French health honchos urge citizens to say so bye to cotton masks because they are simply not effective enough against new potentially more contagious variants of COVID-19.
In contrast, the French health advisory board has recommended that disposable surgical masks be worn. Experts here agree and tell The Post that it is an important time to consider upgrading your mask option.
A mutation in the virus, called 20C-US, is believed to be responsible for up to 50 percent of all U.S. cases, which hit the Midwest hardest, researchers said earlier this month. . These findings come a 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 forward in this pandemic, we realize that no, not all masks are the same,” said Dr. Martin Cohen, assistant president and professor of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Sciences at the University of Washington . In the spring, he conducted experiments with raw aerosols to mask materials to find suitable substitutes in the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Which are the best? Here’s a look at the masks that remain in 2021 as scientists learn more about the increasingly mutant virus.
N95
“The gold standard is obviously the N95 masks, regardless of the COVID strain,” Dr. Rajesh Mohan, a New Jersey-based cardiologist and author of “COVIDslayers: How We Can Win!” and what really didn’t go well? Experiences of a medical leader from the front line “.
It was also found to be the best mask in a full review of masks made by Duke University researchers over the summer.
He was the most effective of the group at logarithmic scale of the study.
Surgical masks
These disposable surgical masks are also a good standby and are much more comfortable than the N95 facial makeup.
“The next best thing is surgical masks,” Mohan said. “If people carried them, there would be a 70% decrease in infection.”
Duke researchers also found it to be the second most effective variety, ranging from 0 to 0.1 in terms of particles diffusing to speak while wearing one.
KN95 or KF94
Aaron Collins, a Minnesota-based mechanical engineer who wrote his master’s thesis on aerosol science and calls himself a “citizen scientist,” has been reviewing masks on his YouTube channel since August.
Collins turned his bathroom into a makeshift lab, with an aerosol generator to pump small particles of salt and water. A condensing particle counter counts how many particles are in the air and how many in the mask that Collins is currently testing. It compares the number of particles inside the mask with the number on the outside, which helps it determine its effectiveness.
His best bets, he found after his research, are protective masks like KF94, KN95 or N95.
“The N95s are obviously the best, because they’re sealed on the face, but the downside is that they’re secured with a headband that can destroy your scalp.” In his research, he has found that KF94 masks range from 90 to 99% protection, while KN95 masks also perform well, but have more quality variations.
It is not advisable to buy masks on eBay or Amazon because there are bootleg versions coming out around.
“The market is still a problem. Scammers still have a lot of inventory. “
Instead, he suggests buying from two companies: the New Jersey-based importer, Be Healthy USA and Bona Fide Masks.
Two masks
Since November, when New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick wore two masks after his quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, questions have revolved around whether dubbing is the best way to act.
“If your first line of protection isn’t significant, like a handkerchief, you can put on another coat,” Mohan said. Other researchers respond to this feeling by saying that a cloth mask and a surgical mask allow for effective pairing.
“Obviously, the more layers of fiber you have between one person’s mouth and the other’s, the less risk there is of spreading the infection. But it could diminish the benefit, even the ability to breathe, “Mohan said.” The idea is to be well-adjusted without bothering you. “