Something that I simply do not understand. Why is it that people don't understand that the surgical masks that most people wear, scarves, bandanas etc. are not for personal protection but to protect others if you unknowingly are infected. Surgical masks were never designed to protect the wearer.
Because any face mask, unless it is a properly fitted N95 surgical mask does not stop particles from you, especially those with vents to make breathing out easier.
If there is ANY gap between mask and face then there is air leakage, so you must, if male, be clean shaven.
Bandanas and fabric home made masks are, unless they have an ultra filter as used in a Dyson built in, are equally pointless.
Bottom line: unless the mask leaves lines on you face it isn't doing any more than deflecting/slowing the air you exhale. Which is why I consider most to be little more than virtue singling, and as for those who wear it with the upper edge below their nose.....
From the US FDA..
An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. Surgical N95 Respirators are commonly used in healthcare settings and are a subset of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs), often referred to as N95s.
The similarities among surgical masks and surgical N95s are:
They are tested for fluid resistance, filtration efficiency (particulate filtration efficiency and bacterial filtration efficiency), flammability and biocompatibility.
They should not be shared or reused.
