Coronavirus PPE from Berkeley

by philg

A Berkeley, California friend’s Facebook post:

given #B117 mutation, masked protection needs to be intensified
I’m doubling down, with cloth on top of N95 (thx Mitt Romney)
Also bought a little neck fan for blowing air – designed to cool off the wearer, when inverted it nudges incoming air away from my mouth
Stacking layers in my SafetyLasagna (which includes vitamin D in the AM, saline spray to line my nasal passages, then these crazy additions)

Above a photo, cropped for privacy:

Although this inventor is a Dr. just like Dr. Jill Biden, MD, his California friends are not impressed:

My understanding is that fans, while protective for the wearer, actually increase the risk to others by blowing exhaled virus farther. I would steer clear of anyone I saw in public with a fan near their face.

Your fans could harm others if you were unknowingly covid+

I have read that the masks with the valve are not appropriate as a virus barrier, but are intended to prevent dust inhalation–so they let your breath out but prevent particles from coming in. You have an N95 underneath, so not an issue here, but since this is an opportunity for community review of a safety plan, wondering if you have thoughts there. Stay healthy! #SafetyLasagna

We actually do know that fans increase projection of viral particles. If you are wearing a fan, you increase risk of transmission from you to others, but also from others to you, just by stirring up a lot of air near the face.

I told him that I thought it would be simpler to eat real lasagna until his BMI hits 40 and thus get higher priority for the vaccine. A friend from MIT with some mechanical engineering ability:

If he is going to bother at all, which is debatable, he should use a P-100 respirator and NIOSH approved goggles. If you are really that concerned, add a faceshield. Doubling two useless filters ain’t going to do it…. P-100 filters are 167 times more efficient than N-95 (which are 10-20 time better than surgical masks). You need an elastomeric/plastic seal on your face or you aren’t getting to the next level. Some N95s have such seals.

Readers: Who has seen some interesting PPE solutions lately? The LG PuriCare (N95-ish mask with fan assist), announced in August, doesn’t seem to be available in the U.S., but online retailers in Hong Kong show that it is in stock there for HK$1,180 ($150 in the currency that Jesus prefers everyone to use).

15 thoughts on “Coronavirus PPE from Berkeley”

  2. I think Lasagna “therapy” would be good! So, even if you get the virus, you’d have had a great last meal? The mention of P-100 mask being “much better” than N-95 may only be under ideal conditions? Nothing is clear cut these days! See: https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article-abstract/64/2/202/5648932 [I often use a simple polypropylene surgical mask with a cloth mask on top (mainly for looks, but it does perform somewhat better) and pretty much don’t hang out in one place for very long (except home, where I ought to wear a mask (or get an air cleaner that works?), as cat sees to steadily shed fur in Winter!). Use the N-95s when I do construction work (esp. fine sanding). ;]

  3. …that’s your brain on gullibility…

    Yes, Virginia, it takes a lot of education and hard work to get that stupid.

  4. Anyone else reminded of that scene where Baron Harkonnen’s force field saves him from poison gas?

  5. I haven’t kept track of this, from back in July (so it’s not ‘lately’):

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2020/07/18/can-this-hazmat-suit-for-flying-save-air-travel/?sh=183f529c445a

    “Based in Toronto, Yezin Al-Qaysi launched VYZR Technologies only four months ago in response to what he saw as a dearth of good PPE options for a wide variety of people during the global pandemic.”

    https://www.vyzrtech.com/

    From LinkedIn on Yezin Al-Qaysi:

    “Building the leading global brand in High-Performance Hajj and Umrah Gear. My role is to design and launching innovative products that provide comfort, safety, and convenience during the grueling annual Hajj pilgrimage.”

    https://fejgear.com/

  6. My favorite innovation in PPE is the combination of a healthy immune system and half a brain that can do the math to realize my risk of dying from COVID is only twice that of dying in an auto accident.

  8. As a real hero I just bravely visited my local store, it seems to stay open. Anyway propeller hats are available from them online.

  9. > I told him that I thought it would be simpler to eat real lasagna until his BMI hits 40 and thus get higher priority for the vaccine.

    Sadly, in New Jersey there is such a shortage of vaccines that even though the obese are eligible, it doesn’t matter because they can’t get appointments.

  10. Age-eligible, I have had one Moderna and scheduled for the second on Feb. 9, in much-maligned Florida. Should be good to go by March 1. Won’t need no stinkin’ PPE.

    • Sam: Remember that (1) Republicans are stupid for denying that evolution occurs; (2) the coronavirus will not evolve to thrive among masked and vaccinated humans.

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