3 ms·

For what it's worth I'm flying back home to the US from the UAE and at the airport as I was waiting to check my bag I saw many (10+) groups of Chinese tourists

by maverick2007 7y ago

For what it's worth I'm flying back home to the US from the UAE and at the airport as I was waiting to check my bag I saw many (10+) groups of Chinese tourists checking entire boxes of 3M N95 masks. My guess is that they're running out at home and these tourists saw an opportunity to make some money or help people out (or both).

radicaldreamer 7y ago
Can an N95 mask prevent viral infection? Those things are typically for particulates and are charged so things like dust attach to the fibers. I’m not sure they’re effective for aerosolized particles
- jhlkuiou08 7y ago
  I did research this topic many years ago during the bird flu panic, and the short answer is yes, a PROPERLY USED N95 mask prevents infection. The properly used part is quite tricky though, for example you touch the outside of the mask with your fingers when you remove it, and then rub your eyes... There's a reason those guys are in a full suit and not just a mask. But even if it's not 100% effective, even if it's just 90% it's still a massive win.
- Fomite 7y ago
  There's very little evidence N95 masks work better than surgical masks, which are cheaper and easier to use.
  - mensetmanusman 7y ago
    Umm, properly used N95 masks have been shown to filter particles <10 nm...
    - Fomite 7y ago
      And repeated studies have failed to show that N95 masks reduce transmission more than surgical masks do. One of many studies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868605/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868605/
    - philliphaydon 7y ago
      N95 masks are better when there's dust, or smog, but don't make preventing getting sick any better than surgical masks. The idea behind surgical masks is to prevent you from getting sick when people sneeze, cough, etc. So the effectiveness is basically the same providing you use them properly. Never touch the front of the mask. Wash your hands after removing. Dispose of mask after use.
deleted 7y ago
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radicaldreamer 7y ago

Can an N95 mask prevent viral infection? Those things are typically for particulates and are charged so things like dust attach to the fibers. I’m not sure they’re effective for aerosolized particles

jhlkuiou08 7y ago
I did research this topic many years ago during the bird flu panic, and the short answer is yes, a PROPERLY USED N95 mask prevents infection. The properly used part is quite tricky though, for example you touch the outside of the mask with your fingers when you remove it, and then rub your eyes... There's a reason those guys are in a full suit and not just a mask. But even if it's not 100% effective, even if it's just 90% it's still a massive win.
Fomite 7y ago
There's very little evidence N95 masks work better than surgical masks, which are cheaper and easier to use.
- mensetmanusman 7y ago
  Umm, properly used N95 masks have been shown to filter particles <10 nm...
  - Fomite 7y ago
    And repeated studies have failed to show that N95 masks reduce transmission more than surgical masks do. One of many studies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868605/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868605/
  - philliphaydon 7y ago
    N95 masks are better when there's dust, or smog, but don't make preventing getting sick any better than surgical masks. The idea behind surgical masks is to prevent you from getting sick when people sneeze, cough, etc. So the effectiveness is basically the same providing you use them properly. Never touch the front of the mask. Wash your hands after removing. Dispose of mask after use.

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]