French health honchos call on citizens to say so goodbye cotton masks because they are simply not effective enough against new, possibly more contagious variants of COVID-19.
Instead, the French health council recommends that surgical masks be worn for single use. Experts here agree – and tell The Post that this is an important time to upgrade your mask choice.
One homemade mutation in the virus, called 20C-US, is believed to be responsible for up to 50 percent of all U.S. cases – which hit the Middle East the hardest, researchers said earlier this month. These findings come a day after Ohio State University scientists said they had discovered another strain of the COVID-19 virus – which contains a mutation similar to the British strain.
“As we progress with this pandemic, we realize that no, not all masks are the same,” said Dr. Martin Cohen, assistant chairman and professor at the University of Washington, said the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. In the spring, he performed crude aerosol experiments on masking materials to find suitable substitutes in the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE).
So which is the best? Here’s a look at what masks will hold in 2021 as scientists learn more about the increasingly mutating virus.
N95’s
“The gold standard is, of course, the N95 masks, regardless of the COVID strain,” said Dr. Rajesh Mohan, a cardiologist in New Jersey, and author of “COVIDslayers: How We Can Win!” and what really went wrong? A physician leader’s experiences from the front lines. ”
It was also found to be the best mask in a comprehensive review of masks by researchers from Duke University during the summer.
This was the most effective of the group on the logarithmic scale of the study.
Surgical masks
Those single-use surgical masks are also a great help and significantly more comfortable than the face-lift N95s.
“The next best thing is surgical masks,” Mohan said. “If people wear it, the infection will decrease by about 70 percent.”
The Duke researchers also found that it is the one to one most effective variety, ranging from 0 to 0.1 in terms of the particles dispersed when they speak one.
KN95’s or KF94’s
Aaron Collins, a mechanical engineer from Minnesota who wrote his master’s degree in the science of aerosols and calls himself a ‘civil scientist’, has been reviewing masks on his YouTube channel since August.
Collins converted his bathroom into a temporary laboratory and used an aerosol generator to pump out small particles of salt and water. A condensation particle counter counts how many particles are in the air and how many are in the mask that Collins is currently testing. He compares the number of particles in the mask with the number out there, which helps him determine its effectiveness.
His best bet, he found after his research, are protective masks like KF94s, KN95s or N95s.
“N95s are obviously the best because they connect to the face, but the downside is that they get tied up with a headband that can ruin your scalp.” In his research, he found that KF94 masks range from 90 to 99% protection, while KN95 masks also perform well, but it has more variation in quality.
He recommends not buying masks on eBay or Amazon because there are bootleg versions floating around.
‘The market is still a problem. Scammers still have a large amount of stock out there. ”
Instead, he proposes to buy from two companies: importer in New Jersey, Be Healthy USA and Bona Fide Masks.
Double masks
Since November, when New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick wore two masks after quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, the question has been whether doubling is the best way.
“If your first line of protection is not as important as a scarf, you can apply another layer,” Mohan said. Other researchers call it sentiment by saying that a cloth mask and surgical mask provide an effective combination.
“It is clear that the more layers you have between one person’s and the other’s mouth, the greater the risk of infection spreading. But it can reduce the benefit, which is the ability to breathe, ”Mohan said. “The idea is that it should fit well without making you uncomfortable.”