COVID-19 All Masks are not Created Equal

I have a PhD in engineering.  My expertise is worker safety, which means respiratory protection, and that includes Face Masks.  Yeh!  Many of the “designer masks” I have seen are barely protective.  Those pretty bandanas and loosely woven scarves may look good, but they won’t protect you or others.  Sticking a piece of material across your nose and mouth may be better than nothing, but not by much.  At best, a single thickness of fabric filters less than 30% of potential virus particles.  Single-layer masks are generally a no-no, even if they have pretty colors.

Masks that fit loosely or leak around your cheeks or nose will filter less than 15% of particles.  Those pesky viral particles will always find the path of least resistance.  If you get masks from the many generous people making them or selling them online, please find out what materials they are using.  It’s important.

In general, at least four layers of different tightly woven materials are needed to provide good protection.  You can cut up your 600 count cotton sheets, 100% silk shirts, and sexy polyester spandex pants, and you will have enough material for many masks.  Hardware stores also carry filter materials. The more layers, the greater the filtration, as long as you can breathe.

There are plenty of good sites on the internet with scientifically validated suggestions for materials and designs.  Look for sufficiently nerdy analytical types who care more about safety than glamour and who reference some data.  If that makes your head spin, please – send me an email.

Even if you get sick of wearing the mask, please do not pull it down below your nose.  It just doesn’t work.

So my communication to you is, be smart and be safe so we can play together in life for a long time.