4 ms·
From an aerodynamics point of view, I'd expect it to be easier to protect the wearer than others. When you breath in, a decently fitted mask sticks to your face
by petertodd 6y ago
From an aerodynamics point of view, I'd expect it to be easier to protect the wearer than others. When you breath in, a decently fitted mask sticks to your face, directing airflow through the filter. When you breath out, it's very easy for air to get out gaps on the sides.
Frankly, I think it's been a huge mistake to discourage valved masks: they're much easier to breath in and more comfortable. Better to encourage the vulnerable to wear high quality, valved N95 masks and protect themselves, than worry about those same people infecting others.
My risk from COVID is something like 1/50th that of my parents.
- aeternum 6y agoIt's quite possible that infection is occurring via the eyes, this could explain why masks protect others but not the wearer.
- petertodd 6y agoWait, do you have a source for the statement that "masks protect others but not the wearer"? Because I've seen that claim a lot. But never actually seen a scientific study making that claim.
- aeternum 6y agoIsn't this very study an example of one that shows that masks do not offer significant protection for the wearer? Whether or not masks protect others seems much harder to isolate but there does seem to be lower R^2 values for countries and areas with more normalized mask wearing. Perhaps it is just a correlation (just seeing masks reminds people of the risk and they modify their behavior).