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[feelotraveller]

Heading back towards the topic a recent Australian survey shows that the covid epidemic has increased support for the idea of a Universial Basic Income (to 58% up from about 50-51%, if memory serves).

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-11/survey-says-most-australians-welcome-universal-basic-income/12970924

In a bit of an overstatement the article opens with:

Nearly two-thirds of Australians say they would support the introduction of a universal basic income (UBI), according to a new poll.

Personally I think the political class has missed a huge opportunity to more to a UBI during the coronavirus epidemic, since the economy is already disrupted the opportunity cost of the transition is much much lower.

It should be noted that those groups that are most strongly opposed to UBI include (or are basically) the politicians, journalists and business people which is why despite decent popular support it is consistently trashed as an idea.

[Akura]

Here's a possibly stupid idea: if I were to make mesh of thin copper wire and put it on the outside of a mask, would it improve the mask's protective capabilities?

[Frumple]

People are selling them (or copper threaded masks, anyway), at least, so...

[ChairmanPoo]

People are selling them (or copper threaded masks, anyway), at least, so...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwy-h1aisbE

Here's a possibly stupid idea: if I were to make mesh of thin copper wire and put it on the outside of a mask, would it improve the mask's protective capabilities?

Now seriously, why would it do anything?

[wierd]

Those +2 Cations could somehow, maybe, render the viral capsids incapable of attaching to your delicate mucousa!

Oh who am I kidding-- It's straight up a marketing gimmick.  Same as magnets and the like in socks or gloves.


Now, a proper, disposable n95 surgical mask, that works. (when properly used.)

[Teneb]

You could totally make a cool mask with a copper overlay though. Wouldn't protect you better than if the copper wasn't there, but sometimes you gotta look cool while also keeping everyone around you safe.

[wierd]

That would interfere with how the n95 mask does its thing.  It is electrostatic, and attracts the neutrally charged viral particles, and makes them stick to the fabric. Something conductive, like copper, would likely impede performance.

[Jopax]

No no, clearly the role of the mesh is to act as a faraday cage of sorts and prevent your brainwaves being affected by the lizard people who are orchestrating this whole thing.

[Eschar]

It is electrostatic, and attracts the neutrally charged viral particles, and makes them stick to the fabric

...how are neutral particles going to be affected by electrostatic, much less attracted by it?

[Starver]

Those +2 Cations could somehow, maybe, render the viral capsids incapable of attaching to your delicate mucousa!

Tin can be +4. So can lead.

So solder some pewter into your mask and you'd be even safer!

[Rolan7]

Decorate your mask with pewter wizards and dragons!
: D

[Ziusudra]

It is electrostatic, and attracts the neutrally charged viral particles, and makes them stick to the fabric

...how are neutral particles going to be affected by electrostatic, much less attracted by it?

Electrostatic induction causes neutral particles to be attracted to charges.

[Starver]

It is electrostatic, and attracts the neutrally charged viral particles, and makes them stick to the fabric

(Shifted this bit of quote - Starver)
...how are neutral particles going to be affected by electrostatic, much less attracted by it?

The serious answer: Neutral particles still have charges, just balanced in the sum of all components. Even a neutron has a charge distribution 'within' it, and an intense(/close) enough charge gradient across it can attract one charge more than it repels the opposite bit. One of the models used for neutrons suggests that, albeit secondary to the nuclear force, the negative 'skin' helps to join it to the protons in a nucleus.

(Similar to unmagnetised metal (i.e. with no overall coherent magnetic domains as per ferromagnetism) can respond to a suitably crafted external magnetic field by aligning, paramagnetically. And/or induced electrical eddies.)


Ah, slightly ninjaed.

[Eschar]

Thanks!

[Rolan7]

Heh, I just heard Germany is forbidding fireworks for New Years because of the yearly spike in emergency room visits.