topic Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks? in Wellness

Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

patbz — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:26:59 GMT

Just a theoretical question: are there any alternatives to N95 masks? As an exqmple, could a person take a cotton bandana, fold it in thirds and make a pocket to put in a charcoal filter? Just wondering because if/when virus hits USA as a pandemic, you know there is going to be a critical shortage of masks.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

chrystaltree — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:29:27 GMT

Now you are just being silly.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

ahoymate — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:31:01 GMT

Of course NOT! Even with the N95 masks, they only last a day!!!!!! They need replaced daily to work.

People use all kinds of things, some knowing they are not working but use to keep thinking they are helping.

FYI......Google is your friend.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

CherryHugs — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:31:06 GMT

This article says yes there are a few:

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/health/medical/4-effective-alternatives-if-you-dont-have-an-n95-mask/ar-BBYXcJy

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

CherryHugs — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:34:09 GMT

You can order the N95 on / amazon, saw some this morning.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

phoenixbrd — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:38:42 GMT

@CherryHugs I read the article you suggested. I appreciate your attempt to solve and google effort to answer question. However, the suggested alternatives do not seem any where near as effective as the N95 mask (i.e. a wet bandanna, 2 surgical masks). The surgical mask is not effective. Hopefully, work is underway to come up with something at least as effective as the N95 and, yet, more practical.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

ahoymate — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:42:43 GMT

Talk with you MD! They are the experts. Specfically a pulmonologist.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

CherryHugs — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:47:40 GMT

@phoenixbrd Well you are right Im sure Was only thinking just a temp thing for a short time if you didnt have the right mask tho??

I used to have an N95 mask and hope i can find it just in case/ Praying we do NOT have a massive outbreak in the USA!!

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

I am still oxox — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:06:50 GMT

Are you infected if not you do not need a mask. They preccent infecton from spreading not from getting it

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

KingstonsMom — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:32:02 GMT

Luckily I stocked up on the N95 recommended by the CDC, I bought a case.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

Carmie — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:17:04 GMT

If you want to be prepared. Stock up on food, water, RX drugs and other essentials for your family and pets. You should always have a two week supply at the ready at all times to survive in your home and a kit available if you have to evacuate.

You never know when any type of emergency will happen. A mask will not help you if there is no food available for purchase or you can't go out.

I don't understand the panic going on with the masks. It could become a pandamic..which means worldwide....just like the common cold, but we aren't even close to that yet. This is not the Black Plague.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

patbz — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:29:35 GMT

@Carmie : Per today's Washington Post, we are very close to a pandemic (which just means it is very widespread, not necessarily deadly.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

sidsmom — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:54:13 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
I don't understand the panic going on with the masks. It could become a pandamic..which means worldwide....just like the common cold, but we aren't even close to that yet. This is not the Black Plague.

@Carmie

I'm in agreement.

I have a feeling the 'Prepper' community is making a lot of cash

off of this. Won't be long before 50-Gallon buckets of Mac-n-Cheese

will be sold in prominent places. And I suspect many businesses

are taking advantage of people by this unwarranted 'scare'.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

CherryHugs — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:59:11 GMT

Walmart site still has the N95 available. Some are sold out but not all of them.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

SilleeMee — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:13:09 GMT

Even if you do get infected with the cornonavirus, chances are you'll live. Mortality rate is low, about 2%. I'm more concerned about getting sick from the flu....more people die from that, by far.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

patbz — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:17:15 GMT

@sidsmom : Funny you should mention 50 gallon containers in prominent places. DH and I were talking about buying those 50 gallon drums at our local Walmart; our region of Arizona has many preppers as well as other groups that believe in keeping huge stockpiles of essentials. Just kidding, extreme stockpiling isn't our style!

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

Carmie — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:16:51 GMT

@sidsmom The coronavirus is the scare of the moment. The flu which is more likely, has taken a back seat along with shingles.

In the mean time, I noticed that JimmyJohn's was selling sandwiches with salmonella laced veggies and didn't stop when told to. good grief. It's amazing we are alive.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

Q4u — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:49:56 GMT

It really isn't the Coronavirus that makes me nervous, it's the stopping/interrupting of the supply chains. We won't know how this will work until we need it to work....

And it's been explained many times that these masks out there are to stop you from passing the virus to others, not the other way around.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

ValuSkr — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:55:37 GMT

You could wear a scarf, like the Queen. But over your nose and mouth.

Re: Are there any makeshift alternatives to masks?

Mindy D — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 21:16:41 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Even if you do get infected with the cornonavirus, chances are you'll live. Mortality rate is low, about 2%. I'm more concerned about getting sick from the flu....more people die from that, by far.

I could be wrong, but so far this year, the US mortality rate from this years flu is.05%. Much lower than COV-19, so far. Of course these figures are only representing a partial analysis.