Aaron Collins
@masknerd
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Following
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Goal is to test and evaluate the best masks out there. Mask up and stay safe!
Minneapolis, MN
Joined January 2021
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All my data is available at this Google Drive link. I know I have been getting a quite a few messages looking for it. It includes master data set, FAQ, Kid's mask recommendation and mask images
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Most people are surprised that N95/KN95/KF94 can be used more than 8 hrs. Actually the N95 spec requires that these masks maintain >95% after 200mg of loading. How much is 200mg, same as wearing the mask 24/7 in Shanghai for about 200 DAYS! Straps will be the first thing to fail
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[1/2]Do not clean your N95/KF94/KN95/FFP2. Especially do not spray them with hand sanitizer. If you want to make sure they are not contaminated, just leave them sitting for 5-7 days in a paper bag and they will self "sanitize".
If you clean you will reduce filter efficiency!
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You need not travel far to get a good N95. Head to the paint section at Home Depot and you can get some great options. 3M 9205+ is a great option. Even stock a few elastomeric options too!
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The origins of MaskNerd:
3 years and 1 month ago I purchased my first KF94, and asked the simple question, "Is it real and how well does it work?". Not in a million years did I think that simple question would have changed my life so dramatically.
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I know every mask manufacturer and distributor is tired right now. I am tired. I have never done more interviews, answered more questions, and still I know that there is not enough info out there. My spreadsheet was meant for nerds, so will try my best to get stuff cleaned up.
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The CAN99 from
@vitacoreinc
just got NIOSH approved as a N95! It's a bit smaller than the 3M Aura series, so fits better on smaller faces. Sam from
@OpenAeros
says "the fabric straps are nice, nose wire fits well and feels more breathable" Picture for size comparison.
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Off to NYC for the the world's first Far-UVC conference (ICFUST). My goal will be to live tweet(& Mastodon) as much as I can during. We will also have some news to share in this space too. As always, another flight and another V-Flex. More masks than I expected too!
#vflexgang
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Scoop: CDC is going to recommend better masks, and leave a gaping hole in regulation for kids mask because we still lack a general public mask standard. So parents are going to be told that KN95's better, but that 60% are underperforming...sounds great. 🤡 Also no mention of KF94
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Was just at a local city hall, plexiglass barriers everywhere, water fountains turned off, but not a mask to be seen. The
@CDCgov
needs to provide clear guidance that those things can and should be removed. If you are not going to require masks, why the hygiene theatre still???
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I apologize, but for the first time since I started this, I can't answer everyone individual questions. Will try my best but at 100+ a day it's too hard to stay on top of. This is why we need clear guidance from govt. orgs, I wish I could chat with
@CDCDirector
, would be easier.
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You will see me type alot N95/KF94/KN95 as long form to mean Hi-Fi masks. There are differences though, generally N95 will seal better due to headbands. KF94/KN95 are typically earloops. All are better than cloth or surgical.
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It's been awhile, but finally sat down to record my top masks picks of 2023. I also have some recommendations for those with larger heads too!
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It's really sad to see
@projectn95
wind down, they provided a beacon of light during a dark time. It was so nice to be able to point to a single source to get vetted, high-performance masks of all types. They did a great job and will miss them. 😥
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Last leg of my flight, and my trusty V-Flex is helping reduce my inhaled dose. What else helps? Outdoors, vent+filter, GUV, and masks. We have lots of tools. Sometimes I don't wear a mask for a picture, that's because one of the other tools is in play. Lower dose = lower risk
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WTF, why is the
@CDCgov
HICPAC meeting now "private"? Luckily here is a recording someone got. I couldn't more more proud of those comments. Nurses, doctors and medical patients, all deserve to be safe from airborne pathogens. Resp.+Vent.+Filt.+UV
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This was equal parts fun and terrifying, but glad the conversation is making into bigger media outlets. It's always tough to try and summarize what in my videos is like 6 hrs of content to like 3 minutes. Thanks for having me
@CBSMornings
!!!
Not all masks are made equally, just ask
@masknerd
.
The aerosol scientist breaks down the best masks for filtration, fit and comfort — and how to spot which masks are legitimate.
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Since I am talking mask standards today, I propose we should call it the Mask National Efficient Respiratory Device standard. or Mask NERD for short.
I will see my self out the door now 😅😅
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[1/4]Here is the recommendations right now, and remember buy a few of a variety of sizes, faces are unique and there is a huge range. Some 12 year old have small faces, and some 8 year olds have buckets. So let's kick it off.
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Lessons from tonight's mask testing.
1. Sonovia Pro mask is just a "good" cloth mask, at around 60%. So it might kill all the virus it collects, but most still goes in your lungs.
2. School districts need to vet KN95 masks before giving them out, found fakes tonight.
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I feel safe because if the wings fall off the plane I brought back ups,just stick my head out 😂
This flight to BOS had about 10% masking which is more than prior flights this summer.
As
@CorsIAQ
always says, wear a well fitted mask/respirator to reduce your inhaled dosage!!!
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[1/2] An exciting announcement about the next phase of MaskNerd! The lack of mask fitting tools, and the slow progression of respirator technology is unacceptable. We need easily accessible mask fitting tools, and high performance respirators[...]
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[1/5] Here are a couple things that should be highlighted.
1. We need a general population mask standard. Something between a surgical and N95. Other countries do with KF94/FFP2/KN95 and soon Canada. It also needs a regulatory body...looking at you FDA!
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Mask Nerd Tip of The Day: Preform the nose wire, makes it easier to put on, and easier to get the nose wire to seal to your face.
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Wow...legit Disney licensed masks. SaveWo is really knocking it out of the park, along with breathable material. My only complaint would be a longer nose wire on them. Family-Masks is starting carrying them and has a 15% discount for Lunar New Year-->"LUNAR15"
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Nice thing about NYC is you get to connect quickly with other fellow Mask Nerds. Thank you
@JudahWorldChamp
for continued advocacy in the mask space, and for being an example to others, and just for being a funny dude!
True nerd snipe is figure out what the hat says 😂
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Had a couple photographers in my "lab". Since it was all up and running I offered to test the mask they were wearing. This mask came in at a whopping 60% in my setup. Don't worry they left with a bunch of good masks, and fitted with masks that provided 95+% verified.
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I know it looks a little silly, but for those with hearing disabilities these Savewo Smile mask could be game changers. Hard to tell in pic, but I just had this in the freezer, breathing on it and no fogging. This get the mask nerd nod of approval. Breathability is still good!
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Been a little quiet lately as Twitter has turned into a bit of a dumpster fire for me, with my feed full of anti-vaxxers and other anti-masker craziness. Just bums me out every time I am on here. 🫤
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This study doesn't get sited much, but should as it's a great cohort study. One group of students wore FFP2 at school, one group didn't. Group wearing them had significant reduction in cases. Masks buy time to implement vent+filter+UV.
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Recent op-ed I wrote in
@guardiannews
encouraging better masks. Let's use our technology, we have better masks that are better in every way. We just need governments to encourage use and help manf ramp up.
I did not write the title though 😜
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I have been quiet on the mask front as I just needed a break. Got a chance to enjoy a great concert last night. Only about 15% of people masked, but of those masks 95% we're HiFi masks. I feel like the message has finally made it, if you are going to wear a mask, wear a good one
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For those worried about the environmental impact of masks, remember that it takes about 75-100 KF94/N95's to make 1lb(0.45kg) of waste. This represents about 0.04% of typical US person waste generation. So easy to offset in other ways. Also hospital stays create a lot of waste!
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This is why I like
@projectn95
, and why I think it plays such a valuable role. They are sort of the like the Amazon of face masks right now, but without the concerns with fakes!
I joined nonprofit
@projectn95
in sourcing on 2nd day in Mar’20; Have volunteered here ever since
In all my vetting of KN95s, have seen more fake documentation than real.
If you r big org looking to buy or distribute from stockpile, happy to vet for you. Easy to make error.
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I had mistakenly forgot to mention. Skip the masks that have valves, we want maximum protection to you and those around you.
If you do have to use a mask with a valve(due to availability) you need to disable it, but most airports/workplaces are not allowing valved masks at all.
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Someone asked me if I didn't want to just get COVID and be done with it (i.e. masks). They were surprised to hear that around 15-20% of all cases are reinfections. Meaning getting COVID now just means you might get it later too.
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~It's called fashion, look it up!~
When you get invited to your uncle's 70's themed birthday party, just make sure you mask matches your pants.
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Yet another flight and yet another V-Flex. Wearing a highly breathable mask makes travel easy and reduces my inhaled dose so that I can get my work done and back home without interruption.
#Vflexgang
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I am glad that this shot got to see the light of day, it was originally shot for the NYTimes article. Jen Ackerman did an amazing job, and it took me like an hour to clean up. Enough self promotion now 😋
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Anyone else seeing this failure mode on their V-flex? I had one fail like this on me when donning it, and also just got another report of this failure from another person who has multiple in same lot. If you are seeing it too, post up the lot ID's
@3MSafety
any thoughts?
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We have the technology, let's use it. Let's get High Filtration masks on people's faces, let's get rapid testing to everyone, let's get vaccinations in arms(and new versions made). We have as short window of time.
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It is truly sad that masks become political, from both sides of the aisle. They are effective protection from a respirator disease, they are simply a tool. Thanks
@larmbrust
for being crazier than even me and doing what'd right even if it makes no "sense" sometimes.
Get ready to be triggered because I’m offending everyone with this post.
I built a 🇺🇸 mask factory in six months capable of producing millions of N95s and Surgical masks every day.
Here’s why I don’t think America cares about COVID or masking anymore.
🧵 1/17
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Live stream tomorrow at 10:30AM Central Time. Will be testing a bunch of US made N95's and KN95's. Also how do they stack up to some of the better Chinese KN95's. Lastly, there will be on important test which I think will attract a lot of viewers ;)
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I see this Rolling Stone article rehashed, with wrong and very out of date info. It's out of date because RS just keeps recycling the article from Aug 2020, every link is an affiliate link so RS gets paid when you buy. How about an update
@RollingStone
!
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I am going to monetize my upcoming Top Mask Picks 2022 video, however all the money will be donated to help cover
@marwa_zaatari
legal fees. "Ionizer" company is suing to silence her. IMO published data shows they are💩. Mask Nerds, donate if you can!
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“It was just so much. First no options and then too many mask options,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done without Aaron. I kind of felt like he became a pandemic friend, even though I’ve never met him in real life.” - Aww shucks, made even me blush. Thanks Lisa!
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@CDCDirector
why don't you come in to my lab, an I will fit you some KF94,KN95, N95s that are more comfortable than a crappy two layer cotton mask you are still recommending. Please stop promoting our 1918 pandemic technology, and instead use our 2021 tech.
@DrEricDing
@denise_dewald
Domestic mask manufacturers reached to
@WHCOVIDResponse
@Jeffrey_Wexler
to work with
@POTUS
to quickly get N95s & medical masks to everyone to stop the spread from getting worse. Manufacturers have enough masks to keep every American safe yet the CDC promotes cloth masks instead.
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I am glad my work has caught the attention of people. Otherwise my friends and family would have just thought I was a big weirdo hanging out in bathroom talking to myself for hours on end!
Our top post of 2022 was a timely one, featuring
@masknerd
!
Learn how Aaron Collins went from mechanical engineer to YouTube star:
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School districts, if you buy KN95's you have to vet the supplier. If you are dropping $300K on masks it only costs about $1K to get them tested at a legit lab. Otherwise they end up in my lab 😂.Also 3 of 4 masks failed labeling requirements, 1st red flag
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A great way for those with longer hair to make the upper headband less noticable.
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A good reminder that if you rock a bifold, flatten the nose wire, and use your finger to pre-shape it.
How to unfold a KN95 mask and get rid of the sharp point on the nose wire. Makes a better fit.
1. Unfold the mask and bend nose wire flat.
2. Bend the nose wire around your finger, pressing down on both sides of your finger.
@JeromeAdamsMD
@masknerd
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[1/2]Reusable mask test done. Note filtration data is my test aerosol, my face. Data also are all using the Fix The Mask to avoid issues with face seal variation between tests. My pressure drop measurement is not great so take that with a grain of salt(±0.05 typ).
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A quick update on the mask testing. Will keep doing it but won't be doing long format review videos they just take too long to make.
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It's not everyday you get to hang out with a bunch of other aerosol nerds, and it's a lot of fun to talk the nitty gritty of particle counters at
#AAAR23
. It's also fun to do show and tell with the real thing, along with all the parts.
#opensourcehardware
is the future!
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We have the technology, let's use it! We need better masks for all. Again highlights we need regulations in place for a KN95/KF94 equivalent mask type in the US too. All of this easy to solve,
@POTUS
if you are serious about crushing Omicron let's get better masks out there.
Clearly a lot of air goes out without filtering through the gaps between the surgical mask and the face.
We should stop using cloth and surgical masks (at least if no braces) and go to
#N95forAll
or
#ElastomericsForAll
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[1/1]If I take my mask off to take a sip of water in the plane, will I get COVID? Ignoring someone hacking a lung at that moment in your face(i. well mixed aerosol) and 5% leakage(someone getting a good fit). Over a two hour flight I estimate the you go from 95% protection...
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This is so well deserved,
@linseymarr
tireless work in this space was critical to turn the tide from droplet dogma to
#CovidIsAirborne
. Great job and society is forever in your debt!
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[2/2] ... to around 94%. This assumes about 1 minute of un-masked time. So take sip, put on mask, take of mask take sip. It does increase your chances, but getting fit tested would more than make up the difference. Also wait until seatbelt light is off, then HEPA is on full blast
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This morning's talk at
#AAAR2023
by Lidia Morawska on aerosol science in airborne infection was awesome. Her advocacy to help force the
@WHO
to acknowledge
#CovidIsAirborne
is an inspiration. I wouldn't be here without her efforts. Got to share a cab, and some masks with her 😎😷
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As KF94's get more popular you will start to see more masks that claim to be KF94's but are not. These Green Supply "KF94's" are tested against the Chinese GB2626-2019 standard...meaning they are not KF94's.
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Agreed 100%. Outside is safe. On a calm day, 0.5MPH avg wind, it's the same flow as an entire large home HVAC system pumped into a single 6x6x8 room. We are taking 2000+ CFM
Given rapid Omicron spread
Should we be calling for outdoor masking?
No
I've seen no evidence that Omicron spreads efficiently outdoors
I'm wearing a high quality mask indoors in crowded public places
But not when I'm outside
Lets focus on where Omicron spreads
Indoors
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I think my bathroom might be the most photographed bathroom in all of Minneapolis. 😀
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Step 1: Create a 3D model of every known elastomeric respirator in the world.
Step 2: Clean up models* and and put in CAD neutral format
Step 3: Offer them free and open source for all future respirator designers.
* - We will strip all logos and branding to avoid legal issues
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New video out for parents wondering about my Kid's Mask Summary Spreadsheet. It's less than 20 minutes and should hit all the key points, and help answer those common questions.
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[1/2]I will be working on a video to cover the best mask for kids. Hold tight, but not surprisingly it will feature mostly KF94's. I won't be able to test them all, but given 100% of KF94's I have tested are real and perform awesome I have faith in them.
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I got a few questions about masks you can sing in, for choirs and churches. I think the 3M 9105 and 9105S(small) are a great option due to the duckbill, and super breathablity.
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One more flight. Plan was to edit the latest Mask Nerd video on flight. However a last minute new mask upset my top picks. Will need to re-shoot. Plan to split it up to avoid this in the future. First one up will be my top quarter mask elastomerics, first week of Dec.
#VFlexgang
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[1/3]
1. There are low performing masks currently being sold on Amazon, and shockingly you can still buy the total bunk WanWane!
2. My test method does resolve low performing masks
3.
@AbraarKaran
is also a Mask Nerd 🤓
4. Thanks
@WSJ
See ⬇️ for more!
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[1/2]Parents, if you are using Brookwood Medical "KF94", they are bunk. Got only 84% in my test. Also are for sure fake KF94's as they are tested to GB2626-2019 standard, and then they went out and put Korean text on the packaging. Shame on them
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Note this is a Work In Progress but have an Google Doc for kids mask only, also includes picture of them on the cutest 5.5 year old in the world(I might be biased). Sources and sizes included too.
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@maggiekb1
In my defense, I never thought I would be some major source of info, I was just being a nerd and sharing it with others. If you are wondering I do have a whole video talking about my background, but Masters in ME, 5 years working at aerosol company, multiple article + patents
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@ThatPicard
I still recommend 40hrs, they begin to lose shape and KF94's/FFP2 are only rated to 120mg. They also just get stanky.
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[2/2]
Note this is for general public and does not necessarily apply to medical personal. They have other pathogens they worry about when they wear an N95.
Ref:
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The real question to me is why? All the issues of N95 shortages would have been resolved, better protection, and similar to clean and service. Why
@CDCgov
was this abandoned?
I made 2 sets of best of clips from the April 2020 CDC webinar on elastomeric respirators to show what the pandemic response was supposed to look like. This CDC pandemic plan was abandoned weeks after this presentation with no explanation as to why. 1/3
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Tomorrow I get to present at the European Aerosol Conference about the OpenCPC. The world's first open source condensation particle counter. I think this first slide helps understand why
@OpenAeros
is so committed to this project. Also
@jljcolorado
talk will be good too!
#EAC2023
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I get sent quite a few masks, I don't test them all as I focus on the "best". This masks from
@CanadamasQ
, is really premium. It reminds me a lot of the Bluna FaceFit, but with better nose wire and some very plush earloops. Will for sure get tested.
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V-Flex Gang!!! So nice to see
#AAAR2022
modeling the behavior we should be seeing from other professional groups.
Excellent session on science communication at
#AAAR2022
by awesome role models (and N95 runway models)
@linseymarr
@jljcolorado
@ProfPeteD
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[2/2] So welcome to
@OpenAeros
! Let's see if we can solve both challenges and give those solutions to the world via an Open Source model. Let's be the change we want to see in the world.
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I feel some elastomerics make you look like Darth Vader, but this one really beats them all.
For those wondering this is a SaveWo Star Wars licensed mask. Nice and breathable, but my only complaint is on the length of the nose wire, it's a bit too short.
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If you are looking for tips about improving air quality for schools, CO2 monitoring and cheap DIY air cleaners you now need to look no further than the California Dept. Of Public Health(
@CAPublicHealth
.) A great resource for parents and teachers.
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Why we must always apply the precautionary principal, two years later the pile of evidence keeps coming in.
#COVIDisAirborne
I really wish the
@WHO
and
@CDCgov
would make it clear how this disease spreads. Still too much clean surface and not clean air discussion.
“Finally, SARS-CoV-2 RNA genomic fragments in the smallest aerosols collected at the nurses station shared sequence identity with the human samples. Respiratory viruses tend to concentrate most in these smallest aerosols.”
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I can't stress enough that we the tools, it's only a question of how and when we want implement them. I will take those 1:90,000 odds any day of the week....or at least M-F as I like my weekends off. 😉
At
@OpenAeros
we don't believe in COVID infections as the cost of doing business. We have the tools, and with our mitigation measures our estimates put an in-office risk of infection at 1:90,000 odds. That's one infection every 246 years! Let's break down how we did this🧵
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[2/2] Note that most KF94's are all 95+% in this test, and after 40hrs of use are all still 95%. Highlights to me KF94/KN95/N95 provide better protection, even with re-wear and total cost is still less.
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Even now the White and Black BOTN masks now feature the weaker nose wire. The final straw, and can *no longer recommend them*. A good stiff, but form-able, nose wire is very important and these no longer have it. A bad move by BOTN...:(
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New Mask Nerd short out, all about why fit is the most important aspect when we talk about N95/KF94/KN95 respirators.
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One advantage to working at
@OpenAeros
is when you start you get fit tested. Welcome Sam, our first employee!
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[1/1]A reminder that if you have a room with poor ventilation(outdoor air) and high C02. If you add a portable HEPA filtration/CR Boxes, or in the case of plane recirculate air through HEPA's, that the C02 will not change but equivalent air changes have been added. So....
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A reminder that all the random KN95 you see on Amazon likely not as good as they claim. My work has been more to qualify suppliers than individual masks. Things I look for in a supplier are independent published filtration data and a clear quality system. No data == no bueno
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Ever wonder how a meltblown can capture particles? I think giving a size comparison helps to make it clear how it's a tangled web, and tough for particles to not get sucked up by an electrostatic charged fiber.
You can actually see that fibers can collect nano particles(in green)
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First video of the Mask Nerd Short, quick videos that answer your most common questions.
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If you are a looking for headband kids mask, this offering from United States Masks might be a good option. Won't have time to test it but they sent along the test data and it looks good. They tested the same as NIOSH N95's and for how small it is the data looks good.
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