Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Boston: pediatric, recommend, whole)

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

... I have no idea who these people are, who are finding time to learn a musical instrument, or write a book, during this stay-at-home advisory...but more power to them, I guess.

I've been assuming all those eager learners aren't working from home! Hey, I'm retired and home and still haven't learned Spanish or anything.

[NewfieMama]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

I've been assuming all those eager learners aren't working from home! Hey, I'm retired and home and still haven't learned Spanish or anything.

Yes, and especially aren't working from home with kids! We have not tackled a single home project or new hobby...everyone in this house is hanging on by a thread!

[bohemka]

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

Yes, and especially aren't working from home with kids! We have not tackled a single home project or new hobby...everyone in this house is hanging on by a thread!

Same here. Two full-time jobs—which we're very grateful to have—and different grade levels to home school. Throw in an insane toddler who requires constant supervision, and we are barely treading water.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by bohemka

Have you tested nylons? A source I consider very reputable relayed some test results that show nylons are very effective.

Unfortunately not, but now i'm curious so i'll try to get my hands on some of it.

Most of the standard household items we tested did quite poorly. Your T-shirts, pillowcases, ski buffs, etc all performed under 30% efficiency for all particle sizes. We tested a few bandanas and they were in the 5-6% efficiency range. Not every item is made of the same exact material for instance the silk bandana was better than the polyester bandana.

Household items like vacuum cleaner bags, makeup pads, did much better, but nowhere near N95 performance other than some specific vacuum bags.

Layering does help, but not dramatically. For instance, if 1 layer of a T-shirt was around 20% efficiency, putting a 2nd layer on top would only improve performance by 10% or so. You needed 20 layers or more of that material to start getting in the 60-70% efficiency range. At that point you are walking around with an entire t-shirt balled up over your nose/mouth

Nothing filtered as effectively as purpose designed filtration media.


I'll see what I can do about testing the nylons. That project wound down a few weeks back so i'll see if I can squeeze it in.


EDIT: Just to clarify, my testing was for suspended aerosol droplets. Larger Spittle Globules (that would quickly fall to the ground) were not tested.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

Yes, and especially aren't working from home with kids! We have not tackled a single home project or new hobby...everyone in this house is hanging on by a thread!

Same here. ZERO indoor home projects have been done. usually I send the wife and kids to the MIL's house for the day and get stuff done. Now I just can't.

I have settled into sneaking into the garage from 11pm-1AM to work on my project car. I need something to do to unwind and that's the only time I can do it.

[bohemka]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Unfortunately not, but now i'm curious so i'll try to get my hands on some of it.

Most of the standard household items we tested did quite poorly. Your T-shirts, pillowcases, ski buffs, etc all performed under 30% efficiency for all particle sizes. We tested a few bandanas and they were in the 5-6% efficiency range. Not every item is made of the same exact material for instance the silk bandana was better than the polyester bandana.

Household items like vacuum cleaner bags, makeup pads, did much better, but nowhere near N95 performance other than some specific vacuum bags.

Layering does help, but not dramatically. For instance, if 1 layer of a T-shirt was around 20% efficiency, putting a 2nd layer on top would only improve performance by 10% or so. You needed 20 layers or more of that material to start getting in the 60-70% efficiency range. At that point you are walking around with an entire t-shirt balled up over your nose/mouth

Nothing filtered as effectively as purpose designed filtration media.


I'll see what I can do about testing the nylons. That project wound down a few weeks back so i'll see if I can squeeze it in.


EDIT: Just to clarify, my testing was for suspended aerosol droplets. Larger Spittle Globules (that would quickly fall to the ground) were not tested.

Cool. Thanks a lot for the info. If I can dig up the study, I'll share it here.

[NewfieMama]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Same here. ZERO indoor home projects have been done. usually I send the wife and kids to the MIL's house for the day and get stuff done. Now I just can't.

I have settled into sneaking into the garage from 11pm-1AM to work on my project car. I need something to do to unwind and that's the only time I can do it.

I am all for any projects that help mental health! My husband and I have settled into a good routine where we both get breaks so that we can decompress. Anything to help my patience at this point is welcome!

[in_newengland]

For masks, what I read about using nylons was not about putting a bit of it in the mask pocket, it said to cut a loop from a stocking and pull it down in a circle around your head. That would be tight to it would stop particles from getting in through the edges.

For putting in the mask pocket, what is recommended? Those shop towels? Do you get those at a hardware store? Oh, and I' ve read that a piece of a silk scarf in the mask pocket helps. Silk does something electrostatically or something. ????? (Just some misc musings in case they can provide some additional info.

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

For masks, what I read about using nylons was not about putting a bit of it in the mask pocket, it said to cut a loop from a stocking and pull it down in a circle around your head. That would be tight to it would stop particles from getting in through the edges.
...

Yes, that is what I read, too. Also a suggestion of wearing the nylon over a medical mask.

[BostonMike7]

Today's update.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-da...-2020/download

Some deaths that should have been listed today, were instead listed yesterday. (129 yesterday). Reporting error


870 new cases, 33 deaths.