Very interesting information. The first link is a comparison between surgical masks and N95 masks. It is intended for medical providers when dealing with patients (i.e. people working in environments with high COVID risk). It states the surgical masks provide protection for the patient from the wearer. N95 masks provide a higher level of protection for the patient and the wearer.
The second OSHA reference (4th paragraph down) says:
"Interim General Guidance for All Workers and Employers
For all workers, regardless of specific exposure risks, it is always a good practice to:
Wear cloth face coverings, at a minimum, at all times when around coworkers or the general public. If a respirator, such as an N95 respirator or better, is needed for conducting work activities, then that respirator should be used, and the worker should use their cloth face covering when they are not using the respirator (such as during breaks or while commuting)."
The third reference is nothing more than "how to properly wear a mask". You seem to be making the assumption that people in general do not follow instructions and making the inference that means mask wearing is ineffective.
Mask wearing is one of several components to an overall strategy for preventing the spread of COVID 19. The wearing of masks, getting vaccinated, social distancing tamp down COVID spread.
So if you are thinking these 3 references confirm mask wearing is ineffective, then yes, I think you are misinterpreting them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ihc1470
Are these two sources credible enough? They are not saying not to mask but they do provide some interesting information on masks. Especially the cloth ones most everyone seems to wear.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs...raphic-508.pdf
The CDC site would lead me to believe that a cloth mask is doing little good, especially with this statement. "Does NOT provide the wearer with a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles and is not considered respiratory protection"
https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/control-prevention
OSHA has this to say about masks "Surgical masks are not respirators and do not provide the same level of protection to workers as properly-fitted respirators. Cloth face coverings are also not acceptable substitutes for respirators." "Cloth face coverings are not acceptable substitutes for PPE intended to prevent worker exposure to droplets or other splashes or sprays of liquids."
If you chose to use a respirator face covering which I have noticed some people do here is the OSHA recommendations on how to do it. Wonder how many comply with that standard?
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/f...s/OSHA4015.pdf
While we are told to wear a mask here are two government agencies which seem to be suggesting that cloth masks offer little real protection to the wearer.
Or am I miss reading the information on these government sites? |
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