I'm all for cutting out the middleman whenever possible. Whether it's buying directly from the producer or supporting small businesses, it's just important to keep things simple and as local as we can. When possible. But when it comes to ice cream and wheat, the middleman is the cow. And whenever possible, it is best not to cut out the cow, because the cow processes the grass and grain and produces lovely milk, cream, and butter.
As a senior in high school, I worked in an ice cream shop where the manager made all the ice cream right in the store. It was delightful. I had a milkshake every day for lunch that year. I still greatly appreciate well-made ice cream.
If you try to make ice cream directly from wheat, it just doesn't work as well.
What follows is not really ice cream. Honestly, it's not even close. But it is cold and sweet, and if you add cocoa powder, it's really not too bad. And it's all food storage.
Wheat Ice Cream
3 cups steamed wheat
3 cups water
3/4 cup dry milk
1/3 cup honey
Steam the wheat as follows:
Create a double-boiler type set-up by putting a few inches of water in a larger pot. In a smaller glass or stainless steel bowl or pot, put 2 cups of wheat, 3 cups of water, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Put a lid on the larger pot and bring the water to a boil. After the water starts boiling, reduce heat and simmer for four hours.
Meanwhile, mix the milk, water, and honey in a blender until smooth. When the wheat is fully steamed, drain it and add it to the blender. Blend very well for a minute or two.
Pour the mixture through a strainer to remove the bran chunks. (This does not need to be a very fine strainer.) The bran chunks can be saved to use in making bread. Pour the liquid onto a cookie sheet and place in the freezer until solid.
When ready to make the ice cream, remove the cookie sheet from the freezer and let it warm up for a few minutes. Use a spatula to scrape up the frozen mixture and place it in a mixing bowl. Use a mixer (with the cookie dough beaters, if possible) to beat until smooth. It may take a few minutes to come together like ice cream.
For further reading:
http://preparetodaywardnewsletter.blogspot.com/2015/05/how-to-make-ice-cream-out-of-wheat.html
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Are Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers Really Necessary?
Lots of people are really starting to panic. Store shelves are emptying in anticipation of a second wave of COVID or civil unrest with the election, rioting, Antifa, etc. Pick your poison. It’s all bad. People are wanting to store more rice, beans, or pasta and they’re turning to strangers on the internet and getting some really bad advice. Just this morning I read a recommendation to store rice and flour in milk jugs sealed with PVC tape. (FYI, milk jugs are biodegradable—they’re designed to break down. They break easily when dropped. And PVC tape is not food-grade.)
But people are stressed.
They feel the need to prepare now.
Unfortunately, some have budget constraints, and they wonder, legitimately,
if Mylar and oxygen absorbers are really necessary. In order to buy more food, they’re seeking to
cut corners where possible. So let’s
consider the options for storing staples like beans, flour, rice, whole grains,
and pasta.
The Gold Standard. Food goes into Mylar bags with the appropriate number of oxygen absorbers, gets sealed, and placed in a bucket. This bucket does not need to be food-grade. Stored in a cool place, the food will be good for 10-25 years.
But what if you can't meet the Gold Standard? What if Mylar and/or oxygen absorbers are unavailable? Do you just roll over and play dead? Or do you suspect that the end of the world may not occur if you simply try to do without? Should I have passed up on a screaming deal on flour last week because I'm in the midst of moving and could not get any oxygen absorbers? Let's look at the other options:
The Silver level. If you can’t find Mylar bags, put the food into food-grade buckets. You can get these for free from donut shops and grocery store bakeries. (You can also use canning jars and soda bottles.) Add oxygen absorbers to kill bugs and absorb oxygen. The difference is between the silver and gold levels is the Mylar. The plastic buckets will still let some moisture and light penetrate. Mylar does not. If your storage area is dark and dry, you can still get 5-15 years from your food, perhaps more.
The Bronze level. You can put food directly into food-grade buckets without using Mylar bags or oxygen absorbers. However, it really should be frozen for at least three days to kill any bugs. After three days, let the food come to room temperature for about 24 hours before putting it into buckets to avoid any problems with condensation, as this will ruin the food. Kept cool, dry, and dark, long-term storage staples like rice, beans, and pasta will be good for 5-10 years.
People have been storing grains and beans long before oxygen absorbers and Mylar were on the planet. Remember Joseph in Egypt from your Bible? They stored food for seven years at least, and they and the Egyptians survived the prophesied famine.
Are you storing food now because you believe that there will be a need for it in 10-20 years? Or are difficult times just around the corner? If hard times are coming, you’re probably eating those beans and rice and pasta next year. And people keep those staples on their shelves year-round without any special protection, other than from mice and bugs.
Don’t let the great be the enemy of the good. Yes, Mylar and oxygen absorbers are fabulous. But if trouble is knocking on your door, or will be very soon, it might be a better idea to exchange the added expense of Mylar and oxygen absorbers for more food.
You don’t even have to use buckets, especially if you are preparing as a single person. Glass jars, soda bottles, and other plastic food containers can all be re-purposed for food storage. PETE bottles (they have a 1 in the recycling triangle) seal very well and are a good choice for items stored in smaller quantities. They are easier to handle and fit more conveniently on shelves than buckets. Because they have an airtight seal, you can even use oxygen absorbers with them if desired.
Yes, the heads of the food storage police will explode if you do not store food to their standards. They will say bad things about you and question your upbringing. But you know what? They aren’t eating your food. You are. And you need as much of it as possible for your family to see you through the challenges that lie ahead. At this point, if trading Mylar and oxygen absorbers gets you more food, it’s a good trade.
Links to related posts:
The Ins and Outs of Oxygen Absorbers
Reusing Glass and Plastic Bottles for Food Storage
The Gold Standard. Food goes into Mylar bags with the appropriate number of oxygen absorbers, gets sealed, and placed in a bucket. This bucket does not need to be food-grade. Stored in a cool place, the food will be good for 10-25 years.
But what if you can't meet the Gold Standard? What if Mylar and/or oxygen absorbers are unavailable? Do you just roll over and play dead? Or do you suspect that the end of the world may not occur if you simply try to do without? Should I have passed up on a screaming deal on flour last week because I'm in the midst of moving and could not get any oxygen absorbers? Let's look at the other options:
The Silver level. If you can’t find Mylar bags, put the food into food-grade buckets. You can get these for free from donut shops and grocery store bakeries. (You can also use canning jars and soda bottles.) Add oxygen absorbers to kill bugs and absorb oxygen. The difference is between the silver and gold levels is the Mylar. The plastic buckets will still let some moisture and light penetrate. Mylar does not. If your storage area is dark and dry, you can still get 5-15 years from your food, perhaps more.
The Bronze level. You can put food directly into food-grade buckets without using Mylar bags or oxygen absorbers. However, it really should be frozen for at least three days to kill any bugs. After three days, let the food come to room temperature for about 24 hours before putting it into buckets to avoid any problems with condensation, as this will ruin the food. Kept cool, dry, and dark, long-term storage staples like rice, beans, and pasta will be good for 5-10 years.
People have been storing grains and beans long before oxygen absorbers and Mylar were on the planet. Remember Joseph in Egypt from your Bible? They stored food for seven years at least, and they and the Egyptians survived the prophesied famine.
Are you storing food now because you believe that there will be a need for it in 10-20 years? Or are difficult times just around the corner? If hard times are coming, you’re probably eating those beans and rice and pasta next year. And people keep those staples on their shelves year-round without any special protection, other than from mice and bugs.
Don’t let the great be the enemy of the good. Yes, Mylar and oxygen absorbers are fabulous. But if trouble is knocking on your door, or will be very soon, it might be a better idea to exchange the added expense of Mylar and oxygen absorbers for more food.
You don’t even have to use buckets, especially if you are preparing as a single person. Glass jars, soda bottles, and other plastic food containers can all be re-purposed for food storage. PETE bottles (they have a 1 in the recycling triangle) seal very well and are a good choice for items stored in smaller quantities. They are easier to handle and fit more conveniently on shelves than buckets. Because they have an airtight seal, you can even use oxygen absorbers with them if desired.
Yes, the heads of the food storage police will explode if you do not store food to their standards. They will say bad things about you and question your upbringing. But you know what? They aren’t eating your food. You are. And you need as much of it as possible for your family to see you through the challenges that lie ahead. At this point, if trading Mylar and oxygen absorbers gets you more food, it’s a good trade.
Links to related posts:
The Ins and Outs of Oxygen Absorbers
Reusing Glass and Plastic Bottles for Food Storage
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
SAM Splints--What They Are and Why You Want Them
Disclaimer. I am not a licensed health
practitioner. This is just another post on an item you might wish to
have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your
family as best as possible. No medication, including those available
over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.
Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes
only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical
care. A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should
be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.
When it comes to SAM splints, wonder no more. If you do a search on other uses for SAM splints, there is absolutely nothing. Usually, when you search for alternative purposes of any item, you'll come up with something. It might be ridiculous. There might be better ways. But not so with the SAM. It is for immobilizing bones and joints and nothing else. Of course, it can be used to splint every bone in the body, so I guess that should count for something.
SAM splints are the go-to for dealing with any kind of fracture or joint injury. They are malleable and conform easily to splint any bone or joint. They're washable and reusable. While they are sold in smaller sizes, you don't need to waste your money on the small ones because the 36-inch size can be cut down with trauma shears or even regular scissors to splint the shortest of bones. It can also be fashioned to make a cervical collar for neck injuries. No need to buy a separate C-collar for your medical kit that takes up enormous space and serves no other function. The 36-inch size does it all, except for splinting leg bones in large adults. Then you really need two 36-inch splints, one for each side.
With the instructions for basic configurations printed right on the foam, SAM splints are super easy to use. The foam makes them comfortable as well. Once molded and placed on the body, SAM splints are held in place with strips of cloth, like from a triangle bandage or T-shirt, plastic wrap, duct tape, or medical tape. However, keep in mind that adhesives may remove the foam from the splint.
SAM splints usually come in a rolled-up coil; however, if you unroll it and fold it flat, it may fit better in your medical kit.
There are lots of videos that show how to use a SAM splint on various injuries. They're a good idea to watch and familiarize yourself with how to use the splint, but honestly, it's pretty intuitive. You want the splint to conform to the body and immobilize the joint or fracture to prevent further injury and pain. When sizing and molding the splint, use your own same body part or the patient's uninjured counterpart to fashion and size the splint, and then apply it to the afflicted bone or joint. This will avoid causing unnecessary pain and perhaps further injury to the patient.
Links to related posts:
Triangle Bandages
For further reading:
https://insidefirstaid.com/first-aid-kit/splinting-bone-fractures-with-a-sam-splint
https://www.sammedical.com/training/sam-splint-training
https://www.realfirstaid.co.uk/samsplints
https://www.youtube.com/user/sammedical/videos
As you go about building your various kits for preparedness, and you hit websites and blogs for advice, and you tally up how much all this is going to cost, you begin to wonder about what you really need. Like me, you might suspect that some people are trying to sell you something in order to line their own pockets. Especially when the item in question is kind of a one-trick pony.
When it comes to SAM splints, wonder no more. If you do a search on other uses for SAM splints, there is absolutely nothing. Usually, when you search for alternative purposes of any item, you'll come up with something. It might be ridiculous. There might be better ways. But not so with the SAM. It is for immobilizing bones and joints and nothing else. Of course, it can be used to splint every bone in the body, so I guess that should count for something.
SAM splints are the go-to for dealing with any kind of fracture or joint injury. They are malleable and conform easily to splint any bone or joint. They're washable and reusable. While they are sold in smaller sizes, you don't need to waste your money on the small ones because the 36-inch size can be cut down with trauma shears or even regular scissors to splint the shortest of bones. It can also be fashioned to make a cervical collar for neck injuries. No need to buy a separate C-collar for your medical kit that takes up enormous space and serves no other function. The 36-inch size does it all, except for splinting leg bones in large adults. Then you really need two 36-inch splints, one for each side.
With the instructions for basic configurations printed right on the foam, SAM splints are super easy to use. The foam makes them comfortable as well. Once molded and placed on the body, SAM splints are held in place with strips of cloth, like from a triangle bandage or T-shirt, plastic wrap, duct tape, or medical tape. However, keep in mind that adhesives may remove the foam from the splint.
SAM splints usually come in a rolled-up coil; however, if you unroll it and fold it flat, it may fit better in your medical kit.
There are lots of videos that show how to use a SAM splint on various injuries. They're a good idea to watch and familiarize yourself with how to use the splint, but honestly, it's pretty intuitive. You want the splint to conform to the body and immobilize the joint or fracture to prevent further injury and pain. When sizing and molding the splint, use your own same body part or the patient's uninjured counterpart to fashion and size the splint, and then apply it to the afflicted bone or joint. This will avoid causing unnecessary pain and perhaps further injury to the patient.
Links to related posts:
Triangle Bandages
For further reading:
https://insidefirstaid.com/first-aid-kit/splinting-bone-fractures-with-a-sam-splint
https://www.sammedical.com/training/sam-splint-training
https://www.realfirstaid.co.uk/samsplints
https://www.youtube.com/user/sammedical/videos
Monday, July 28, 2025
The Medicinal Uses of Oats
Disclaimer. I am not a licensed health
practitioner. This is just another post on an item you might wish to
have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your
family as best as possible. No medication, including those available
over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.
Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes
only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical
care. A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should
be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.
While oatmeal has a lot of health benefits, such as lowering
cholesterol and reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes, its medicinal use is
limited to the oatmeal bath.
But oh, what a remedy for those in need!
Colloidal oatmeal baths help improve the following skin
conditions:
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Pruritis (chronic itchy skin)
- Itchy skin (acute itchy skin, like from contact dermatitis as occurs with poison ivy and similar plants)
- Dry skin
For all of these conditions, prepare the oatmeal bath as
follows:
- Blend 1 cup of oats in a food processor or blender to make a fine oat flour.
- Pour the oat flour into a lukewarm bath.
- Soak the affected skin for 15-20 minutes, gently rubbing the bathwater into the affected skin.
- Rinse with warm water and gently dry with a soft towel.
- Apply moisturizer.
Do not use hot water.
Hot water is irritating and drying to already inflamed skin and may
worsen the skin condition.
Links to related posts:
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Masks and COVID-19
Over the past several weeks I've been gathering information on COVID-19 while generally posting articles that were already in the queue. There's been so much hair-on-fire and outright lies.
I now feel confident enough to post some information about masks and COVID-19 and what we can do to protect ourselves, our families, and others. For those who do not have masks of any kind, here are DIY options beyond the plastic jug on the head. I am not mocking the usage of plastic jugs. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Directions for the plastic jug face-masks abound online.
The following addresses are for directions for sewing your own reusable face masks, including the patterns. I have not tried them; I have no intention. I bought masks for my family 2-3 years ago. That was my Plan A. If we run out, Plan B will include sewing some face masks. However, part of preparedness includes being able to share information with others so that they can make their own if they're serious. The last link is to an article, one of many online, that suggests that a cloth mask saturated in a salt solution and dried will actually kill the coronavirus. Because salt is extremely drying and irritating to the skin, the mask would have to be worn over another mask to protect the skin.
https://hellosewing.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/salty-masks-kill-coronavirus/
The balance of this post concerns using and re-using commercially manufactured masks.
One of the first things we all heard as the coronavirus started being detected in the US was that re-using masks was a horrible idea. That is definitely true in normal times.
These are not normal times. Even the folks at Can't Detect Coronavirus have finally acknowledged this. And they have provided information on their website regarding the reuse of medical masks in a pandemic situation.
According to Dr. Joseph Alton, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook, scientists at the International Medical Center in Beijing tested five methods for disinfecting masks for reuse. Dr. Alton did not provide a source and I could not track down a source, either. You will have to decide whether you believe the Chinese in this case. Keep in mind that there are two important factors to consider here. The functionality of the mask has to be preserved in addition to disinfecting it from pathogens.[1B. Update: Stanford conducted the same tests, with the same results. Source noted below.]
Nothing, not even N-100 masks, is fool-proof. We see medical personnel who know better and suit up and take all precautions falling victim to this virus.
But everything we do, every precaution we take, improves our odds. Nothing improves the odds like not going out in public at all. But if you have to go out, take measures to protect yourself. What the government, CDC, and WHO have totally failed to communicate, and even sought to hide, distort, lie about, is that masks are protective FOR ALL OF US. Not just medical personnel. I do understand about wanting to preserve masks for medical personnel, but you know, that was the responsibility of the government. Those masks are pretty darn cheap when coronavirus isn't in town. Stuff like that is what people pay taxes for.
So what's the deal with using masks? Why is the CDC saying those who are not sick do not need to wear them? Why are they telling us that medical personnel need them more than the rest of us?[4] Basically, what the CDC says flies in the face of everything doctors and scientists know about this disease. It is airborne. And one way of preventing the spread is by wearing masks. But the CDC and state and local agencies whose responsibility it is to be prepared for such an event failed on an epic level. And they don't want to admit their incompetence. So they are doubling down on the stupid and killing more people instead by insisting that healthy people don't need to worry or protect themselves. And they have the gall to do this on a page entitled "How to Protect Yourself." Given the record of pathological lying they have engaged in so far, do you believe them?
Simply put, the masks are a barrier. How effective a barrier depends on the type of mask and the fit. Surgical masks don't do a whole lot to prevent pathogens from circulating, but they do some good. This infographic from the CDC explains the differences between surgical masks and N95s. N95s are good, N100s are better. Then you get into gas masks, PAPR, and other really expensive stuff that's just beyond the finances of most people.
The government agencies and hospitals are telling us that medical personnel need them more. Medical personnel are definitely at greater risk. Everyone should be able to understand that--they're surrounded by sick people coughing and shedding virus particles everywhere. They have to get up close and personal and come into contact with bodily fluids. It's the nature of their work.
The following information comes from Chris Martenson's video that aired 15 March 2020.[5] Data right now are showing that there is a difference in the course and outcome of the disease between those who have a small inoculum and those with a large inoculum. So what are these inocula?
Small inoculum sounds small, right? Like, per the example in the video, maybe you touch a handle that an asymptomatic carrier who didn't wash well touched previously. You then touch your nose or rub your eyes. You have picked up a little dose of the virus. A small inoculum of just a few virus particles. And so they go to work in your body. But there are so few of them and you are so big. If there is a really small number of virus particles, then they might even die off or be killed before they can do any harm. But even if there are just a few more, the current theory is that the body has time to adjust--the T-cells and the white cells have time to mount their defense before the virus can replicate in sufficient numbers to kill the host.
A large inoculum, on the other hand, would come from a symptomatic patient coughing or sneezing on a healthcare provider. That medical worker just got a boatload of virus particles. So many virus particles that don't need to build up their numbers because they already have a massive invading army sufficient to overwhelm the body's defenses within just a couple of hours.
So what exactly does this have to do with masks, poor masks, mistakes, gloves, and social distancing?
In all reality, we will all probably pick up this virus at some point. But if we can slow the transmission, flatten the curve, as they say now, we can avoid overwhelming the hospitals. We can prevent unnecessary deaths due to a shortage of medical care and a lack of beds or equipment available. That's huge. Everything we do to slow the transmission--masks, gloves, and social distancing--also works to reduce the inoculum--the amount of virus we pick up.
Our goal is to make any inoculum we pick up is as small as possible. Masks reduce the inoculum. If you have to go out, wear a mask. If you have the option, first put on an N95 mask, and then cover it with a surgical mask. Most people won't see the N95 underneath and then think evil thoughts about you using an N95 that [they think] should be reserved for medical personnel. Another tidbit to keep in mind if you are reluctant to wear a mask when you go out: my husband observed that those wearing a mask were given much wider berth at the store than individuals who were not wearing masks. Social distancing increases. (While the CDC says the safe distance is 6 feet, researchers in China indicate that a better distance is 12-14 feet.)[6]
The mask(s) you wear not only reduce the number of virus particles you inhale, but they also remind you not to touch your face. Big win. Gloves reduce the number of viruses you touch, and again, remind you not to touch your face. If you are willing to ramp it up a notch, add glasses or safety goggles. A headband or scarf to cover the ears will also keep your fingers out and unable to introduce viruses into the ears. When you arrive home, leave the shoes in the garage, strip in the garage or laundry room and dump everything into a laundry basket or the washer. Head straight for the shower and wash and shampoo really well.
We are in novel territory here. It's hard to know who to trust and whether people are simply misinformed or outright lying. Historically, most governments have an atrocious record when it comes to telling the truth regarding pandemics. How effective any of these measures truly are remains to be seen. Remember, it's best for everyone to stay home and keep visitors away. But if you've got to go out, take some protective measures.
Links to related posts:
Wash Your Hands!
The Scoop on Hand Sanitizer
Gloves and Masks
[1A] "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators: Crisis/Alternate Strategies," Centers for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/crisis-alternate-strategies.html (accessed 16 March 2020). Also, the info on that webpage echoes what the CDC said in with the influenza outbreak in 2009, so it's not necessarily new to this event. They recognized then that they could have problems. They just did absolutely nothing to prepare for them. https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control_qa.htm
[1B] Amy Price, et al., "Stanford AIM Lab COVID-19 Evidence Service Report," Stanford Medicine Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab, 22 March 2020, https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fstanfordmedicine.box.com%2Fv%2Fcovid19-PPE-1-1 (accessed 24 March 2020).
[2] Joseph Alton, "Can N95 Masks Be Reused?" https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-can-n95-masks-be-reused/ (accessed 16 March 2020).
[3] Joseph Alton, "Can N95 Masks Be Reused?" https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-can-n95-masks-be-reused/ (accessed 16 March 2020).
[4] "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): How to Protect Yourself," Centers for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html (accessed 16 March 2020).
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2691&v=efaDuE-XEi4&feature=emb_title
[6] Stephen Chen, "Coronavirus can travel twice as far as official ‘safe distance’ and stay in air for 30 minutes, Chinese study finds," South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3074351/coronavirus-can-travel-twice-far-official-safe-distance-and-stay (accessed 16 March 2020).
I now feel confident enough to post some information about masks and COVID-19 and what we can do to protect ourselves, our families, and others. For those who do not have masks of any kind, here are DIY options beyond the plastic jug on the head. I am not mocking the usage of plastic jugs. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Directions for the plastic jug face-masks abound online.
The following addresses are for directions for sewing your own reusable face masks, including the patterns. I have not tried them; I have no intention. I bought masks for my family 2-3 years ago. That was my Plan A. If we run out, Plan B will include sewing some face masks. However, part of preparedness includes being able to share information with others so that they can make their own if they're serious. The last link is to an article, one of many online, that suggests that a cloth mask saturated in a salt solution and dried will actually kill the coronavirus. Because salt is extremely drying and irritating to the skin, the mask would have to be worn over another mask to protect the skin.
https://hellosewing.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/salty-masks-kill-coronavirus/
The balance of this post concerns using and re-using commercially manufactured masks.
One of the first things we all heard as the coronavirus started being detected in the US was that re-using masks was a horrible idea. That is definitely true in normal times.
These are not normal times. Even the folks at Can't Detect Coronavirus have finally acknowledged this. And they have provided information on their website regarding the reuse of medical masks in a pandemic situation.
- When possible, use alternatives.
- Limit who has access to the patient. (Which is what they're doing now--relatives are not allowed to visit the patient.)
- Extended use and reuse of masks do not degrade respiratory protection.
- Masks may be used past the date on the package.
- Masks may be reused as long as functionality is not compromised, like by a patient coughing on the mask.[1A]
According to Dr. Joseph Alton, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook, scientists at the International Medical Center in Beijing tested five methods for disinfecting masks for reuse. Dr. Alton did not provide a source and I could not track down a source, either. You will have to decide whether you believe the Chinese in this case. Keep in mind that there are two important factors to consider here. The functionality of the mask has to be preserved in addition to disinfecting it from pathogens.[1B. Update: Stanford conducted the same tests, with the same results. Source noted below.]
- Spraying with alcohol was not effective, as the efficacy of the mask dropped below 95%.
- Steam and wet heat also reduced mask efficacy below 95%.
- Autoclaving with high pressure and high temperature deformed the masks.
- UV light disinfection results were inconclusive.
- Dry heat at 160 degrees for 30 minutes was effective. Use a dehydrator or oven set to 160 degrees.[2]
Nothing, not even N-100 masks, is fool-proof. We see medical personnel who know better and suit up and take all precautions falling victim to this virus.
But everything we do, every precaution we take, improves our odds. Nothing improves the odds like not going out in public at all. But if you have to go out, take measures to protect yourself. What the government, CDC, and WHO have totally failed to communicate, and even sought to hide, distort, lie about, is that masks are protective FOR ALL OF US. Not just medical personnel. I do understand about wanting to preserve masks for medical personnel, but you know, that was the responsibility of the government. Those masks are pretty darn cheap when coronavirus isn't in town. Stuff like that is what people pay taxes for.
So what's the deal with using masks? Why is the CDC saying those who are not sick do not need to wear them? Why are they telling us that medical personnel need them more than the rest of us?[4] Basically, what the CDC says flies in the face of everything doctors and scientists know about this disease. It is airborne. And one way of preventing the spread is by wearing masks. But the CDC and state and local agencies whose responsibility it is to be prepared for such an event failed on an epic level. And they don't want to admit their incompetence. So they are doubling down on the stupid and killing more people instead by insisting that healthy people don't need to worry or protect themselves. And they have the gall to do this on a page entitled "How to Protect Yourself." Given the record of pathological lying they have engaged in so far, do you believe them?
Simply put, the masks are a barrier. How effective a barrier depends on the type of mask and the fit. Surgical masks don't do a whole lot to prevent pathogens from circulating, but they do some good. This infographic from the CDC explains the differences between surgical masks and N95s. N95s are good, N100s are better. Then you get into gas masks, PAPR, and other really expensive stuff that's just beyond the finances of most people.
The government agencies and hospitals are telling us that medical personnel need them more. Medical personnel are definitely at greater risk. Everyone should be able to understand that--they're surrounded by sick people coughing and shedding virus particles everywhere. They have to get up close and personal and come into contact with bodily fluids. It's the nature of their work.
The following information comes from Chris Martenson's video that aired 15 March 2020.[5] Data right now are showing that there is a difference in the course and outcome of the disease between those who have a small inoculum and those with a large inoculum. So what are these inocula?
Small inoculum sounds small, right? Like, per the example in the video, maybe you touch a handle that an asymptomatic carrier who didn't wash well touched previously. You then touch your nose or rub your eyes. You have picked up a little dose of the virus. A small inoculum of just a few virus particles. And so they go to work in your body. But there are so few of them and you are so big. If there is a really small number of virus particles, then they might even die off or be killed before they can do any harm. But even if there are just a few more, the current theory is that the body has time to adjust--the T-cells and the white cells have time to mount their defense before the virus can replicate in sufficient numbers to kill the host.
A large inoculum, on the other hand, would come from a symptomatic patient coughing or sneezing on a healthcare provider. That medical worker just got a boatload of virus particles. So many virus particles that don't need to build up their numbers because they already have a massive invading army sufficient to overwhelm the body's defenses within just a couple of hours.
So what exactly does this have to do with masks, poor masks, mistakes, gloves, and social distancing?
In all reality, we will all probably pick up this virus at some point. But if we can slow the transmission, flatten the curve, as they say now, we can avoid overwhelming the hospitals. We can prevent unnecessary deaths due to a shortage of medical care and a lack of beds or equipment available. That's huge. Everything we do to slow the transmission--masks, gloves, and social distancing--also works to reduce the inoculum--the amount of virus we pick up.
Our goal is to make any inoculum we pick up is as small as possible. Masks reduce the inoculum. If you have to go out, wear a mask. If you have the option, first put on an N95 mask, and then cover it with a surgical mask. Most people won't see the N95 underneath and then think evil thoughts about you using an N95 that [they think] should be reserved for medical personnel. Another tidbit to keep in mind if you are reluctant to wear a mask when you go out: my husband observed that those wearing a mask were given much wider berth at the store than individuals who were not wearing masks. Social distancing increases. (While the CDC says the safe distance is 6 feet, researchers in China indicate that a better distance is 12-14 feet.)[6]
The mask(s) you wear not only reduce the number of virus particles you inhale, but they also remind you not to touch your face. Big win. Gloves reduce the number of viruses you touch, and again, remind you not to touch your face. If you are willing to ramp it up a notch, add glasses or safety goggles. A headband or scarf to cover the ears will also keep your fingers out and unable to introduce viruses into the ears. When you arrive home, leave the shoes in the garage, strip in the garage or laundry room and dump everything into a laundry basket or the washer. Head straight for the shower and wash and shampoo really well.
We are in novel territory here. It's hard to know who to trust and whether people are simply misinformed or outright lying. Historically, most governments have an atrocious record when it comes to telling the truth regarding pandemics. How effective any of these measures truly are remains to be seen. Remember, it's best for everyone to stay home and keep visitors away. But if you've got to go out, take some protective measures.
Links to related posts:
Wash Your Hands!
The Scoop on Hand Sanitizer
Gloves and Masks
[1A] "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators: Crisis/Alternate Strategies," Centers for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/crisis-alternate-strategies.html (accessed 16 March 2020). Also, the info on that webpage echoes what the CDC said in with the influenza outbreak in 2009, so it's not necessarily new to this event. They recognized then that they could have problems. They just did absolutely nothing to prepare for them. https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control_qa.htm
[1B] Amy Price, et al., "Stanford AIM Lab COVID-19 Evidence Service Report," Stanford Medicine Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab, 22 March 2020, https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fstanfordmedicine.box.com%2Fv%2Fcovid19-PPE-1-1 (accessed 24 March 2020).
[2] Joseph Alton, "Can N95 Masks Be Reused?" https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-can-n95-masks-be-reused/ (accessed 16 March 2020).
[3] Joseph Alton, "Can N95 Masks Be Reused?" https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-can-n95-masks-be-reused/ (accessed 16 March 2020).
[4] "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): How to Protect Yourself," Centers for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html (accessed 16 March 2020).
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2691&v=efaDuE-XEi4&feature=emb_title
[6] Stephen Chen, "Coronavirus can travel twice as far as official ‘safe distance’ and stay in air for 30 minutes, Chinese study finds," South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3074351/coronavirus-can-travel-twice-far-official-safe-distance-and-stay (accessed 16 March 2020).
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