5 ms·

We Need Better Masks

10 points by srameshc 6y ago

calmworm 6y ago
This article repeatedly mentions the main issue with masks right now, that they require widespread adoption and usage, while pretending “better masks” will somehow solve it.
- m0llusk 6y ago
  Exactly! This article is a great demonstration of how tuned out and ivory tower much of the medical establishment is. What are the real problems with masks? Did they bother to talk to or even count mask users? From my experience masks are inconvenient to carry, put on, and take off. Wearing them is not only uncomfortable but adds minor difficulty to breathing. My work as a cleaner is exhausting and accounted for by the hour. Masks turn my work from miserable to borderline unbearable. Exactly how do masks effect temperature and breathing? No one knows or cares! I am convinced I have experienced several events of serious and dangerous hypoxia as a result of needed to wear a mask while working. Have any of these people bothered to quantify the risks of hypoxia while doing strenuous work and wearing a mask? Maybe ivory tower work doesn't get them breathing hard so it is okay? Being slightly off with their marketing game might be excusable, but one would expect medical professionals to have some nonzero level of bedside manner and actual interest in not doing harm.
  - calmworm 6y ago
    Apologies, but I’m having trouble with your response. It doesn’t seem to be related to the article or my comment. This article is all about creating “better” masks for general public usage in social situations. It seems to say that even with, or because of, those not wearing masks, the mask-wearers need more effective masks.
    - jakeogh 6y ago
      People must make their own healthcare decisions. Telling others what to do because one does not want to wear an actually effective mask is rather slick conditioning towards a forced medical procedure. I think you understood the comment you are replying to. US Experiment on infants withholding affection: https://stpauls.vxcommunity.com/Issue/Us-Experiment-On-Infants-Withholding-Affection/13213 https://stpauls.vxcommunity.com/Issue/Us-Experiment-On-Infan... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Baby+development+without+affection https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Baby+development+witho...
    - m0llusk 6y ago
      I am saying that this "better" metric you refer to is badly defined in this article. A mask that allowed for easier breathing would potentially be used more frequently and reliably and would do less damage to the wearer. That seems better to me. The ease of carrying, wearing, and also cleaning are other important contributing factors. You are agreeing with the writer that the only contributing factor to "better" is the capacity to lower infection rates when correctly worn. That isn't merely wrong, it is dangerously and offensively stupid.
      - calmworm 6y ago
        Thank you for clarifying your point. They touched on multiple points of "better" in this article... one of which is "Comfort", "For example, Stanford researchers are experimenting with wearable devices that pump oxygen into masks to make them more breathable."
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
aquaphile 6y ago
Done! Well, at least 4/5 of the HBR criteria. See https://www.kioma.us/products/mask https://www.kioma.us/products/mask and please support us with a purchase! I'm a YC alum in the healthcare field, and this respirator mask is a project I spun up with friends. We designed and are actively selling a home-grown full face respirator that addresses 4 of the 5 criteria in this HBR article: Protection, Scalability, Comfort, and Reusability. Style is in the eye of the beholder, and some people think our design is ugly ;) Protection: only full face respirators have proven effective in the field against Covid. Our respirator is a sealed system for 3-in-1 protection, replacing separate mask, googles, and face shield. Scalability: we designed it for rapid-response distributed manufacturing. Reusable: it is washable in soap and water. You can also alcohol spray/wipe it. Additionally, the filters are replaceable, and super-easy to do. The filter media we've tested ourselves at 94% 0.3 micron efficacy; however, that is not an independent certified test. Comfort: it is cooler, dryer, and more comfortable to wear for long duration. My daughter has rock-climbed in it for several hours, to give you an idea of how comfortable it is. The design saves the nose and cheeks from the pressures of partial masks and googles. Cold air is cycled in and through by wearer's own respiration. Style: Well, we can't win them all :) Aesthetically some people like it, some people don't. We do our best, but we prioritize function/safety, scalability, and price point over style.
- calmworm 6y ago
  Make it dishwasher safe and you’ve got something here.

10 points by srameshc 6y ago

This article repeatedly mentions the main issue with masks right now, that they require widespread adoption and usage, while pretending “better masks” will somehow solve it.

m0llusk 6y ago
Exactly! This article is a great demonstration of how tuned out and ivory tower much of the medical establishment is. What are the real problems with masks? Did they bother to talk to or even count mask users? From my experience masks are inconvenient to carry, put on, and take off. Wearing them is not only uncomfortable but adds minor difficulty to breathing. My work as a cleaner is exhausting and accounted for by the hour. Masks turn my work from miserable to borderline unbearable. Exactly how do masks effect temperature and breathing? No one knows or cares! I am convinced I have experienced several events of serious and dangerous hypoxia as a result of needed to wear a mask while working. Have any of these people bothered to quantify the risks of hypoxia while doing strenuous work and wearing a mask? Maybe ivory tower work doesn't get them breathing hard so it is okay? Being slightly off with their marketing game might be excusable, but one would expect medical professionals to have some nonzero level of bedside manner and actual interest in not doing harm.
- calmworm 6y ago
  Apologies, but I’m having trouble with your response. It doesn’t seem to be related to the article or my comment. This article is all about creating “better” masks for general public usage in social situations. It seems to say that even with, or because of, those not wearing masks, the mask-wearers need more effective masks.
  - jakeogh 6y ago
    People must make their own healthcare decisions. Telling others what to do because one does not want to wear an actually effective mask is rather slick conditioning towards a forced medical procedure. I think you understood the comment you are replying to. US Experiment on infants withholding affection: https://stpauls.vxcommunity.com/Issue/Us-Experiment-On-Infants-Withholding-Affection/13213 https://stpauls.vxcommunity.com/Issue/Us-Experiment-On-Infan... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Baby+development+without+affection https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Baby+development+witho...
  - m0llusk 6y ago
    I am saying that this "better" metric you refer to is badly defined in this article. A mask that allowed for easier breathing would potentially be used more frequently and reliably and would do less damage to the wearer. That seems better to me. The ease of carrying, wearing, and also cleaning are other important contributing factors. You are agreeing with the writer that the only contributing factor to "better" is the capacity to lower infection rates when correctly worn. That isn't merely wrong, it is dangerously and offensively stupid.
    - calmworm 6y ago
      Thank you for clarifying your point. They touched on multiple points of "better" in this article... one of which is "Comfort", "For example, Stanford researchers are experimenting with wearable devices that pump oxygen into masks to make them more breathable."

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

aquaphile 6y ago

Done! Well, at least 4/5 of the HBR criteria. See https://www.kioma.us/products/mask https://www.kioma.us/products/mask and please support us with a purchase! I'm a YC alum in the healthcare field, and this respirator mask is a project I spun up with friends. We designed and are actively selling a home-grown full face respirator that addresses 4 of the 5 criteria in this HBR article: Protection, Scalability, Comfort, and Reusability. Style is in the eye of the beholder, and some people think our design is ugly ;) Protection: only full face respirators have proven effective in the field against Covid. Our respirator is a sealed system for 3-in-1 protection, replacing separate mask, googles, and face shield. Scalability: we designed it for rapid-response distributed manufacturing. Reusable: it is washable in soap and water. You can also alcohol spray/wipe it. Additionally, the filters are replaceable, and super-easy to do. The filter media we've tested ourselves at 94% 0.3 micron efficacy; however, that is not an independent certified test. Comfort: it is cooler, dryer, and more comfortable to wear for long duration. My daughter has rock-climbed in it for several hours, to give you an idea of how comfortable it is. The design saves the nose and cheeks from the pressures of partial masks and googles. Cold air is cycled in and through by wearer's own respiration. Style: Well, we can't win them all :) Aesthetically some people like it, some people don't. We do our best, but we prioritize function/safety, scalability, and price point over style.

calmworm 6y ago
Make it dishwasher safe and you’ve got something here.