Now that we are all wearing "Masks" to some degree placing our health on doing so the question is, are the most prevalent Surgery Style vs the N95 masks effective at protecting the wearer or are more to prevent spread only?

An excerpt from this article
https://www.healthline.com/health/ho...sk#when-needed :

"A properly worn three-ply surgical mask may help block transmission of large-particle microorganisms from droplets, sprays, splatters, and splashes.

The surgical mask’s three-ply layers work as follows:

• The outer layer repels water, blood, and other body fluids.
• The middle layer filters certain pathogens.
• The inner layer absorbs moisture and sweat from exhaled air.

However, the edges of surgical masks don’t form a tight seal around your nose or mouth. Therefore, they can’t filter out small airborne particles such as those transmitted by coughing or sneezing."

"Although a surgical mask helps trap larger respiratory droplets, itcan’t protect you from contracting the novel coronavirus, which is known as SARS-CoV-2. That’s because surgical masks:

• don’t filter out smaller airborne particles
• don’t fit snugly on your face, so airborne particles can leak in through the sides of the mask”

This article was written and reviewed by a Registered Nurse with advanced degree and a Physician:
"Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, DO on April 6, 2020 New — Written by Leilani Fraley, RN, MSN"

RN: Registered Nurse
MSN: Masters of Science in Nursing
DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine


Another video interview of an RN challenging the recent CDC changes of mask protection needed comparing the Surgery Mask to the N95:
https://www.star-telegram.com/entert...241125596.html


According to the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...revention.html :

"The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms."

The need for a mask that filters the greatest amount of inhaled air trapping the microbe before it has a chance to enter the body is the minimum performance level of any mask worn to prevent infection by the wearer.

The 3 ply surgery mask is similar in construction as the N-95 however what makes the SM ineffective is the loose fit along the sides. The n95 design fits tightly on the face assisted by the elastic bands which pull the edges of the stiff formed mask against the skin forming a much tighter seal.

Another interesting video related to how far the virus may spread indoors after an infected person coughs/sneezes who is not wearing a mask:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md6G2hqrhBE

The CDC guidance recommending N-95 masks for only HKWs and 1st responders is based on shortages not science.

You cannot tell someone they need a device to prevent contracting a deadly disease and not be able to give them one,,,,

Effective is an ambiguous term. Effective at WHAT?

if you are working with aersolized anthrax, plague, Ebola, or rabies, you probably want the same biological containment gear that people in those laboratories use. A surgical mask has pores that are larger than a single aerosolized coronavirus.

But even a home made clothmask is effective at DECREASING the amount of inoculum you get. Will it take it to zero No, for that you’ll need - at a minimum - the sort of chem warfare defense ensemble masks (and probably suits) that anyone whose been in the military is familiar with.

But if THIS coronavirus is anything like its big brother SARS which was even more lethal if you caught it, the SIZE of the infecting dose matters. When you get a pathological virus in you you start a race between your immune system and the virus as to which can grow fastest, the viral damage or your immune response. When you get a huge initial dose - at least with SARS - patients got sicker faster and more of them died. If you got a smaller dose, it took you longer to get sick, but more people lived. If you got a small ENOUGH dose, the infection didn’t take at all in most people.

So basically, anything is better than nothing, as long as it at least decreases your exposure, but I damn sure would want more than just a surgical mask for something more lethal than coronavirus like SARS or Ebola. But if I had nothing better, I’d damn sure use the surgical mask.

I think FedEx has done a darn good job giving us the resources necessary to mitigate a community spread within the workforce. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to do my small part to prevent spread to my colleagues and my community. The surgical mask seems like a basic measure to prevent your droplets from spreading to others.

I am going to continue wear my mask to prevent an unintended asymptomatic spread to my colleagues and I appreciate their willingness to reciprocate the good measures.

No HKG based crews have had a confirmed positive test that I'm aware of, and they have been wearing masks for several months now.

I really don't understand why some domestic crews are making this a big deal, particularly since a lot of domestic crews have tested positive.

I agree WRX, glad to hear you have all been healthy over there. Looking forward to getting past this darn thing.

Did I miss an update? Last I heard it was a total of 19 with 9 already back on the line.

What do you mean by a lot? Less than 20 out of 4500 is not a lot, and how many exactly of the have been international pilots - pretty sure we do not have those details.

Very well said!!

How many HKG based pilots are there compared to “domestic pilots”?

I’m not arguing the effectiveness of the mask, I wear it at times myself. Again, a little common sense could be applied here. Wear it in crowded spaces, maybe not if you have reasonable spacing.

I agree with the common sense applications. I know we all cannot wait to have this in the rearview mirror as a distant memory.