From: ILPI Support <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Masks and Social Distancing
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2020 10:52:26 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: 803F551A-7FAA-4611-80EF-6D0AD3CDECF5**At_Symbol_Here**ilpi.com
In-Reply-To <9DD57B1F-9F54-4FB6-AE2B-D59DC6B90B63**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com>


Good to have some data for the naysayer crowd - thanks, John! I do not wholly agree, however, with the conclusion that "We found that both disposable paper medical masks and two-layer cloth masks were effective in reducing droplet transmission and we did not find a difference between mask types in terms of how well they blocked aerosol particles emitted by the wearer."  Between the two types, sure, but these types are still pretty hokey compared to industry standards.

The reason for my disagreement is twofold.  First, look at the idealized picture and setup of the el cheapo disposable mask in the video.  I have never seen anyone in public wearing one that fits that well.  When they aren't being worn below the nose, they gap significantly. I was waiting for my deli order a couple weeks ago and, looking at some other patrons from the side, I could see their lips through the gaps.  There's a reason ear-loop masks are not NIOSH certified...

The second is that aerosols and the unexpected trajectory of droplets are an important factor. This was seen early on in the pandemic in China with spread through ventilation systems.  But the real tour-de-force is this study that just came out.  Wow, if I had any urge to consider eating out before being vaccinated, this put the nail into that: https://www.businessinsider.com/teen-got-covid-20-feet-five-minutes-indoors-study-2020-12

But anything is far better than nothing and I have no doubt that even a gapping ear loop mask of any sort will make an important difference as long as the wearer does not think it confers invincibility and properly limits social distance/interactions.  But I'd love to see everyone in non-ear loop masks that make proper seals and/or have passed tests.


Rob Toreki

NIOSH N95's in stock, $1.50 each or less: https://www.safetyemporium.com/11156 

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On Dec 11, 2020, at 10:30 AM, John Callen <jbcallen**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM> wrote:

ALL,

You might be interested in this new study on the subject topic in today's Insider newsletter I just received from the Mayo Clinic.


Please watch the discussion and simulation videos.

Comments?

Be Safe and Stay Healthy!

All My Best,

John B. Callen, Ph.D.
3M Personal Safety Division - Retired
ACS/DCHAS Founding Member
(312) 632-0195
--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

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