(Just want to note that I’m reading every one of these Omicron posts, thanks for them all.)
On the 26th I’m flying Manchester UK to SFO California, with a change at NYC. I understand that the flights are way less risky than the airports, but… well, I’ve got a P3 mask (this one) that I’m planning to wear the whole time except when I’m outside. It cuts into my ears and makes it hard for me to relax. My belief from microcovid.org is that it cuts my risk 20x, similar to (or stronger than) getting a full vaccine.
Anyway, does anyone think I should take it off for the flights, go down to N95, and just wear the P3 in the airport? That’d be a relief but currently I’m expecting sufficiently large numbers of passengers to have Covid (e.g. 5%) that I’m planning to wear it the whole way.
I was fitted for a mask and they had FFP2 and FFP3 options (which approximately equal N95 and N99, respectively, iirc), and the fitter said that far more important than the grading was the fit. If you had the higher grade FFP3 but air could leak in around the edge, you’d get less protection than the FFP2. Trying out different models of mask in the fitting I was able to detect the bitter tasting test solution in a model that was deemed to not be a good enough fit but not with the model that fitted me.
So by my model, the big advantage of the elastomeric mask you link to is not that it’s rated at P3 so much as the rubber around the edge should go to the contours of pretty much any face and provide a good seal.
I just shaved for it, leaving me looking like 10 years younger, so hopefully the fit is better.
You know the P3 mask I have specifically has movable filters, where if you squeeze them the air flow is cut off, which means I can do a quick check for a perfect fit. It’s the best mask I’ve ever worn for telling if it fits.
I don’t think I’m anywhere near as good with the N95 masks I’ve worn, I expect the fit hasn’t been very good, and will continue not to be. But I will try better in future. Could just tape it down. I would feel more comfortable with it taped to my face than 15 hours of this P3 weighing me down.
Hm, I think I changed my mind, Microcovid gives me 630 microcovids wearing the sealed P3/P100, and 1,600 microcovids with the sealed N95. (It’s guessing at 3.5% prevalence near me, which is really high.)
Also I wore the P3 for a few more hours and it’s mostly fine, except around the ears.
(Just want to note that I’m reading every one of these Omicron posts, thanks for them all.)
On the 26th I’m flying Manchester UK to SFO California, with a change at NYC. I understand that the flights are way less risky than the airports, but… well, I’ve got a P3 mask (this one) that I’m planning to wear the whole time except when I’m outside. It cuts into my ears and makes it hard for me to relax. My belief from microcovid.org is that it cuts my risk 20x, similar to (or stronger than) getting a full vaccine.
Anyway, does anyone think I should take it off for the flights, go down to N95, and just wear the P3 in the airport? That’d be a relief but currently I’m expecting sufficiently large numbers of passengers to have Covid (e.g. 5%) that I’m planning to wear it the whole way.
(Also want to say I’ve been reading them all and am very thankful)
Has your N95 mask been professionally fitted?
I was fitted for a mask and they had FFP2 and FFP3 options (which approximately equal N95 and N99, respectively, iirc), and the fitter said that far more important than the grading was the fit. If you had the higher grade FFP3 but air could leak in around the edge, you’d get less protection than the FFP2. Trying out different models of mask in the fitting I was able to detect the bitter tasting test solution in a model that was deemed to not be a good enough fit but not with the model that fitted me.
So by my model, the big advantage of the elastomeric mask you link to is not that it’s rated at P3 so much as the rubber around the edge should go to the contours of pretty much any face and provide a good seal.
I just shaved for it, leaving me looking like 10 years younger, so hopefully the fit is better.
You know the P3 mask I have specifically has movable filters, where if you squeeze them the air flow is cut off, which means I can do a quick check for a perfect fit. It’s the best mask I’ve ever worn for telling if it fits.
I don’t think I’m anywhere near as good with the N95 masks I’ve worn, I expect the fit hasn’t been very good, and will continue not to be. But I will try better in future. Could just tape it down. I would feel more comfortable with it taped to my face than 15 hours of this P3 weighing me down.
N99/FFP3 is an option https://smile.amazon.de/-/en/Aura-Respirator-9330-Folding-Unvalved/dp/B00VAT74NG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2FHXM7CKD66WS&keywords=aura+3m+9330&qid=1639930225&s=industrial&sprefix=3m+aura+9330%2Cindustrial%2C73&sr=1-3
This thing is as comfortable as the average N95 mask and does a better job and fitting and filtering then the average N95 mask.
A possibly-useful semi test for fit with N95s and the like is sharp inhalation and exhalation, observing whether the mask sucks in and puffs out.
Also, if you wear glasses then I think a well-fitting mask shouldn’t steam them up.
And yes, I was told being reasonably clean-shaven is important for a good fit.
Thanks, v helpful. I now plan to use N95 plus tape for the planes.
Hm, I think I changed my mind, Microcovid gives me 630 microcovids wearing the sealed P3/P100, and 1,600 microcovids with the sealed N95. (It’s guessing at 3.5% prevalence near me, which is really high.)
Also I wore the P3 for a few more hours and it’s mostly fine, except around the ears.
The 1⁄6 for planes seems way too high.
When I count microcovids for airplanes, I assume people are silent. That makes a big difference.
Good point.