A driver of a Metro Transit bus wears an N95 protective mask and gloves while driving her bus near Staples Center, downtown Los Angeles, on Monday, January 25, 2021. (Photo AP / Damian Dovarganes)
In Writing
UPDATED AT 07:16 PT – Thursday, January 28, 2021
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently explained why the agency does not recommend the general public to wear N95 masks in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview Wednesday, Dr. Rochelle Walensky clarified that while some medical experts have argued that they offer superior protection compared to other types of masks, the CDC believes that requiring their use may be counterproductive.
The public health officer explained that he is concerned that people may be less inclined to keep masks if he wears an N95. Dr. Walensky pointed out how uncomfortable these types of masks can be and how difficult they can make breathing difficult.
“They’re hard to tolerate all day, every day, and in fact, when you really think about how well people will wear them, I’m worried that if we suggest or demand that people wear N95, they won’t wear them all the time. “They are very difficult to breathe, they are very difficult to tolerate when you wear them for long periods of time.”
The DPA will also increase production of N95 masks and personal protective equipment. Most Americans wear cloth masks, but other countries make filter masks (FFPs) mandatory b / c, as they are more effective, especially given the more contagious COVID strain. pic.twitter.com/ZiyMGbPgkO
– Cleavon MD (@Cleavon_MD) January 22, 2021
However, Dr. Walensky still recommends wearing multi-layered face masks to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.