(no subject)

Tests at Argonne National Labs back in late April indicate that masks composed of a layer of high thread-count cotton and two layers of natural silk fabric or polyester chiffon can filter out 80% to 99% of all aerosol particles. The tests came with a warning that said masks lose huge amounts of filtering efficiency if not properly fitted or sealed.

I worked up my first cotton + chiffon Olson mask this weekend and will have another one done by end of day. Outer layer is cotton of unspecified thread count chosen largely because I was able to find duck prints on that web site that involved neither the University of Oregon nor cutesy Easter imagery nor hunting dogs nor the Disney Corporation. Two layers of polyester chiffon fabric attached. Inner layer is composed of 600 thread count cotton bedsheet material. Decently breathable during informal tests. Will apply Hollywood Fashion Tape to edges of mask when fully completed (that is, when I have the elastic loops in place) and let folks know whether it's a decent everyday mask design or something better reserved for high risk situations.