Someone recently told me that the evidence shows that masks don't protect the wearer against viruses (including Covid) because the viral particles are too small to be stopped, and that some meta-analyses show that this is true even of N95 ones.
I imagine they are quoting (wrongly) the most recent Cochrane review on masks - we do have a thread here on that review but my addled brain cant find it in this moment.
A mask is not simply a sieve, virus particles can also get stuck to the fibres in the filters due to their electric charge.
yes i did watch a video about this - that N95s dont work due to their thicker fabric but because of the way they are made with a charge that attracts particulates.
An N95/99 that fits snugly cant help but protect better than a surgical mask because at least some of the particulates will be attracted to the charge, in addition to it being thicker than and therefore giving more protection against the fluids containing virus that are released in coughs & sneezes.
This notion that N95s are no better than surgical simply cannot be accurate imho, based on the fact that surgical masks are so absurdly baggy i think they are bordering on pointless for the wearer. But people dont seem to realise that for an N95 to work it has to fit properly, not be touched by virusy fingers or taken off put in the pocket & then put back on again etc.
And the metal nose piece must be actually folded over the nose to make it snug... i just dont understand why people wear them so that air can get in all around, use them repeatedly after touching all the inside with germ covered hands, and then moan that they dont work... its common sense!
And surely they must protect others from the wearer - if they fit properly & have no valve - you've only got to see how damp they get inside after an hour of wearing - thats the wearers breath - which would be in the room otherwise surely?
I never go anywhere public indoors without my N95 on & i couldnt care less what people think. I also make sure to wear my large rimmed glasses - i read a study done on italian health care workers back in the early days - it was comparing people in same environments who wore eye protection plus masks with maks alone & the results were quite significant. I know glasses arent the same as visors but better than nothing i reckon.
The only exception is in certain Drs consulting rooms - if its important they dont suspect me of health anxiety, there's a little ventilation, & neither they nor their nurse appears to have any symptoms... then i take it off, & then put it back on to go through waiting area & common areas. This is risky, but currently because of the other dx i have on my notes... getting pegged with HA as well, would be just as risky to me overall, even if in a different way.
It makes me laugh at my gp surgery though... they ask everyone to wear a mask, but the gp pulls her surgical mask down to talk to me... i mean why even bother wearing it at all? I guess she pulls it up if she hears someone coughing.