Community Chat

[Venezia]

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@LTT1 wrote:

I remember when the pandemic was new and hospitals (such as in NYC) were full and masks were in short supply, medical personnel in ER's were sterilizing their used masks in ovens? 

Do you remember this and how they did it?

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@LTT1 - Medical personnel were likely putting the masks into an autoclave to sterilize them and prolong use, when N95s were in very short supply.  Also, they have to be personally fitted for medical staff.

An autoclave uses steam under pressure to sterilize items.

[SilleeMee]

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@Venezia wrote:

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@LTT1 wrote:

I remember when the pandemic was new and hospitals (such as in NYC) were full and masks were in short supply, medical personnel in ER's were sterilizing their used masks in ovens? 

Do you remember this and how they did it?

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@LTT1 - Medical personnel were likely putting the masks into an autoclave to sterilize them and prolong use, when N95s were in very short supply.  Also, they have to be personally fitted for medical staff.

An autoclave uses steam under pressure to sterilize items.

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@Venezia 

Autoclaving would have destroyed the masks. What they were using to disinfect their masks were ovens, hospital blanket warmers to be exact.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7161499/

[Lucky Charm]

Initially we wore the (unopened) N95s we had from when we were building our house.  They didn't have the forbidden filter that we were told was infecting everyone around us and only protecting ourselves.

That's what was recommended in the beginning of all this.  These were the true blue N95s before fakes started infiltrating the country.....

But after several uses, and even after spraying with alcohol, wiping with bleach or Lysol wipes, didn't seem they were still viable.  Yeah, I did do those crazy things. 

So the KN95s came on the scene, swore I remember reading they were *okay* to wear to protect *us* for *them and *them* from *us*.

So, I've been wearing the KN95 with a blue surgical mask on top.  I wear the KN95s until I feel I need to change.  The blue surgicals get tossed more frequently because I do touch that to adjust both masks.

Just check my newest supply of KN95s and they do not have the NIOSH approval stamp.  Probably the huge supply I've already gone through wasn't approved, either.

My main concern when purchasing was that they were *Made in USA*.  So much for that.....

Trying to track down NIOSH approved masks will be fun.  And you need a new one for each day?  Am I getting that right?  

[Venezia]

@SilleeMee - Thanks for that information.  I know when I worked in a research lab (years ago) we used autoclaves to sterilize equipment.  But thinking about it, I can see that what you're saying makes sense.

Okay, everyone, get your blanket warmers out!!!    (Or...take your N95 to bed with you?)

[hckynutjohn]

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@Pink123 wrote:

Oh and my oxygen levels are usually 99 or so but when I went to the Doctor last week I had a mask on and it was 94.

@Pink123 

Oximeter measures the % of Oxygen in your blood. My normal is 95-98%. Were I to put a pillow over my face and wait 30 seconds to a minute to measure my Oxygen Saturation Percentage?  I can assure you it would not fall in my normal % range, far from it!

And also, eh, never mind.

hckynut(john) 🥅🏒

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[sometimesQVCaddict]

I purchased wwdoll brand on the big A. KN95. Very highly recommend. Per my doctor recommendation was told can wear up to 14 hrs each in total before replacing. If not wearing 14 hrs concurrently 😁 than put in a paper bag between wearing. Give or take and everyone has their own preferences in brands.

[LTT1]

@cactusgal 

Thanks for the heads up!

[LTT1]

@Meowingkitty 

It takes, what, three days for the COVID virus to become inactive?

[Wsmom]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

Just check my newest supply of KN95s and they do not have the NIOSH approval stamp.  Probably the huge supply I've already gone through wasn't approved, either.

My main concern when purchasing was that they were *Made in USA*.  So much for that.....

Trying to track down NIOSH approved masks will be fun.  And you need a new one for each day?  Am I getting that right?  

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@Lucky Charm , have no fear.  I have read this on a number of different spots:

"There is one specific thing for individuals to keep in mind if they are shopping for a KN95 mask. If that mask bears the “NIOSH” marking, then it is not legitimate, because the institute does not approve KN95 masks, or any other masks that are designed to adhere to international standards."

[haddon9]

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@Catch71 wrote:

@haddon9 

I grew up in Cherry Hill and spent a lot of time at that mall.  We even had our junior prom in that tropical area in front of Strawbridges!  Moved from there in 1973 and haven't been back since. Would be fun to visit now! I also loved Haddonfield and had an aunt in Haddon Heights.

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@Catch71 I grew up in Cherry Hill as well....went to Cherry Hill West & graduated in 1972.  I was in the area about 7 years ago and almost didn't recognize the Ellisburg circle area....it had been a busy area before but it looked like a city to me now!

I also loved Haddonfield and when DH and I were first married we lived in the Haddon Heights area.  (my nic is Haddon ).  We're now in Bucks Co., PA which is not terribly far but I have no reason to really go back except out of curiosity.