French health bosses are asking citizens to say au revoir to cotton masks because they are simply not effective enough against potentially more contagious new variants of COVID-19.
Instead, the French health advisory council recommended the use of disposable surgical masks. The experts here agree – and tell the Post that this is an important time to consider upgrading your choice of mask.
A homemade mutation of the virus, dubbed 20C-US, is responsible for up to 50% of all cases in the United States – reaching the Midwest more strongly, the researchers said earlier this month. These discoveries were made the day after scientists at Ohio State University said they discovered a different strain of the COVID-19 virus – which carries a mutation similar to the UK strain.
“As we move through this pandemic, we are coming to the conclusion that no, not all masks are the same,” said Dr. Martin Cohen, assistant president and professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Occupational Health at the University of Washington. In the spring, he conducted basic aerosol experiments on mask materials to find suitable substitutes in the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE).
So, which ones are the best? Here’s a look at which masks will remain in 2021, as scientists learn more about the increasingly mutating virus.
N95s
“The gold standard is obviously N95 masks, regardless of the COVID strain,” said Dr. Rajesh Mohan, a cardiologist from New Jersey and author of “COVIDslayers: How We Can Win! and what really went wrong? Experiences of a leading physician from the front line. ”
It was also considered the best mask in a comprehensive mask review by researchers at Duke University over the summer.
It was the most effective of the group on the study’s logarithmic scale.
Surgical masks
These disposable surgical masks are also a good standby mode and considerably more comfortable than facial adaptation N95s.
“The next best thing is surgical masks,” said Mohan. “If people used them, there would be a reduction of about 70% in infection.”
Duke researchers have also found it to be the second most effective variety, ranging from 0 to 0.1 in terms of particles scattered through speech while using.
KN95s or KF94s
Aaron Collins, a Minnesota-based mechanical engineer, who wrote his master’s thesis on aerosol science and calls himself a “citizen scientist”, has been revising masks on his YouTube channel since August.
Collins turned his bathroom into a makeshift laboratory, using an aerosol generator to pump tiny particles of salt and water. A condensation particle counter counts how many particles are in the air and how many are in the mask that Collins is currently testing. He compares the number of particles inside the mask with the number outside, which helps him determine its effectiveness.
His best bets, he discovered after his research, are protective masks like KF94s, KN95s or N95s.
“The N95 are obviously the best, because they seal on the face, but the downside is that they are attached with a headband that can destroy the scalp.” In his research, he found that KF94 masks range from 90 to 99% protection, while KN95 masks also perform well, but have more variation in quality.
He advises against buying masks on eBay or Amazon because there are pirated versions circulating around.
“The market is still a problem. Scammers still have a huge amount of inventory out there. “
Instead, he suggests buying from two companies: a New Jersey-based importer, Be Healthy USA and Bona Fide Masks.
Double masks
Since November, when New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick wore two masks after his quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, doubts have arisen whether bending is the best course of action.
“If your first line of protection is not significant, like a scarf, you can put on another layer,” said Mohan. Other researchers agree with this sentiment, saying that a cloth mask and a surgical mask pair effectively.
“Obviously, the more layers of fiber there are between one person’s mouth and the other, the lower the risk of spreading the infection. But it may be diminishing the benefit, as well as the ability to breathe, ”said Mohan. “The idea is that it should fit perfectly, without making you uncomfortable.”