Settings

Theme

I'm one of 100 experts urging governors to require public mask-wearing

theconversation.com

12 points by teaman2000 6 years ago · 4 comments

Reader

nabla9 6 years ago

VTT-research has tested different mask fabrics and made simulations of the spread

With mask: https://youtu.be/blpit-6A7Yo (red is dry particles, blue is droplets)

Without mask: https://youtu.be/HsGJlANzeq8

Tests re-affirm the existing conclusion that non-medical mask-wearing helps from spreading the disease but is not very effective in protect the wearer.

The best available masks are made of microfiber and can filter up to 70% of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers. Conventional garment fabrics filter 20-45% of particles smaller than 0.65-3.3 microns in size, while FFP2 shields 96% and FFP3 99% of particles up to 0.35 micrometers. This means that a user of fabric masks will receive several times the dose of viruses under exposed conditions compared to a user of professional respirators.

From conventional fabrics microfiber mask is best, second is polyester, cotton is the worst. One should wash them in hot water (90 celsius) after each use or throw them away.

source (in Finnish):

https://www.vttresearch.com/sites/default/files/2020-05/Medi...

https://www.vttresearch.com/fi/uutiset-ja-tarinat/kangasmask...

2rsf 6 years ago

That's a good lesson in data science (the author is one). He has all the numbers right but did he forget some things ?

I didn't see anything about re-usability of the masks (no one has an endless stash of mask with a fresh one for every use)? What about using them right when putting them on/off and while wearing them (masks are efficient only when worn correctly, or not?)?

pcunite 6 years ago

I've been following Dr. Fauci's advice. He is the expert.

https://youtu.be/LScHAvufgfM

Thoughts?

  • Vastov 6 years ago

    You are correct, Fauci is an expert.

    It seems that you are being obtuse to prove some kind of point about how masks are useless and this is a grand conspiracy, especially since you have linked to a “QAnon” YouTube channel, but I will play along.

    In this video, Dr. Fauci discusses the usefulness of an individual wearing a mask. The conversation is specifically about a mask’s efficacy in preventing the wearer from becoming exposed to viral particles.

    Dr. Fauci expresses concern that individuals will believe they are more protected than they actually are, and they may be lulled into a false sense of security, as any mask except a properly fitted N95 respirator will not actually prevent you from inhaling sufficiently small droplets containing viral particles.

    Dr. Fauci also expresses concern that the general public may not understand how to appropriately use masks by which he means that it is imperative that wearers do not touch the outward facing part of the mask and contaminate their hands and that they don and doff the mask appropriately.

    Neither of those concerns have anything to do with the entirely separate societal benefit of individual mask wearing by preventing you,as a potential symptomatic/asymptomatic/pre-symptomatic carrier of COVID, from contributing to the infection of others. At a minimum, masks reduce the volume and the distance you spread viral-laden droplets by talking, coughing, breathing, etc.

    It is also worth noting that your linked interview appears to have been recorded before the push for mask wearing as a potential guard against transmission was a part of public discourse. This explains why the second point is not mentioned.

    As an aside, I hope that you can see your way out of this conspiratorial mindset. I am sure you are, like many on this forum, a very bright person, but you have to understand that by posting these things and contributing to the spread of misinformation, you are going to harm people.

Keyboard Shortcuts

j
Next item
k
Previous item
o / Enter
Open selected item
?
Show this help
Esc
Close modal / clear selection