We have accepted fabric facial 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 fabric masks for more effective ones?
Some Germany, Austria and France are considering national recommendations to do so, and just as President Biden officially approved his first federal mask mandate, some experts say the US should do the same. “The most infectious strains require better defenses. Neither more nor less, better than the same,” said Tom Frieden, MD, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twitter, specifically mentioning “best masks. Surgical, N95, as available.”
To be clear, fabric masks are not entirely useless. In fact, we know that mask mandates are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19, even when most people probably wear fabric masks. But the truth is that experts have long known that even multilayer fabric masks are not the most effective masks we have to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I agree with Europe. Wearing medical grade masks will be important to curb the spread of strain B.1.1.7, ”wrote Atul Gawande, MD, MPH and member of President Biden COVID-19’s advisory committee. Twitter “We have constant evidence that single-layer fabric masks are not as effective as surgical masks, and N95 or KN95 masks are even better.” (N95 and KN95 masks are respirators that form a seal with the skin. Although N95s are regulated by the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, KN95s are regulated by Chinese authorities and imported into the United States, as explained by CDC).
In a study, published in August 2020, researchers tested 14 common types of facial masks in a lab to see how many particles in a person’s mouth would let the masks through. Their results showed that, unsurprisingly, N95 masks and surgical masks were the most effective at preventing particle leakage. After these masks, three-layer fabric masks were the most effective, followed by a few different types of two-layer fabric masks.
This research underscores the fact that there are many variations in fabric masks, and that more layers are significantly more effective. It is also important to remember that wearing the mask properly also goes a long way. But this study also sends the message that, if we want maximum protection, surgical masks and N95s are the way to go.
While we know that surgical masks and N95s are more effective for a while, the CDC continues to advise that the use of these masks should be reserved for health care workers during the pandemic because of concerns about the pandemic. shortage of supply. But now that we’ve been in the pandemic for a year and facing new variants of coronavirus, experts say it’s worth re-examining our national focus on the use of masks, and if supply problems are really the culprits, it’s already over. ‘would have resolved.
“To offer people better protection against Covid contagious variants, especially Americans at higher risk due to age or disease, we should try to get them higher quality masks. One year after the crisis we should be able to cause them for more people “Scott Gottlieb, MD, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, wrote in Twitter.
“All Americans should have sent N95 masks months ago,” wrote Seema Yasmin, MD, director of research and education for the Stanford Health Communication Initiative. on Twitter. “Fabric masks should have been a stop measure.”
One thing that may help is that Biden intends to use the Defense Production Act to direct U.S. companies to increase production of protective equipment (including N95 masks), laboratory equipment, and vaccine supplies. Biden has also recently detailed a $ 1.9 trillion funding plan, which includes billions of dollars for masks and other supplies.
“Get #BetterMasks in this country,” Abraar Karan, MD, an internal medicine physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, wrote on Twitter, addressing the new administration. As we continue to adapt our strategy to the new variants of COVID-19, one of our important support measures will be masks, he said. “We have to make sure we get the best we can. That’s our health. There should be no compromises here.”
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