srt101fan

Typical response from someone unable to stick to a discussion point. I suggested that the beneficial effects of mask-wearing and mask mandates should be two different topics of discussion, and that mask mandates are not politically motivated. You reply with stuff about mask and v*****e studies being suppressed; about misuse of the word "v*****e"; and about some unidentified problems with the v*****e. Casts some doubt on your ability to carry on a meaningful conversation. But then you probably just want to pontificate. Good-bye, sir, and all the best to you.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Sorry you have such problems, but I realize "There are none so blind ---". I sincerely hope you awaken in time - or learn to converse with Russians, Chinese or North Koreans, whichever takes over.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

srt101fan

You are correct - "safest to use once and toss". But that's really not practical for most people. If you only go out occasionally - shopping, doctor's office, etc - there is no reason not to reuse a mask. Handle them carefully and rotate them. What bothers me is when folks adopt an "all-or-nothing" mentality with regard to mask protection. The name of the game is risk management not risk elimination. Reduce the risk by adopting practicable and common sense countermeasures to the hazard.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

There are a few less complex ways to reuse N95 masks which do not significantly degrade their effectiveness:
- Rotate between three to four masks, wearing one per day and then letting it rest for three to four days.
- N95 masks can be heated to 70º C (158º F) for 60 minutes.
- Boiling N95 masks for five minutes (but do not stir and do not boil the elastic strap)
- Steam cleaning N95 masks at 125º C (257º F) for five minutes

For details see the paper by Pascal Juang MD: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7161499/

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I understand that the C****a v***s C****-** is destroyed in three minutes at 180º C. This would mean that small items such as face masks could be sanitised in a domestic oven.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Edit: forgot todays 24/7 multiple competing news sources trying to fill space or air time also makes everything seem more common or worse than it is. You would have never heard of most of them 1-2 centuries ago.

As a History/Geography/Government teacher (retired) I have over the decades read articles speculating that besides the shear numbers of us now the other reason we seem to have more fools and more people with near disabling problems both mental and physical is that modern society and medicine keep people alive who would have never survived in the past.

Maybe letting them make their own decision about the shots, avoiding other people as much as possible etc. is Darwin at work. Any who survive are probably among the fittest as far as health and i****e s****m goes.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Actually putting them in direct sunlight with rotation and turning them over a few times will probably do a good job of sterilization also. The UV in sunlight is pretty much krypton to most bacteria and v***ses.
But if you can afford it and the supply is available use and toss or use and put into a gas steralizer or autoclave is the guaranteed method.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

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