[SML] DIY masks

[bpurdy at rochester.rr.com]

" Cotton masks are definitely better than nothing. But if they have
done their job they are covered with viruses when we get home."
 Actually, the purpose of wearing such fabric masks is NOT to protect
the wearer, but rather to protect OTHERS in the event that the wearer
might unwittingly be an asymptomatic carrier. Therefore being covered
in viruses is not a measure of having done their job.
Bruce
-----
Bruce Purdy
Central New York Magic Theatre Co.
http://brucepurdy.com [1]

	-----------------------------------------From: "William Knapp via
Stagecraft" 
To: "Stagecraft"
Cc: "William Knapp"
Sent: Friday April 10 2020 3:47:10PM
Subject: [SML] DIY masks

I'd like to advocate for disposable respiratory face coverings. Cotton
masks are definitely better than nothing. But if they have done their
job they are covered with viruses when we get home. Even if they have
a filter slot, the outside is what may be contaminated so they must be
washed with each wearing religiously.
Cheap, one use masks can be disposed of before entering the home. And
they can be changed while you're out if you feel you've gotten in a
potentially contaminated situation. 
A garment company in LA, that is now sewing masks, did tests on
numerous fabrics with a specialized machine (a TSI PortaCount Pro);
shop towels tested to provide the best filtration.
 [2]https://suayla.com/pages/suay-community-mask-coalition [3]
This company is sewing "reusable" masks. They admit that cleaning
reduces their longevity. I believe that easy to make, cheap, single
use masks are a better choice.
In January there were widespread shortages of masks in Hong Kong. The
University of Hong Kong set up a task force to create a DIY mask
design. The following link is the research on that project which
yielded a design they estimated to be 90% as effective as a surgical
mask. 
 [4]https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/2020/covid-19-diymasks [5]

I have made some adjustments to the fit of the mask and substituted
shop towels for kitchen paper towels. I believe it provides excellent
fit and filtration; better than the original design. 
That, combined with its no-sewing, no-tech, easy, cheap fabrication
make it a superior choice to a sewn cotton mask. Its cost (~20¢ each)
means a new one can be used each time you need one. 
Instructions:  [6]https://youtu.be/l-2ElKi1F6E [7]
Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. And certainly don't
let social positioning anxiety lead to not using anything because you
don't have what the rich kids do.
-- 
Will Knappwill at thebase.com [8]+1 212 475 3110

 

Links:
------
[1] http://brucepurdy.com/
[2] https://suayla.com/pages/suay-community-mask-coalition
[3] https://suayla.com/pages/suay-community-mask-coalition
[4] https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/2020/covid-19-diymasks
[5] https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/2020/covid-19-diymasks
[6] https://youtu.be/l-2ElKi1F6E
[7] https://youtu.be/l-2ElKi1F6E
[8] mailto:will at thebase.com

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