When it really happens: SHTF...

[Surpmil]

I'll throw this idea out there for anyone that wants to run with it: one of the problems we have is disposable masks that don't fit properly, particularly around the nose and cheeks as they are to some extent stretched over the high points of the face. This is particularly important for health care providers obviously.

I suggest the solution is 3D scanning of the faces of these workers and 3D printing of mask holders to fit the face of each worker precisely.

The holders or frames can be configured for whatever disposable mask or screw-on element is available or suitable.

If paper masks are used as the "element" , a recess in the holder or frame can be created into which the paper mask is placed and either secured with a removable adhesive or a 3D printed ring or "frame" which will make a tight seal against the main holder or "frame". Some kind of snap or clip attachment being advisable obviously, perhaps with a compressible lining on one or both sides of the paper mask to ensure a good seal. Perhaps some off-the-shelf sealing strip could be used for that?

For the best seal around the face, a convex edge which can be covered with medical tape(?) to keep the plastic of the 3D printed frame off the skin may be best, or a flat edge to which some disposable adhesive and compressible sealing "tape" can be attached?

3D scanning and printing technology is common and easily transportable and pretty quick these days.

So there it is. Maybe it's out there already, I haven't looked.

[Gil Boyd]

The serious issues here in the UK are, the female staff who naturally have soft skin around their noses face, have to endure a tightened mask laying in the same place every day for up to 12 hours. It has taken its toll on many a beautiful face, with sore areas becoming hard to endure.
Really feel sorry for them, and who ever comes up with an air cushioned alternative or something similar will have cracked it. Lets hope they do soon!

[Surpmil]

Looks like a similar concept is out there already: a spacer of a kind to go under the mask(?) and make a better seal.

Looks like how it would be attached to a disposable mask is up to the user to figure out. (liability reasons of course) Reusable if the right adhesive is used?

I was envisioning a larger, more rigid frame which would hold the entire paper filter (or screw-in element etc.) as a disposable element, but that's probably out there somewhere too?

[Aragorn243]

Pennsylvania's numbers are multiplying now although the death rate per number of affected seems to be in decline. 8420 total cases, 102 deaths, a 1.2% death rate, 53,695 negative tests. This last is the number I find most interesting and the one that is not being explained at all. Has to be normal flu or allergies but they are restricting the tests to those most likely to have it yet the negatives remain very high. Meanwhile New York is up to 102,863 cases and 2935 deaths, a 2.9% death rate. New York is continuing it's move towards being half of the entire United States in both number of cases and fatalities. I watched their Governor's press conference yesterday as he bumbled though it trying to explain his mishandling of it and failing. He then devoted about 15 minutes to an on air reunion with his brother who is a talking head for one of the left wing media news outlets. Most networks left after about 5 minutes of this because it was just plain stupid, but CNN who he works for, kept the entire thing on air. This is one of the networks that no longer covers the President's portion of his daily briefings. Yes, they are actually doing that. Apparently only Fox News has continued to cover the President's portion. The others deemed it as helping the President's approval ratings, which it has, and they don't like that very much. Cuomo, the NY governor is their new star. It isn't working much, people are just continuing to leave those networks and go to Fox.

Locally, I spoke with my construction material supplier this morning, actually got a delivery from them for a project in my yard. My concern was I am the only contractor sitting this one out as two roofing projects were completed nearby over the past few days. I'm not, their construction sales are almost none. Their orders have been from homeowners, mostly older homeowners that should not be out and about buying cans of spray paint etc for minor things around the house. The contractors surprisingly were having materials sent to their homes also. Apparently, this is the time work at the carpenters house is actually getting done. I unfortunately keep finding that nearly every tool I need was left on my job site two weeks ago as I had every expectation of going back the next day. I have duplicates of most but finding them has proved challenging. We have now been told to wear a mask when going out. As most people do not have masks and they are sold out everywhere, this is going to be a problem. This is from the State today, possibly from the Feds tomorrow.

I went to get some of the things I need for a plumbing repair and there was this 80+ year old man in there just pushing a cart around like nothing was happening. Got me thinking, maybe nothing is happening. There is all this mass panic over .065% of our population that has tested positive for this virus. It is continuing to spread. Evidence here is showing that almost every single serious case involves, being over 65, being diabetic, or being overweight. The combination of the three is the worst. I think we are doing the right thing for now but we can't do this forever. There is going to come a day where we have to isolate those that are at risk and the rest will have to move on.

[Ovidio]

I was looking at some numbers today, and I’m growing perplexed...
The percentage of deaths due to Covid is very low. Maybe 18% of the total. Almost all elder people with several ailments. The few younger mostly already weakened too.
That means that 82% of people died and proved positive. But the virus was not the killer. Or am I understanding that wrong?
It is an interesting issue. Who died from and who died with Covid? Not the same thing.
In the meantime, what we can see in the hospitals is certainly not normal, by far not.
I never believed in conspiracy theories, but I’m slowly growing skeptical.
Just wonder what would have happened if there hadn’t been the Internet and all the modern communication systems. Maybe we would have just sat it out...

[beachdog77]

luckily i use cloth napkins.

[Aragorn243]

Ovidio,

I've been starting to wonder the same thing. I ran some numbers today and as of right now, this mass panic is actually affecting 65 out of 100,000 people in my state. .065% of the population and because of that, we are in near complete lockdown. The death rate of those 65 out of 100,000 is 1.2%. Granted, it could be a lot worse if we were no in lockdown. California is the huge question mark. While New York burns, California is sitting there with four times the population of Pennsylvania and just slightly more total cases and total deaths than we have. And they started later than we did if I'm not mistaken. They are also the first place most Chinese land when arriving in the States. Word is that even the few children who have died were grossly overweight. The hospital ship that sailed with great fanfare into NY harbor has a grand total of 20 patients. And when you compare the estimated death number here of 100,000-200,000 and compare it to heart disease which kills 650,000 a year it makes you wonder. Add another 140,000 for lower respirator deaths and you have 740,000 deaths a year. And this virus is possibly simply killing that 740,000 off a few months or weeks before they would have died anyway. Not trying to make light of it but it's making me question.

[CINDERS]

I ran the figures on the Worldometer site 1,014,933 infected with 53,166 deaths from the virus it works out to a rate of 5.2383753410% which totally outstrips what they are saying about the death rates, so someones lying somewhere I made my point on just how suss this thing is exploding all over the planet even though 4-5 months seems a long time on a planetary scale its SFA. The best way now to bring change or defeat someone is not to throw bombs and bullets but biological that like this ties up entire countries and breaks the banks or their economies all we can do is wait and see, even now they are saying China is not being truthful on their numbers der! when were they ever truthful the only truth in this I feel is its man made and engineered to allow buy ups.

[Gil Boyd]

On my NBC course back in the day and the refresher not so long ago, the masks were either AGA SPIRO or DRAGER it had a constant air cushion around your face pumped by a rechargeable power pack on your belt.
Sadly, with anything Military its not cheap but it certainly gave 100% protection from CS, I know its not the same but it kept the pressure off the face tissues and would for these young ladies suffering at the moment.
The masks they have with double elastics were NEVER made to be worn for long durations as they are now.

[muffett.2008]

Strewth Cinders, I was going blue in the face reading that, haven't you heard of a comma or fullstop?