Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

James was a blight on his own. He wore a mask so he wouldn't spread his mean streak on to anybody else. And thats the truth.

howIseeit Loc: Kootenays, BC Canada

I too have been using the Niosh L100 rubber half mask for last 7 years when working outside on my property because I did not trust the daily climate modification (water vapors* as some less observant, call it). Some days those fallouts are rather toxic. So, because of what I was told, did not match what I saw and breathed, I got wiser... Glad I have spare filters, and on those, a small note eh, to those that are interested, to protect them self these days of the corona crisis and even the above drivel, as some are surely going to call it..
You can use your air compressor to reverse blow the filter cartridges!
I spray some peroxide mist on the (inside eh) opening.
The 3/4" short pipe, ABS is fine.
Threaded on both ends, Important!
One end threads into the cartridge and on the other end,
In my case I screwed a Quick connect water hose coupling,
That too can be a ABS or plastic kind.
For the nozzle I use the mechanics short blowgun, the one with the rubber tip eh!
Mainly because I found that it seals well against the Water hose male coupling, albeit with a good pressure against it eh.

Just heard on new today that we in the north are not to be sent the already ordered N95 grade masks. So be it, Canadians will handle it, regardless!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

CDC website, 4/3

Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission
mask icon
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Learn More
CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

This recommendation complements and does not replace the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, 30 Days to Slow the Spreadexternal icon, which remains the cornerstone of our national effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. CDC will make additional recommendations as the evidence regarding appropriate public health measures continues to develop.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Yep, Canadians are tough and can handle this crisis.

N100 is the top of the line in respirators.

IMHO, US CDC's (and WHO) main concern re: recommending the use of surgical masks and N95 respirators for people in public is the shortage of these protective devices, a subtle admission that they don't have enough supply for the front-line medical personnel.

It's been known for quite sometime now that some COVID-19 infected but asymptomatic people can spread the virus to others, unknowingly. These are the "hidden" cases because most likely these people would not seek medical attention and get tested for the virus. In fact, an expert in infectious diseases suggested that for every 1 confirmed case of coronavirus, there are 5 to 10 "hidden" cases behind it. I am surprised that CDC came to this conclusion only recently then using it as the reason for their change in recommendation re: use of mask or facial covering in public.

Another blunder CDC made was not only with the shortage of testing kits but also the defective kits they sent to a number of states several weeks ago, when there were only a trickle of infected cases in the US. Sad to say, CDC was ill-prepared for this pandemic.

As for the WHO, well that's another (sad) story for another day.

aardq

The simple masks, like a kerchief, aren't to prevent you from getting the virus. They are to keep others from getting the virus from you, if you are infected, and don't know it.

fantom Loc: Colorado

thanks

ad9mac

Gonna make one today . If you really want filtration use a padded bra. Embarrassed?
Use a jock. Suggest washing first.

Rabbott Loc: Grass Valley , California

they don't work, they don't do anything. the whole thing is just a nasty joke.