Ron Chusid Jan 16, 2023
WHO updates their recommendations to advise masking by "anyone in a crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated space" regardless of local epidemiological conditions in light of its global spread.
#COVID #BringBackMasks
https://www.who.int/news/item/13-01-2023-who-updates-covid-19-guidelines-on-masks--treatments-and-patient-care
WHO updates COVID-19 guidelines on masks, treatments and patient care

The update is part of a continuous process of reviewing such materials, working with guideline development groups composed of independent, international experts.

Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 16, 2023

@rchusid Now we just need @WHO to mention #N95, #N99, #P100, #FFP2, #FFP3, #P3, #KF94, and/or #KN95 #elastomeric #respirators -- the ones which *work* -- rather than just vaguely saying "masks".

Cloth & surgical junk masks are 30% effective -- better than nothing.

#N95 and reusable #P100 #elastomeric #respirators are >95% effective -- MUCH better. And they're cheap enough.

Show threadSpencer W HunterJan 16, 2023
@neroden @rchusid
My favorite @masknerd quote:
“Cloth masks are better than nothing… but they’re a lot closer to ‘nothing’ than ‘better.’”
Show threadDon Milton
@swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid @masknerd
As PPE for high risk workers, #masks are nothing. But as a population intervention they are very significant. This is a critical distinction. As an OccDoc, I insist workers be protected and advise high risk patients to use an #N95 because 30 to 50% risk reduction is not enough on an individual basis. But at a population level that translates to a 50-75% reduction in transmission. That is way better than nothing.
Jan 17, 2023 at 2:39amWeb
Show threadDon MiltonJan 17, 2023

@swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid @masknerd@mstdn.
Wide spread use of masks, not respirators would significantly reduce transmission. It is almost as good as ventilation, filtration, and air disinfection. But the latter can be achieved without infringing on behavior and without the very annoying social barriers masks put between us.

Why isn’t WHO talking about these much more socially acceptable interventions?

Show threadSpencer W HunterJan 17, 2023
@Don_Milton @neroden @rchusid
“Wide spread use” and “population intervention” are the key phrases here; and without those, transmission won’t be reduced. In the current environment of pandemic denial, we have no other choice than to seek the best possible personal protection.
Show threadAaron CollinsJan 18, 2023

@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid

One thing that I would like to add is that earloop respirators(such as the KN95 and KF94 formats) have no downsides when compared to surgical masks. They offer better filtration, easier to breathe in, more protection(2x-7x) and easier to talk in. So to me there is no "cost" to moving the minimum to an earloop format. N95's and headband respirators start to have some trade offs. Widespread use of earloops would even be more impactful at very little cost

Show threadRon Chusid Jan 18, 2023
@masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden I use N-95s with patients but often use a KN-95 for things like running into a store as it is more convenient. Different KN-95s do fit differently so I use ones with a tighter fit.
Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 18, 2023

@masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 @rchusid

I found disposable #N95-style headband respirators a pain to take on and off.

However, the 3M 6300, which is a #P100 #elastomeric, was *easier* to take on and off as an earloop mask, because the neck part of the headband has a "snap" or fastener in the back. REALLY easy.

Earloop masks have more leakage around the sides than headband masks, according to studies, due to wiggling ears. And the stress on the ears hurts.

So I now recommend #P100s

Show threadTexan_ReverendJan 25, 2023
@neroden @masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 @rchusid In the more standard N95 space, you might check out the Dräger 1750. It uses a single elastic band looped through both sides of the respirator to give you the standard two headband sections. This means it can be pulled all the way through to expand the neck loop for donning like a loose necklace. Then, the face covering gets put in place and the strap is pulled back through to place over your head. It's one of the smoothest don/doff experiences.
Show threadRon Chusid Jan 25, 2023
@Texan_Reverend @neroden @masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 Thanks for the suggestion. I'm ordering a pack to add to my collection.
Show threadTexan_ReverendApr 23, 2023
@rchusid @swhunter7 @rebecca_canada It's been a while, but I thought I'd update that the Dräger 1950 N95 is available on Amazon and is part of the same 1900 series as the 1920 FFP2 and 1930 FFP3 that have done so well in FitTestThePlanet's testing, comparable to or better than a 3M Aura. It also uses a single headband looped through both sides of the respirator, so if you liked that aspect of the 1750, the 1950 should provide you even better protection with similar ease of donning and doffing.
Show threadSpencer W HunterJan 25, 2023

@Texan_Reverend @neroden @masknerd @Don_Milton @rchusid

Tested 2/18/22. 99.73 filtration efficiency. Not too shabby! 😷

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M0mdNLpTWEGcluK6hh5LjjcFixwmOG853Ff45d3O-L0/edit#gid=1976839763

Show threadRebeccaFeb 7, 2023
@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden @Texan_Reverend @rchusid @masknerd We tried a lot of N95’s and the Drager 1750 was what we settled on for fit and comfort. The elastic is the kind used for clothing and we haven’t had one break. I have 5 in circulation rotating one every day. Easy to take on and off.
Show threadDon MiltonJan 21, 2023

@masknerd @swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid

The trade offs between fit and filter flow resistance create, I think, some initially surprising results in how well they work as source control.

I’m currently a fan of ACI duckbill surgical N95s. Although the straps don’t last long before stretching out, they are very comfortable, have low flow resistance, and I personally passed a quantitative fit test with it (FF >200). As with all respirators- your fit may vary.

Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 21, 2023

@Don_Milton @masknerd @swhunter7 @rchusid

Yeah, I think those tradeoffs are counterintuitive. The 3M 6100/6200/6300 ( #P100 ) seems to last for years, has very low flow resistance, has excellent fit (for my family), and has good source control with the add-on filter #604.

People don't generally realize that the more "industrial"-looking masks are typically more comfortable.

Show threadJohn VanderzwetFeb 7, 2023
@masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid I bought a bunch of KF94s when it became apparent that we need to up out game. I do use an some plastic hooks that came with them to connect the ear loops for a more snug fit.
Show threadRon Chusid Feb 7, 2023
@johnvan54 @masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden There are a variety of things sold to get a tighter fit when using ear loops. I use them sometimes but generally limit to KN95s and KF 94s which already have a tight fit and use N95's when around patients or inside a public place for a long time.
Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 17, 2023

@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @rchusid @masknerd

Here's my priority issue:

Currently, in the United States, DOCTORS, NURSES, and medical staff are not being issued with #N95 or (reusable, cheaper in the long run) #P100. Same in the UK.

WHO needs to get the DOCTORS, NURSES, and medical staff doing the right thing to start with.

Medical offices listen to WHO. WHO needs to start talking about #respirators so that DOCTORS will do the right thing.

Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 17, 2023

@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @rchusid @masknerd

Right now, doctors, nurses, and medical staff are routinely getting infected at work AND routinely infecting patients.

This is gross negligence, it's medical malpractice, and it's happening because WHO and CDC keep spreading disinformation.

WHO and CDC should be telling them that they need #P100 or #N95 #respirator #masks.

Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 17, 2023

@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @rchusid @masknerd

UK Hospital acquired Covid. This should be ZERO. Instead, it's very high.

Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 17, 2023

@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @rchusid @masknerd

A couple of weeks ago, I called 15 eye doctor offices. Exactly 1 was using proper PPE. About half were using no masks at all; the other half junky surgical masks.

This is gross negligence. Doctors are killing and crippling patients, because they're not using the right PPE. This is the fault of WHO.

Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 18, 2023

@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @rchusid @masknerd

In general, I can avoid unsafe environments and "vote with my feet". But it starts creating severe problems when I have to avoid doctors and hospitals. This is unacceptable and it MUST change

Show threadmindstalkJan 25, 2023
@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid @masknerd
if R0=12, 75% reduction means Re=3, still exponential growth leading to infection of the whole population. I want masking+NPIs strong enough to reduce Re below 1.0 Probably hard, but (now that China has surrendered) no one even tries.