Rumor : The common wearing method of medical masks can only reduce the transmission of infectious aerosols by 84.3%, while those tied with knots can reduce it by 95.9%, which is equivalent to the effectiveness of N95 masks.
/✗: This is a rumor.
1.Wearing a medical mask with knots tied improves its sealing performanceFollowing the method demonstrated in the video, the sealing performance of a common surgical mask can indeed be improved, preventing viruses from reaching the respiratory tract through gaps on both sides.
Before conducting science popularization and promotion, the US CDC publicly released relevant experimental reports around February 2021. The report indicated that tying knots and then wearing the mask can enhance filtration efficiency.
2.Knots don’t turn it into an N95; there are significant differences in all aspects.
The differences between the medical surgical masks we usually use and N95 masks manifest in many ways:
In terms of filtration efficiency: N95 masks are one of the nine particulate respirators certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The “N” stands for “not resistant to oil,” and “95” indicates that the filtration efficiency for particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 0.3 micrometers is over 95%.
Medical surgical masks are primarily designed for bacterial filtration and have lower requirements for filtration efficiency of saline particulate matter compared to N95 masks.
In terms of material: Both the filtration layers of N95 masks and medical surgical masks use polypropylene melt-blown material.
In terms of layers: Medical surgical masks are typically three-layered, with an outer water-resistant layer, a middle filtration layer, and an inner absorbent layer.
N95 masks generally have more than three layers, usually four to six, with the outer and inner layers serving the same functions as surgical masks, but the middle layer differs among brands in terms of the number of layers and serves as the filtration layer.
In summary, compared to medical surgical masks, N95 masks offer a higher level of protection.
Healthcare workers must wear N95 masks when in contact with patients with respiratory infectious diseases.
For ordinary individuals, it is recommended to wear N95 masks when visiting medical institutions for treatment or accompanying others for treatment or medication, visiting elderly individuals, infants, or those with underlying medical conditions, and in crowded and poorly ventilated enclosed spaces such as supermarkets, public transportation, and elevators in public buildings, if conditions permit, to provide stronger protection.
In daily life, wearing common medical surgical masks is sufficient to block most virus-laden droplets from entering the respiratory tract when outdoors in open and well-ventilated areas or in well-ventilated places.
Proper wearing is crucial for both types of masks, ensuring that they cover the nose and mouth and maintain a snug fit with the face.
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