Since COVID is really popping again, I'm going back to masking. I would wear KN95/N95s but those stink after a while and you can't wash it. Cloth masks aren't as effective but has to be better than nothing, right?

Is there any special type of mask which can be reused and washed while having ok protection against COVID?

  • Clippy [comrade/them, he/him]
    ·
    1 year ago

    The vent style n95s last a long time, although they only protect the wearer and the vents release particles,

    from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsource3healthcare.html quote

    Are respirators with an exhalation valve acceptable in healthcare settings?

    It depends on the type of respirator and the setting. Healthcare personnel (HCP) can use an FFR with an exhalation valve for source control. However, when it is important to maintain a sterile field, HCP cannot use an FFR with an exhalation valve. Source control refers to the ability to prevent disease transmission to others via the spread of respiratory secretions. A NIOSH technical report summarizes research on filtering facepiece respirators with an exhalation valve. Findings suggest FFRs with exhalation valves provide the same or better source control than surgical masks or procedure masks. This finding is the same even without covering the valve.

    However, FFRs with exhalation valves are not fluid resistant. HCP should not use these types of respirators in situations requiring a sterile field. For example, during an invasive procedure in an operating or procedure room. The exhalation valve may allow unfiltered exhaled air to escape into the sterile field. In situations requiring a fluid resistant respirator (e.g., in surgical settings), HCP should wear a Surgical N95.

    HCP should not use elastomeric respirators with unfiltered exhalation valves as source control in surgical and other healthcare settings. This is due to concerns that air coming out of the exhalation valve may contaminate the sterile field. The NIOSH Certified Equipment List identifies the elastomeric respirators without exhalation valves or with filtered exhalation valves. HCP can use both types in surgical settings.

    they should provide good enough source control even with a vent

    • FumpyAer [any, comrade/them]
      ·
      1 year ago

      Yes, the valve N95s are designed to keep pollutants and particles out, so they should not be used if you have or may have covid or to protect anyone but the wearer. Definitely not for surgery, but surgeons know that.

      I only brought them up because people were talking about resorting to cloth masks which are not good enough to rely on 1000 mutations after the pandemic began.