The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible - Arthur C. Clarke
I was in Harbor Freight the other day...There was a sign on the empty shelves saying they had donated all respirators and dust masks to local EMS.......Ben
The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...
Reading up on use of masks, and I got out of it that the masks for medical purposes, including the N-95s, are meant to be one time use items, then thrown away...go to the store, then toss them. No wonder they are talking in the need for hundreds of millions of the things. When you see the “experts” talking about them, especially in the last day or two, you see increasing advice for everyone to wear them off your own property, but they never talk about where I am suppose to score any, much less enough to toss them after each use.
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“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
They are disposable, but I've seen where they are now sanitizing them and reusing. I think I can sanitize mine using a commercial ozone generator I have. Ozone kills viruses and it should be no problem to recycle mine.
The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible - Arthur C. Clarke
I read of two types of commercial sterilizers for N-95 masks — one was a large array of ultraviolet lights that surround multiple used masks that could be hung in the device and the other is a chamber designed to contain up to 50 masks where the chamber is filled with vaporized hydrogen peroxide. The articles said those methods were only good for 4-6 refurbs. I did not find an ozone sterilizer, while looking. I do know that ozone is murder on rubber and vinyl, which might be a problem with the straps as is just plain old heat.
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“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
I would either put mine in the microwave or blow it out with air.
"Back after 5 years. I thought you had died.
don"
Splitting my time between the montane and the mesas
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
It appears Ozone will work to kill the virus. LINK
The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible - Arthur C. Clarke
Back to the shopping report--I just noticed a rather curious one last night.
PA has an archaic system for distribution and sales of alcoholic beverages. Some grocery stores are able to sell beer and wine but not liquor. There are also beer distributors that sell only beer and soda---I think only in case lots but not certain of that. In addition to that, is a"chain" of what are called "State Stores" which sell wine and spirits. Those stores are owned and operated by the Sate Liquor Control Board.
Now---assuming I have not confused you by that point---this likely will put you over the edge---all "State Stores" are closed---but beer distributors are open---I'm not sure what the grocery stores are doing So apparently, beer is a necessity but whisky is not!
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
If you consider either whiskey or beer a necessity, you ought to consider seeking help.
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“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
The point is that one seems to be a necessity but not the other
For a weekly update---I went grocery shopping again today. There still is no TP, but there are limited napkins, not sure of paper towels. More interesting is the people and their interaction. Today I wore a mask. There were also more people in the store wearing masks---both customers and staff.
The interesting point was the interaction with other people---I am not sure if the mask made the difference but people were very much sticking to the 6' rule, except were they had to pass me in an aisle, in which case they "sped" past.
One almost oops on me---I was picking up asparagus and opening the ultra thin bags is always a challenge for me. So, I pulled my mask down and prepared to lick my fingers---until I caught myself and then dipped my fingers in the tray holding the asparagus!
Another difference---last week I was limited to one dozen eggs. This week there were no Jumbo size eggs---but there was no limit on eggs
Yogurt was in short supply, but as before vegetables and fruit (fresh) were no issue, frozen versions were.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
I do not understand the efficacy of the “special hours for seniors” some stores here have put into effect. They are usually the opening hours of the store at 7:00-8:00 or 8:00-9:00. Maybe those hours would be less likely for the more severely affected seniors merely because fewer people will show up that early, but I fail to understand how the older cohort is any more less likely to infect each other than an age mix. One thing beneficial to us old coots though is that those getting an exclusivity to first choice get the goodies before the younger riff-raff take a shot at the TP & paper towels.
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“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
I have not seen the special shopping hours around here, I have only read of them.
Yesterday was "shopping day", which I have now moved to semi-weekly I did notice some changes from my last venture out. Almost all females were wearing face masks, not many of the men were. I had masks at home so wearing one is easy for me. The paper goods shelves were showing some inventory (until now they were barren). They did have a limit of one sign up. I felt like (but restrained myself) asking all the old ladies with mega group packages of TP and paper towels if they still had room in the house to add more!
Fruits and vegetables were about normal, except there was no asparagus. In dairy, no half and half---and the farmers are dumping their milk---go figure There is no longer a restriction on eggs.
At the butcher, still a limited selection. I can't say I saw any real improvement---but I did get asparagus there
Tonight for dinner----offered up by the freezer---a pasture raised roasting chicken with roasted potatoes and fresh green beans.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Yep, the cows have to be milked on schedule, and the big meat processors are shutting down.
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“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution