Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

With the shortage of medical masks what do you think about western neckerchiefs as an alternative?

redlegfrog

It worked for Jessie James!

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Plain cloth only filters dust borne particles, not air borne gasses or viruses.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Outlaw James wore them for a mask of identity, not for germs or viruses.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Outlaw James wore a kerchief for a mask of identity, not against germs or viruses.

redlegfrog

Um, you're joking right?

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I believe I heard that the virus particles are less than 1 micron in diameter. That's 1/1000 millimeter. Your kerchief will let much larger particles through. Typical cloth weaves for such items are maybe 100 threads/cm or less, on the order of 100 micron spacing. You need something like a HEPA filter material.

And to be effective, the mask has to fit tightly on the face. No gaps at the edge (it has to mold around your nose for example). No facial hair.

(I believe some people recommend Vaseline to mitigate light facial hair. Smear it on your face to fill gaps caused by hair lifting the edge of the mask).

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

A neckerchief is a piece of fabric, usually square or triangular in shape, that is worn around the neck. Neckerchiefs can be worn for stylistic reasons, or they are often worn as part of a uniform.

Wearing it (neckerchief) alone - not. (Not going to help in preventing you from spreading the virus if you're infected, or preventing others from infecting you).

Wearing it (neckerchief) with a face mask and your goal is to prevent getting infected by others - may be (defending on the type of mask, properly wearing it, hygiene, social distancing you observe).

Wearing it (neckerchief alone) to prevent others from getting infected by you (assuming you're infected) - not.

Wearing it in addition with a face mask to prevent you (infected) from infecting others - yes, it helps in preventing the spread of virus to (non-infected) people.

The last one is now being discussed by the CDC as to the issue of, "to wear or not to wear" mask (not neckerchief) in public, based on latest findings that at least 25% of infected but asymptomatic people are spreading the virus, unknowingly. Watch for the announcement soon from CDC changing their recommendation to "YES" to wearing mask in public from "No." However, CDC will most likely say reserve the N95 respirators and surgical masks to the healthcare workers (completely understood) and will ask public to wear DIY mask in public with CDC specifications.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

In Palm Springs the wearing of a mask is required by the county health agency. They recommend using 3 plys of cloth to make one if you can’t get any commercially made ones. And no one but medical personnel should be using the N95 masks. The logic being that even though the virus is microbial, the water droplets you expel when talking are much larger and the cloth, although not 100% effective, will lessen the odds of you spreading the virus. As some people carry the virus and display no symptoms, this precaution will help to “flatten the curve” until science can find an effective vaccine.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Yep! Saw that. Good for you, guys. You're ahead of the curve. But that's a local edict. I am referring to a more broader authority that is, the CDC and WHO. They always seem content playing behind the curve.

CDC also seems to doubt the people's resolve to vanquish this virus. Yes, N95 respirators and surgical masks should be reserved for the medical personnel and front line healthcare workers. I believe the American public understand that clearly. But if CDC asks them to use only DIY face masks following CDC specs for the country's sake and survival, I believe 99.9% of the American people would comply.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Yes, but just yesterday they made the exact recommendation that you describe. They said to be safe, they think it would be best if everyone wore a mask, but don’t take the N95’s from the medical personnel.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

I think CDC is still discussing it. I have not seen an OFFICIAL news release from CDC to that effect.

If I missed it, would you kindly post the link here.

Thanks.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

I don’t have a link. I may be mistaken but I thought the doctor on yesterday’s Trump press conference said it.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

The WHO was very emphatic about their stand regarding not using face masks in public for reason given i.e., we need them for the medical personnel and front line healthcare workers.

CDC at present does not recommend the use of face mask in public. But it's under consideration. My opinion is, with strong evidence that at least 25% (another news outlet puts it as 25-50%) of the coronavirus-infected but remaining asymptomatic are spreading the virus although unknowingly, CDC has no choice. I am sure they will continue to emphasize not to use the N95 respirators and leave them for the medical personnel, and suggest DIY face masks, using CDC specs, instead.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I’m going to try a light weight neck gaither that I wear in cold weather. It lays around my neck and I pull it up to cover nose and mouth.