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From your second citation: "Although N95 respirators appeared to have a protective advantage over surgical masks in laboratory settings, our meta-analysis showe
by Fomite 7y ago
From your second citation: "Although N95 respirators appeared to have a protective advantage over surgical masks in laboratory settings, our meta-analysis showed that there were insufficient data to determine definitively whether N95 respirators are superior to surgical masks in protecting health care workers against transmissible acute respiratory infections in clinical settings."
- cameldrv 7y agoInsufficient data to show that N95 is better than a surgical mask, not insufficient data that N95 works. My guess is that whether the mask fits and makes a good seal, whether the user wears it consistently, and whether the user washes his hands before handling food or touching his mouth or nose all matter a lot more than the type of mask.
- Fomite 7y agoAgreed, but many of these studies were done in a medical context, which is close to a best-case scenario in terms of training for the use of an N95.
- Enginerrrd 7y agoYes, except that studies showed surgical masks are likely as effective, which strongly suggests that precise fit confirmed by a fit-test probably isn't necessary.