Amid a slow explosion of vaccines and extensive reports of a highly contagious new variant of the COVID-19 virus, masks are increasingly being recognized as a critical tool in delaying the pandemic.
But how do you choose? One year into the pandemic, there are still no filtering standards or labeling requirements. Masks range from hospital-caliber N95s to silky Mickey Mouse hoods. They may not fit. They can filter poorly.
“It really is the Wild West out there,” said Joseph Allen, associate professor and director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University’s TH Chan School of Public Health.
‘We’re been in this pandemic for a year. “It should not take hours and hours before a consumer tries to find out what a decent mask is,” he said.
And while there is great innovation in the field of vaccines, therapy and testing, it is shocking that we have seen no innovation on this side of this simple and effective tool. ‘
But a growing amount of research is teaching us more about masks. Here are answers to some of the most common questions.
V: What is a good mask?
A: The N95 mask – 95% effective – is the gold standard, but it is rare.
The KF94 mask, the Korean version of an N95 mask, offers high protection. These masks are carefully screened.
KN95 masks are the Chinese equivalent of N95s. But you need to do your homework to make sure it is a mask that has been checked and verified. Only buy it if the manufacturer holds a “NIOSH certificate” – this is from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Blue surgical masks are about 70% effective.
Depending on the construction and the material used, a cloth mask can be between 20% and 70% effective.
– Joseph Allen of Har Chan University’s TH Chan Public Health School.
V: What about “double masking”?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not address layered masks.
You may want to consider covering your face when spending indoors in crowded spaces or in areas where the transmission speed is high. People who are medically vulnerable may also consider doubling.
There are two approaches. One is to wear a well-fitted, multiple layered cloth over a surgical mask. The other is to wear a three-layer mask with outerwear of tightly woven material.
– Dr. Monica Ghandi, Professor of Medicine and an Expert in Infectious Diseases at the University of California, San Francisco
V: Which mask is best if I’m just on a hike or sitting on a park bench?
A: Choose your mask based on the level of risk for that activity. If you are looking for a jogging walk with no one in the area or with a friend outside, a simple two- or three-layer cloth mask is good.
When you talk, the power of masking doubles when both people wear it. This is because the particles have to pass through the material twice – once after it has been emitted and again before someone inhales it. Research shows that two masks that are 70% effective reduce more than 90% of the p.articles. Two N95s result in more than a 99% reduction in exposure.
– Joseph Allen
V: How do I test the fit of a mask?
A: The mask should go over the bridge of the nose, around your chin and rinse against your cheeks.
Every time you put on a mask, you have to do a “user seal check”. Put your hands over the mask to block the air moving through it and exhale gently. You should not feel air coming to the side or to your eyes. Then try to make sure it stays in place by moving your head from side to side. Try reading aloud and see if it moves around as you speak.
– Joseph Allen
V: Why can’t health workers reuse N95 masks?
A: In medical institutions, a significant percentage of N95s did not pass a fitness test after four or five ‘donations’ and ‘dulls’. They no longer completely sealed the face.
There are no universal guidelines for best practices for disinfecting and reusing N95s. Some research supports the sterilization of N95s with bleach. The use of ozone has also been approved by the FDA for some reusable medical devices. But these tactics need to be further explored to ensure safety.
– Get Us PPE, a national organization founded by emergency physicians in response to urgent PPE shortages.
V: I keep my mask in my car. Is that OK?
A: Yes, but if you have a cloth mask, you want to wash the mask daily. Hang it up after using it, as the virus will decay or inactivate over time. How long does it take? It is affected by the temperature and humidity where it is stored – but in a day it will be OK.
– Joseph Allen
V: Are neck braces safe?
A: Gaiters are popular because they are often of lightweight, breathable material and do not require ruffles; they sit comfortably like a scarf on your neck.
A single-layer gangway alone is not enough. But when doubled, it is very effective in blocking a range of particle sizes. In experiments conducted by Virginia Tech professor Linsey Marr, a doubled heel blocked more than 90 percent of the particle blocks tested.
– Linsey Marr, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
V: How should I clean my mask?
A: Reusable masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.
Include your mask in your regular laundry. Use ordinary detergent and the warmest water setting for the cloth used to make the mask. Use the highest heat to dry and leave in the dryer until completely dry.
– CDC
V: Do I still have to wear a mask if I have been vaccinated?
A: Yes. Although the Moderna and Pfizer / BioNTech mRNA vaccines are more than 94% effective in repelling symptomatic COVID-19, asymptomatic infection cannot be ruled out in any of the trials among the vaccine recipients.
In addition, the duration of protection of the vaccine is not yet known, and the widespread vaccination to achieve immunity at the population level – 60% to 70% – will take some time.
– Monica Ghandi
V: How can masks be improved?
A: At the moment we have masks with adequate filtration – 95% or 94% filter efficiency is excellent.
But we need masks that fit better, especially in the bridge around the cheek. Some efforts have been made to develop ‘add-ons’ that you will wear on top of a mask to improve the fit, but other innovations are needed.
Probably the most important from a consumer perspective, however, is standardization and labeling to guide the user as to what activities to wear during. This will increase the confidence that a mask will meet the minimum performance requirement.
– Joseph Allen