Masks against viruses? Everything you need to know about surgical masks and respirators

Surgical masks are selling like hotcakes these days in the world. To what extent can a mask protect you from a virus-like the Wuhan coronavirus? The answer depends a lot on the mask. Next, we are going to do a brief review of all of them.

Go ahead, none of the masks sold on the market protects you 100% from catching the flu or more disturbing respiratory conditions such as SARS, MERS, or the recent Wuhan coronavirus. Doctors always use common sense (avoid crowds) and good personal hygiene. With that said, let's get started.

Surgical masks

Surgical masks are cloth drapes that are attached to the face with two rubber bands or ties. They are so named because they are precisely the masks that doctors wear when they perform surgical interventions and they are not designed to protect the wearer from an airborne virus. Surgical masks are not designed to protect the wearer from others. They are designed to protect others from the particles that the wearer emits into the air.

Surgical masks are designed so that when you speak, sneeze or resoples reading this you do not emit tiny microscopic droplets of saliva or mucus into the air that can be breathed in by another person. This especially applies if you are sick. The use of surgical masks is widespread in Eastern culture, particularly in Japan, as a courtesy measure for people who have the flu or a cold. They are also used to filter bad odors, and even as a fashion accessory. 

Surgical masks do not protect against viruses for two reasons. The first is that the virus is so small that it can sneak through holes in the fabric. You don't need it anyway because surgical masks are not airtight. Part of the air that the wearer breathes leaks through the sides or holes on both sides of the nose. For the same reason they are not effective against other air pollutants. Nor do they protect the mucous membranes of our eyes if a sick person sneezes into our face and yes, viruses such as the flu can enter the body from there as well.

N95 respirators

The next step in protecting against airborne pathogens is N95 respirators or masks. They are so-called because they are designed to contain 95% of the particles that float in the air. Are viruses within that 95%? The answer is clear: no. The FDA explains that the filters in N95 respirators are intended to contain particles larger than 0.3 microns. The Wuhan virus, to cite the most current case, has a diameter of 0.12 microns. In other words, N95 respirators also don't completely protect against an airborne virus, but they do offer much greater protection than surgical masks. That is as long as some precautions are taken.

The first of those precautions is the adjustment. N95 respirators fit very tightly to the face and leave no gaps. We must be especially careful when putting them on because when we breathe in we can open holes through which the air enters instead of through filters designed precisely to stop the particles.

If shaving completely makes you lazy, we have other bad news for you. N95 respirators are really uncomfortable to wear. Not only do they go too tight to the face, but they also warm and make breathing difficult. In some people with breathing or heart problems, they can even be harmful. If you're already sick with something like the flu, wearing an N95 respirator will only complicate your life even more.

But whatever your choice, using a mask is at least better than not using it at all, especially during this pandemic. There are several countries that are getting closer to a virus-free situation because their people are disciplined in wearing masks.