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brainwaneI've been working on this for weeks? months? I finally published a giant blog post on how I reduce my risk of catching COVID. Includes:
- Air quality and ventilation: Specifics on the Aranet 4 carbon dioxide monitor, including a coupon.
- Masking: Some N95, N99, and P100 respirators you may not have heard of, with links to purchase.
- Self-testing (antigen and NAAT/molecular) and PCR: Links for some amazing sale prices on rapid tests, including more-accurate molecular tests.
- Nasal spray: Enovid, the wackiest thing in my post. I assure you that I have not turned into, like, an ivermectin user.
- Staying apprised: A new wastewaster data site.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 07:24 am (UTC):-)
Date: 2023-06-21 03:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 12:18 pm (UTC)<3 <3
Date: 2023-06-21 03:34 pm (UTC)And I'm glad my writeup could be of help, at all.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 02:09 pm (UTC)You're welcome!
Date: 2023-06-21 03:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 02:59 pm (UTC):-)
Date: 2023-06-21 03:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 03:00 pm (UTC)The source for this assertion is quite likely this NIOSH study: Filtering Facepiece Respirators with an Exhalation Valve, if you would like a reputable citeable source.
Thank you!
Date: 2023-06-21 03:25 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 03:42 pm (UTC)Some studies demonstrated similar prophylaxis effects from iota-carageenan nasal spray; I have not gotten any to use as an Enovid substitute but am thinking about it.
Thanks!
Date: 2023-06-21 03:38 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 05:13 pm (UTC)Enovid!
Date: 2023-06-21 03:39 pm (UTC)Re: Enovid!
Date: 2023-06-21 03:48 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-16 10:19 pm (UTC)Good news for your friend is I'm pretty sure this is just a rebranded GVS Eclipse. That might make finding filters easier. Also, GVS Eclipse has a source control version that blocks the exhalation vent and has everything going through the filters. I've heard people warn that they don't like the GVS Eclipse's vulnerability to damaging the filter cartridge while cleaning, but I still love mine, the elastic is so sturdy and the profile fairly slim. The downside is the muffling. And since it wasn't really designed to be source controlled it does get swampy fast if I'm using the source controlled version. Another hot tip I have for the GVS Eclipse is that you can use webbing ending clips to make the appearance of the elastic ends a lot less scraggly. I've used the vented GVS Eclipse as a daily driver for a lot of this year, due to its comfort and compact size and the security of fit on my particular face.
My favorite source controlled elastomeric is the MSA Advantage 900: it's got a lovely chin cupping facepiece and a speaking diaphragm. (Just look at what a good job it does for audio legibility!) The light blue is a cheerful color. The strap hooking mechanism is not as fiddly as a lot of others. Warning: apparently using this or other source controlled respirators in freezing conditions without a hydrophobic filter runs the risk of having frozen condensation start blocking airflow, I heard somebody recount that happening to them once. I use these filters for it which are splash proof so I never have to worry about the rain, I also think aesthetically the cartridge like appearance helps with
If you want a bump up in features for the 3M you have, I can suggest the 3M SecureClick HF-801SD. It's pretty much the Cadillac of half face elastomerics: there's a DEDICATED BUTTON to check the negative pressure seal and it also has a speaking diaphragm. Alas, it doesn't seem to have an attachable source control filter, but looking over mine I don't think it would be too hard to jam a piece cut from surgical filter over the exhalation valve and have it stay based on the way the front clips on to the body. I use these filters for it.
The smallest reuseable respirator I know about is the Envomask, which is so compact you can probably fit it under a surgical and not be noticeable, which is great for times you need casual stealth. You can use it vented or unvented, but it's gonna get swampy pretty fast if not vented. Downsides are the filter isn't pleated so breathability is not as easy as with a proper elastomeric and it's only N95. Also I dislike the headstrap and replaced it with a spare head harness assembly for a 3M 6500. They came out with a new model recently, too, that's a big bigger and has an exhalation valve built into the N99 versions; it's my partner's new go to.
I've got a Flomask recently but it's...so comfortable and lightweight I don't trust it. Is that weird to say? I think there's a seal, because I can see the filter suck in and out but...I need to do a qualitative fit test on it before I'll relax I think. I also got the kid version for somebody in our household with a very, very tiny face even though it's not the greatest at quantitative filtering according Twitter!FitTestMyPlanet. And I'll probably try ordering some XS Trident disposables soon for them based on this advice.
May I ask you to leave this as a comment on the main post?
Date: 2023-06-21 03:41 pm (UTC)Also some folks on Mastodon are seeking legit transparent masks with good filtration and perhaps you could answer that question as well? (In a blog comment or on Mastodon?)
Re: May I ask you to leave this as a comment on the main post?
Date: 2023-06-22 12:09 am (UTC)Re: legit transparent masks, I don't have much experience in this arena, though I've seen a few things here and there like this. I think the problem with those is always gonna be breathability, because you're giving up filtration area for the visible area, and rarely is it compensated by say, pleats elsewhere. And you gotta figure out how to counteract the fogging. My kingdom for an innovative manufacturer of consumer based elastomerics! So unfortunately I think if somebody wants true protection AND face visibility, you're gonna have to end up with a PAPR system like this or something like this, but they are so so expensive as you can see, and they do have the limitations of battery time and the noise made by the fan, and I'm not sure how audible it would be, though I feel like one SHOULD be able to rig up a bluetooth mic/speaker situation with a bit of creativity.
Sorry for replying here instead of on Mastodon on that topic, I just...popping up with "well I don't ACTUALLY know but here's the opinions in my head" when I know Mastodon has a lot of problems with people doing that to others from what I hear...but commenting here is nice and easy and we at least have a history of interaction so I'm not just some rando giving advice I don't really have but two people having a conversation.
Re: May I ask you to leave this as a comment on the main post?
Date: 2023-06-28 11:10 pm (UTC)I linked to this Dreamwidth thread in the comments of the main blog post so future readers have a chance to read your respirator advice.
Re: May I ask you to leave this as a comment on the main post?
Date: 2023-06-26 11:12 pm (UTC)I don't have the resources to check their bona fides, but I've been using the Optrel P. Air Clear a bunch for the past six months, and broadly like them. Claims to be N95 certified. Not the largest clear window, but it's not bad (a lot of folks who are hard of hearing have specifically thanked me), and I find breathability decent. Some fogging depending on air temp and such, but not usually terrible. Disposable, but comfortable enough for a full day, and not stupidly expensive, although not cheap.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-17 03:44 am (UTC)You're welcome!
Date: 2023-06-21 03:39 pm (UTC)Service Journalism At Its Finest
Date: 2023-06-21 03:59 pm (UTC)I appreciate all the info -- I'm gonna add a CO2 detector to my life.
Re: Service Journalism At Its Finest
Date: 2023-06-21 07:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2023-06-23 09:01 pm (UTC)I was interested to read about the Enovid. We make a point of using a neti pot to perform nasal irrigation with saline as part of our decontamination after being exposed to crowded places (like medical offices or the grocery store) after reading about it being demonstrated to reduce infection severity (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2768627 and https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01455613221123737). We do this even when we've worn a good mask because there's always the chance we've had a leak, especially if we'd had to undress or, as when seeing a dermatologist, I've had to hold my breath and remove my mask for facial exam.
I note that you don't mention how you handle your used masks to avoid introducing viruses from the outside of the mask into your living space. I realize that the literature on viral survival on surfaces basically gave up early in the pandemic when no one could agree on what to test for, but the notion that a virus is magically rendered inert when touching any surface other than the nasal mucus membranes is simply ridiculous. Putting an outside-contaminated mask into, for example, a plastic bag or container just provides, as it moves around, an opportunity for the virus to move to the inside surface and there to be available to inhale. It makes me crazy to not have credible data on how long this might be possible. Absent useful data, we keep a set of big yogurt tubs with holes drilled in them (so the moisture can dry out) and a used mask goes into one to be aged a week or two before being reused. I generally have a set of about four I cycle through, but we add more to the rotation if we've had to be out a lot. And then, after handling a used mask, wash our hands thoroughly without touching anything in between.
Finally, I find it useful to focus on air exchange rather than the simple "outdoors." We have a bike trail near my house that goes through the woods along a creek bottom where there is never a breeze, especially in winter. It's very heavily used by runners and bicycles, and I question how much virus-laden air turnover is really happening there. I don't have a CO2 monitor, which could help answer that question, of course, so I simply mask up, even if outdoors, if I don't feel the air is moving enough to provide rapid viral dilution.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-07-02 01:24 am (UTC)