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> From basic physics -- of course it can. How exactly does physics allow a disposable mask that completely lacks a barrier to entry on the sides filter the air

> From basic physics -- of course it can. How exactly does physics allow a disposable mask that completely lacks a barrier to entry on the sides filter the air? > In hospitals, the word “airborne” is associated with a rigid set of protective methods, including the use of N95 respirators by workers and negative pressure rooms for patients. These are resource-intensive and legally required. https://time.com/6162065/covid-19-airborne-transmission-confusion/ https://time.com/6162065/covid-19-airborne-transmission-conf... Medical professionals are not only required to use at least an n95 mask, they are required to keep it so tightly fitted to their face that unfiltered air cannot leak in through the sides. So tightly fitted that it digs into their skin. > Exhausted doctors and nurses post images of their bruised faces after long shifts wearing protective gear https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-health-care-bruised-faces-masks-ppe-hospitals-doctors-nurses-italy-new-york/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-health-care-bruised...

lisasays 3y ago
Because not all the air goes through the sides. Some of it goes through, you know, the mask itself. Just because N95s are clearly better doesn't mean disposables are useless. Because, like, basic logic and stuff.
- GeekyBear 3y ago
  > Because not all the air goes through the sides. How does that prevent Covid from passing through the sides? > Just because N95s are clearly better doesn't mean disposables are useless. They are useless because they cannot possibly filter the virus out of the air that you breathe. I like the way a member of President Biden's Covid advisory group put it. If it can't prevent you from smelling cigarette smoke in the room, it cannot filter out Covid, since the smoke particles are on the same order of size.
  - lisasays 3y ago
    It doesn't block it entirely of course - it just means that you get somewhat less of it. According to researchers, enough to mitigate the risk by a fair amount. Unfortunately we're going in circles here, and I'm going to have to bow out. You can believe whatever you want, about basic physics or anything else. It's a free planet, after all.
    - GeekyBear 3y ago
      A disposable mask with open sides doesn't 'block" it at all.

lisasays 3y ago

Because not all the air goes through the sides. Some of it goes through, you know, the mask itself. Just because N95s are clearly better doesn't mean disposables are useless. Because, like, basic logic and stuff.

GeekyBear 3y ago
> Because not all the air goes through the sides. How does that prevent Covid from passing through the sides? > Just because N95s are clearly better doesn't mean disposables are useless. They are useless because they cannot possibly filter the virus out of the air that you breathe. I like the way a member of President Biden's Covid advisory group put it. If it can't prevent you from smelling cigarette smoke in the room, it cannot filter out Covid, since the smoke particles are on the same order of size.
- lisasays 3y ago
  It doesn't block it entirely of course - it just means that you get somewhat less of it. According to researchers, enough to mitigate the risk by a fair amount. Unfortunately we're going in circles here, and I'm going to have to bow out. You can believe whatever you want, about basic physics or anything else. It's a free planet, after all.
  - GeekyBear 3y ago
    A disposable mask with open sides doesn't 'block" it at all.