Everyone should have masks and know how to use them after being a part of the pandemic for around 21 whole months. It is still very likely that you will see people who are not wearing masks properly when you enter a grocery store, a church, or a holiday event. They may have the mask falling off their nose or have gaps at the sides of their faces.
What Type Of Masking Protects You Best?
New research has shown that tight fit matters whether or not you have the virus. Especially when it comes to keeping it to yourselves. The materials that you use matter too.
Mask wearing seems to be an evolving science. Scientists from the NIOSH looked at whether the virus could be contained by modifying the way people wore masks.
Francoise Blachere said that earlier this year, they had published a study. She said that they had discussed various ways to mask yourself in this study, which included double masking, and the knotted and tucked method.
She said that according to their findings, these two modifications worked really well and that the source control was enhanced. She added that they wanted to look at and see some of the other modifications that were out there. The blocking of any type of respiratory aerosols or droplets from escaping from the mouth of the person wearing the mask into the environment is source control.
Blachere said that 3 ply masks are generally better at source control while cloth masks and medical masks also block respiratory aerosols effectively. She said that when compared to medical masks, these cloth masks tend to fit better and tighter. She said that when people double mask and layer a 3-ply cloth mask over a medical mask improves source control and really enhances the fit of the mask.
She added that when the medical mask is secured with an elastic strap or elastic brace, the fit of the mask is improved further. She noted that the way that the medical mask or cloth mask covers your mouth and nose is definitely important regardless of which one you choose to wear. She said that the aerosols only escape the masks when you see some types of gapping or leaks.
Mannequins and real people were used for the study by the researchers. A source control measurement system was also used to perform exhalations and coughs that were simulated.
It has to be noted that respirators such as N95 masks or surgical masks were not being evaluated. Only medical and cloth masks were being evaluated. It was found that over 56% of cough aerosols and over 42% of exhaled aerosols were blocked by a medical mask that did not have any modifications. The masks were not improved when the fit was modified by crossing the ear loops or placing a bracket under the mask.
The performance of the mask was improved when ear loop toggles were used. It was also improved when an ear loop strap was used or when the ear loop was knotted and tucked. Wearing a cloth mask over a medical mask was the most effective if it was combined with a mask brace.
About 85 to 91% of coughed or exhaled aerosols were blocked by double masking. Over 95% of cough aerosols were blocked by using a brace over the medical mask. It was shown by the findings that a minimum of 99% of exhaled aerosols were also blocked by this method.
Ann Marie Pettis said that not everyone would be comfortable with wearing all these extra layers. She added that this could sometimes be due to breathing conditions too.
