Stolen from another post written by an epidemiologist.

Stolen from another post written by an epidemiologist.  

 

And not to be snarky, but this is for all the folks that are compelled to give me the stink eye when I don’t wear a mask. 

Masks? 

I have my OSHA 500,501,511, and 512 training, I know some of you do too. 

I don’t know why OSHA hasn’t come forward and stopped the nonsense. BUT I want to cover 3 things;

• N95 masks and masks with exhale ports

• surgical masks

• filter or cloth masks

Upon further investigation OSHA says some masks are okay, and not okay depending on the situation.

If you’re working with fumes and aerosol chemicals and you give your employees the wrong masks and they get sick you can be sued.

• N95 masks: are designed for CONTAMINATED environments. That means when you exhale through N95 the design is that you are exhaling into contamination. The exhale from N95 masks are vented to breath straight out without filtration. They don’t filter the air on the way out. They don’t need to.

Conclusion: if you’re in a store and the guy with Covid 19 has an N95 mask his covid 19 infected breath is unfiltered, and being exhaled into the store (because it was designed for already contaminated environments, it’s not filtering your air on the way out)

• Surgical Mask: these masks were designed and approved for STERILE environments. The amount of particles and contaminants in the outside and indoor environments where people are CLOGGING these masks very, very quickly. The moisture from your breath combined with the clogged mask will render it “useless” IF you come in contact with Covid 19, and your mask traps it you become a walking virus dispenser. Every time you put your mask on you are breathing the germs from EVERYWHERE you went. They should be changed or thrown out every “20-30 minutes in a non sterile environment”

Cloth masks: today three people pointed to their masks as they walked by me entering Lowes. They said “ya gotta wear your mask.” I said very clearly “Those masks don’t work, in fact they MAKE you sicker.” they all looked at me sideways.

By now, hopefully, you all know CLOTH masks do not filter anything. You mean the American flag one my aunt made? Yes. The one with sunflowers that looks so cute? Yes. The bandanna, the cut up t-shirt, the scarf ALL of them offer NO FILTERING whatsoever. As you exhale you are ridding your lungs of contaminants and carbon dioxide. Cloth masks trap this carbon dioxide the best, it actually risks your health. The moisture caught in these masks can become mildew ridden over night. Dry coughing, enhanced allergies, sore throat are all symptoms of a micro-mold in your mask.

Ultimate Answer: N95 masks blow the virus into the air from a contaminated person.

The surgical mask is not designed for the outside world and will not filter the virus upon inhaling through it. It’s filtration works on the exhale. (Like a vacuum bag it only works one way)

Cloth masks are WORSE than none, for obvious reasons that I’ve mentioned. 

*Occupational Safety & Health  Administration sited. 

The top American association for safety.

They regulate and educate asbestos workers, surgical rooms, you name it.

If your mask gives you security wear it, just know it is a false sense of security.  When you see me NOT wearing a mask know that I have done my homework, and refuse to follow the “rules” when they are unsafe. Don’t demonize me because I don’t agree with you. 🏻‍♀️