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Many of us are confused as to what type of mask to wear. Partly this confusion is due to no information being given to us when all this started two years ago. We had to try to figure it out for ourselves. Then we learned that the reason we weren't told anything was due to mask shortages.
All sorts of masks are available now so which ones work and which ones don't? We need to know because although vaccines have helped, their efficacy does wane. Most people want to be as safe as possible and to protect others, friends, families, and just the general public.
I'm copying some information from sites I have found because more mask information is coming out and now we have a better idea of what works and what doesn't. The airlines are the most strict so if you want to be really safe, it's probably a good idea to follow their advice.
Here's some for starters:
How do surgical masks prevent COVID-19 spread?
If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria), keeping it from reaching your mouth and nose. Surgical masks may also help reduce exposure of your saliva and respiratory secretions to others.Sep 15, 2021
Surgical masks are made in different thicknesses and with different ability to protect you from contact with liquids. These properties may also affect how easily you can breathe through the face mask and how well the surgical mask protects you.
Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the mask and your face.
An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth.
The above site shows pictures of various types of masks. There are other sources to consult; just be careful that you are not reading an advertisement!
...certification processes for KN95 and N95 masks are “nearly identical,” many of the KN95 masks on the market today are counterfeit. There’s no way for you to tell an authentic mask from a fake, but fortunately Cui and his lab have found that even counterfeit KN95 masks can have a filtration efficiency of 75 to 80 percent. (Cui’s company, 4C Air, sells a KN95 mask that his research has shown can filter 95 percent of small particles.) The CDC has also tested a variety of KN95 masks, and you can see those results here.
“Look for a mask that fits your face well, assuring that it covers your nose and mouth and fits below your chin,” says Ravina Kullar, an infectious-disease specialist, epidemiologist, and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
https://nymag.com/strategist/article...ace-masks.html (Remember, I do not vouch for any of the advertised products that are included in the articles. Use your best judgement. The takeaway from the articles is the general safety information, not the actual product that they may recommend.)
If you wish to add more layers of protection, Zabaneh recommends wearing a good quality disposable mask and then adding a cloth mask on top of that, making sure that the mask still properly covers your mouth and nose with no gaps on the sides.
“I have to say, as someone who wears glasses, they didn’t fog up like other blue surgical masks I regularly wear, and as they don’t touch your mouth, it was easier for me to speak and be heard when wearing them,” she said. (The KN95 mask.) https://www.healthline.com/health-ne...-than-one-mask
To be fair, an N95 mask pretty much does prevent the spread because it stops the intake of the virus. However, it expells to the outside with the respirator, so others are more vulnerable should you have covid and are wearing an N95 at the same time.
I think "preventing" and "reducing" are inter-changeable here, and it is splitting hairs to state it is not semantics.
Still the best thing we can do is not gather in large crowds. Unfortunately that most definitely includes restaurants, concerts, and other large events with people jammed into small places. We're all so weary after a year and a half stolen from us though. Each person to assess their own risk. Some are making unwise choices and are dying. I'm still limiting my bubble of people for the rest of this year. Next year I will decide based upon facts from delta statistics and the new omicron, and whether a complete mess happens from these holidays with horrible statistics. I'm still operating in "better to be safe than sorry". We still lead the world with embarrassing numbers of over 100k a day.
Masks don't "PREVENT the spread" of COVID. They never did, they're not meant to, and science doesn't support that statement.
Masks REDUCE THE RISK of the spread. It's not a matter of semantics and in fact it is one of the points that creates political drama.
I'm not sure what I believe about masks. I've worn a fairly thin home made mask made from a T-shirt fabric.
I'm a lot more careful when I'm out. I always remind myself to not touch my face while shopping. After shopping, I grab a disinfecting wipe for my hands and cane. I felt pretty safe shopping at Walmart because they were sanitizing the carts.
Last winter I was not sick at all, but this year I have been sick the last few weeks, interestingly the only thing I did different was got vaccinated with J&J. I guess it's still interfering with my bad immune system.
I'm not sure what I believe about masks. I've worn a fairly thin home made mask made from a T-shirt fabric.
I'm a lot more careful when I'm out. I always remind myself to not touch my face while shopping. After shopping, I grab a disinfecting wipe for my hands and cane. I felt pretty safe shopping at Walmart because they were sanitizing the carts.
Last winter I was not sick at all, but this year I have been sick the last few weeks, interestingly the only thing I did different was got vaccinated with J&J. I guess it's still interfering with my bad immune system.
Here's my guess as to why this year you've felt ill, as opposed to last year:
Last year, many public and commercial buildings were closed, went out of business, or imposed mask mandates. Last year, many people who normally would go out, stayed home. Last year, most people kept social distance from each other AND wore masks AND sanitized AND stayed home unless they actually -needed- to go out. Last year, most restaurants were not open for dine-in, and curb-side and delivery service were both very popular.
The flu, the "common cold," and even COVID had less opportunity to spread to anyone last year than they do this year.
This year, restaurants opened up, social distancing was no longer required and most businesses just opted out of it entirely. Masks for the un-vaccinated was not enforceable, and was really just a request. Many people who didn't wear masks inside buildings were -not- vaccinated. Carts are no longer wiped down, and the virus mutated as expected due to the low vaccination rates.
So now, even though there are significantly fewer deaths and hospitalization, there are more people getting the sniffles, upper respiratory illness, wheezing, coughing, and all the other typical symptoms of cold and flu.
The good news: of the people who are actually vaccinated, the vast majority have either no or few symptoms of illness and of those who have symptoms of illness, of those vaccinated people, most of them are mild and subside within a couple of days.
My situation may be unusual. I received a flu shot in October of 2019. The following year I got what I believe was COVID on Feb. 20th., before anyone was wearing masks. In March there was, I believe, a 3 month shut-down of many business. This is in Florida. I only wore a mask in certain stores that required masks. And there were a few times when I went against the requirment and didn't wear a mask. When I socialized with neighbors outdoors I didn't wear a mask. When the shut-down ended I went to the library a lot and never wore a mask as it was not required. My point is, I hardly ever wore a mask and have not been reinfected since having the virus for one day on Feb. 20th., 2020. I'm 80 and healthy.
I think it's kind of amazing how little my life has been affected since the pandemic began.
I think "preventing" and "reducing" are inter-changeable here, and it is splitting hairs to state it is not semantics.
Exactly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoMansLands
Still the best thing we can do is not gather in large crowds. Unfortunately that most definitely includes restaurants, concerts, and other large events with people jammed into small places. We're all so weary after a year and a half stolen from us though. Each person to assess their own risk. Some are making unwise choices and are dying. I'm still limiting my bubble of people for the rest of this year. Next year I will decide based upon facts from delta statistics and the new omicron, and whether a complete mess happens from these holidays with horrible statistics. I'm still operating in "better to be safe than sorry". We still lead the world with embarrassing numbers of over 100k a day.
Well said.
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