<html><body>" Cotton masks are definitely better than nothing. But if they have done their job they are covered with viruses when we get home."<div><br></div><div> 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.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Bruce</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">-----</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Bruce Purdy</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Central New York Magic Theatre Co.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://brucepurdy.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">http://brucepurdy.com</a><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><p>-----------------------------------------</p>From: "William Knapp via Stagecraft" <stagecraft@theatrical.net><br>To: "Stagecraft"<br>Cc: "William Knapp"<br>Sent: Friday April 10 2020 3:47:10PM<br>Subject: [SML] DIY masks<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://suayla.com/pages/suay-community-mask-coalition" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://suayla.com/pages/suay-community-mask-coalition" target="_blank">https://suayla.com/pages/suay-community-mask-coalition</a></div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/2020/covid-19-diymasks" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/2020/covid-19-diymasks" target="_blank">https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/2020/covid-19-diymasks</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div>That, combined with its no-sewing, no-tech, easy, cheap fabrication make it a superior choice to a sewn cotton mask. Its cost (~20ยข each) means a new one can be used each time you need one. </div><div><br></div><div>Instructions: <a href="https://youtu.be/l-2ElKi1F6E"></a><a href="https://youtu.be/l-2ElKi1F6E" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/l-2ElKi1F6E</a></div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">Will Knapp<div><a href="mailto:will@thebase.com" target="_blank">will@thebase.com</a></div><div>+1 212 475 3110</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div>
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