Do Masks Save Lives? Part IV Surgical vs N95 Masks

November 12, 2020

In the first 3 parts of ‘Do Masks Save Lives?’, we learned the following about masks, according to research:

  1. Bandanas are not “better than nothing”, but could transmit the disease.*****
  2. Cloth masks may actually increase infection.  (see Wednesday blog 10-21-20)
  3. DO NOT TOUCH the outside of any mask as it may be contaminated.
  4. Wash your hands before putting on any mask, touching only the ear loop ties.
  5. All masks need to cover the nose and the mouth with a tight fit to the face.
  6. The best protection is social distancing of 6 ft, and less than 15 minutes of close contact.
  7. It is almost impossible to be exposed while walking in a street with people distanced 6 feet apart or if you cross paths with someone in the street.

Today is a review of the Efficacy of Wearing Surgical Masks vs N95 Masks for Covid protection.

In reviewing the literature there are different kinds of surgical masks providing different amounts of protection.  Before purchasing, read reviews of the surgical mask you desire to purchase.

Surgical Masks:

“It is important to note surgical masks are different than N95 respirators and are not designed, nor approved to provide protection against airborne particles.

  1. Surgical masks are designed to provide barrier protection against droplets,
  2. They are not regulated for particulate filtration efficiency
  3. They do not form an adequate seal to the wearer’s face to be relied upon for respiratory protection.
  4. Without adequate seal, air, and small particles leak around the edges of the respirator and into the wearer’s breathing zone.”*
  5. Surgical masks must be thrown away in a container after each use.  This means if you take your mask off at all for any reason, you should throw it away or its effectiveness for protection decreases.***

N95 Masks:

  1. N95 masks get their name by filtering 95% of particles down to the size of 0.3 microns.
  2. Covid 19 is approximately 0.125 microns!
  3. Covid 19 based on electron micrographs show the virus varies from .06 to 0.14 microns. (60 to 140 nanometers) in diameter.* “On this basis alone, they should not be relied on for protection from small virus particles such as those of SARS-CoV-2”*
  4. N95 masks are a medical device regulated by the FDA.
  5. N95 masks are available to the general public for use.
  6. N95 masks can be worn more than once if cleaned properly.

CONCLUSION:

  1. N95 filtering face piece respirators may not provide the expected protection level against small virion, such as Covid 19.
  2. Some surgical masks may let a significant fraction of airborne viruses penetrate through their filters, providing very low protection against aerosolized infectious agents in the size range of .10 to .8 microns.
  3. Surgical masks are primarily designed to protect the environment from the wearer,
  4. N95 masks are supposed to protect the wearer from the environment.***

The bottom line is no mask filters all of Covid 19!  Also needed for protection, and certainly equally or maybe more importantly, is social distancing and hand washing.  Using all 3 forms of protection is the best.  Out of all masks, N95 masks provide the most protection.  Double masking is also appropriate to increase protection.  Good luck with your mask choices and wearing!

And…. always remember to:

·      Apply ASAP silver gel to your hands and face every morning

·      Take Vit D3 – 5000 units a day or 50,000 units a week

·      Take Zinc – 100 mg a day with food

·      Take EGCG or quercetin – 1000 mg a day

·      Take Vit C – 3000 mg a day

Have an awesome and blessed day!   Dr. D

 

Posted in Coronavirus, Covid19