Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

N-95 if you're directly exposed (e.g. healthcare workers). A properly fitted N-95 is not easy to breathe through for prolonged periods. 

Otherwise, a multi-layer cloth mask that fits properly otherwise.

The 3D printed masks rarely get a proper fit, and are heavy and unwieldy for hours of wear. You're better off with cloth now that they're readily available again.

A 3D printed face shield is beneficial in addition to mask. Eye protection is increasingly recommended.

Check your local health advisory for much more detailed info. Don't depend on random strangers on the Internet for critical information. 

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Posted by: @bobstro

N-95 if you're directly exposed (e.g. healthcare workers). A properly fitted N-95 is not easy to breathe through for prolonged periods. 

Otherwise, a multi-layer cloth mask that fits properly otherwise.

The 3D printed masks rarely get a proper fit, and are heavy and unwieldy for hours of wear. You're better off with cloth now that they're readily available again.

A 3D printed face shield is beneficial in addition to mask. Eye protection is increasingly recommended.

Check your local health advisory for much more detailed info. Don't depend on random strangers on the Internet for critical information. 

I am an expert in this area and in charge of a large multistate (US) COVID taskforce.  Bobstro is dead on.  If you are going to print PPE, a mask is probably not the item you want to print.  Cloth masks with multiple layers are good enough for the general public.  If you want to up that, wear a face shield.  The face shields are something you can print.   

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

This is similar to what I do. I have optimized and customized the Prusa face shield a bit and wear it in addition to a FFP2 mask (besides all other safety features).

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

It is quite expensive if we always buy a disposable mask. Disposable masks are required for use by those working in hospitals and health centers. We citizens, it is better for us to just use a washable cloth mask and use a face shield when we go out in public places.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@margaux

A cloth mask is fine for the everyday public and quite good if combined with a face shield.  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Hi,

I've been using a hybrid multilayer cloth mask, produced in Portugal and washable up to 100 or 50 times, depends on the certification authority. I keep an unused one on hand just in case the one I am using fails. The test is to attempt to blow out a candle while wearing the mask, as far as being infeccious. The opposite, I'm not certain. 

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Here in Austria the Faceshileds are banned to use only that. You need something who is covering your Mouth and Nose.
There are many test who show that the most Masks not help that much beside of FFP2, FFP3 Mask and higher.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@prusaprinters-profile

Hmm.  Maybe I am misunderstanding.  In Austria, have they banned face shields?  Clearly, science would not be behind such a ban.  A face shield should be used with a mask unless it is being used on a child.  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

The are banned if you use them without a propper Mask. Many people bought just them and use them alone.
Well even with a Mask you can get some kind of Bacteria, Virus,... when you are buy Food in the Supermarket, use the Public Transport,...

(especially the local Bus lines who the Bus turn around immaterially after there 60Min, 90Min,... Journey across a District...

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@prusaprinters-profile

Is there an age limit - like masks are not required for small children?  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

What I know/ remember +6 Years.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

@prusaprinters-profile

Makes sense.  Either way, I would not use a mask with a valve or 3D printed for COVID Protection.  The risk is not worth the cool factor or cost-saving.  3D printed face shields are ok.  

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Posted by: @prusaprinters-profile

Here in Austria the Faceshileds are banned to use only that. You need something who is covering your Mouth and Nose.
There are many test who show that the most Masks not help that much beside of FFP2, FFP3 Mask and higher.

Same here in Germany. Its not banned but it's prohibited to use face-shield only. Its only ok, if you combine with mask which covers mouth and nose.

Best regards
Floh

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

A Japanese research proved that face shield is totally ineffective at trapping respiratory aerosols. Surgical masks , N95 and some kind of gas mask are still the best for protecting yourself from the virus.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/22/face-shields-ineffective-trapping-aerosols-japanese-supercomputer-coronavirus

However, some wonderful from Hong Kong made a 3d print filtering system for gas mask, it could reduce the amount of mask that would be used.

https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/hong-kong-makers-fought-covid/

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Posted by: @dylon

A Japanese research proved that face shield is totally ineffective at trapping respiratory aerosols. Surgical masks , N95 and some kind of gas mask are still the best for protecting yourself from the virus.

I have never seen face shields described by anyone with any standing in medicine as being effective at trapping aerosols, so that's no surprise. They are intended to supplement proper PPE (e.g. an N95 mask) by blocking splatter and droplets in a close setting. They essentially protect the PPE prolonging its usability.

Why using a shield became acceptable for sporting events and other public events is beyond my understanding, particularly those silly half shields.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Face shields are only useful for very close interactions, such as what a dentist does when cleaning teeth.  But for real life use, they are useless.

Ill fitted cloth masks (which is what almost everyone wears) are all but useless as well.  A study done with the flu virus (roughly the same size as the corona virus and spread the same way) showed the R0 factor (reproduction factor, aka how many people you will infect when going out into a group of people) never drops below 1.  So wearing a cloth mask does not stop the spread of the virus.  It DOES reduce the R0 factor from around 4 to around 1.4, so it slows the spread (flattens the curve).  This reduces the number of people infected at the same time, but increases the time it will take until herd immunity is reached.

Whether this is good or bad is up to each person's views, it simply is what it is.

As an aside, for eye protection, it must include side protectors.  Everyone with glasses can give many examples of water spray hitting the INSIDE of the lenses, so they are not all that effective at protecting the eyes.  Pain the ass, really.

NOTE:  This is not meant to be political or personal in any way.  If you are triggered, you are finding offense where none is given.  🙂

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Posted by: @prusaprinters-profile

What I know/ remember +6 Years.

WHO just revised their recommendation to 5 years old, the CDC recommends 2 years old.  Each nation gets to decide (or State in the US) what the age will be.  The science shows children are all but immune to the coronavirus, and almost all who get it end up with no symptoms (or just the loss of smell one) and never stop running around continuously and asking a million questions (as children do).  A rather large German study showed this, and it has been verified (which is one of the many reasons why the US CDC recommends all kids go to school in person).

That said, the lower age really depends on convincing the child to keep the mask on, which varies wildly.  A cool looking mask with their favorite thing printed on it helps a lot.

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Posted by: @cybrsage

[...] This reduces the number of people infected at the same time, but increases the time it will take until herd immunity is reached.

From what I've read, over 40% of the population would need to have been infected to achieve herd immunity. COVID has roughly a 2% mortality rate. With a US population of 328 million, that equates to 131,200,000 individuals potentially suffering long-term health problems and financial burden, and 2,624,000 deaths on the optimistic end of the scale. I'd say increasing the time until herd immunity is achieved is a good thing, particularly since effective vaccines are now within reach!

RE: Which Mask is Better to Protect Covid-19 Virus

Posted by: @cybrsage

[...]  The science shows children are all but immune to the coronavirus, and almost all who get it end up with no symptoms (or just the loss of smell one) and never stop running around continuously and asking a million questions (as children do).  A rather large German study showed this, and it has been verified (which is one of the many reasons why the US CDC recommends all kids go to school in person).

Which science? I believe children are less impacted but certainly not immune. They are carriers while infected, so the impact is not limited to individual children. Their families and communities will still be vulnerable when the infected tykes come home after school each day. Most states are shutting down in-person schooling.

That said, the lower age really depends on convincing the child to keep the mask on, which varies wildly.  A cool looking mask with their favorite thing printed on it helps a lot.

That underscores the fact that they are not immune, does it not?