Jun 24, 2020, 6:06 am
Last edit by: NewbieRunner
Moderator announcement - June 23, 2020:
Flyertalk’s moderators generally take a hands-off approach when it comes to judging the accuracy of members’ statements. While that’s fine for travel debates, a pandemic is clearly a more serious issue.
A meta-analysis of 172 studies that looked at various interventions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, SARS and MERS from an infected person to people close to them, published in The Lancet on June 1, found that mask wearing significantly reduces the risk of viral transmission.
Given the science, the forum moderators are disallowing any further posts that debate whether or not masks should be worn. Posts that do so will be deleted and members subject to discipline.
Please also note, we do not allow posting of conspiracy theories or racist terms used in place of Covid-19, coronavirus, etc.
- Coronavirus and Travel moderator team
Flyertalk’s moderators generally take a hands-off approach when it comes to judging the accuracy of members’ statements. While that’s fine for travel debates, a pandemic is clearly a more serious issue.
A meta-analysis of 172 studies that looked at various interventions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, SARS and MERS from an infected person to people close to them, published in The Lancet on June 1, found that mask wearing significantly reduces the risk of viral transmission.
Given the science, the forum moderators are disallowing any further posts that debate whether or not masks should be worn. Posts that do so will be deleted and members subject to discipline.
Please also note, we do not allow posting of conspiracy theories or racist terms used in place of Covid-19, coronavirus, etc.
- Coronavirus and Travel moderator team
Coronavirus and masks/face coverings [Consolidated thread]
Jul 1, 2020, 7:29 pm
#1651
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
If we were able to travel overseas, I'd buy some N95 for the long flights, though at $5 or more a piece and they're suppose to be single-use, you may not want to use it daily.
Jul 1, 2020, 7:53 pm
#1652
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
For us ordinary mortals, you can reuse your N95 mask. If you cover your N95 mask with a cloth mask or bandana (which will keep most exogenous virus off your N95 mask),then you should be able to wash the cloth mask and minimize the contamination of the good mask.
If you get 2 N95 masks, then just alternating masks will allow you the opportunity to clean one while using the other.
Jul 1, 2020, 8:06 pm
#1653
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
How and what do you clean them with?
Jul 1, 2020, 8:44 pm
#1654
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
Jul 1, 2020, 9:56 pm
#1655
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K, AS MVP GLD 75K, DL Pt
Posts: 1,086
They are single use for health care workers in high risk environments. Even in that situation, there are now mask sterilizers within hospitals that permit reuse of these masks.
For us ordinary mortals, you can reuse your N95 mask. If you cover your N95 mask with a cloth mask or bandana (which will keep most exogenous virus off your N95 mask),then you should be able to wash the cloth mask and minimize the contamination of the good mask.
If you get 2 N95 masks, then just alternating masks will allow you the opportunity to clean one while using the other.
For us ordinary mortals, you can reuse your N95 mask. If you cover your N95 mask with a cloth mask or bandana (which will keep most exogenous virus off your N95 mask),then you should be able to wash the cloth mask and minimize the contamination of the good mask.
If you get 2 N95 masks, then just alternating masks will allow you the opportunity to clean one while using the other.
I heard about the containers where they sanitized with what was it peroxide? Now there is concern about the cleaning being a health hazard. Also anything that cleans likely also will start breaking down the mask too, no?
Jul 2, 2020, 7:16 am
#1656
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
Is cleaning really necessary, a little sun and let it dry out should be good enough, no?
I heard about the containers where they sanitized with what was it peroxide? Now there is concern about the cleaning being a health hazard. Also anything that cleans likely also will start breaking down the mask too, no?
I heard about the containers where they sanitized with what was it peroxide? Now there is concern about the cleaning being a health hazard. Also anything that cleans likely also will start breaking down the mask too, no?
This is how I will travel next week. I will use the N95 mask on the plane (covered with a secondary cloth or surgical mask), and when we get to our destination, I will let the N-95 mask sit in the sun for several days before using it again on the return plane trip. I will use cloth or surgical masks during my stay, allowing my N95 mask to auto-clean
It's not perfect, but then again, I am not going to be staffing an ICU full of Covid positive patients
Jul 2, 2020, 2:53 pm
#1657
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
At long last, the governor of Texas has issued a mask order, for most counties throughout the state. More info in the Texas forum:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32503177-post83.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32503177-post83.html
Jul 2, 2020, 2:56 pm
#1658
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,398
Never heard of them but Scott Gottlieb said there are Level 3 surgical masks. I searched on Amazon and there are only two listings with level 3.
He said 95-96% for N95 and 67% for surgical masks.
N95 and KN95 available at accused.com, though they're expensive and supplies are still limited in the consumer channel.
He said 95-96% for N95 and 67% for surgical masks.
N95 and KN95 available at accused.com, though they're expensive and supplies are still limited in the consumer channel.
Jul 2, 2020, 4:02 pm
#1659
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: VIE
Programs: SAS EBS / *A Silver, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 3,770
I just arrived to Prague. It's only been 45 hours since the mask requirement was dropped and pretty much no one wears them anymore. The only time I saw some people in masks was on a (packed) tram where maybe 5% of pax wore them. Easy come, easy go, I guess. Prague does have a community transmission so let's see what happens in 5-10 days.
Jul 2, 2020, 4:50 pm
#1660
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
Masking guide, gives some percentages filtered out.
100% cotton generally better than synthetic fibers for cloth masks, polypropylene better than paper for surgical masks.
KN95 is all over the map.
N95 the best.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsan...s-and-yourself
100% cotton generally better than synthetic fibers for cloth masks, polypropylene better than paper for surgical masks.
KN95 is all over the map.
N95 the best.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsan...s-and-yourself
Jul 2, 2020, 5:10 pm
#1661
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Never heard of them but Scott Gottlieb said there are Level 3 surgical masks. I searched on Amazon and there are only two listings with level 3.
He said 95-96% for N95 and 67% for surgical masks.
N95 and KN95 available at accused.com, though they're expensive and supplies are still limited in the consumer channel.
He said 95-96% for N95 and 67% for surgical masks.
N95 and KN95 available at accused.com, though they're expensive and supplies are still limited in the consumer channel.
Jul 2, 2020, 5:16 pm
#1662
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
AccuMed.com
They have some good quality masks. Never buy a KN95 with ear loops.
if you are getting really close to people while talking for extended periods of time, you should consider the N95's.
Riding dense public transportation? Probably.
More casual use with more distance and less talking... paper masks are fine if they FIT well and don't leak around the edges, like the fixthemask.com solutions.
They have some good quality masks. Never buy a KN95 with ear loops.
if you are getting really close to people while talking for extended periods of time, you should consider the N95's.
Riding dense public transportation? Probably.
More casual use with more distance and less talking... paper masks are fine if they FIT well and don't leak around the edges, like the fixthemask.com solutions.
Jul 2, 2020, 5:32 pm
#1663
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,666
I bought a couple of washable KN95s, supposedly up to 10 times, but it is too restrictive for me, couldn't handle it. I think a surgical one and a face shield will be all I can handle on a plane, especially long haul, and will be happy if I can...I hope it is enough.
Now I am getting a bit concerned if people in J will be wearing masks overnight in a TATL while sleeping...probably sporadically at best...My biggest anxiety is anyone claiming medical exceptions and/or starting coughing in J with no mask and near me....I hope it doesn't happen because I don't know what I will do....
Should I look for some kind of shower curtain or similar contraption for my seat, lol...
My other anxiety is if DFW and DFW passengers will be safe, after Texas turned into a mess...geez....
Now I am getting a bit concerned if people in J will be wearing masks overnight in a TATL while sleeping...probably sporadically at best...My biggest anxiety is anyone claiming medical exceptions and/or starting coughing in J with no mask and near me....I hope it doesn't happen because I don't know what I will do....
Should I look for some kind of shower curtain or similar contraption for my seat, lol...
My other anxiety is if DFW and DFW passengers will be safe, after Texas turned into a mess...geez....
Jul 2, 2020, 8:27 pm
#1664
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
I just arrived to Prague. It's only been 45 hours since the mask requirement was dropped and pretty much no one wears them anymore. The only time I saw some people in masks was on a (packed) tram where maybe 5% of pax wore them. Easy come, easy go, I guess. Prague does have a community transmission so let's see what happens in 5-10 days.
The way to keep Prague below an R of 1 is by using social distancing and masks which from your description is not happening.. I guess time will tell
Jul 3, 2020, 1:41 am
#1665
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: VIE
Programs: SAS EBS / *A Silver, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 3,770
If I get infected, it will happen here.It will. I'm quote curious to see what happens. Czechia was the second place in Europe to adopt masks and is the first to get rid of them. It should provide some interesting data.