As we’re well into the crisis now, health experts are warning us to protect ourselves at all costs. But some people have taken the warning a little too literally. It turns out, there’s virtually nothing some of us wouldn’t do (or wear) in order to keep the virus at bay. As a result, DIY-at-home protective gear has now been spotted all around the aisle runways.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the coronapocalyptic look, which is both a fashion statement and a major faux pas. But the people sporting it couldn’t care less. Kitchen sponges, diving masks, and full-length tarpaulin suits—you name it, they wear it. Seemingly immune to strange looks, these shoppers are better safe than sorry. Except the safe part of the statement remains open to question.
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As bizarre as some of the DIY protection examples may look, the idea itself is not completely irrational. We now know that the world is running out of face masks for the front-line medical workers. And that’s why experts advise against buying them.
The surgeon general Jerome M. Adams has tweeted: “seriously people—stop buying face masks!” Jerome claims that they’re ineffective in preventing the general public from catching the virus. His point is still a subject of debate and experts tend to have opposing views. One is clear—when leaving the medical-grade masks to professionals only, we are no longer contributing to the shortage of supplies.
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In an interview with Bored Panda, Anna Davies, who’s a research microbiologist at the University of Cambridge, explained that without testing, it’s impossible to say which DIY protection works and which doesn’t. “Without it, we just don’t know.”
However, some home-made protection may be better than others. For example, Anna is worried about a plastic bag because of the risk of suffocation. But the snorkel mask is not such a bad idea after all. “I can imagine a snorkel mask providing good barrier protection, but it can’t be very comfortable.”
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Protected
Corona Protection
Anna told us that it’s possible to make a mask at home but it wouldn’t be as good as a commercial one. But wearing a mask only isn’t enough to protect yourself. “It certainly wouldn’t be a replacement to social distancing/isolation and hand hygiene.”
The debate over whether protective masks do help to protect wearers from the virus is still on. According to Davies, “Used properly, it may help to lower overall risk of transmission,” but she adds that “there’s very little evidence for that.” Masks are most appropriate for individuals who are symptomatic. “It may lower (but not remove) the risk of transmission."
Covid Drip
Low level chemical warfare. Anyway, I've read that some patients lost their ability to smell. If you can hear the fart but not smell it, you should get tested.
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But in times of crisis, it’s better to be safe than sorry. For those of us who couldn’t get their hands on protective masks, the internet has a solution—make your own. Of course, they’re not even close to being as effective as surgical masks, this study run on an influenza pandemic showed.
The New York Times has made a step by step guide to sewing a face mask from common household materials. All you need is a needle, scissors, 100% cotton fabric, and 4 strips of the same fabric (or shoelaces). But remember that wearing it correctly is as important as the mask itself. Make sure that air can’t get through the sides. Don’t forget to remove it after it gets moist and clean it (if it’s reusable) or discard it safely.
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Facemask
Face mask because don't want to get sick, no helmet riding scooter because don't care about brain damage (maybe that second part is too late...)
Yup, saw the same thing here in Mexico City, but the person was walking. The ironic part is that she took the sponge off of her face to sneeze without covering. The world needs more birth control.
Load More Replies...No she uses THAT to wash. It's multi-purpose mask yo.
Load More Replies...It looks like she's smiling with green monkey lips. Just me? I know I'm weird...
Well, if she gets sick she can't be an organ donor so there's that.
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Funny solutions? This is 10% being funny and 90% not understand contagious diseases. I saw a lady yesterday "protecting" herself with surgical gloves. Searching for boogers...
All these improvised solutions are better than nothing. The main reason media called masks useless is because you shouldn't take them away from medical workers.
Load More Replies...They might work or not, most of all I think they're just sad. How scared must you be to do some of these things.
This just shows how uneducated such a large portion of the population is.
A lot of the " masks " on those pictures are not protecting at all, sad to say.
I think it’s stupid to wear the surgical gloves because it’s easier to wash your hands after touching things but with the plastic surgeons gloves you cannot wash germs off as easy as you can your hands, so therefore everything you touch via store art/cereal/doorknob/etc. it just spreads around more germs... just wear the face mask, wash your hands regularly, don’t touch your face, stay home if your sick and cover coughs and sneezes!
Remember the anthrax mailings in '01 where the 'shelter in place' advice included winterizing every nook and gap of your house? And doctors couldn't get Cipro because people were hoarding it?
I know it's not recommended to wear masks, but if you really want to make an effective mask for yourself or loved ones, go to your local Hardware store and buy a micro allergen Furnace Filter with the highest MPR rating possible! At least you'll be using an effective filtration medium, because most of the above are just useless.
We have had many posts suggesting the creative use of pleated filter material extracted from a 3M Filtrete Air Filter. For safety’s sake, we contacted 3M today and talked with them about this material being incorporated into a face mask. They strongly stated that the air filter material should NOT be used for this purpose. This material is specifically manufactured by their construction division for use in a furnace, and it should never be incorporated into personal protective wear. Since 3M also makes the N95 masks, they are experts on what materials are safe and healthy for face masks. Additionally, their Material Safety Data Sheets for Filtrete warns: "Use or processing of the product not in accordance with the product's recommendations or not under ordinary conditions may affect the performance of the product and may present potential health and safety hazards.""
Load More Replies...At least most of these people have their noses and mouths covered somehow! Last weekend at the supermarket, I saw an old guy who was wearing gloves, but no mask, and he was walking around WITH HIS MOUTH WIDE OPEN! >:-(
I've been alternately using mask or gloves in a completely unscientific way. Today was the first time I've used both.
Load More Replies...I am just going to go light a candle, that I got infected, got a mild version and am now through with this sh*t.
When the world returns to some semblance of normalcy, these folks could be extras in the next reboot of "Men in Black"
Why is people wrapping their whole bodies in plastic? Has that really proven to reduce the risk? I mean, other people are walking around in shorts and a T-shirt. Why not wear full clothing and wash the clothes when you get home and take a shower?
I want to laugh but most of these aren't funny they're just stupid and 90% of those "masks" won't protect anyone. These people are uneducated and they'll be the reasons their families and friends get the coronavirus. Stay inside and only go outside if you have to.
I'm going to be the honest cynical person. If any of these people were to walk into the shop I work at (bookstore- therefore non essential and closed for South Africa's lockdown) we would call security and have the person escorted out. Pretty sure mall security wouldn't let them into the mall at all. That screams potential mugger/armed robber taking advantage of the panic.
First and last pillar of defense against viruses is immune system. For optimal working immunity we need quality nutrition and cleanish water and somewhat clear air it does not have to be optimal or sterile. Everything else especially this theater with plandemia and "mediacal" masks that can't properly prevent, not even stronger amounts of dust is complete BS for idiots. Long live the corona trolls.
I want a plague mask now that would be awesome as f**k to show up to work with that. I work in a grocery store.
Many of these will be people being funny, doing it ironically. I went out with a sheet over my head just to see what peoples reactions would be, for a laugh - not because it gives any protection.
Thank you kindly for some big laughs. I'm really depressed and have been crying on and off, so a laugh is a good deal appreciated.
Many of these are supposed to be funny but the few that are serious shows how folks really lack common sense. No wonder this virus has spread so fast!
Common sense tells me that even a small bit of protection is better than none.
Load More Replies...To the people saying "what about the people that can't stay at home?" We know some people cannot stay at home and some people do not have a home to go to, stop being difficult.
And what about people living in countries / having jobs where they cannot stay home? And have to travel on the subway, for example? We don't all have that luxury. I understand these bottles on their heads won't do much, but hey, people are afraid. So they might was well wear one if it makes them feel safer.
Load More Replies...Funny solutions? This is 10% being funny and 90% not understand contagious diseases. I saw a lady yesterday "protecting" herself with surgical gloves. Searching for boogers...
All these improvised solutions are better than nothing. The main reason media called masks useless is because you shouldn't take them away from medical workers.
Load More Replies...They might work or not, most of all I think they're just sad. How scared must you be to do some of these things.
This just shows how uneducated such a large portion of the population is.
A lot of the " masks " on those pictures are not protecting at all, sad to say.
I think it’s stupid to wear the surgical gloves because it’s easier to wash your hands after touching things but with the plastic surgeons gloves you cannot wash germs off as easy as you can your hands, so therefore everything you touch via store art/cereal/doorknob/etc. it just spreads around more germs... just wear the face mask, wash your hands regularly, don’t touch your face, stay home if your sick and cover coughs and sneezes!
Remember the anthrax mailings in '01 where the 'shelter in place' advice included winterizing every nook and gap of your house? And doctors couldn't get Cipro because people were hoarding it?
I know it's not recommended to wear masks, but if you really want to make an effective mask for yourself or loved ones, go to your local Hardware store and buy a micro allergen Furnace Filter with the highest MPR rating possible! At least you'll be using an effective filtration medium, because most of the above are just useless.
We have had many posts suggesting the creative use of pleated filter material extracted from a 3M Filtrete Air Filter. For safety’s sake, we contacted 3M today and talked with them about this material being incorporated into a face mask. They strongly stated that the air filter material should NOT be used for this purpose. This material is specifically manufactured by their construction division for use in a furnace, and it should never be incorporated into personal protective wear. Since 3M also makes the N95 masks, they are experts on what materials are safe and healthy for face masks. Additionally, their Material Safety Data Sheets for Filtrete warns: "Use or processing of the product not in accordance with the product's recommendations or not under ordinary conditions may affect the performance of the product and may present potential health and safety hazards.""
Load More Replies...At least most of these people have their noses and mouths covered somehow! Last weekend at the supermarket, I saw an old guy who was wearing gloves, but no mask, and he was walking around WITH HIS MOUTH WIDE OPEN! >:-(
I've been alternately using mask or gloves in a completely unscientific way. Today was the first time I've used both.
Load More Replies...I am just going to go light a candle, that I got infected, got a mild version and am now through with this sh*t.
When the world returns to some semblance of normalcy, these folks could be extras in the next reboot of "Men in Black"
Why is people wrapping their whole bodies in plastic? Has that really proven to reduce the risk? I mean, other people are walking around in shorts and a T-shirt. Why not wear full clothing and wash the clothes when you get home and take a shower?
I want to laugh but most of these aren't funny they're just stupid and 90% of those "masks" won't protect anyone. These people are uneducated and they'll be the reasons their families and friends get the coronavirus. Stay inside and only go outside if you have to.
I'm going to be the honest cynical person. If any of these people were to walk into the shop I work at (bookstore- therefore non essential and closed for South Africa's lockdown) we would call security and have the person escorted out. Pretty sure mall security wouldn't let them into the mall at all. That screams potential mugger/armed robber taking advantage of the panic.
First and last pillar of defense against viruses is immune system. For optimal working immunity we need quality nutrition and cleanish water and somewhat clear air it does not have to be optimal or sterile. Everything else especially this theater with plandemia and "mediacal" masks that can't properly prevent, not even stronger amounts of dust is complete BS for idiots. Long live the corona trolls.
I want a plague mask now that would be awesome as f**k to show up to work with that. I work in a grocery store.
Many of these will be people being funny, doing it ironically. I went out with a sheet over my head just to see what peoples reactions would be, for a laugh - not because it gives any protection.
Thank you kindly for some big laughs. I'm really depressed and have been crying on and off, so a laugh is a good deal appreciated.
Many of these are supposed to be funny but the few that are serious shows how folks really lack common sense. No wonder this virus has spread so fast!
Common sense tells me that even a small bit of protection is better than none.
Load More Replies...To the people saying "what about the people that can't stay at home?" We know some people cannot stay at home and some people do not have a home to go to, stop being difficult.
And what about people living in countries / having jobs where they cannot stay home? And have to travel on the subway, for example? We don't all have that luxury. I understand these bottles on their heads won't do much, but hey, people are afraid. So they might was well wear one if it makes them feel safer.
Load More Replies...