Coronavirus: wearing a cloth face mask is less about science and more about solidarity

yahoo ^ | 05/20/2020 | Simon Kolstoe, Senior Lecturer in Evidence Based Healthcare and University Ethics Advisor, Universit

[BenLurkin]

N95 mask has a filtration device able to stop 95% of 0.3 micrometre (0.0003 millimetre) particles. Even though the coronavirus is estimated to be about 0.07 to 0.09 micrometres, virus particles are normally carried in droplets somewhat bigger than this, making the 0.3 micrometre limit quite adequate for protecting the wearer when combined with other protective equipment. Contrast this with cloth fibres, of the type you might use for a homemade mask. The gap between most cloth fibres found in the home depends on weave thickness and can be 1,000 times bigger compared with the N95 mask – around 1 to 0.1 millimetres. Although additive effects (combining with physical distancing, frequent hand washing and avoiding crowded spaces) should be considered, the benefits are further complicated by factors such as material type, number of layers, fit, face shape, frequency of adjusting, facial hair and the effect of having a moist and increasingly dirty piece of cloth over your face.

So from the scientific perspective, the evidence does seem fairly clear: a well-designed mask combined with the right safety equipment and behaviour has a protective effect, but homemade cloth face masks are simply too variable to be relied on for protection of yourself or others.

As there is an availability problem, it makes sense that the public are not urged to compete with medical staff for limited supplies of the most effective masks. Promoting alternative face coverings helps to prevent this competition.

Signalling [sic] to others that you are taking this seriously and trying to respect their safety as well as your own is, therefore, an important statement of solidarity.

[Wpin]

That was published April 1st, written very early on. He is wrong, we now know the virus is primarily spread through droplets of moisture...not the virus cells themselves...they are almost nearly attached to moisture droplets. Try doing a bit more research...go to the CDC site itself perhaps.

Remember, this virus has now killed more Americans in the past two months than died in Korean war, Vietnam war, Iraqi war, and Afghanistan war combined! We know that nations where the people wear masks and practice social distancing have the lowest infection and death rates...it really is simple.

[Mase]

It's a shame you never learned the difference between bacteria and viruses. I'd ask you how something requiring an electron microscope to see can be stopped by a piece of cloth but that would just be wasted words on a wasted brain.

You keep feeling safe, and superior, wearing that mask. Don't worry that it makes you look like one the those Leftist virtue signalers (that you are). We'll walk by you quietly thinking bless your heart.