The ultimate mask?

[DazedNConfused]

While all efforts are being made to ensure that our first responders receive the proper PPE like the N95 respirator masks (Rightfully so), the rest of us are trying to make do with whatever is left available on the open market or a make-shift covering - Maybe a thin, disposable baby diaper that has a breathable, cloth-like backsheet? While searching for a mask, I came across one that can probably be dubbed "The ultimate mask", that is, if money is no object for you. The mask is supposed to be equivalent to an N99 mask. It filters out 99% of bacteria and viruses and is thus even more effective than the N95 mask. I guess that the people who can afford a personal underground bunker in their backyard would probably snatch a bunch of these masks to add to their survivalist stockpile. The hard plastic, silicone lined mask, called the "TR2 - Tactical Respirator 2", currently sells for $225 factory direct from Canada -> https://projectblack.com/products/tr...-respirator-ii.

What do you think about this and what do you use for personal protection? I'm making do with a fleece face mask that I normally wear in the Winter -> https://www.ebay.com/itm/3in1-Winter...HSSNlsjvWWo-AQ.

May everyone be well and safe during the Coronavirus pandemic!
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[Wanderfur]

That kind of reminds me of the silver mask that the "Crimson Guard" characters used in the G.I. Joe '80's animated series -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Guard.



I can't afford that much for a mask. I'm just using a plain white bandana -> https://www.walmart.com/ip/Plain-Ban...Large/41547090 (The shipping was free when I bought over $35 of other household goods with my Walmart order) and keeping 6 feet apart from others, hoping not to catch or spread the virus. A white bandana is safe to wear since it doesn't represent any gang -> https://www.urbandictionary.com/defi...hite%20Bandana.

[DazedNConfused]

Originally Posted by Wanderfur

That kind of reminds me of the silver mask that the "Crimson Guard" characters used in the G.I. Joe '80's animated series -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Guard.

Coooobbbrrraaa! Ahem, I mean Yo Joe! -> https://forums.yojoe.com/showthread.php?t=11160
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Seriously though, an alternative to buying a mask (Whether proper or make-shift) is to make your own mask. Sure, you can search YouTube for "DIY face mask" but most of the designs out there are either soft cotton or hard plastic (From 2 liter soda bottles) basic coverings that will NOT protect you from contracting COVID-19 if you are going to be constantly around various, possibly infected people up close (Most of us won't as long as each of us practices Social Distancing). However, there is one design that is created by an emergency room doctor that uses a HEPA vacuum bag, the material of which filters out 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in length just as the material in an N99 mask does -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6d3twpHwis. There are links for the mask pattern and the instructions that you'll need to construct the mask in the video's description section (Click on "SHOW MORE" in that page).
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Update 2020/06/24: I've just learned that N100 masks filter out 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in length while N99 masks filter out 99% of such particles. Thus, the above sentence that reads "... filters out 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in length just as the material in an N99 mask does ..." should actually be "... filters out 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in length just as the material in an N100 mask does ...". I'm sorry for any confusion that this may have caused.
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[Wanderfur]

The battle cry was later changed to "Cobra-La-la-la-la!" when Cobra Commander was deposed by Serpentor -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpentor who immediately took over Cobra -> http://www.oldschoolevil.com/2017/04...-cobra-la.html. But yeah, Yo Joe!

[DazedNConfused]

Originally Posted by Wanderfur

The battle cry was later changed to "Cobra-La-la-la-la!" when Cobra Commander was deposed by Serpentor -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpentor who immediately took over Cobra -> http://www.oldschoolevil.com/2017/04...-cobra-la.html. But yeah, Yo Joe!

Yeah, that last part of the updated battle cry was memorable as it sounded similar to the ululation -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ululation (A video clip with a sample sound byte is on that page) uttered in some parts of the World like the Middle East -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUw8cN6R8o0.


Previously, I had mentioned that soft cotton or hard plastic basic coverings (Whether store bought or improvised) will NOT protect you from contracting COVID-19. They do however, have their uses for the average citizen (Not a first responder) -> https://www.cnet.com/how-to/will-hom...-what-we-know/. Also, in some states like NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD, RI and HI it is now mandatory by state law (Enforced by the police and punishable by a fine) for the average citizen to wear a mask whenever out in public -> https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/us/st...rnd/index.html (Some states have exceptions for essential workers who are not first responders). So if you're a resident in such a state and you don't have a mask yet then you'll need to buy or make one if you don't want to risk getting a ticket!
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[DazedNConfused]

On a somewhat related note, medical fetishists are donating their Role Play PPE to hospitals to help out with the shortages in the UK -> https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/...he-coronavirus!
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[Wanderfur]

I'll bet that if an adult disposable diaper retailer donated their inventory to the hospitals, the doctors and nurses could spend even more time attending to the Coronavirus patients - Less trips to the toilette, washroom, loo, bathroom or whatever it's called for the medical staff means more time to spend on the patients! Also, if any of the medical staff are "One of us" in secret then it would actually be a "Win-Win" situation for them as well as the patients!

[DazedNConfused]

Originally Posted by Wanderfur

I'll bet that if an adult disposable diaper retailer donated their inventory to the hospitals, the doctors and nurses could spend even more time attending to the Coronavirus patients - Less trips to the toilette, washroom, loo, bathroom or whatever it's called for the medical staff means more time to spend on the patients! Also, if any of the medical staff are "One of us" in secret then it would actually be a "Win-Win" situation for them as well as the patients!

LOL! I'd bet that those doctors and nurses who share our interest in diapers would fully agree with such a strategy!
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A British company, Cambridge Mask Co, is now offering a N99 mask with a unique triple layer filtration system. The outer layer is a fabric that filters out large particles like dust while the middle layer is made of three-ply, non-woven, polypropylene that filters out particles as small as 0.3 micron. The final layer is a UK Military Grade, 100% Activated Carbon Filter cloth that filters out 99.6% of particles including viruses -> https://cambridgemask.com/filter-technology/. Called "The Admiral Pro", the reusable mask retails directly online for £24.95 GBP (That's $30.61 USD. They ship internationally) -> https://preorder.cambridgemask.com/s...-admiral-pro/#.
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[Wanderfur]

IMHO, £24.95 GBP or $31.00 USD is still too expensive to pay for a single mask. I know that the white, disposable, weaved fiber N95 masks were going for about $1.00 a piece before the pandemic. It's shameful how the prices for even the disposable masks have gone up now let alone the reusable ones! Disposable ones break down to $4.00 per piece from a sealed pack of ten for $40.00!

[DazedNConfused]

Originally Posted by Wanderfur

IMHO, £24.95 GBP or $31.00 USD is still too expensive to pay for a single mask. I know that the white, disposable, weaved fiber N95 masks were going for about $1.00 a piece before the pandemic. It's shameful how the prices for even the disposable masks have gone up now let alone the reusable ones! Disposable ones break down to $4.00 per piece from a sealed pack of ten for $40.00!

Yeah, it sucks that prices for masks have ridiculously skyrocketed. It's getting hard to tell whether that's due to opportunists taking the greedy attitude of "How much would you pay to protect your life and the lives of your loved ones?", the economic principle of "Supply and Demand" being exercised or a mix of both! These days, it seems like if you can't afford to buy decent PPE and don't practice Social Distancing for whatever reason then you're really SOL against the Coronavirus. However, you're likely okay if you're not a first responder, have at least a make-shift face covering and practice Social Distancing.
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For those who can afford it though, LuxMea Design Studio LLC, is attempting to create a high-tech designed mask called the "Nuo 3D Mask" through a project on Kickstarter. Each bespoke mask (Bespoke meaning "Custom tailored" -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bespoke_tailoring) is tailored to fit each wearer through the use of AI & 3D Printing, is effective like an N95 mask, has multiple layers of filters and is washable and reusable! Also, each mask will be handmade by an artisan in New York. A pledge of $99 would possibly reward you with a 3D printed mask and a month's supply of six filters -> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...levator.fnd.to. Based on what is said in its homepage "...wear this out of pleasure like a pair of sunglasses.", it appears that LuxMea is trying to market its mask as a fashion statement as well as a PPE.
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