We started to accept fabric masks as part of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. But now that researchers have identified some variants of the coronavirus that seem to spread even more easily than the original, is it time to change our cloth masks for more effective ones?
Germany, Austria and France are considering national recommendations to do just that, and just as President Biden officially enacted his first federal mask mandate, some experts say the United States should do the same. “More infectious strains require better defenses. Not more of the same, better of the same,” said Tom Frieden, MD, former director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in Twitter, specifically mentioning “best masks. Surgical, N95, as available.”
To be clear, fabric masks are not entirely useless. In fact, we know that mask prescriptions are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19, even when most people are likely to wear cloth masks. But the truth is that experts have known for some time that even multi-layered cloth masks are not the most effective masks we have to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I agree with Europe. The use of medical-grade masks will be important to slow the spread of the B.1.1.7 strain, “wrote Atul Gawande, MD, MPH and a member of President Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, in Twitter “We have consistent evidence that single layer tissue masks are not as effective as surgical masks, and N95 or KN95 masks are even better.” (N95 and KN95 masks are respirators that seal the skin. While N95s are regulated by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, KN95s are regulated by Chinese authorities and imported into the U.S., explains the CDC.)
In a study, published in August 2020, researchers tested 14 common types of facial masks in a laboratory setting to see how many particles in a person’s mouth the masks would miss. Their results showed that – unsurprisingly – N95 masks and surgical masks were the most effective in preventing particle leakage. After these masks, three-layer cloth masks were the most effective, followed by a few different types of two-layer cloth masks.
This research highlights the fact that there is a lot of variation in fabric masks – and more layers are significantly more effective. It is also important to remember that using the mask properly also helps a lot. But this study also shows the message that, if we want maximum protection, surgical masks and N95s are the way to go.
Although we know that surgical masks and N95s are more effective for a while, the CDC is still advising that the use of these masks should be reserved for healthcare professionals during the pandemic due to concerns about a lack of supply. But now that we’ve been in the pandemic for a year and facing new variants of the coronavirus, experts say it’s worth re-examining our national approach to wearing masks – and if supply problems are really to blame, they should have been resolved now .
“To provide people with better protection against contagious variants of Covid, especially Americans most at risk because of age or illness, we should try to get better quality masks. One year after the crisis, we should be able to provide them to more people. ” Scott Gottlieb, MD, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, wrote about Twitter.
“All Americans should have received N95 masks months ago,” wrote Seema Yasmin, MD, director of research and education at the Stanford Health Communication Initiative. on twitter. “Cloth masks should have been an interim measure.”
One thing that can help is that Biden intends to use the Defense Production Act to direct American companies to increase the production of protective equipment (including N95 masks), laboratory equipment and vaccine supplies. Biden also recently detailed a $ 1.9 trillion financing plan, which includes billions of dollars for masks and other supplies.
“Take #BetterMasks to this country,” wrote Abraar Karan, MD, an intern at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School on Twitter, speaking to the new administration. As we continue to adapt our strategy to the new variants of COVID-19, one of our important protective measures will be masks, he said. “We need to make sure we get the best we can. This is our health. There should be no compromises here!”
Related: