October 11, 20223 yr The Covid masks were championed to filter out viruses and keep Covid out. A wood workers treat…….. you no longer have to purchase safety rated masks!! So I did some turning/sanding with a Covid mask. The results were not good. I was turning Walnut (toxic) and soon started sneezing. I went to a mirror & saw the places where there were small gaps and bad seals. I also saw walnut dust on my nose. I finished my turning with my safety rated dust mask. Question: if wood dust gets through, how does it keep out viruses that are a million times or more smaller? My conclusion is never to use them again as a wood working mask what do you think?
October 12, 20223 yr Unfortunately a lot of the masks touted to protect you from Covid were more psychological than anything else. These masks did little more than make you feel safe. To be protected, you need a mask that meets the N95 standards and is properly fitted If you can smell something while wearing the mask, it ain’t working
October 12, 20223 yr I have several, for a short run i use the n95s, but for the long run on a few machines, even with dust collection and especially on the wood lathe, i use a elipse or a stealth mask, i can wear both of them for quite a long time before i need a rub on the face to bring back the senses, lol. i didn't used to wear much of a mask, but after getting pneumonia last year at xmas, i throw one on, espcically when i'm on table saw, its dust collection is lacking, soon i hope to fix it, but we will see. gal wears one of the felcro facia things, and likes it, i'd bought it for me, but didn't care for it, guess its my eagle beak, which causes issues, lol rj in az
October 12, 20223 yr I wore my was during a small fair in my little town. I was the only wearing a mask that day. My daughter said it doesn't protect me, but others ... I'm required to wear one why hooking and unhook in my dialysis machine. All nurses have to wear them. It will stop direc contact.. Better to have, than not... Edited October 12, 20223 yr by BillyJack
October 12, 20223 yr 18 hours ago, Ron Altier said: Question: if wood dust gets through, how does it keep out viruses that are a million times or more smaller? My conclusion is never to use them again as a wood working mask They did not work Ron, that's what many of us were screaming about the whole time, they didn't WORK!
October 12, 20223 yr As far as the cabinet shops....many good cabinet shops provide masks, but assume you'll hang onto it for awhile . I've seen those masks on a heavy sanding day get pretty covered where you breath in. Of course some gets around and in. But they aren't blowing those masks off several times a day for nothing...
October 12, 20223 yr 7 minutes ago, John Morris said: They did not work Ron, that's what many of us were screaming about the whole time, they didn't WORK! Next time you have surgery, tell the surgeon and nurses not to wear a mask.
October 12, 20223 yr I use a Trend when turning for air and face protection . Tried the Bee and it works some but wanted something more effective. When sanding I usually wear a RZ mask . It has filters inside but not as effective as respirator. I do find that when I use the RZ I do not have that sawdust cough afterward.
October 12, 20223 yr 54 minutes ago, BillyJack said: Next time you have surgery, tell the surgeon and nurses not to wear a mask. My dentist and my VA Dr's wear the KN95. For shop use when heavy sanding I use the N95 from 3M. But, we quit wearing any kind of mask when out and about. Masks are rarely required or, seen anymore, around here. If I were allergy prone or, had a weakened immune system, I'd likely think differently.
October 12, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, BillyJack said: Next time you have surgery, tell the surgeon and nurses not to wear a mask. Surgical masks are a different animal. IIRC surgical masks are use to filter out "water" droplets such as sneezes, humidity from the surgical teams breath, etc., NOT airborne germs & viruses. The surgical suite has filtered air that is supposed to filter airborne microbes. They are also not form fitting being open at the sides. Also,--- if memory serves me correctly---, when this whole Covid business started we were asked/instructed/encouraged to use N95 masks. When they became short supply the wizards in government "allowed" the lessor filtering masks. Basically anything that covered your respiratory openings. This allowed the public to wear scarfs, underwear or whatever as a "mask"
October 12, 20223 yr I wear one because I don’t want you to cough on me and give it to me. I wear one so I don’t give it too you. All,the sign has to say is “required” or “ must have a mask on to enter” and one will find something wrong with it.. it’s a choice if it’s not required.. Edited October 12, 20223 yr by BillyJack
October 12, 20223 yr Since my diagnosis of mesothelioma I've been more aware 0f wearing a mask. My wife told me I should wear a dust mask when mowing my lawn . I tried it and I was amazed at how much dust it had collected by the time I finished. Now the dust mask goes on whenever I mow.
October 12, 20223 yr 2 hours ago, BillyJack said: Next time you have surgery, tell the surgeon and nurses not to wear a mask. The masks Ron is referring too, are not the same masks surgeons wear.
October 12, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, Gene Howe said: Masks are rarely required or, seen anymore, around here. Same here in Kali Gene, about the only time I have been required to wear one is my visits to my hema/oncologist's office. All other public venues do not require any masks, thanks goodness!
October 12, 20223 yr 7 minutes ago, John Morris said: The masks Ron is referring too, are not the same masks surgeons wear. I get it. My point is anytime one is given a choice a argument follows.. I feel it's important not to spread it and hope others around me feel the same way.. Edited October 12, 20223 yr by BillyJack
October 12, 20223 yr 1 minute ago, BillyJack said: I get it. Sorry Billy, I just saw Smitty hammered you before I did.
October 12, 20223 yr 2 minutes ago, BillyJack said: I get it. My point is anytime one is given a choice a argument follows.. Maple or cherry?
October 13, 20223 yr Author Before covid, HD had a sale on N95 masks, if you bought a dozen. I did. Fast forward a years or so. People everywhere are scrambling to find masks. The office where my daughter works had people staying away from everyone and could not find a mask. I gave my daughter 10 of the N95 masks and I had people writing me about how thankful they were to have masks to protect their family. Those masks are highly effective, but must be used properly. As for the "free" ones, the only thing they did was restrict breathing and give a false sense of safety.
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