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Mocking double-masking (in the absence of all of us being able to procure and correctly wear a new N-95 every single day) is kind of grotesque. Like asking why all babies should be in car seats when travelling. Or why do we need airbags when we already have seatbelts.
Thought I could also quickly share what is currently being reported (by scientists & the professional press, not attention-seeking C19 denialist a-holes) about why and when to double mask...
C19 is airborne. It is primarily spread through respiratory droplets carrying the virus i.e. the stuff an infected person breathes out of their mouth or nose.
The top-of-the-range mask for combatting C19 transmission is the N-95 respirator.
The top-of-the-range mask for combatting C19 transmission is the N-95 respirator.
The N95 is made from fabric/material that is very good at filtering airborne particles & is designed to fit tightly (form a seal) around the mouth + nose. Unfortunately there are also many fakes on the market, & the correct fit can be hard to achieve at home.
In an ideal world (if we overlooked the environmental impact of everyone only wearing disposable masks), everyone would be able to wear an N95 mask because it offers the best protection. But this is not always feasible, because of supply and cost issues.
In some European countries though, they are now making these types of masks compulsory if you use public transport or go to the shops. But you can also get these masks for 50c in a grocery store https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/01/26/960893423/some-european-countries-move-to-require-medical-grade-masks-in-public
In South Africa, N95 type of masks cost R30 or more per unit. It is unlikely from a supply and cost perspective that every single South African will start wearing one. But that doesn't mean we can't take other measures to 'upgrade' our existing cloth masks... hence double masking
Surgical masks are not as good as N95s because they are not made from the same fancy material, & do not have the same close fit.
Cloth masks offer even less protection than surgical masks for similar reasons. This is not to say they don't offer protection, just that it is less
Cloth masks offer even less protection than surgical masks for similar reasons. This is not to say they don't offer protection, just that it is less
People who 'mock' cloth masks are silly, because even a 25% reduction in source transmission could make a difference to people's lives. This is why we were all told to wear cloth masks!
So:
- Cloth masks are affordable, accessible, re-usable but less effective.
- Surgical masks are relatively affordable but not re-usable and still cumulatively more $ than cloth
- N95s are best but are $$$, require special fit and we may not have enough supply
- Cloth masks are affordable, accessible, re-usable but less effective.
- Surgical masks are relatively affordable but not re-usable and still cumulatively more $ than cloth
- N95s are best but are $$$, require special fit and we may not have enough supply
When looking at masks, we also have to consider not every situation or context is the same. A frontline HCW needs a lot more protection than someone working from home!
(We also want to make sure HCWs have enough N95s, before we worry about using them on our trip to Woolies)
(We also want to make sure HCWs have enough N95s, before we worry about using them on our trip to Woolies)
I forgot to add that another limitation of surgical masks also have fit issues. They often gape at the sides, may not fit people with smaller faces, etc. This is relevant for what comes next.
What are the situations/contexts when we (by 'we' I mean non HCW's or frontline workers) should consider 'upgrading' our masks?
- In public transport
- In crowded shops/malls
- In shared offices
- Any indoor location outside of home where there are other people (church, etc)
- In public transport
- In crowded shops/malls
- In shared offices
- Any indoor location outside of home where there are other people (church, etc)
Depending on our circumstances, we can 'upgrade' by either spending money and getting proper N95s and learning how to make them fit.
Or we can try increase the protective benefit offered by our existing masks – either by double-masking, or adding in a filter to a cloth mask
Or we can try increase the protective benefit offered by our existing masks – either by double-masking, or adding in a filter to a cloth mask
Double masking with a surgical mask:
- The surgical mask should be the inner layer, closest to your mouth
- Cloth mask goes over, adding additional layers but importantly also improve the fit of the surgical mask layer.
This can improve efficiency to 90% https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(20)30072-6
- The surgical mask should be the inner layer, closest to your mouth
- Cloth mask goes over, adding additional layers but importantly also improve the fit of the surgical mask layer.
This can improve efficiency to 90% https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(20)30072-6
The surgical mask + cloth mask 'double mask' is more affordable than an N95 (R5 per surgical mask vs R30 for N95), is comfortable to wear and easy to fit, and provides potentially good protection – not as high as an N95, but much higher than just the surgical mask or cloth alone
Again, the 'double mask' option might not be an everyday requirement, but could provide real benefit to people who commute in shared transport, to people who work in shops/malls, etc... Especially with the newer, more transmissible variants.
Growing scientific consensus seems to support the idea of double masking as a viable public health strategy – although this does not circumvent the need to physically distance, etc, as usual. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/27/double-mask-variants-guidance/
There's nothing illogical about potential benefit of double-masking (except if you do it with an N95, which is apparently pointless as it's already as good as you'll get while breathing normal air).
People who are mocking this, are also people who keep trying to downplay C19
People who are mocking this, are also people who keep trying to downplay C19
