2290: Homemade Masks

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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Homemade Masks
I'm going to change the sign so the pole is horizontal and the sign is mounted on the front like a plunger, so I can carry it around like a lance to gently push people back if they try to approach.
Title text: I'm going to change the sign so the pole is horizontal and the sign is mounted on the front like a plunger, so I can carry it around like a lance to gently push people back if they try to approach.

Explanation

Ambox notice.png This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect: Created by a HOMEMADE MASK. Should include refs on why masks are good or bad. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.
If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks.

This comic is the 15th comic in a series of comics about the 2019-20 outbreak of COVID-19.

In this comic, Cueball wonders if Megan's mask will be of any use, because he has seen many different points of view and is unsure which one is correct. It is generally agreed that homemade masks will not block particles (including droplets which carry viruses) as effectively as officially-tested N95-class masks; however, wearing a homemade mask can remind others to keep their distance, prevent the wearer from touching his or her face (which is a major vector for catching COVID-19 from contaminated surfaces), and if the wearer is infected, it may trap some contaminated particles and reduce contagiousness. On the other hand, it may confer a false sense of security, leading to unsafe behaviors, and the warm, moist environment produced by the wearer's breath may also harbor incoming viruses, which may later infect the wearer if the mask is not washed frequently.

Megan then reveals that she only wants to deter people from being close to her, and that her previous method (that being a sign with small writing) was ineffective. Megan does not indicate if she knows whether or not her mask can actually block infection, but it is beneficial to her regardless.

The title text indicates an alternate method, where Megan could change the sign into a device for pushing people back in order to maintain distance. Readers should be advised that anyone who actually does this could be charged with assault.

Cueball has previously encountered signs that are so interesting that they lead people into peril in 356: Nerd Sniping, although in that comic strip, Black Hat was specifically designing his signs with the intent to cause harm.

Transcript

Ambox notice.png This transcript is incomplete. Please help editing it! Thanks.

[Cueball stands at a distance from Megan, who is wearing a face mask]

Cueball: Homemade mask, huh? You think they help?
Cueball: I've read so many conflicting things.

[Flashback to when Megan was not wearing a mask but carrying a sign, with 2 people around her. We can't read what's on the sign. Masked Megan is pictured in an inset panel.]

Megan (narrating): Well, what I was doing before was carrying around a big sign that said "There's a pandemic so please give me space because I don't want to get sick or make anyone else sick!"

[Same as first panel]

Megan: The problem was, I had to write small to fit, so people kept walking closer to read it.
Cueball: Oops.
Megan: Yeah, the mask gets it across better.


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Discussion

A giant ring or hoop would work, or even one of those old ballgowns. --162.158.34.202 10:25, 7 April 2020 (UTC)

I saw a video of a guy in Italy doing that.173.245.54.77 12:20, 7 April 2020 (UTC)
I think I read somewhere, that eight horses might do the trick as well. Bischoff (talk) 07:04, 8 April 2020 (UTC)

Was this a rare Tuesday comic? or was this just released very late on Monday (4/6)? 172.69.62.52 19:14, 7 April 2020 (UTC)

Fixed, according to xkcd.com/archive, this is a Monday comic. 172.69.62.52 19:31, 7 April 2020 (UTC)

Interestingly, the lance thing is pretty much exactly how the BBC recommends we do it here in the UK.

I think, that if more people started carrying around 6 foot long poo sticks, that social distancing would be better observed. These Are Not The Comments You Are Looking For (talk) 04:03, 12 April 2020 (UTC)


I don't know why moisture and warmth would harbor viruses particularly well? Fungi and bacteria like warm and humid but both they and warmth and possibly humidity break down viruses. I think virus last longer when it is colder and drier, unless they are on a receptive host and can get to work so to speak. The virus is small enough to pass through most light masks, but the mask can catch small droplets and is probably better than coughing and sneezing on your hand or elbow or whatever. 108.162.219.190 22:19, 14 April 2020 (UTC)