to your face, so that tiny droplets can't sneak through in gaps between it and your skin.  (It astounds me how many professional announcers "on location" on TV don't do this.)  If making your own mask, it's very important to make sure it doesn't gap in front of your ears or around your nose.  The second link below shows you how to make a mask that wouldn't be likely to gap in front of your ears, but you need to incorporate some kind of wire into the upper part of the mask to block gaps by your nose.

The Best Coronavirus Face Mask Materials, According To A New Study<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Fhuffpost%2Fbest-coronavirus-face-mask-materials-new-study-120000624.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C5ecf5445e7a048e8888d08d7e612857d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637230839525889263&sdata=LvQwB7QQdOrnbdq4z6n6vEtXqfrmWgxS262nSuyFU78%3D&reserved=0>

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[https://s.yimg.com/lb/brands/80x80_yahoo.png]
The Best Coronavirus Face Mask Materials, According To A New Study

Canvas and denim are among the most effective for DIY face masks to block particles, while Donald Trump's recomm...

How to make your own face mask.
The YouTube video below is one of the best I've found on how to make a mask from cloth.  Though in this case it's a T-shirt, you could do basically the same with any material and use shoestrings for the strings.  The only thing I'd add is that it's very important to put 2-3 twist ties in the upper edge of the mask, fold the fabric over, and staple them in place (it's more comfortable if the flat part of the staple is on the inside).  Then, when you put it on, pinch it down to close gaps between your nose and cheeks.

DIY NO SEW Face Mask �� | Just t-shirt& scissors | 2-4 mins | #Stayhome #Withme<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOl3jKp-YH8k&data=02%7C01%7C%7C5ecf5445e7a048e8888d08d7e612857d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637230839525899260&sdata=I1LSHdTTVv0oBqWVQWwiTlBpYpXkxp0pupaBdxMfdA0%3D&reserved=0>

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[https://s.yimg.com/nq/storm/assets/enhancrV2/23/logos/youtube.png]
DIY NO SEW Face Mask �� | Just t-shirt& scissors | 2-4 mins | #Stayhome ...

Extra strings from this tutorial are for ‘DIY NO SEW Face Mask Filter Pocket Upgrade’ Tutorial located here: htt...

Hope this helps,
Mike

Nehru to Gandhi, on his deathbed: "Mahatma, in your lifetime, you have turned the world utterly upside down. How must that feel??"

Gandhi: "Yes, I turned the world upside down. I stood on my head."
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