# Where are all these people getting masks? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 31, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709 "2020-03-31T00:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/41 "2020-03-31T19:44:18Z")
A lot of the studies are testing improvised masks compared to medical masks, but that’s in an environment where medical masks would be an option. But what about when there are no medical masks available? That’s the situation we are in now. It’s no surprise that a medical mask is better than a t-shirt, but if the only thing available is a t-shirt, should we all be using it as an improvised mask? That is, which is a better way to slow Covid-19 spread in general society: - No one wears a mask - Everyone wears an improvised mask The best option “Everyone wears a N95 mask properly” is not a realistic option at this time. There aren’t enough masks and society has a lot of people who won’t follow the best mask procedures. So if the government said anyone in public has to have a face covering of some sort, what would be the net effect of that? I personally think the positive benefit of reducing the expelling of virus from the mask would overall lead to slower infection rates compared to no one wearing masks at all, and that’s including the people who use the mask improperly and end up getting infected from their mask. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/42 "2020-03-31T19:54:40Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > You can belittle my post as “dangerous nonsense” and believe “the media” is disseminating nonsense, but if you want to argue with the experts reporting that masks are not only ineffective but _dangerous_, you’re going to need to cite your own superior credentials. > > [Here’s a study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420971/) from 2015 involving 1600 healthcare workers. > > Now let’s[hear from](https://thewirecutter.com/blog/your-coronavirus-questions-answered/)a professor of epidemiology at the U. of Iowa: > > And [this:](https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/01/29/800531753/face-masks-what-doctors-say-about-their-role-in-containing-coronavirus) > > tl;dr: masks not only let in viruses, but they may actually be dangerous because of the risk of contamination. I have no reason to doubt any of your cites, but none of them address what I understand to be the primary benefit of ubiquitous mask usage: it’s not to protect the wearer, it’s to protect everyone else from the wearer. And given the prevalence of asymptomatic transmission, we should absolutely be doing this, assuming sufficient masks. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/43 "2020-03-31T21:01:56Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > You can belittle my post as “dangerous nonsense” and believe “the media” is disseminating nonsense, but if you want to argue with the experts reporting that masks are not only ineffective but _dangerous_, you’re going to need to cite your own superior credentials. > > [Here’s a study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420971/) from 2015 involving 1600 healthcare workers. > > Now let’s[hear from](https://thewirecutter.com/blog/your-coronavirus-questions-answered/)a professor of epidemiology at the U. of Iowa: > > And [this:](https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/01/29/800531753/face-masks-what-doctors-say-about-their-role-in-containing-coronavirus) > > tl;dr: masks not only let in viruses, but they may actually be dangerous because of the risk of contamination. I think you need to go back and re-read the study, which includes masks that are reused. For the record, experts aren’t saying that wearing masks is safe to do in the absence of other measures or that they are guaranteed to protect people against infection. It’s a mitigation measure. It reduces the chances of spreading from person to person. It’s a physical barrier. What it means is that if someone with COVID sneezes in a room full of people, ubiquitous wearing of masks reduces the number of vectors. Masks don’t stop the spread, but there’s growing evidence that they help slow it. Again, when dealing with pandemics, it’s a numbers game, math, reducing vectors. Masks absolutely help do that, and the advice against it is dumb, particularly when there is not a very good understanding of what “social distance” means (hint: it’s scientifically confirmed to be actually greater than 6 feet). ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/44 "2020-03-31T21:06:48Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > I personally think the positive benefit of reducing the expelling of virus from the mask would overall lead to slower infection rates compared to no one wearing masks at all, and that’s including the people who use the mask improperly and end up getting infected from their mask. Yes, and I’ll add two things: The problem with wearing masks is over-consumption and hoarding of medical-grade masks, which is absolutely something we _don’t_ want - the health agencies are right to discourage that practice. But it’s just plain common sense that putting a physical barrier over the mouth reduces the number of droplets that escape from an infected person’s mouth. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/45 "2020-04-01T01:03:27Z")
> [@Squink;](#): > > Lot of Bay area, San Fran-San Jose, have left over smoke masks from the big drought fires. That’s where my tiny stash is from. So is there any difference in filtering ability among N95 masks? The ones I have are labeled as for drywall sanding dust, but I have no idea if that’s a real distinction or just “badge engineering” ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/46 "2020-04-01T01:35:03Z")
If we had a requirement for everyone to wear a mask when out it would reduce transmission. However if only one or two people in ten wear them you lose the benefit of masking everyone which is to reduce asymptomatic transmission. Again, do not assume that wearing an N 95 mask incorrectly provides more protection. We have all seen the pictures of health care workers with bruising and open sores from tight fitting masks they wear for hours at a time. We need to get the N 95s to the front line workers who are putting their lives at risk. We would not send soldiers into battle without helmets then waste energy discussing whether the average person should keep a couple of military helmets on hand in case of an air strike. We need to allocate the PPE where it is most needed. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/47 "2020-04-01T22:47:50Z")
In the interest of us all covering our faces when we go out, I thought I’d share [this link](http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie) on how to make a DIY facemask with no sewing required. Just a handkerchief/bandanna/napkin and some elastic bands. It ends up folded over several times and takes like 1 minute to assemble. I can’t vouch for effectiveness compared to other masks, but it’s almost certainly better than nothing. If you want to wear a mask and don’t have one, make one of these! ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/48 "2020-04-02T22:55:48Z")
I ended up using this method: [How to Make a Dust Mask out of a Tee Shirt - YouTube](https://youtu.be/pJaVBt8q6g8) I quickly figured out why this wasn’t recommended earlier. I touched a few items at Walgreens, and instinctively tried to adjust the mask, touching my face a few times. I feel really dumb about it, considering that I’ve never touched my face with a dirty hand in over 15 years. In fact, during my commute to NY (and in the subway) I only hold handles, open doors, etc. with my left hand. This way, the right hand is always clean if I need to touch my face for any reason. And then today, because of the damn mask. SMH ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/49 "2020-04-02T23:18:02Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I ended up using this method: [https://youtu.be/pJaVBt8q6g8](https://youtu.be/pJaVBt8q6g8) One concern I have for those tight-fitting masks is that I don’t think they would really slow down the air all that much. With the person’s mouth and nose directly against the fabric, I would think the air is going to be exhaled powerfully from the mask and travel almost as far as it would without the mask. I would also think that any virus which happened to touch the outside of the mask in the are of the nose and mouth would be breathed in powerfully and be more likely to cross over to the inside of the mask. I would think it would be better for an improvised mask to be tight along the edges, but baggy around the mouth and nose. This would mean the air leaving the mask would be diffused among a wide area of the mask and be much slower as it left the mask. Also, any virus on the outside of the mask would not be sucked in with high force. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/50 "2020-04-03T00:26:23Z")
I’m also pretty sure wearing a turtleneck pulled up over your face like the main character in _The Man Who Laughs_ is not going to keep you safe, guy who passed me when I was walking my dog today. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/51 "2020-04-03T00:37:44Z")
I’ll have to pull out my [Stetson](https://www.etsy.com/listing/755644614/bolero-hat-the-mojave-bone-vaquero-crown?ref=pla_similar_listing_top-1&frs=1). Then I can wear a bandana over my face. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/52 "2020-04-03T00:42:59Z")
Most farmers have some N95’s around for doing dusty jobs. (Some also have more drastic equipment around for applying chemicals; but some chemicals can also be applied with just an N95.) Even when the material’s both natural and non-toxic, breathing dust isn’t great for one’s lungs. As many others have mentioned, anyone doing dusty work of other sorts, including hobbies, may well have a partial box of N95’s. Do health care places generally want masks that have been hanging around in opened boxes? ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/53 "2020-04-06T15:12:39Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I’m also pretty sure wearing a turtleneck pulled up over your face like the main character in _The Man Who Laughs_ is not going to keep you safe, guy who passed me when I was walking my dog today. The point of covering ones mouth with something other than an N95 mask is not to keep oneself safe; it is to keep others safe. _Any_ mouth covering reduces the magnitude and range of virus-laden droplets one might exhale. One slogan I’ve heard for this is “My mask keeps you safe. Your mask keeps me safe.” Let’s all wear masks. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/54 "2020-04-07T12:23:33Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > The point of covering ones mouth with something other than an N95 mask is not to keep oneself safe; it is to keep others safe. And I have realized that my small stock of N95’s is useless for this purpose, either for me or for donations. Mine all have exhale valves: exactly what you want if using them for a dusty job in hot weather while wearing glasses, both because it’s easier to breathe and because your glasses don’t fog up; but exactly what you don’t want if trying to protect other people from your own breath. The outgoing breath not only isn’t filtered; it’s concentrated through the valve, so it probably carries further. I may rig an old filter holder with some other material over the opening – the holder would keep the fabric away from my nose and mouth, and provide a better edge seal. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/55 "2020-04-07T12:38:32Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > We have 3 of us here, and I have 3 N95 masks from some sheetrock work left over from a project, I also have 3 R-95 masks which meets the same standards of a N-95 mask does plus would work with atomized oil in the air, it also contains a activated charcoal layer. I got those as part of my living near a nuclear power plant bug out kit IDK if they would work for that but it ain’t going to hurt. So far I have not had to use those as intended. My SO has 2 unused doctor’s office waiting room masks she got from a visit last year. > > That’s our stash. Updating: We found 1 additional mask, plus as a firefighter we were finally issued a single mask each, and each 2 oz of hand sanitizer - that’s it. We are also not able to get tested. That’s the support we are getting one mask per firefighter. We are in a state Trump is trying to screw over, so we are expecting heavy casualties due to this. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709/56 "2020-04-08T04:08:00Z")
I’m shaved now so I can wear masks. MrsRico dug up a very few dust-filter masks. I set to wear one into a nearly vacant auto parts store the other day. I carefully looped rubber straps over my ears, fitted it in place, exhaled, and immediately fogged my glasses. I removed glasses and entered the store to conduct fast no-contact business. My every exhalation oozed out the mask’s edges. I rather doubt it offered the clerk much protection. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-these-people-getting-masks/850709.md?page=2)