Is a cloth face mask effective?

Is a cloth face mask effective? | Healthbiztips

Is a cloth face mask effective?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog

Resourcefulness comes to play as people switch to cloth masks in place of surgical masks and respirators. Considering the short supply of surgical masks, it is understandable that these should be instead reserved to health care workers and those directly caring for sick patients.

However, there arise a question when it comes to it's reliability, but some experts claim that having a fabric mask on is better than nothing in the middle 2020's pandemic crisis.

First of all, cloth face mask conquers the problem of the growing mask shortage since it's easy to make from most kinds of fabrics, relatively cheap, and can be reused. When it comes to price point and durability, cloth face masks clearly beat the standard medical grade disposable masks.

But when it comes to functionality and effectiveness, surgical face masks and respirators are indeed superior than homemade cloth masks. There's no doubt to it because that's what those personal protective equipment are made for, although they are by no means perfect. While N95 masks or respirators have a filtration capability of up to 95% which makes it ideal for conditions when one has to be protected from airborne particles, surgical face masks on the other hand are not fitted to its user so it allows unfiltered air to pass on the sides of the mask.

As experts contend, having a mask on, even when it's a simple cloth mask, is better than none. In fact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates that people wear cloth masks as a protective measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and surgical face masks and respirators be reserved to health care workers. Moreover, according to studies, health care workers should wear surgical masks and respirators in hospital settings since in such kind of environment, a mere cloth mask alone is not enough to give them sufficient protection.

Despite the superiority of surgical face masks, one can't take advantage of it when one has no access to it. Even so, a cloth mask proves to be an affordable and accessible choice. It is known that when people breathe or talk, they inadvertently release droplets into the air which are large particles most cloth masks are able to filter to some extent. Therefore, to prevent the potential spread of disease, one heed  the CDC recommendation to wear a cloth face mask when out in the public.



Resources:

MacIntyre, C Raina et al. “A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers.” BMJ open vol. 5,4 e006577. 22 Apr. 2015, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006577

Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html