Are face masks effective?
Unless it is N95 and properly sealed around the mouth and nose, it will not stop virus infection. Also note the virus can enter your body via your eyes so to truly protect you need sealed goggles or a full face shield.
Some facts via google research - you draw your own conclusion:
N95 masks filter 95% of particles greater than 0.3 microns.
Perioperative Considerations for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation
Average diameter of covid 19 virus is 0.12 microns.
Coronavirus - Wikipedia
Covid 19 virus is mainly spread during close contact and by small droplets produced when those infected cough, sneeze or talk. Small droplets typically have a diameter of 5.0 microns or larger.
Coronavirus disease 2019 - Wikipedia
Surgical masks: “Does NOT provide the wearer with a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles and is not considered respiratory protection”.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs...raphic-508.pdf
From CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy):
COMMENTARY: Masks-for-all for COVID-19 not based on sound data | CIDRAP
Worth while reading the full report which is about 3 pages which contains references. The short version about mask performance (efficiency) is quoted below: (um is shorthand for micron)
“...Mask, N95 respirator filtering performance
Following a recommendation that cloth masks be explored for use in healthcare settings during the next influenza pandemic. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study of the filter performance on clothing materials and articles, including commercial cloth masks marketed for air pollution and allergens, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and scarfs.
Filter efficiency was measured across a wide range of small particle sizes (0.02 to 1 µm) at 33 and 99 L/min. N95 respirators had efficiencies greater than 95% (as expected). For the entire range of particles tested, t-shirts had 10% efficiency, scarves 10% to 20%, cloth masks 10% to 30%, sweatshirts 20% to 40%, and towels 40%. All of the cloth masks and materials had near zero efficiency at 0.3 µm, a particle size that easily penetrates into the lungs.
Another study evaluated 44 masks, respirators, and other materials with similar methods and small aerosols (0.08 and 0.22 µm). N95 FFR filter efficiency was greater than 95%. Medical masks exhibited 55% efficiency, general masks 38% and handkerchiefs 2% (one layer) to 13% (four layers).
These studies demonstrate that cloth or homemade masks will have very low filter efficiency (2% to 38%).
Medical masks are made from a wide range of materials, and studies have found a wide range of filter efficiency (2% to 98%), with most exhibiting 30% to 50% efficiency…”
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