4 ms·

This has been the best proof that intelligence and common sense don't necessarily go together. Not to single out Stanford students, there is no common sense to

This has been the best proof that intelligence and common sense don't necessarily go together. Not to single out Stanford students, there is no common sense to be found anywhere lately.

krastanov 5y ago
I am not a Stanford student, but I bike with a mask on when near traffic. It has nothing to so with the virus and everything to do with measurable quality of air. Yes, it a N95, no I have no trouble breathing (and I am not particularly fit), no it has not been a problem in the hot summer.
- lambdaba 5y ago
  Again, thank you, you've persuaded me to give an N95 a try as I often have the snot problem when riding in traffic. Are some better than others?
  - jerlam 5y ago
    The biggest difference between various N95s is fit, but that's going to rely on your specific facial characteristics. The respirator needs to seal well to your face otherwise the polluted air will take the path of least resistance, through the gaps between your face and the mask. Some respirators come in small sizes and different shapes may fit differently. Once you achieve a decent fit, a secondary characteristic is inhalation/exhalation resistance. Good N95 filter material can achieve the required 95%+ filtration but also achieve very low breathing resistance. The N95 requirements for inhalation resistance are quite easy to achieve, being less than 35 mmH2O. Good respirators test at less than 10 mmH20. If you are going to use an N95 frequently, it probably makes more sense to invest in an elastomeric respirator, which is made out of a softer thermoplastic or silicone material. They use separate detachable filters which are more durable than the simple folded filter material of a disposable, and do not degrade due to exhaled moisture or sweat.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
pessimizer 5y ago
My common sense tells me not to waste decisionmaking effort on trying to figure out when I can get out of minor inconveniences. For example, instead if trying to figure out when I can get away with not using a turn signal, I'm as likely to put on a turn signal when turning in an empty parking lot or an empty road as I am in traffic. Introducing decisionmaking makes you slower, and gives you the opportunity to get it horribly wrong. Not constantly trying to get out of doing little things allows me the time to contemplate more important things. I will never be the guy who gets on his motorcycle and goes "Should I wear a helmet? It's only two blocks away." Am I stupid?
- lambdaba 5y ago
  Okay, I confess my reading is they are actually doing this either out of worry of being infected while riding (note that authorities have mandated masks outdoors on beaches etc.) or more likely for signaling, and I don't like this very much. I try to do the opposite because I'd like to have a totally free face again.

This has been the best proof that intelligence and common sense don't necessarily go together. Not to single out Stanford students, there is no common sense to be found anywhere lately.

krastanov 5y ago

I am not a Stanford student, but I bike with a mask on when near traffic. It has nothing to so with the virus and everything to do with measurable quality of air. Yes, it a N95, no I have no trouble breathing (and I am not particularly fit), no it has not been a problem in the hot summer.

lambdaba 5y ago
Again, thank you, you've persuaded me to give an N95 a try as I often have the snot problem when riding in traffic. Are some better than others?
- jerlam 5y ago
  The biggest difference between various N95s is fit, but that's going to rely on your specific facial characteristics. The respirator needs to seal well to your face otherwise the polluted air will take the path of least resistance, through the gaps between your face and the mask. Some respirators come in small sizes and different shapes may fit differently. Once you achieve a decent fit, a secondary characteristic is inhalation/exhalation resistance. Good N95 filter material can achieve the required 95%+ filtration but also achieve very low breathing resistance. The N95 requirements for inhalation resistance are quite easy to achieve, being less than 35 mmH2O. Good respirators test at less than 10 mmH20. If you are going to use an N95 frequently, it probably makes more sense to invest in an elastomeric respirator, which is made out of a softer thermoplastic or silicone material. They use separate detachable filters which are more durable than the simple folded filter material of a disposable, and do not degrade due to exhaled moisture or sweat.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

pessimizer 5y ago

My common sense tells me not to waste decisionmaking effort on trying to figure out when I can get out of minor inconveniences. For example, instead if trying to figure out when I can get away with not using a turn signal, I'm as likely to put on a turn signal when turning in an empty parking lot or an empty road as I am in traffic. Introducing decisionmaking makes you slower, and gives you the opportunity to get it horribly wrong. Not constantly trying to get out of doing little things allows me the time to contemplate more important things. I will never be the guy who gets on his motorcycle and goes "Should I wear a helmet? It's only two blocks away." Am I stupid?

lambdaba 5y ago
Okay, I confess my reading is they are actually doing this either out of worry of being infected while riding (note that authorities have mandated masks outdoors on beaches etc.) or more likely for signaling, and I don't like this very much. I try to do the opposite because I'd like to have a totally free face again.