Vented Masks Only Seem to Protect the WEARER: Focus on Details Concerning COVID-19 Safety
A vent is great for the wearer but not so great for others.
Medical workers and others can blow COVID-19 droplets out through vented masks and respirators. Breathing creates droplets and vapors that can contaminate others and/or contaminate surfaces.
Many patients, healthcare workers and others might have contracted COVID-19 because of vented masks and other leaks. Many N95 masks and others are fitted with vents to allow easy UNFILTERED EXHALING. Vents provide a thin rubber flap to divert but NOT FILTER droplets and vapors expelled by those wearing a mask or respirator. Research and data is needed to study transmissions from wearers to patients and others.
It seems that most masks and respirators are designed to protect the wearer. People can study this topic at the 3M website. It is good to study; masks vs. respirators and vented vs. non-vented. It is also important to read fine details concerning which masks protect only the wearer and which masks and respirators protect others FROM the wearer!
Soon, people will realize how much easier it is to breathe with a vented mask. Soon, many people will begin to wear vented cloth masks. Hopefully, all medical workers will start wearing non-vented and properly fitted N95 masks.
Even non-vented N95 masks and respirators can pose risk that most people don’t seem to be aware of. As we prepare to adjust to a new and safer way to exit our homes, we need to focus on the dangers of vents, improper fit and maybe even eye protection. The 3M website mentions the FT-10 Qualitative Fit Test Apparatus and the need for medical workers to do 10-20 minutes mask fit tests. The more we focus on details, the safer we will be.
Compared to staying home, destroying jobs and getting sick, focusing on details concerning personal protective equipment is easy.
