Heppenheimer
Well-Known Member
N95 masks are also no better than surgical masks if they are not properly fitted and worn. It really isn't practical to test-fit the entire country, and if we can't even get people to wear surgical masks properly, there's no way they will do better with N95s, which are not exactly comfortable.This research reinforces it, but we know we need N95s. If we had launched a WWII-style, all-hands-on deck, full-production push back in March to make N95s readily available, this is over now.
Any kind of mask is great, cuts transmission to some extent, and thus helps control the virus. N95s would multiply the positive effects of masks significantly.
But in our happy reality, even hospitals can't get enough N95s...
So, makes sense to me to reserve this scarce resource for those who have direct contact with sick patients.