Re:An analysis of studies pertaining to masks from 1978 to 2023
by frognumber on Saturday May 25, 2024 @11:03AM
(#40475459)
> The most important distinction between mask models is that some models have valves / vents and some do not.
The most important distinctions also include:
1) Fit. This matters a lot.
2) Nano versus electrostatic technology.
3) Filtration level. "N95" advertised isn't always 95% in reality, and some are 99+%.
4) Impedance to airflow
#4 is more than just comfort it determines how much air goes around the mask.
Re:An analysis of studies pertaining to masks from 1978 to 2023
by Terr_ on Saturday May 25, 2024 @05:28PM
(#40478008)
> The written materials say things like, "throw the mask away as soon as it becomes stained or discolored."
For some N95 masks, that's because they assume you are using it to block out particles that will accumulate on the mask, like paint droplets or sawdust or whatever.
In contrast, breath is mostly water vapor, and COVID-19 particles have a short-enough half-life that you can probably rotate between masks and be pretty safe.
I use each of my masks for probably at least 10 hours before throwing it away, and I've never gotten covid except once (in Jan or Feb 2020) before I started wearing masks (in fact, before anyone in my country -- the US -- knew about covid).
(I have to write "probably" because I don't actually keep written records of how long I have each mask on. I rarely have one on for more than an hour at a time.)
I've used mainly 3M 8511 masks.
The most important distinction between mask models is that some models have valves / vents and some do not.
Hospitals use ones without valves. The lack of a valve means that the part of the mask that filters the air gets a lot more damp than it would if a value were present (because exhaled air is damp) which might drastically reduce how long the mask will last, so that might be why some hospitals instruct their employees to use a new mask for each new patient contact.