[TedfromGA]

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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[Bowtorc]

What an idiot!

[jlo2012]

I have an N95 mask from my days working as an RN. I have been using it since the outbreak. And yes, it is to protect others as well as me. None of us really know if we are carriers or not.

[lindaelane]

It is a lie that "the mask protects others but not you". Are we supposed to believe in one-way masks? If you sneeze, your virus droplets do not go through, and you protect others. The same if they sneeze around you as you cross paths in the grocery store, etc. The mask is not perfect protection, nor is hand-washing, nor is anything, but the mask does protect you. There are scientific articles sharing this truth, it is not just me (a PhD in a science related field) saying this. I wish we heard it more often from the powers that be, but they feel so bad about initially telling us not to use masks. And of course - wash hands before putting mask on, touch only the earpieces of the mask, do not buy multiple masks since health care workers need them, and use a scarf if you do not have a mask.

[Bwolf1]

Because I couldn’t find any masks I was wearing a nylon stocking. However after my unpleasant experience at the bank on Friday I have decided to go maskless for the time being.

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

Wear a freaking mask!

Picture this - you're riding behind another cart or even approaching another cart when someone that has been exposed (you really can't tell this, can you?) sneezes and you drive through the sneeze droplets. Guess what? You could get infected and by the looks of most of the people I've seen driving a cart without a mask, if you get infected, YOU COULD POSSIBLY DIE.

Mine is own from the time I leave the house to go to work until the time I get home.

You are not invincible - WEAR A FREAKING MASK.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I'm still scratching my head about why the wearer of the mask is not protected to some degree. Actually, I did read an article that does say the wearer does have some degree of protection. Sorry, no link as I've been reading LOTS about coronavirus and I don't bookmark everything I read.

From where I'm sitting, if a home made mask can prevent droplets from a sneeze or cough from escaping into the air, then it should be able to stop droplets from entering the mask from the other side of the mask.

Mask doesn’t cover the eyes so it will not protect you from the virus.

[CTFORSBERG]

The masks are for two reasons not to spread the disease, and also as a reminder not to touch your face because that’s how the disease gets spread. So if you have pure Rall or alcohol pads rubber gloves or cloth gloves and a mask you have a very very good chance of not getting it. It’s like the flu we all will eventually get it we just need them to know how to deal with it My friend, who also like to bike, it was in perfect health he died yesterday from it, in Coral Gables Florida. So please be very very careful and listen to what they say because they’re saying that it’s coming our way the 21st of this month. And don’t forget about social distancing very important. God bless and let’s live a happy retirement.

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by GoPacers

Unless you somehow obtained an N95 mask, the mask is not intended to protect you. Furthermore, nobody is supposed to have an N95 mask other than medical personnel at this time.

The purpose of the mask is to protect others from you should you have the disease.

Why can’t you have a n95 mask? Are they outlawed?

[Cruisy]

N95 Mask shaming

[davem4616]

waiting for masks ordered on Amazon to arrive....yesterday I put an old Boy Scout neckerchief on like a western bank robber, sun glasses and baseball cap and went into Publix.....Ha, they would have called 911 on me a month ago

make do with what you have folks....this is not hard

[drrichard]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

kcrazorbackfan - Where are masks available to purchase? My friend has been to Sam's club pharmacy - was told they never sold them; CVS on Avenida Central - nope; grocery stores - nope; Home Depot - was told they were donated locally; Lowes - nope; Rural King - nope; Tractor Supply - nope. She doesn't sew and has no bandanas, hankerchiefs or scarves.

Where can she or her husband go to buy masks? Thanks

A Villages high school student and her family are making them. Go to their Facebook page: Buffalo Masks Creators. Good Luck!

[Don5154]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

Wear a freaking mask!

Picture this - you're riding behind another cart or even approaching another cart when someone that has been exposed (you really can't tell this, can you?) sneezes and you drive through the sneeze droplets. Guess what? You could get infected and by the looks of most of the people I've seen driving a cart without a mask, if you get infected, YOU COULD POSSIBLY DIE.

Mine is own from the time I leave the house to go to work until the time I get home.

You are not invincible - WEAR A FREAKING MASK.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its policy and is now advising everyone, whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19, to cover their face with a mask or cloth covering whenever social distancing is difficult to maintain. To be clear, the CDC is not saying you should wear a mask wherever you go, but rather in places where people congregate, including grocery stores and public transportation and ride-shares.

Read this story and many others in Tuesday's edition of the Daily Sun.

[patsyopnp]

I agree strongly that everyone should wear a mask. But to be clear, the regular surgical cloth masks or the homemade masks protect OTHERS from the wearer. If everyone wore these masks, we would all have good (not 100%) protection from Coronavirus-19. Only N95 masks protect the wearer from Coronavirus-19, and should only be worn by healthcare workers caring for patients with known or suspected Coronavirus-19.

[patsyopnp]

Amazon has masks.

[2heartsapart]

There are many available online on Etsy. They’re the suggested fabric, washable, reusable masks, some that have a “pocket” for a filter if you can find one and are in ALL price ranges. Might take a look there.