Coronavirus:

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I'd wear a mask, but I don't know where to buy them.

Make your own; lots of instructions are out there now; cloth beats nothing, but you're not going to find any N95's available

Why don't they give them away, at the door to Walmart?

If they had them to spare, I guess they would. But I doubt they are going to find any N95's available

Why don't they test for the virus there, too?

Maybe because they don't have a test available

Despite all the claims that everything is or will be available, it's not.

[Roy]

I'd wear a mask, but I don't know where to buy them.

This is the sanest and easiest to sew mask with a filter pocket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm_NmpdgWWA

I dug out my daughters sewing machine and was able to find most of the stuff needed in the basement/garage/storage. I had to download the owners manual for the machine to figure out how to wind bobbins and thread the machine but all of the stitches are basic straight line. The "filters" are cut up micro-allergen vacuum cleaner bags (equivalent to about N92). Not good for a medical environment but more than enough for the local grocery store.

Thanks, Chuck. I don't have a sewing needle, or thread. Or, a sewing machine. I suppose I could wear something like a folded handkerchief, like the other mall zombies wear. Do they sell handkerchiefs at Walmart?

[chuck]

I don't "sew" either. But I do have access to a sewing machine. I actually had to make a replacement part to hold the spool of thread as the one that came with the machine got broken.

Bandana's a better bet as it's usually larger. There are some no sew "patterns" for simplified masks using an old t shirt. Just cut out a square/rectangle and fold. You can use larger rubber bands as the elastic material is getting hard to get a hold of.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-make-t-shirt-face-mask-coronavirus_l_5e8f2f06c5b6b371812d15af

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I don't have a sewing needle, or thread. Or, a sewing machine. I suppose I could wear something like a folded handkerchief, like the other mall zombies wear. Do they sell handkerchiefs at Walmart?

You could and they do. You could slit a sock length-wise and tie that about.

Just cut out a square/rectangle and fold.

Saw a demo of that on TV yesterday. Not something that has to be over-thought.

[robert.]

My wife cranks them out. about 3-4 an hour. I take them with me for the guys unloading my truck. the last few days i used my truck for food pantry deliveries. Most of the people unloading me wrap a tee shirt around their face.I hand them these to keep. most are real thankful to get one. She's plumb out of supplies to make more. The stores are out also.

[Neil]

HEPA vacuum cleaner bags might make pretty good mask materials too, although I haven't had to try them since I have access to surgical masks at work.

[chuck]

HEPA is preferred but they are getting to be very hard to find. Filtrete Micro-Alergen is next best.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

The son of my cousin-in-law who just died this week from the virus has decided he is going straight into the ground. No funeral. No Mass. Nothing. Ostensibly, we will be getting together to mark the deceased father's birthday in October, the son re-confirmed.
Wow.
So very strange.

[chuck]

My 98 year old father in law passed away on Thursday. We are doing the same thing. We will hold a cellebration of life for the family in the summer when travel restrictions and social distancing are (hopefully) relaxed.

Michigan just tightened its stay at home/shelter in place rules. It was surreal at the funeral home, director was 16-20 feet away and wearing a mask. We were wearing masks too. He would come about 1/3 of the way and lean/reach and I would do the same to exchange documents for signature. We (wife and I) will meet at the funeral home at 10:30 this wednesday, verify he is in the coffin and then drive out to the cemetery for interment. No pall bearers, cemetary staff/funeral parlor staff will handle the casket. Cemetery is closed for "visitors". Very weird, almost surreal.

[Roy]

I may have an old dust mask around. I think they're paper. How would that work?

[chuck]

I may have an old dust mask around. I think they're paper. How would that work?

Beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Anything is better than nothing and then the better the quality of the filter, the more protection offered. Tightly woven cotton is the best "fabric" mask. A surgical mask beats a yard gp paper mask. A filter mask for plaster dust and other fine particles beats a gp dust mask. A mask for spray painting HVOC's is better still. The quality of the paper masks is only partly based on the quality of the filter material. The better the fit, the more effective the mask.

[robert.]

Septa revoked it's mandatory mask policy. While NJ. transit started a mandatory mask policy. With no bus fares septa in getting a lot of people riding for fun. Fines/removal will be issued to joy riders.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Back from the grocery.....got everything on the list except yogurt. Yes, the paper goods aisle is empty, and baking supplies are low, but the rest seemed quite well stocked. Most wearing masks and the aisles are 1-way.

Understand that the Amish in Ohio are making masks for the Cleveland Clinic - 10k/day. They figured out a more efficient design.

[v8vega]

You can make masks from women's panties.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

You can make masks from women's panties.

Please post a picture of yourself wearing some.......