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1/The Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has said that it makes common sense that more than one layer of masking would be more effective.
#CovidMasks https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-do-coronavirus-variants-mean-your-masks-n1255518
#CovidMasks https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-do-coronavirus-variants-mean-your-masks-n1255518
2/Dr. Scott Segal, Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been studying face covering fabrics for much of the past year. Overall, he said, 3-ply medical-grade surgical masks tend to offer the best protection for the average individual.
3/For those opting for cloth masks, Segal recommends two layers of high-quality cotton material with a relatively high thread count. Making your own face mask? Some fabrics work better than others.
4/One easy way to test a cloth mask at home is to hold it up to a light. If light shines in between the cloth's individual fibers, it probably means that viral particles can get through.
5/Adding a piece of flannel between layers of cotton may be an effective way to filter viral particles. That can be added to masks that come with an opening in the middle so users can insert an additional filter.
6/Segal did not recommend using coffee filters or industrial vacuum filters, citing a lack of evidence they filter viral particles appropriately. Other filters, such as PM2.5 filters, won't block viral particles, but can serve as an additional layer in a mask.
7/The mask-making industry has exploded with little oversight. There is no standardized tool, such as one that's equivalent to a nutrition facts label on food, for consumers looking to gauge mask quality.
8/According to the CDC, the gold standard N95 mask is not recommended for the average person and instead should be reserved for health care professionals.
9/"You could have a very good N95 mask, but let's say that somebody isn't wearing it properly or is only wearing it 50 percent of the time," said Dr. Leana Wen. "I would rather that someone wear a surgical mask or cloth mask 100 percent of the time, correctly and consistently."
10/Last year, the FDA authorized the Chinese version of the N95, called KN95. However, counterfeit versions of KN95s have flooded the market. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, part of the CDC, has a detailed visual list of knockoff brands.
11/No matter what type of mask is used, the most important thing is to wear it correctly. Face coverings should extend from the top of the nose to the chin without gaps on the sides and should be worn consistently.
12/Have you found a good mask solution? Please share the details!
13/Personally I'm now using a fabric mask with pocket and a filter cut from WARM cloth (like flannel). I've also just ordered some K94 masks more cup-shaped.
