Thread by @paulakatarina

My @flo_mask Pro finally arrived. Can't wait to test it out in full this weekend. Excited to see how well it performs in the 🇵🇭 climate. What I can say though is that it was really easy to tinker with the parts. No issues installing the filter either. 🥰

Today in testing the @flo_mask Pro:
☑️ Used the Everyday Filter & inhaling feels fine. No odd plasticky smells. Feels quite cool underneath w/o air leaks on exhalation.
☑️ Unlike w/ N95s, it doesn't get dislodged while speaking. Chin is free!
1/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

☑️ My 🕶️, w/c have become essentials post LASIK, fit perfectly on that notch.
🥺 Smiling feels weird. Like there's a leak over the nose bridge. This pandemic isn't anything to smile about anyway. Right @JoshuaCAgar,
@mdsynic, @white_bite?
2/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

☑️ Even with my flat scalp, the Halo Strap keeps the FloMask in place w/o causing unnecessary tension on my hair. 😅
🤔 Because of my scalp + cervical scoliosis, I've yet to figure out the perfect position & tightness of the bottom strap.
3/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

I assumed that I could get by w/o the condensation foam. Misunderstood "optional" on the packaging. Oops!
But w/ the humidity & 🌡️ here, a lot of moisture accumulated inside the mask w/in 3 hours. Will resume tomorrow w/ the foam insert. 😅
4/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Today in testing the @flo_mask Pro:
☑️ Used the condensation foam insert. On fit, feels no different vs w/o.
🌡️ Since I'll be moving b/t outdoor (heat index 43°C) & AC'd areas, expecting a lot of moisture. Hopefully the foam does its job.
5/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

On tension:
☑️ I found the sweet spot for the bottom strap! It no longer feels like my neck is being pulled in.
☑️ The Y-part of the Halo Strap should be as far apart as possible. Shouldn't use conditioner or hair treatment for a while. 😅
6/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

On moisture:
🌡️ Spoke quite a bit w/ the @flo_mask on. I did move from cool to hot & then cool spaces again. Yet there were visibly less droplets today vs yesterday (not documented oops).
☑️ The mask still didn't get dislodged while speaking.
7/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

🤔 The foam insert tends to get dislodged over time. Quite far vs on the sample vid.
Not sure if it's OK or if I have to figure something out to keep the foam in place.
☑️ Still happy about less droplets vs yesterday.
8/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

🤍 Overall I'm happy w/ the fit,the look,& the IRL feedback. No peculiar stares but pandemic fatigue may be a confounder. Will resume my commentary soon. Need to read up on others' experiences. Ideally fr those w/ similar climate conditions.
9/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Testing the @flo_mask Pro Filter since I'll be at the 🏥 as a patient.
🤔 Not as cool when breathing in vs the Everyday Filter. Still comfortable enough in the sweltering heat 🇵🇭
🤔 Using the Pro Filter results in more rapid condensation.
10/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Started a short walk of >1 km w/ the FloMask Pro. Didn't bring an Everyday Filter so I didn't get to switch out the Pro Filter after. I did bring a 3M Aura in case my mask would get flagged.
Update: face shields are no longer mandatory.
11/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Utilizing my waiting time, here's the 🎥 from when I started recording my walk w/ the @flo_mask Pro. Forgive the awkwardness. 🙏
👂 Slight muffling vs 3M Aura & w/o a mask. Still sounds acceptable for me
✅ Still fairly comfortable so far
12/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

After 🚶‍♀️ >1km for ~17 min:
🥵 Really sweaty under the @flo_mask w/ the Pro Filter
😮‍💨 Not sure if the heat & humidity should be considered but it was a bit stuffy after
✅ The mask didn't get dislodged from the sweet spot during the walk
13/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Inside the mask. Not shown but before walking I had already wiped off the droplets from earlier
💧 Even w/ the foam insert, still a lot of moisture
🤔 While the @flo_mask Pro has a great fit, it's adaptability to humid areas needs some work
14/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Also including comparisons w/ the 3M Aura which already has best fit for N95s in the 🇵🇭.
I took a roundtrip walk back to my starting point. Concerns:
🤔 The fit could never maintain a sweet spot on my chin
❎ The elastic tugs at my hair
15/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

More than halfway w/ my walk wearing my 3M Aura &
✅ Vs the FloMask Pro my voice sounds less muffled
🤔 While it fits initially, dislodged yet again! Really have to make an effort to keep it in place
🥵 Still sweaty underneath. 🇵🇭 climate
16/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

After that roundtrip walk, same concerns in the previous tweet:
🥵 Still sweaty underneath the mask. So it will always be a concern, moreso outdoors
😅 Flip side with the 3M Aura: it's good for my avoidant and socially awkward tendencies
17/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Compared to the 🎥 above, here's my voice w/o the mask. Personally it was awkward sharing this. But I think hearing the voice quality differences b/t unmasked & masked while in an outdoor setting is still relevant.
Yes I'm still audible!
18/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Meanwhile these were taken at different times & areas of the hospital. Wearing the FloMask Pro w/ the Pro Filter was comfortable while pacing back & forth. Anxiety & all. 🫥
Segue: Still suspecting that the 🥶🌡️ range is for the machines
19/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Resuming my end user observations of the Flo Mask Pro.
Recap: I'm using it in a humid tropical region in an urban setting. 🇵🇭
So far, I've shared my experience w/ this mask using the Pro Filter. Today, I tested it out w/ the Everyday Filter.
20/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Walked the same distance of ~1km
Definitely more humid than last time bc the rain just cleared up 🌦️
Used @flo_mask Pro +Everyday Filter. Vs the Pro Filter:
✅ Felt cooler inside on initial fitting
✅ More comfortable breathing into the mask
21/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

✅ Halfway through the walk, I didn't feel the stuffiness I had w/ the Pro Filter
✅ Despite the heat & humidity this morning, the walk was still tolerable.
💧 The need to wipe off the droplets didn't feel as urgent w/ the Everyday Filter
22/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

✅ On reaching ~1km,I have to say that as a Flo Mask user & given today's conditions, the Everyday Filter was comfortable enough
🤔 Despite the more appealing rating of the Pro Filter, I should still consider breathability in my environment
23/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

While testing out the Everyday Filter,I realized it would be a good opportunity to test the Flo Mask in a public transport setting. Will admit I don't have any plans of doing so due to my unresolved issues w/ personal space & heat in general
24/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Nevertheless,I'd still recommend further testing on how suitable the Flo Mask is here in the 🇵🇭. Public transportation included
Expertise may be needed esp since there are many considerations other than comfort in such a congested setting
25/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Before I forget, here's what the mask looks like on the inside after using the Everyday Filter. Didn't clear out the droplets during the walk
Yes, still w/ droplets but not as big or as plenty as w/ the Pro Filter:
26/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Still figuring out other things e.g., making the @flo_mask cooperate w/ my hair / achieving the best stability of fit
💄Small joys but vs other masks I can wear 💄 w/o any transfer
🤔 Will hot soapy water be enough to remove makeup residue?
27/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Watching #Katips today while testing the @flo_mask. Cinema where I'm watching #KatipsTheMovie has a 40 seating capacity. AFAIK, seating distance is ~1-2m and the cinema supposedly has air purifiers.
Let's see how it goes. BRB 🎟️🎬
28/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Picked up tickets @ 11:31. Including the ticket booth area, 3 people & 1 cinema staff only. Just walked around after that.
About to enter the cinema @ 11:47. More people w/ >12 waiting or asking about the availability of #Katips scheds.
29/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Settled in @ 11:51 while the trailers were still playing. Cinema was >½ full @ that time. CO2 levels ranged from 485 to 495 ppm.
Also wore the Flo Mask during the ~2h movie. Given the ❄️🌡️, felt fine w/ no significant condensation.
30/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

52 min into #Katips so time check 12:52 w/ CO2 levels @ 624 ppm. So people were prolly eating the in-house popcorn.
TBH just the aroma would induce my cravings. But wearing the Flo Mask + Everyday Filter earlier helped w/ the munchies 🥰🍿
31/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

@DurianLiftOff's tip to press down over nose bridge area minimized air leaks during the light-hearted moments of the film. Cheek muscles to blame. Also needed to press down over the chin area during the heartbreaking moments. 🥹🤧
32/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

When I was already hiding behind the 🍿 bag during the scenes depicting torture & human rights violations, I was neither bothered nor comforted by the aroma. Thanks, #FloMask. Sadly it didn't help w/ the 🧅🥷. 🥹
PS. HRVs ≠ chismis 😤😬
33/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

End credits by 14:21. By then had the highest CO2 values in the 700s. Not sure if masks were still off Estimate at 32-35 viewers out of 40 seats. Do correct if w/ actual count. Anyway deferring to @JoshuaCAgar for the technical aspects.
34/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Except for the conscious effort to maintain a tight seal during those visceral scenes thus resulting in slight displacement by my facial muscles, the #FloMask was quite comfortable to wear in such a cold and controlled space. ❄️
35/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Other findings in the cinema BTW: 2 HEPA filters near the entrance-exits / screen. Possibly this model: aurabeatphl.com/collections/al…
Others, if present, were not visible. Also not sure if the device placement is ideal.
CC: @JoshuaCAgar
36/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Other findings w/ the #FloMask: minimal product transfer w/ pressed powder foundation (see blue ⭕), so I'm confident 🧼 & 💧 will remove the residue. But I'm still apprehensive to use liquid / cushion foundations. 🥹

37/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Other findings: read some comments about how the notch on the #FloMask fits even oversized eyeglasses. Sadly that the generalization doesn't apply to oversized sunglasses.
Oh well, I will need to compromise this time. 🕶️🥺
38/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Going back: during those 2+ hours, the CO2 monitor alarm didn't go off. So the CO2 in that enclosed space was still w/in acceptable range. The people eating popcorn were around a meter away from me anyway.
39/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Caveats: screen was too bright & the audio was too loud. Distance between viewers and possibly muffled coughing/sneezing through masks may have also obscured the sounds. So if anyone did cough/sneeze during the film, I didn't hear it.
40/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Hello! The @flo_mask × CO2 detector megathread is back. This time, I'm using it in a fully AC'ed venue. #MulaSaBuwan is sold out so that's a full house of 1500 seating capacity.🌹🌕
Photo taken at 18:40 with hardly any people in the lobby.
41/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Comfort-wise, since there are no significant changes in temperature, not much condensation and comfort level is much better than expected. Especially with a new Everyday Filter, breathability is peak!
42/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

At 18:44, a queue was forming by the photo tarp. It gets longer later btw. Some take off their masks, while others take their pics with theirs on.
43/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Just passed through the lobby where there are more people vs the photo tarp queue. Taken at 18:48.
44/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Reading of 824 ppm CO2 at 19:27 and the seats aren't even full yet.
I can already hear people coughing in the back. Let's see how tonight goes. 🫤
#MulaSaBuwan is starting in a bit. BRB. 🌹🌕
45/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Start of intermission: CO2 in the 1300s at 21:29.
By guestimation, the venue was almost full. The first act elicited so much laughter! Also heard some coughs. 🫤
BTW most masks worn were surgical masks, KF94s, & KF95s. Rare N95.
46/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

End of intermission at 21:50: CO2 at 1255 ppm.
Took a while but I got bothered by the coughing which wasn't limited to my section. Hoping that aside from my guardian angel, the #flomask still tips the odds in my favor versus C19.
47/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Curtain call & people were already exiting. Time check 23:00 w/ a CO2 level of 1485 ppm. People were taking photo-ops w/ masks off when I overheard a person say "Ay may COVID pa pala."
Loose translation is "Oh, there's still COVID."
48/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

FTR, the 2nd act lasted ~1 hr. But I heard 109 coughs from the whole hall. Don't wanna recall the number from the 1st act w/c lasted ~2 hrs.
Yes, I can but don't wanna remember stuff like these. 🫤
#PrayerPower × #FloMask 💪🙏
49/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Anyway it's past MN here but I will always remember the good from last night: the laughter, the heartbreak, & that unwavering hope.
May have pushed my luck, but I don't think I'll ever regret attending tonight's #MulaSaBuwan show even if #COVIDisAirborne & #CovidIsNotOver. 50/🧵

Speaking of emotions: milestone that I was more alert, thus able to seal off the #flomask over my nose bridge to prevent air leaks when laughing. Cheeks not hopeless, @DurianLiftOff & @white_bite 🥰
The gasket imprints were totally worth it.
51/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Today at the Manila International Book Fair: wearing my Flo Mask today & it was a good decision to do so. Stayed for around an hour & checked several booths. CO2 levels ranged from 1289 to 1606 ppm. The nonstop beeping was awkward wwww 😅
52/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Yes, I took my chances w/ the Pilot booth because my annual haul of refills & pens is essential & non-negotiable. TBH it's one of the busiest & in-demand booths. Pilot is lyf. ✒️✍️
Also at least some areas were less crowded than others. 😅
53/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

For lunch, chose an empty restaurant at odd hours. No one eats lunch that early in the day anyway. Lowest CO2 @ 553 ppm. By the time lunch was done & @ 90% seating capacity, CO2 was just at 619 ppm. Wore the Flo Mask unless eating anyway.
54/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Snack break! This what dine out looks like in a fairly high traffic 🇵🇭 mall, esp. after EO 3, s. 2022. Thankfully seated 1 table away (~1.5m) from other diners in all directions. But recorded CO2 in those ~20 min ranged from 836 to 1127 ppm.
55/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Sure there were intermittent bursts of wind movement. But for most of the dining time, I didn't feel any changes. Not sure if I should feel reassured.
PS These shengjian bao (fried dumplings) from Mai Wei Fang are worth the calories. 🥹😋
56/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Reviving the megathread since masking in the 🇵🇭 is now optional. 🤮
Attending mass & while the space bt rows >1 meter, there unmasked folk. So I have the unfortunate circumstance of proximity.
Pray for me bc I don't need to be #blessed
57/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Not shown but there are some people coughing, children included. I'm not reasured at all bc one of those unmasked children is facing me & is seated on their unmasked parent's lap. This parent is front of me, fanning this kid. ¡Que horror!
58/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Sure, most of the people I've encountered so far are wearing their masks. But is this a sampling bias because of the characteristics of the community in this venue?
Haaay! I don't want or need the minimizer definition of #blessed, pls lang.
59/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Of course, the priest minimizes COVID-19. Physical attendance & receiving "communion" are a must vs virtual attendance since that's far less *blessing* than "real mass."
If that's the case, I don't need to subscribe to this "requirement".
60/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

I don't think social obligation attendance / any attendance whatsoever is worth it.
"Nasa Dios ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa" means that while some things are up to God, people have to do our due diligence. That means doing part against COVID.
61/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Using the homily platform to tell attendees that COVID is "not as much a problem" as before is downright irresponsible.
Minimizing the threat of COVID-19 to what end? IDK. But I can only make conjectures 💸
62/🧵 #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

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