There's one layer of swiss cheese that I would never omit:

Respirators.

This is the only layer that can prevent close-proximity transmission.

As long as you're wearing one that you know seals to your face and isn't soaked or super old, it's going to protect you from all the invisible ways #TrojanAir can get into your nose and mouth.

And even if you haven't proven that it seals, it's damp, or you've worn it a bunch of times before, it's still going to provide more protection than any other layer(s).

Please, please don't think you can compensate for being unmasked by utilizing combinations of other layers.

All the other layers are designed to make a respirator more effective or provide backup in the event a respirator lets a bit of something through. Even vaccines were trialled in the context of universal masking; their original efficacy numbers are a product of that environment.

#MakeYourMaskWorkBetter

If you can't get your hands on any respirators, reach out and I'll connect you to someone in your region who can help. If I have to ship you some myself, I will.

#MaskUp #WearARespirator #N95 #FFR #P100 #Elastomeric

@novid

Other #P100 / #N95 #elastomeric #mask / #respirator brands I’m wondering about:

#MSAadvantage No exhale valve (good) https://www.durawear.com/msa-advantage-900-elastomeric-half-mask-respirator-with-speaking-diaphragm-and-no-exhalation-valve/
#OSIM1 from Open Standard Industries: Currently sold out https://openstandardindustries.com
#Breathe99 from ArmbrustUSA https://www.armbrustusa.com/products/breathe99-elastomeric-mask

Anyone with experience of these for #Covid prevention?

Looking for #elastomeric #mask recommendations, please. Ideally #P100 to fit a smaller face, and not too “Darth Vader”.

So far I’ve tried:
#FloMask Fits ok at rest but seal over bridge or nose sometimes breaks when I nod or talk
#GVSelipse Small size is a good fit but smells of plastic

For non-elastomeric #N95 masks, the only ones I’ve tried that fit (bc most are too big) are:
#Airgami small: great fit, v comfortable, easy to talk
#3MAura: ok if I don’t talk much

New #mask

TREND Air Stealth Lite Pro.

#N99 #elastomeric

#CovidIsNotOver

If you're in Canada and use a Dentec #elastomeric #respirator, here's heckuva deal on P100 cartridges

https://surplusbydesign.com/collections/work-essentials/products/dentec-safety-niosh-p100-low-profile-cartridges-19-pieces

#MaskUp #P100

The new pharmacy assistant gave me lip today at my local pharmacy because of my #elastomeric

I told him. "Well, it ain't coming off".

I have been dealing with this pharmacy for literally years. Never an issue before.

I plan to call the pharmacist owner to complain.

@currentbias My issue with source controlled #elastomeric is moisture buildup. I own several.

I have come up with some hacks to control condensation using very thin inserts of absorbent material.

But the real answer from my perspective was to change to valved #elastomeric

My view is I am defensively protecting myself now in one way masking environment. I need maximum protection for maximum time. I need to be comfortable for the time.

The speech diaphragm is a super nice feature.

@westernspinster @joeyfox has stated before a #HEPA directly next to the face can help but isn’t practical to hold hence the #PureEnrichment #hack

there’s zero chance i’d do this w/out a #wearADamnRespirator but it does seem to buy more time as unless you’re wearing an #elastomeric there is very limited time w/ #R0 as high as #whatever it is

also it acts as a little fan which is pleasant; most people don’t even notice it or think it’s some fashion accessory 😂🤣🖤

Let’s Talk About #Elastomeric Masks - Pandemic Enclave https://pandemicenclave.org/lets-talk-about-elastomeric-masks/
>Elastomeric masks with #P100 filters provide durable, affordable, and extremely effective protection from #COVID and other airborne pathogens - give them a try!

Q. What was the origin of the #pandemic?

A. The origin of the pandemic was:
- governments and medical professionals lying to the public about how Covid spread (#CovidIsAirborne by #aerosols) - - and refusing to tell anyone how to protect themselves (#N95, #N99, #P100, #P3 #elastomeric #respirator #masks, #HEPA filters, #CleanTheAir)
- and talking nonsense about handwashing instead

The origin of the virus is irrelevant.

HEPA filters and P100 respirator masks would have prevented the PANDEMIC.

What #mask are you currently wearing? Anyone here that wears #ElastomericRespirators and #eyeprotection? #maskers #nasked #masks #maskup #masking #CovidIsNotEndemic #covidIsNotAFlu #CovidIsNotNormal #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsStillKilling #covidisntover #BringBackGoodMasks #bringbackmasks #elastomeric #p100 #can99 #n95 #3m #vitacore #wearTheRespirator #weargoggles #wearamaskoutside

Remind to #elastomeric wearers that exhalation filter accessories can be purchased from Etsy.

We got ours from here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1268637045/

If you have spare N95s or filter refills, you can cut them to fit into the valve ☺️

@ZeroCovidColin @trendless
Also I wear it with a mask; it’s only 97% which would have been fine before July 2022 BA.5 up to a finite time limit. It’s basically an enclosed #HEPA filter & hard to hear. I prefer wearing😷anyways so I can have resting disdain face;)

#elastomeric is still safer by far

bought it only to sleep in when he was exposed via his mom. He used to be able to fight off getting fully sick & hope #Novavax brings him back to that point.. #TyphoidMary

It will end someday..?

@graydon
💯
My spouse is a conformist (the other day he said he’d start wearing a top I designed that I joked would fit him, after everyone else did was ridiculed/took the first hit & then he’d do it)

Compromise has been to hold that #HEPA practically into my eyeballs & 🤞🏼🤞🏼it works

Having had close calls catching this nearly a 3rd time, know it’s possible to fight off infection IF the viral exposure is low enough

Def not ideal whatsoever tho & #elastomeric is peace of mind

@ZeroCovidColin
tbh I’m not certain that is true..

Granted these are rough estimates, but it really depends on the gap & where it is?

I’d like to see an experiment but in my head, I’m imagining that tiny gap being a direct stream route for the virus…

N99 is better, #elastomeric even better. I’d love to wear my #microclimateAir2 + mask everywhere, but it causes a LOT of #socialFriction so limit my use…

he has 👁️👁️ & I think yesterday’s jaunt out in clearly #Covid filled spaces got him back on board

I get sick VERY easily, so as long as this week goes by with #NoCovid think I can put this myth to rest #wearADamnMask

Still can’t find that 1940’s study but apparently 20 layers of muslin cotton will work too..prob is you can’t breathe

But FIT is EVERYTHING #OSHA #elastomeric #n95

My first patternmaking prof told us you can use crappiest fabric but fit is what makes the garment great; tailored🖤

I went out for the first time today wearing my #elastomeric P100 mask. I wore it with Stoggles, and I felt pretty invincible. I took the elevator in my apartment building, didn't stress about all the unmasked people in the lobby, and felt relaxed in a way I haven't in a very long time.

Why did I wait so long to get an elastomeric?

#Covid #pandemic #CovidIsNotOver #WearAMask #BringBackMasks

#Elastomeric #P100 #Respirator reviews from Michael Hicks:

Dentec Comfort-Air, Honeywell North 7700 and HM-501T, and MSA Advantage 900.

https://youtu.be/wC2nQeGmT9I

#WearARespirator #RespiratorsWork

@tunguska

thanks for the rec! just ordered this, plus the P100 clip-in filters. excited to try this out! based on their size-chart, think I'll need Medium, which (weirdly) has a diff item number on 3M website, medium is HF-802SD. I currently wear N95 (3M Aura 9210) but realizing need to 'step up my game' as they say.

thanks again!

😷 💕✌️

#Elastomeric #MaskUp #CovidIsAirborne

@garidin
Getting a good #respirator is all about finding one that fits well & thus seals well. Seal is absolutely critical. Expect to try a couple before you settle on one b/c your face shape is unique.

#Elastomeric respirators often seal better than disposables & have replaceable filters for lower cost.

You can get n95 elastomerics like Envomask, Flo, Breathe or Dentec.

P100s are made by 3M, GVS, Moldex, MSA, Dentec, Honeywell.

A long NIOSH list:
https://www2a.cdc.gov/drds/cel/cel_results.asp?startrecord=1&Search=cel_form&maxrecords=50&producttype=aptype_2&contaminant=32&appdatefrom=&appdateto=&facepiecetype=Half+Mask&powered=&scbatype=&scbause=&privatelabel=