AS the Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to spread around the world, some experts say it is time to rethink face mask options, especially when it comes to masks made with cloth.
"Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations. There's no place for them in light of Omicron," said CNN Medical Analyst Dr Leana Wen, an emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
"This is what scientists and public health officials have been saying for months, many months, in fact," Wen added in a separate phone interview.
"We need to be wearing at least a three-ply surgical mask," she said. "You can wear a cloth mask on top of that, but do not just wear a cloth mask alone."
The doctor says that for crowded places KN95 or N95 masks should be the preferred option. As they have a better fit and are made with certain materials, they better prevent tiny particles from entering the nose or mouth.
On the other hand, cloth masks can filter large droplets, but are not as effective at filtering smaller particles that can transmit Covid-19, which is after all an airborne virus.
A cloth face covering also has 75% inward and outward leakage, which the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists defines as the "percentage of particles entering the facepiece" and the "percentage of particles exhaled by a source exiting the facepiece," respectively.
Properly fitted N95 respirators that are approved by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health can filter up to 95% of particles in the air, according to the CDC.
N95 masks should have a cup, flat fold or duck bill shape, two straps that go around your head, and an adjustable wire nose bridge.
Surgical or disposable masks are around 5% to 10% less effective than N95 respirators.
Much is still unknown about the Omicron variant, such as how it has been able to spread so quickly, which is why authorities urge the public to use higher quality masks as a precaution.
"We need to be promoting better high-quality masks everywhere, because right now a single-layer cloth mask just isn't cutting it against Omicron," said former US Surgeon General Dr Jerome Adams Thursday on CNN's AC360.
However, the recommendation to move away from cloth masks doesn’t mean people should get rid of their masks if medical-grade masks are not available.
Wearing a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask can better protect from Covid-19 by improving fit and therefore filtration capacity.
Ultimately a cloth mask is better than nothing, though if it is all you have then you should procure medical-grade masks if you intend to go into a crowded indoor area. – The Vibes, December 27, 2021
