N95 and FFP2 masks: Demand for stronger face covering
Research published by New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG)suggests the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 first discovered in Kent is more deadly than previous variants. The finding may help to explain the rise in daily hospital deaths seen in the UK despite ongoing lockdown restrictions. Following this development, a prominent epidemiologist in the US is calling for stronger face coverings.To get more news about
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Epidemiologist & Health Economist Eric Feigl-Ding took to Twitter on Sunday to demand the rollout of more "premium masks".
"I’ve been saying it for months. We need to switch to KN95, KF94, or European FFP2 masks ASAP," Feigl-Ding wrote.
Feigl-Ding cites research that shows these masks provide 94 to 95 percent filtration.One study published in the Lancet medical journal in June compared transmission rates across 16 countries and found that “both N95 and surgical masks have a stronger association with protection compared with single-layer masks.”
A separate study conducted by Duke University in August compared the efficacy of different face coverings and found that fitted N95 masks were the most effective.
What's more, normal surgical masks are about three times more effective than cloth masks in preventing the spread of virus droplets, according to a 2013 study.As Feigl-Ding explained, N95 masks are more rare outside of hospitals because they are in shortage and needed by healthcare workers.
"You might find some NIOSH N95 from wood working, but note those are often not fluid resistant," he said.
Feigl-Ding added: "Like Germany and Austria, in France, the country’s health advisory council on Monday discouraged the wearing of inefficient cloth and homemade masks, also arguing they may not offer sufficient protection against the more highly transmissible coronavirus variants."As Public Health England (PHE) explains, face coverings are largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
The regulations are different depending on the type of product.
Surgical (medical) face masks are mainly intended for health care staff to wear to protect patients during surgical procedures and other medical settings, explains PHE.
In England you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings (examples are given in brackets):
