A filter by any other name...

Hello all,

Yesterday, Dr. Tam (Chief Public Health Officer for Canada) announced that the guidelines for cloth face masks as recommended by Health Canada was changing. One more layer. A third layer of protection has now been recommended. Here is a link to the CBC article

Dr. Tam said, "This is an additional recommendation just to add another layer of protection. The science of masks has really accelerated during this particular pandemic. So we're just learning again as we go".

And here is the good news...Dr. Tam went on to say,"We're not necessarily saying just throw out everything that you have," before suggesting adding a filter (to a two layer mask) can help with protection. 

Of course the WHO (World Health Organisation) had already recommended a third layer which is why in part we designed all of the commUNITY masks to have a space for a filter. So now adding one of our washable filters to your two layer mask keeps it compliant with all Health Canada Guidelines. Here is the link to that updated guide. 

Our washable filters are made from a non-woven polypropylene. This is the same material you would find in the N95 masks. It is completely safe, breathable and the preferred material that Health Canada cites for use as filters. 

Here is a link to an article from the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine discussing various filtration materials and their efficacy. It is a bit wordy but essentially it says that non-woven polypropylene is a very effective material in filtering airborne particles while still allowing the user to breathe.

And now to the bullet points about our filters...an absolute must for any self respecting blog: 

• Thin, highly breathable but offer very strong protection
• Anti-microbial and anti-dust mite
• Designed to fit in both kids and adult masks
• Washable up to approximately 30 times
• Cheap and easy to use   

Your filter needs to be washed after every use. What we recommend is to keep the filter in your mask when you put it in the washing machine and dryer. If you're hand washing then remove it and wash and dry separately. 

This new guideline may seem like a big change, but it is easy to follow. And because the filter is so thin and breathable, you likely won't even be able to tell the difference once you start using it. Nobody wants to return to a lock down, especially as our Canadian winter approaches. So let's keep our masks on and filters in, and keep our communities safe from the spread of Covid-19.

That's all from me,

Stay safe...wear a mask...with a filter!

Colin

Interested in learning about a Portrait Photographer's experience in these times?