Thread by @ZiadFazel

Late on the Wed night before Xmas, I did my first-ever video thread.

I wanted to take y'all on a journey from cloth mask, to Blue Leakies™️, to Vanch, to (K)N95 respirators, to elastomeric respirators.

In time for last-minute Xmas/Omicron PPE shopping.

threadreaderapp.com/thread/1473937…

Now that you have had some time to:
• open your Xmas gifts
• compare what friends & family have
• learned how important it is to prevent catching Omicron*

I wanted to give you some updates.

*Even if mild, you don't want to catch it and miss work/school. That has a cost too.

If you did not get (in my order of preference) enough of this Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Xmas, from LEGITIMATE sources, time to buy:
• elastomeric respirator that seals to your face like a diver's mask
• comfortable (K, N, or some other prefix-) 95

Time to buy.

Remember, you're not looking for a Mask any more.

You need to do more than just put cloth or polypropylene over your face to filter a bit of what you are exhaling.

You need PPE - a respirator - to protect yourself when you're inhaling too.

LEGITIMATE

To check whether you got/are getting authorized product for Canada, get the model name + manufacturer or importer.

Then look them up on Health Canada database, like I did with @micropainter . I can't do this for everyone, so I show you how.

https://twitter.com/micropainter/status/1472634661616566276?s=20

By calling the NanoMask "disposable" in my thread, I compared it to truly disposable Blue Leakies™️.

But it really has the longevity of a cloth mask with replaceable filters, at better cost, comfort, quality and safety.

Here's why.

I've worn my NanoMask at least every other day for 2 weeks, sometimes for 5+ busy hours at a time - not just grocery or pharmacy runs. On rotation, I can see it lasting for months.

It is $20 each if you buy a single or 5-pack (get at least 2 per person)

prescientx.com/shop

Now let's compare to what *I USED TO THINK IN 2020* was a pretty good cloth mask, with different inner/outer materials, a filter pocket, and a nose piece.

$7 at Walmart incl 2 filters, then $1/filter after that. Let's say you get 4 uses per filter, so $0.25 per use, plus mask.

So you pay $7 for cloth mask, compared to $20 for NanoMask, thinking you got a good deal.

If you ignore your safety.

With that $13 "saving" you have to buy more filters, at $0.25/use.

Breakeven is ~ 52 uses. If you get more than 52 uses from a NanoMask, it is the better deal.

I can't say for sure you'll get > 52 uses from a NanoMask. I'm not there yet, but looks good so far.

If you work from home, and just need it for shopping, running errands, attending religious services, and visiting friends & family - like I use mine - I can see >52 uses easily.

Just a reminder, I have no affiliation with @Prescientx1 other than knowing @BarryHunt008 through Twitter.

If I wasn't already decided on NanoMask from now on, I would look first for @CAPPEM2 products, buy them myself, and then review them too.

cappem.ca

Excellent thread from @DavidElfstrom on the CSA Standard Z94.4.1:21 for "Performance of filtering respirators."

It goes beyond NIOSH standards for N95 in several areas, so watch for products that meet this standard.

https://twitter.com/DavidElfstrom/status/1458460861710938117?s=20

@DavidElfstrom Respirator manufacturers to this CSA standard must go over & above those that NIOSH has for N95, eg:
• quantitative fit testing
• airflow resistance & breathability
• fluid and flammability resistance
• shelf life

Watch for this superior, 🇨🇦PPE coming from @CAPPEM2

This possible brace upgrades a Blue Leakie™️ with an elastomeric seal, gripping the procedural/surgical mask inside a hinged frame.

Staff/visitors/residents can comply with AHS IPAC demands we VISIBLY wear a Blue Leakie™️, while ACTUALLY being safer.

https://twitter.com/BarryHunt008/status/1464784834316881923?s=20

Thanks, good night, and be safe.

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