The situation and protective demands have changed as needs do and information is updated. People should remember that this is a rapidly replicating virus and we have to adjust. I recognize that not everyone has access to KN95s and have to do their best. I imagine there must be some measure of sustainability in this circumstance because we don't know how long this is going to last. I like the idea of cloth with a filter and have been doing that occasionally. I just ask people limit their comments to three minutes or less. :-)
Yes, it's tricky but important that we respond to the changing situation by changing what we are doing. New information is coming so rapidly it's hard to keep track sometimes.
Lots of good information here. I'm worried, like you, about the disposal of these "disposable" surgical masks. Three million a minute! I had been using a cloth mask until I recently learned how much more effective surgical masks are - your article explains why. I wonder if the fact that I crumple mine up and leave it in my purse to re-use it in any way alters its effectiveness?
The main thing I'm aware of in terms of mask re-use and effectiveness is making sure you don't wash it with any sort of soap or detergent. Water is fine. How well the mask fits is important, so if crumpling it affects the fit, that might be a problem. Those are the two issues I've found evidence for.
Informative and thought-provoking, especially the aspect on micro-plastics.
Thank you. It certainly is worrying that there are these less obvious impacts of the pandemic.
The situation and protective demands have changed as needs do and information is updated. People should remember that this is a rapidly replicating virus and we have to adjust. I recognize that not everyone has access to KN95s and have to do their best. I imagine there must be some measure of sustainability in this circumstance because we don't know how long this is going to last. I like the idea of cloth with a filter and have been doing that occasionally. I just ask people limit their comments to three minutes or less. :-)
Yes, it's tricky but important that we respond to the changing situation by changing what we are doing. New information is coming so rapidly it's hard to keep track sometimes.
Lots of good information here. I'm worried, like you, about the disposal of these "disposable" surgical masks. Three million a minute! I had been using a cloth mask until I recently learned how much more effective surgical masks are - your article explains why. I wonder if the fact that I crumple mine up and leave it in my purse to re-use it in any way alters its effectiveness?
The main thing I'm aware of in terms of mask re-use and effectiveness is making sure you don't wash it with any sort of soap or detergent. Water is fine. How well the mask fits is important, so if crumpling it affects the fit, that might be a problem. Those are the two issues I've found evidence for.