randxalthor
randxalthor t1_itkbtj4 wrote
Reply to comment by HoobieHoo in MIT engineers develop sensors for face masks that help gauge fit by derpPhysics
You seem to have ignored my comment about how surgical masks aren't designed to seal.
Also, the fog test for N95s was the quick and dirty solution. It does, in fact, work, though it's not a good substitute for the aspartame test, as I pointed out. If your nose bridge fits properly and your straps are properly placed over your head, breathing out will not create enough positive pressure to push the mask away from your skin. The nose bridge is also the most critical part of the mask for fit because of the tight curvature, which is why it's a decent rule of thumb.
The water vapor you breathe out with a good seal will thus be forced to travel more evenly through the mask and not concentrate on your glasses. Many medical professionals wear glasses with N95s without worrying about fogging precisely because their masks fit well around the nose.
And in case you're wondering why I know all this, it's because I worked before and during the pandemic in bioweapons defense designing vapor and aerosol filters, and my SO worked as one of the aforementioned medical professionals treating COVID-positive patients.
randxalthor t1_itirf3m wrote
Reply to comment by PandaDad22 in MIT engineers develop sensors for face masks that help gauge fit by derpPhysics
If you want simple, you can do the glasses check. If you huff and your glasses don't fog up (presuming they're not anti-fog coated), it's an alright seal.
For professionals, that's not good enough, and the aspartame test is expensive and time-consuming, as well as not a continuous evaluation.
randxalthor t1_ithovxv wrote
Medical workers at our hospital during the pandemic were placed under a hood with their N95 and then aerosolized aspartame was put in. If you could taste it, you need to fix your mask fit.
Anything that makes fitting simpler, cheaper, and easier would be a welcome substitute.
What's strange to me is the use of surgical masks for evaluation of this tech. Surgical masks do not seal by their very nature. This would be far more useful for N95s and other respirators.
randxalthor t1_ite369v wrote
Reply to Good places to grab a few beers? by DirtPoorDog
Second vote for Hysteria. Both indoor and outdoor seating if you like the weather, and Bullhead next door (attached, really) has some rather tasty pit beef so you're not running on an empty stomach. Nifty selection of beers, too, rather than just a bunch of identical IPAs like some places seem to do.
randxalthor t1_isss308 wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in Moving to Columbia soon by [deleted]
If you want the typical "nice," you'll be looking in Ellicott City. Columbia has more socioeconomic diversity and more community benefits.
Easier to guide you with a price range. Low end, small, old townhouses in less desirable areas start around $300k, new luxury townhouses are $700k. You can get very nice garage townhouses in convenient locations for around $500-550k.
randxalthor t1_isj75th wrote
Reply to Australian research finds cost-effective way to recycle solar panels | Recycling by DrDaleks
This sounds excellent. Rather than some complicated process involving harmful chemicals and the like, they're physically separating the panel materials without requiring any additional polluting materials.
Moreover, they've thought through the logistics of scaling it up and localizing it such that you don't have to, say, ship your panels to southeast Asia to recycle.
Sounds like this really needs to be adopted as regulation and funded to be a normal part of the product life cycle.
randxalthor t1_irjpk64 wrote
Reply to apple cider donuts? by [deleted]
I think Larriland Farm had them when we went last year. Worth calling and asking.
randxalthor t1_itvfo26 wrote
Reply to Reminder that Kittleman and Yungmann have donated THOUSANDS of dollars to repeal the Liberty Act this election by wedoalittlepolling
Thanks for digging this up. It's people like you who keep democracy alive.