![]() ![]() A pliable elastomeric headform was used to simulate a person coughing by producing aerosols from a mouthpiece (0.1–7 μm potassium chloride particles) ( 7). The first experiment assessed how effectively various mask combinations reduced the amount of particles emitted during a cough (i.e., source control) in terms of collection efficiency. The results indicated that when fitters are secured over a medical procedure mask, they can potentially increase the wearer’s protection by ≥90% for aerosols in the size range considered to be the most important for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 (generally 90%.ĭuring January 2021, CDC conducted various experiments to assess two methods to improve medical procedure mask performance by improving fit and, in turn, filtration: 1) double masking and 2) knotting and tucking the medical procedure mask ( Figure 1). Fitters can be solid ( 2) or elastic ( 3) and are worn over the mask, secured with head ties or ear loops. Innovative efforts to improve the fit of cloth and medical procedure masks to enhance their performance merit attention.Īt least two recent studies examined use of mask fitters to improve the fit of cloth and medical procedure masks. Until vaccine-induced population immunity is achieved, universal masking is a highly effective means to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2** when combined with other protective measures, such as physical distancing, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and good hand hygiene. These laboratory-based experiments highlight the importance of good fit to optimize mask performance. The receiver’s exposure was maximally reduced (>95%) when the source and receiver were fitted with modified medical procedure masks. During January 2021, CDC conducted experimental simulations using pliable elastomeric source and receiver headforms to assess the extent to which two modifications to medical procedure masks, 1) wearing a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask (double masking) and 2) knotting the ear loops of a medical procedure mask where they attach to the mask’s edges and then tucking in and flattening the extra material close to the face (knotted and tucked masks), could improve the fit of these masks and reduce the receiver’s exposure to an aerosol of simulated respiratory droplet particles of the size considered most important for transmitting SARS-CoV-2. The effectiveness of cloth and medical procedure masks can be improved by ensuring that they are well fitted to the contours of the face to prevent leakage of air around the masks’ edges. Cloth masks § and medical procedure masks ¶ fit more loosely than do respirators (e.g., N95 facepieces). ![]() † Masks substantially reduce exhaled respiratory droplets and aerosols from infected wearers and reduce exposure of uninfected wearers to these particles. Mask wearing has also been mandated by executive order for federal property* as well as on domestic and international transportation conveyances. ![]() As of February 1, 2021, start highlight38 end highlight states and the District of Columbia had universal masking mandates. Universal masking is one of the prevention strategies recommended by CDC to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ( 1). ![]()
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