N95 is best, but keep using cloth masks if that's all you have, experts urge
Any mask is better than no mask, officials are emphasizing after new COVID-19 guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These guidelines now make clear that cloth masks aren't as effective disposable N95 masks. But while some have interpreted this as cloth masks now being useless, experts maintain that it's still much better than nothing.
"If that's what you have, then what you really need to do is be (mindful) in social distancing, of staying the six feet away, avoiding large crowds, avoiding superspreader events if you're only going with cloth," said Dr. Reynold Panettieri Jr., Vice Chancellor of Translational Medicine and Science a professor of medicine at Rutgers University. "(It's about) recognizing that cloth is not as good as other materials."
The reason cloth masks are less effective, Panettieri said, is because of how saturable they are. Because the air that's exhaled is moist, it soaks the mask and gives way for the transition of small bacteria and viruses.
Dr. Martin Blaser, a microbiologist of the university and director of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, said N95 masks being two-ply is part of what makes them more effective.
"On surgical masks, the pore size is bigger so more particles can go through, but since they are two-ply, the two layers work together to trap a sizeable portion of viral particles," Blaser said. "Cloth masks can be one-ply and the pore sizes are bigger. They still offer some good protection, but if the exposure is very high, there will be some actual transmission."
Cloth masks were initially encouraged by the CDC, likely due to the short supply of the higher-grade N95 masks for healthcare workers at the start of the pandemic. Even when those supply issues were remedied, the masks were still much more expensive when considering the fact that they were single-use. Things are much different now.
"The price has dropped astronomically," Panettieri said. "As a matter of fact, I was just in a large chain grocery store and I can buy 10 masks for $3.99. These are KN95. KN95 is a designation that they were made in China, but they're basically identical."
For those still seeking a more cost-effective solution, Panettieri recommends combining cloth masks with cheaper disposable masks.
"What you're creating is a barrier between you and the environment that has it," he said in reference to the virus. "Much like on a cold day, you're told to wear multiple layers. Those multiple layers are actually very effective. So low-costs solutions: simply doubling up a cloth and a paper mask. The paper mask first, and a cloth over that."
Over time, some have developed "mask fatigue" or grown less trusting of the CDC for confusion over evolving guidelines. Panettieri said this is par for the course for scientific research. The process is just widely broadcast for the first time in many people's lives.
"Because things are moving so quickly and at warp speed, the public is seeing the scientific process, which is not perfect," he said. "We don't get an answer immediately. You get a 'maybe,' and then that 'maybe' gets refined by more research. What that does is change the opinion. The public's never had a glimpse of science in this manner. What they've been handed is policy based on years and years of experience. Well, we don't have years and years of experience in the face of a pandemic and a crisis.
"We're building the plane as its taking off."
Ahmad Austin Jr. is a lifelong South Jersey resident telling stories within the healthcare and cannabis industries for Burlington County Times, Courier-Post and The Daily Journal. For story tips, reach out at aaustin@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Burlington County Times: Disposable face mask still OK, but N95 mask is better: Rutgers expert
