Cloth Mask Vs N95 Mask: Why N95 Masks Are Most Effective Against Covid-19

Masks have becomes a necessary accessory in the world of Covid-19. As infections go up, so do masks. When a wave has settled, so do masks. One thing that is abundantly clear though is that well-fitting masks are highly effective in preventing the transmission of Covid-19.

If you're wondering why you haven't caught cold or the flu since you started wearing masks, the answer is, well... masks! But not all masks are the same. While some are designed to help healthcare workers ensure maximum protection against viral particles, others are simply meant for casual use and may not offer robust protection, given Omicron's ability to travel through nooks and crannies.

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Why N95 masks are most effective

According to ACGIH's Pandemic Response Task Force's chart from spring 2021, N95 masks are most effective against Covid-19. They took into account how long it takes for Covid-19 to spread among people wearing different kinds of masks.

If both the infected person and the potential host are wearing N95 masks, it would take 25 hours for the virus to spread, implying that the protection offered by N95 masks is rock solid.

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The analysis also explains how tightly sealed N95s (ones that allow only 1% of particles to enter) could offer 2,500 hours of protection.

Also read: Washable Cloth Masks Effective In Filtering Viral Particles Even After A Year Of Use

AFP

The least protection, of course, is offered when people are wearing nothing. Cloth masks come in second, offering 27 minutes of protection if both the parties are donning same masks. With surgical masks, wearers can expect 1 hour of protection.

Even though these numbers predate the Omicron variant, N95 masks have proven to be most effective against transmission. Combined with basic hand hygiene and self-isolation, escaping Covid-19 is possible even now!

Reuters

Omicron has shown to be more transmissible, meaning it can spread faster among people. To prevent that, tight fitting masks are key and scientists around the world are now urging people to replace their single layer cloth masks with N95 or to wear multiple layers of tight fitting masks that seal the face.

Also read: India Covid-19: Fake N95 Masks Flooding Markets, How To Spot Fakes

What kind of masks have you been wearing throughout the pandemic? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.