COVID-19 All Masks are not Created Equal

I have a PhD in engineering.  My expertise is worker safety, which means respiratory protection, and that includes Face Masks.  Yeh!  Many of the “designer masks” I have seen are barely protective.  Those pretty bandanas and loosely woven scarves may look good, but they won’t protect you or others.  Sticking a piece of material across your nose and mouth may be better than nothing, but not by much.  At best, a single thickness of fabric filters less than 30% of potential virus particles.  Single-layer masks are generally a no-no, even if they have pretty colors.

Masks that fit loosely or leak around your cheeks or nose will filter less than 15% of particles.  Those pesky viral particles will always find the path of least resistance.  If you get masks from the many generous people making them or selling them online, please find out what materials they are using.  It’s important.

In general, at least four layers of different tightly woven materials are needed to provide good protection.  You can cut up your 600 count cotton sheets, 100% silk shirts, and sexy polyester spandex pants, and you will have enough material for many masks.  Hardware stores also carry filter materials. The more layers, the greater the filtration, as long as you can breathe.

There are plenty of good sites on the internet with scientifically validated suggestions for materials and designs.  Look for sufficiently nerdy analytical types who care more about safety than glamour and who reference some data.  If that makes your head spin, please – send me an email.

Even if you get sick of wearing the mask, please do not pull it down below your nose.  It just doesn’t work.

So my communication to you is, be smart and be safe so we can play together in life for a long time.

WorldLegacy Leadership Team in Minnesota

Imagine having two weeks to plan an extreme makeover to install a playground and playground equipment in a Minnesota school with extreme requirements.  The team of eight cannot spend any of their own money, most of the work needs to be done by the community, and the project must be complete in less than three days.  Failure is not an option.  In addition, there is snow on the ground, cold temperatures and only one team member lives in Minnesota.  These are just a few of the challenges faced by a high level WorldLegacy Leadership program from WorldLegacy in Chapel Hill, NC.

Here is an excerpt about the process from one of the team members, Delaney Burger.

“People of the world!!!! My wife and I have been part of a 4 month accelerated leadership with world class coaches helping us to be the most extraordinary versions of ourselves so we can make a extraordinary impact on humanity!

For only the 2nd time in 20 years Minnesota has been selected! We took proposal nationwide and accepted St Helena school in Minneapolis! They are getting a playground makeover!

Our vision is that children of the world will get they matter. That today’s children will be tomorrow leaders and will realize that we as humanity will realize our greatness- our most extraordinary version of the planet through GIVING.

We’ve had over $20,000 in material donations in 72 hours. We are in need of a play ground for 2-5 or 5-12 year olds that fits into a 44 x 33 space!  Eight leaders from around the world are flying in to Minneapolis and from November 3rd-5th we are going to create magic!

We will make it a reality and these kids are going to know that it is through giving we are our greatest!”

If you are nearby, come be part of the magic.

Here is the press release.

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs