Dust masks in short supply?

[Bill Dufour]

I had my teeth cleaned last week and got to talking with the hygienist. She said they had to buy more of those disposable dust masks they wear. They could not buy the normal amount they normally buy. They had to buy almost a pallet full.
I hear 3m stock is going up with the corona virus since they make the masks and the disposable gowns for health care. I also heard I-phone production is down in china as the factory switched to mask production.
Bill D.

[glenn bradley]

Humans are a silly lot. All this despite empirical data that tells us masks are not the answer :rolleyes:

[Ted Calver]

My Lowe's was all out of dust masks yesterday.

[Gary Ragatz]

If the masks are in short supply, it seems odd that the dentist could buy almost a pallet full - I'd expect that they would not be able to get all that they wanted/needed.

3M stock rose last week (except for Friday), but mostly just mirrored the broader market. Since the first of this year, 3M stock has substantially under-performed relative to the S&P 500. While the S&P is right near an all-time record high, 3M is down about 10% since January 1.

[John K Jordan]

I heard part of a news report of 9000 to 10000 people waiting in line to buy masks. I didn’t catch where.

[Patrick Walsh]

Modesto silly..


I heard part of a news report of 9000 to 10000 people waiting in line to buy masks. I didn’t catch where.

[mike stenson]

I was lucky to be able to buy some almost two weeks ago. All that was left then was 2 three-packs

[Tom Bender]

Sounds like the read and milk syndrome.

[Rod Sheridan]

Humans are a silly lot. All this despite empirical data that tells us masks are not the answer :rolleyes:

Exactly, if you have the virus, wear a mask.

If you don’t, wash your hands frequently and don’t wear a mask.

Us civilians don’t know how to fit or use a mask......Rod

[Tom M King]

Just makes a good excuse to buy a real respirator.

[Bill Dufour]

Does a hepa filter stop corona virus? I have one of those belt worn supplied helmet types. I am pretty sure it is hepa.
Bil lD.

[Richard Coers]

I read one where the America members of a Chinese family were buying Chinese made masks in America and shipping them back to family members living in China. My wife is in a travel club of gals. I always teased her about Norovirus and stomach distress spreading on cruises, this one sure takes that up a notch.

[Matthew Hills]

Am waiting to see someone on the local bus wearing the trend airshield...

(I would think the mask would still help a bit, but just like dust... best to capture at the source)

Matt

[roger wiegand]

It turns out that masks are pretty effective at reducing disease transmission, but not for the reasons that people tend to think. The primary effect is that they keep you from putting your hands in your mouth, interrupting a primary infection route. For the rare airborne virus (Covid-19 transmits poorly, if at all, by aerosol, as far as I've heard), a properly fitted mask can be useful, but the hand-to-mouth/nose/eyes route is way more common, and easily blocked by any sort of mask, so no worries about proper fitting.

[mike stenson]

Am waiting to see someone on the local bus wearing the trend airshield...

(I would think the mask would still help a bit, but just like dust... best to capture at the source)

Matt

That’s why you should wear a mask when you are sick.

[Doug Dawson]

Does a hepa filter stop corona virus? I have one of those belt worn supplied helmet types. I am pretty sure it is hepa.


Viruses don't fly thru the air with the greatest of ease, they get carried on droplets (just like a trapeze.) So any mask that blocks droplets or mist should do the trick.

[mike stenson]

Viruses don't fly thru the air with the greatest of ease, they get carried on droplets (just like a trapeze.) So any mask that blocks droplets or mist should do the trick.

Well, only if worn by those already sick. You'd be surprised how many times you subconsciously touch your face throughout the day.

[Doug Dawson]

Well, only if worn by those already sick. You'd be surprised how many times you subconsciously touch your face throughout the day.

It's a 2-way street. In the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1919-20, they proved that a primary means of transmission was to have a sick person cough or sneeze in the direction of a well person. The well person would then get sick. The airborne droplets carried it. With the coronavirus (which has nothing to do with beer, even though a trending google search a while ago was "corona beer virus") you don't know you're sick for a week or more, during which time you're a carrier.

[mike stenson]

It's a 2-way street. In the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1919-20, they proved that a primary means of transmission was to have a sick person cough or sneeze in the direction of a well person. The well person would then get sick. The airborne droplets carried it. With the coronavirus (which has nothing to do with beer, even though a trending google search a while ago was "corona beer virus") you don't know you're sick for a week or more, during which time you're a carrier.

Yep, but it's still much better than KNOWING you're sick and continuing to cough and sneeze all over everything without regard to those around you.

FWIW, since it's also been mentioned.. I was buying dust mask because we're doing a lot of work that includes digging. So those masks were bought primarily to reduce exposure to fungal spores (valley fever really isn't pleasant).