And simple particulate respirators, like n95 masks, are much easier to breathe through than gas masks, which is a lot of what the OSHA regs are made for. Yes, if you have emphysema or you are claustrophobic, you might have trouble wearing a respirator, especially an industrial gas mask. And OSHA protects the disabled at work. But if you can breathe normally and don’t have any relevant phobias, it’s completely safe to wear an N95 mask while sitting in your cubical.
When masks were first recommended i read a lot of nonsense about how they prevented you from breathing, concentrated CO2, etc. So much that i did some experiments with my pulse oximeter and some masks. You know what, the mask did reduce my oxygen measurably. From 98 to 97. Much less than running up the stairs does (that can knock it down to 93. Yeah, I’m not in great shape.) That was back when i was wearing a home made, heavy fabric mask with an added filter. I retested with a nice light tightly fitted KF94 mask, and that does not measurably reduce my oxygen.
Marcie, if you’ve been afraid of wearing a mask because you don’t think you’ll be able to breathe safely, let me reassure you that there are excellent, highly breathable masks on the market these days.
oh, i read the mask mandate in new york wrong. it’s NOW through January 15, not starting January 15. well, that’s weird. can we throw the masks away again come January 15?
I have a large head. Finding decent masks is a problem for me, beyond supply limitations.
Recently I found a KF94 mask (LG Airwasher) that fits and seems to provide a better seal than the KN95 masks I’ve been using, and N95 masks I’ve tried.
Probably a good thing as my flight this afternoon is already showing “delayed” and I’ll have extra airport time as a result.
If he really wanted to challenge the mandate, like Rosa Parks, why didn’t he just leave his face naked? Challenge it directly. Get thrown off the flight, sue, see if you can get the law overturned in the court of public opinion.
His intent was apparently to demonstrate the ridiculousness of the requirement by “complying” in a ridiculous manner.
I’ll admit that I have been tempted to find/fabricate a KN95/KF94/N95-ish Darth Vader or Guy Fawkes mask for comedic effect. (I support in-public masking.)
I’m wondering if he wore a normal mask in the airport and then if once on the plane he brought out the thong. they are kinda lax in the airport about masking. i see people with them below their nose or down entirely.
what if he wore a normal mask upon take-off and then took out the thong or refused to wear one at all? how does the crew deal with that? arrest him at the end of the flight?
