How much protection do face masks offer?

Medical surgical mask

Surgical masks, also called medical surgical masks, are loose-fitting disposable masks that protect the wearer's nose and mouth from water droplets, splashes and sprays that may contain germs. Medical surgical masks can also filter out large particles in the air. Medical surgery can protect others by reducing the exposure of saliva and respiratory secretions to mask wearers.

At present, the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any type of medical surgical masks specifically for the prevention of coronavirus, but when there is no N95 mask, these masks may provide a certain degree of protection.

N95 mask

N95 mask is actually a kind of respirator. It has better performance than medical surgical mask because it can filter out large and small particles when the wearer inhales. As the name suggests, the mask is designed to block 95% of very small particles. Some N95 masks have valves that make it easier for the wearer to breathe. With this mask, unfiltered air is released when the wearer exhales.

Before using N95 masks in the workplace, healthcare providers must be trained and qualified tests to confirm their tightness. Like medical surgical masks, N95 masks should also be disposable. However, researchers are testing methods to disinfect N95 masks and found that they can be reused.

Some N95 masks, and even some cloth masks, have one-way valves to make them easier to breathe. However, since the valve releases unfiltered air when the wearer breathes, this mask does not prevent the wearer from spreading the virus. Therefore, their use is prohibited in some places.

Cloth mask

Cloth masks are designed to block small particles such as water droplets that the wearer exhales when speaking, coughing or sneezing. Requiring everyone to wear a mask can help reduce the spread of the virus by those who are infected with the new crown virus but are not aware of it.

When cloth face masks are widely used by people in public places, it is the best way to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. Countries that wear masks at the beginning of the pandemic, and adopt methods such as isolation and stay away from people have successfully slowed the spread of the new coronavirus.

Although medical surgical masks and N95 masks may be in short supply and should be reserved for medical staff to use, cloth face masks and masks are easy to find or produce, and can be washed and reused.

The mask can be made of common materials, such as a sheet made of tightly woven cotton. Cloth masks should include multiple layers of fabric, and even include materials from bandannas and T-shirts.