New "Killer" mask

I bought some washable copper masks a few weeks ago, as I have long been aware of the anti-bacterial benefits of copper.
easylife.co.uk

Shove a couple of 1p's where your nostrils are

LOL EV...

I am confident that my GOOD masks (opposed to the cheap ones I wear at times) catch all the virus. It is my eyes that I worry about being exposed.

It concerns me the number of single fabric pretty masks that people make and sell on Facebook.

GagaJo

LOL EV...

I am confident that my GOOD masks (opposed to the cheap ones I wear at times) catch all the virus. It is my eyes that I worry about being exposed.

That worries me too. There was talk of people catching the virus through their eyes at the start of the pandemic but no one seems to mention it now. On the rare occasion that I do go into a shop I wear glasses anyway so I can read things.

I think this is what the OP is referring to. This is a pharma trade mag.

www.pharm2farm.org/british-scientists-develop-facemask-which-can-kill-viruses-on-contact/

Don’t think they’re available to the public yet. This is from Nottingham Uni website.

www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2020/11/scientists-develop-facemask-which-can-kill-viruses-on-contact

Blossoming: Thank you for your information. I would have thought there would be much more public interest!

Yes I wear reading glasses too, when shopping, so do feel this is protecting my eyes. Only problem is the steaming up, so have to remove from time to time.

Even the best mask is pretty useless if it doesn't fit. There should be no gaps at the edges.

People are generally overconfident that they're magically 'protected' somehow - which is dangerous.

Far better to stay well away from people, shops and any contact until we're vaccinated.

Don't forget your aviator goggles or face shield too!

cornishpatsy

It concerns me the number of single fabric pretty masks that people make and sell on Facebook.

Are they really single layer? That does surprise me as all the patterns I have seen are at least double and usually double with an extra layer for a filter pocket. I think the only single layer ones I have seen are the ones made in a single layer of scuba and the government has warned against these.

I do have filters to put inside my cotton masks. Not that I go anywhere. If I do I wear medical grade masks.

When I visited our local hospital today I was instructed to remove my facemask and wear one of the pale blue hospital issue ones, It seemed quite flimsy and not a good fit, I had to bin it when I left. Are they really better than a double layer homemade cotton one?

It’s all to do with filtration efficiency. The weave size of fabrics used to make cloth masks can vary considerably, with some having a weave size big enough to allow passage of the virus. Research is being done on the efficacy of different fabrics and combinations of fabrics but I don’t think there are definitive guidelines as yet. A medical grade mask has a much smaller weave, and the ones used in medical settings are usually moisture repellent as well which helps to protect against airborne viruses if breathed on. A badly fitting mask of any description can reduce efficacy by up to 60%

Austrians on Monday swapped their cloth face coverings for medical-grade FFP2 masks, now mandatory for those over 14 on public transport, shops and businesses, pharmacies as well as hospitals or medical practices.

Austria is among the first European countries to make FFP2 masks mandatory.

The measure has largely been accepted without complaint, despite controversy over other measures such as the closing of schools while ski lifts remain open.

www.france24.com/en/europe/20210125-austria-makes-ffp2-masks-mandatory-in-shops-public-transport

I saw a comment on Facebook that said Australia made difference grades of mask mandatory according to the infection rate. I’m so pleased that Australia have handled the pandemic so well but can’t understand why the U.K. still quibble about taking measures that have been commonplace in some countries for months eg making people quarantine in hotels near to the airport when entering a country. The argument is often that it’s because other countries are so authoritative but you can’t say that about Australia.