N95 mask VS Regular Mask? Thoughts?

[Reason]

[h2]Best Swine Flu Face Mask: N95 Respirator[/h2]
Study Shows Ordinary Surgical Masks Do Not Protect Health Care Workers From Cold, Flu Viruses

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090916/best-swine-flu-mask-n95-respirator

But wait....
[h2]Swine Flu Study on N95 Masks Retracted[/h2]
Researchers Revise Earlier Findings Suggesting N95 Masks Are Better Than Surgical Masks at Preventing Flu

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20091102/swine-flu-study-touting-n95-masks-hogwash

 

[squarepusher]

is swine flu even real? pretty much disappeared from the news now.

 

[Reason]

is swine flu even real? pretty much disappeared from the news now.

Yeah I don't give 2 shits about H1N1 but I was curious when I heard someone mention an "N95 mask" and was looking up what exactly it was versus the normal masks you see people wear.

& Then I saw this article that came out saying N95 was better but then retracted it... hmmm...

 

[cradle2graveconservative]

Edit

 

[Reason]

There's a general rule of thumb that's helpful to follow when picking a mask:

"Am I wearing the mask to protect myself or those around me?"

If you're wearing it to protect those around you, surgical masks are generally acceptable, whereas if you're trying to protect yourself, a respirator (like the N95) is often the way to go. Just a couple of other things to keep in mind:

1) This is a rule of thumb, not an absolute truth. There are situations where the opposite is true.
2) An N95 is almost certainly the highest level of protection you'll ever need. Just because it doesn't do a better job in some situations (like this one apparently) doesn't mean it does a worse job.
3) An N95 isn't a mask in the traditional sense, it's a respirator (in the same category as "gas masks.") However, don't waste your money on anything more extreme. Once you get into full face/head covers (e.g. what is traditionally thought of as a gas mask) you're no longer able to replace the filters. If you're in a situation that requires such extremes, you'll want to always be protected, meaning you'll need to have a clean room to change filters/masks in, which you won't have.
4) N95s don't fit the way a normal surgical mask fits. They're designed to form a (rather) complete seal over your mouth. There are different N95 types for different faces, but it's unlikely you'll take a "fit-test" to determine what works best for you. I personally can't wear the common N95 because it doesn't form a clean enough seal on my face, I have to wear a different version. This doesn't mean you should try and find a place to get a fit-test and then get the version that works for you, it just means you need to buy a healthy supply of painter's tape alone with your masks. Regardless of your facial structure, an N95 can be sealed simply by applying tape along the edges of the mask (directly to your face.)

Did you just type that up or did you paste from somewhere?

Either way, thanks for the info.

 

[pacelli]

Breathing through the N95 is similar to breathing through a traditional gas mask. Anytime you have a proper seal there is more effort applied to each breath. It takes some getting used to. It also produces an audible exhale and inhale sound for each breath.

 

[cradle2graveconservative]

Edit

 

[Anti Federalist]

 

[pcosmar]

Nice Bump AF
http://approvedgasmasks.com/mask-gas.htm

They got everything.

How Phobic are you?

 

[Anti Globalist]

How about no masks? They don't protect you one bit. Underwear and pants can't even protect you from a fart.

 

[pcosmar]

And next,,

 

[Anti Federalist]

Nice Bump AF
http://approvedgasmasks.com/mask-gas.htm

They got everything.

How Phobic are you?

Thanks I thought so as well.

Thankfully we didn't go Full Retard then, like this time.