Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk |
N95 Face Masks are useless w/ H1N1 |
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911Bob
Experienced Member Joined: April 25 2009 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: April 30 2009 at 8:51am |
SOMEONE PLEASE DEBUNK THIS!
Dear NaturalNews readers,
There is unfortunately a lot of really bad preparedness advice about swine flu circulating these days. One of the worst pieces of advice? Wearing an N95 face mask (the paper fiber face masks that hook around your ears with elastic bands). As my feature article explains, these face masks are useless at protecting you from swine flu. Relying on one could even get you killed.
Read the truth about the N95 face mask myth in today's article: http://www.naturalnews.com/026160.html
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I think saying useless is going a bit to far.Are they 100% effective? No.Would a gas mask type seal be better?Yes.
WR
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zipporah
V.I.P. Member Joined: June 02 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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I read most of the article and while it could be true, everything we do should help a little.
Washing hands and keeping a distance from people. I will use my N95 mask and what ever else I have.
If it just makes me feel better, that may be good...even if just feel good.
Who knows what will ultimately work?
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Faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see. |
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You can get a better seal on the N95.Its called duct tape. Who cares if it looks funny?WR
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*NEO*
Valued Member Joined: April 26 2009 Status: Offline Points: 39 |
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I always thought the N99 was the one to get.
Those are the ones i have in my prep arsenal.
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Hotair
Valued Member Joined: March 17 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 667 |
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I have nano masks but notice the seal on the bottom is loose even when the straps are pulled tight.I think they are better then nothing,thogu.I am glad I got them 2 years ago as everyone is sold out.
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andrew p
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 28 2006 Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Trust them or not, here is what the CDC says:
Information on the effectiveness of facemasks1 and respirators2 for the control of influenza in community settings is extremely limited. Thus, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in controlling swine influenza A (H1N1) virus transmission in these settings. In the absence of clear scientific data, the interim recommendations below have been developed on the basis of public health judgment and the historical use of facemasks and respirators in other settings. In areas with confirmed human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, the risk for infection can be reduced through a combination of actions. No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission. These actions include frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and having ill persons stay home, except to seek medical care, and minimize contact with others in the household.Additional measures that can limit transmission of a new influenza strain include voluntary home quarantine of members of households with confirmed or probable swine influenza cases, reduction of unnecessary social contacts, and avoidance whenever possible of crowded settings. When it is absolutely necessary to enter a crowded setting or to have close contact3 with persons who might be ill, the time spent in that setting should be as short as possible. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help reduce the risk of getting influenza, but they should be used along with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact and maintaining good hand hygiene. A respirator that fits snugly on your face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through a respirator for long periods of time. For more information on facemasks and respirators, visit the CDC Swine Flu website.. When crowded settings or close contact with others cannot be avoided, the use of facemasks1 or respirators2 in areas where transmission of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has been confirmed should be considered as follows:
These
interim recommendations will be revised as new information about the
use of facemasks and respirators in the current setting becomes
available. 1 Unless otherwise specified, the term "facemasks" refers to disposable masks cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as medical devices. This includes facemasks labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, or laser masks. Such facemasks have several designs. One type is affixed to the head with two ties, conforms to the face with the aid of a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge, and may be flat/pleated or duck-billed in shape. Another type of facemask is pre-molded, adheres to the head with a single elastic band, and has a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge. A third type is flat/pleated and affixes to the head with ear loops. Facemasks cleared by the FDA for use as medical devices have been determined to have specific levels of protection from penetration of blood and body fluids. 2 Unless otherwise specified, "respirator" refers to an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 3 Three feet has often been used by infection control professionals to define close contact and is based on studies of respiratory infections; however, for practical purposes, this distance may range up to 6 feet. The World Health Organization uses "approximately 1 meter"; the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration uses "within 6 feet." For consistency with these estimates, this document defines close contact as a distance of up to 6 feet. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm |
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It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
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scimla
advanced Member Joined: August 04 2008 Location: philippines Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Cleaning & Disinfection & personnal hygene is effective compared to any mask or vaccines right now in the market today. And don;t forget there is still the Bird Flu.
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scimla7seven
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SusanT
Valued Member Joined: March 22 2006 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 422 |
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Okay, the ones on TV that they are handing out in Mexico are NOT N95 respirator masks, they are surgical masks designed to keep people from infecting others via sneezing, coughing, breathing on them. Does this article know more that the CDC and WHO, who have both said N-95 will be effective? I doubt it, given that N95 masks do not "loop around your ears".
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SusanT
Valued Member Joined: March 22 2006 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 422 |
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Upon reading it again, he makes 2 points on which I want to comment. First, yes, it is important to make sure that the mask is airtight. Second, HE/SHE IS SELLING SOMETHING!!!! Want to bet you can get biohazard gas masks off this webcst he/she is pushing?
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Wishbone
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 08 2009 Status: Offline Points: 142 |
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It would be better to use micropore tape:
3M Micropore Surgical TapeA latex-free, hypoallergenic paper tape that is gentle to the skin yet adheres well and leaves minimal adhesive residue upon removal. An economical, general purpose, breathable surgical tape. 3M make various kinds of tapes. You might want to contact them to see what they would recommend for masks.
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rd
Experienced Member Joined: April 30 2009 Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Bottom line, something is better than nothing. I believe Dr. Gupta stated this weekend, when visiting Mexico, that a mask will assist in preventing a large influx of virus.
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jacksdad
Executive Admin Joined: September 08 2007 Location: San Diego Status: Offline Points: 47251 |
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"But let me ask you a question: Have you ever had surgery or visited a
surgery room? Did you ever notice that the surgeons and medical staff
are all wearing surgical masks that are very similar to the N95 face
masks being used by people afraid of swine flu?"
Surgical masks couldn't be any less like N95s. What is this guy talking about? Ignore it - it's a sales pitch. N95s are good - N100s are better but a lot more expensive. Distance makes a huge difference too - the further you are from an infected person, the less chance you have of contracting the virus. I think at least six feet is the usual safe distance thrown around. Whatever mask you use, it is extremely important that you get a good seal, either by trial fitting until you find one that's the right size and shape for your face, or taping around the edges as TheWalkinDude suggested. As wishbone correctly pointed out, 3M Micropore works very well on skin, but it can leave a residue (alcohol and a little scrubbing usually take it off, although it usually defies soap and water) and some people are allergic to it. It's usually only mild itching or the occasional rash, but anything that makes you rub or scratch your face puts you at risk. Try putting a piece of tape on yourself for a few hours first to make sure you can tolerate it. One other thing - masks don't work with beards. |
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"Buy it cheap. Stack it deep"
"Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation that the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong." Michael Leavitt, HHS Secretary. |
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Sure, N95 masks do not work that is why governments around the world are purchasing all supplies of these masks! This guy has to be selling something, I smell money!
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kitty
Valued Member Joined: April 27 2009 Location: usa Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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I am in helth care and the flu is cosidered droplet precaution so n95 will work. |
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Kitty
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I debunked this ages ago. In talking personally to a Niosh scientist and also a guy in New York with a mask that works- most masks were designed to filter salt sized particles or droplets. Viruses go through them like butter
You are better off with a canister mask (off the record) with filters and I haven't seen a single person with one on. I use them here for the clean air at times in the early morning when like the gentle scent of napalm in Vietnam (Apocalypse Now) seems to help some. The whole mask thing is an Urban legend. However for a quick duck out into the street as long as you "stay away" from groups and closed spaces with infected people- you are somewhat better off. This may be touch transferred as opposed to the "airborne" fanatics. It is better than going out there with nothing. Medclinician |
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my opinion ...as I like to join iin... we all need to remember the things we discussed before about H5N1... the mask isn't going to do a lot of good...as people mention here, it's droplet. As long as you are not wearing goggles...and your eyes are bare to the world...you might as well walk around with your mouth wide open....as to leave your eyes unprotected. Remember the get ups of the people taking care of the H5N1 cases....eyes covered.
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