Most of the blue surgical face masks used by many during the pandemic are not enough to keep people from contracting COVID-19, the Daily Mail writes.
A study from the University of Waterloo in Canada found that N95 or KN95 masks are best at retaining aerosol droplets from the mouth of the mask wearer.
The blue cloth surgical masks that became popular during the coronavirus pandemic were found to be only 10 percent effective because they do not cover the face properly.
“There is no doubt that wearing any kind of face shield is useful both for protection in close proximity and at a distance indoors,” said research leader Sergei Yarusevich, professor of mechanical engineering and mechatronics, in a statement. “However, there is a very significant difference in the effectiveness of different masks when it comes to controlling aerosol droplets.”
Professor Yarusevich and his team say that many people wear masks that do not fit properly to their face, as opposed to N95 masks, which fit snugly against the wearer’s face.
This allows aerosol droplets to enter through multiple openings between the person’s face and the cloth mask, which could contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in crowded areas.
The N95 mask, on the other hand, is capable of filtering more than 50% of aerosol droplets, while the other half is dispersed over the user’s head.
“A lot of this might sound like common sense,” Yarusevich comments. – For example, there is a reason why medical practitioners wear N95 masks – they work much better. The innovation here is that we have provided solid numbers and rigorous analysis to support this assumption. ”
Professor Jarusiewicz’s team added that ventilation tests have shown that even modest ventilation provides about the same level of protection as the highest quality masks.
Earlier in August, former COVID-19 adviser to President Joe Biden and chief epidemiologist warned Americans that “many of the face coatings people are wearing are not very effective.”
Michael Osterholm told CNN that people need to start wearing N95 respirators, which are more effective against COVID-19.
“We are in a very unfortunate situation, we have really thrown our country into confusion that really misses the point that we should focus on vaccine, vaccine and more vaccine,” said Osterholm, director of the Center for Research and Development. infectious disease policy at the University of Minnesota.
“Today we know that many of the cover wipes people wear are not very effective in reducing any movement of the virus in or out,” he said.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has been criticized for its confusing stance on masks after the CDC canceled its mask recommendations. Federal officials in the United States say new data have shown that vaccinated people infected with COVID-19 can transmit the coronavirus, prompting them to recommend that everyone wear a mask indoors in high transmission areas.
The states of Texas and Florida have pushed for a ban on the use of masks in classrooms, but on Friday the Texas Supreme Court rejected Governor Greg Abbott’s latest proposal to stop using masks. Gov. Abbott, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday, is spearheading the anti-mask movement with fellow Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
School boards and local authorities fear a rapid rise in COVID cases in Texas amid the spread of the Delta variant, arguing that masks are necessary for children too young to receive the coronavirus vaccine, despite the fact that the virus is said to represent almost zero risk to children; and evidence that masks interfere with children’s learning and cause psychological harm.
Nearly 19,000 new cases, 190 new deaths, were confirmed in Texas as of Saturday, according to the Texas Department of Health. Florida reported more than 150,000 new cases in a week and nearly 1,500 new coronavirus deaths.
But local officials are encouraged by President Joe Biden, who has warned that he is “very concerned” by states like Texas that are defying masks and are promising to provide financial aid to school districts in Florida that impose masks in defiance of Gov. DeSantis.
Meanwhile, Democratic-led state and city leaders (including California, Illinois, Kentucky and New Jersey) have quickly begun to impose requirements for COVID-19 masks and vaccines in the face of the Delta option. In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee introduced mandatory vaccinations for all school workers, including bus drivers and janitors.
U.S. health officials on Wednesday announced plans to re-release vaccines for all Americans to bolster their defenses amid a surge in the growth of the Delta variant and signs that vaccine efficacy is declining.
President Biden recently “prescribed” mandatory vaccinations for various government officials, including federal employees, military personnel and nurses. The president also praised companies that prescribe vaccinations for their employees and encouraged others to follow them.
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