[...] P3 masks, worn properly, with appropriate eye protection while maintaining basic hand hygiene are efficient in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection regardless of setting.
If this is true, then this is a great idea and it’s somewhat suprising that these masks are not in widespread use already.
I suspect the plan is a bit less practical than stated, as I expect there to be problems with compliance, in particular because the mask are mildly unpleasant to wear for prolonged periods.
Thanks for pointing these things out, I probably should have adressed them more.
… suprising that these masks are not in widespread use already.
I could think of several reasons for this.
Many (most?) health care professionals do not know of these masks or do not think of them as “medical equipment”.
People do not realize that filters can be used multiple times thus dismissing the idea as logistically impossible / even more expensive than FFP masks for everyone
People think that all masks do not work (well) to prevent transmission
People think that these masks are “overkill”, not realizing that a well fitting!!! reusable silicone mask is actually much less unleasant to wear than FFP masks.
… problems with compliance … unpleasant to wear for prolonged periods.
Yes, to a degree that is true. This should be addressed by...
Well fitting masks, at least 5 to 10 different types as discribed above with state of the art low resistance filters
Requiring people to wear masks only if there is actual risk of infection as described above
Rigorous enforcement especially in places where there are lots of people around (public transit, dense work places, schools and so on)
Well, difficult at the moment. I would try the M3 6000 or 6500 series first since they are available in 3 sizes. But you basically have to shop around until you find something, which is difficult when most shops are sold out.
If this is true, then this is a great idea and it’s somewhat suprising that these masks are not in widespread use already.
I suspect the plan is a bit less practical than stated, as I expect there to be problems with compliance, in particular because the mask are mildly unpleasant to wear for prolonged periods.
Thanks for pointing these things out, I probably should have adressed them more.
I could think of several reasons for this.
Many (most?) health care professionals do not know of these masks or do not think of them as “medical equipment”.
People do not realize that filters can be used multiple times thus dismissing the idea as logistically impossible / even more expensive than FFP masks for everyone
People think that all masks do not work (well) to prevent transmission
People think that these masks are “overkill”, not realizing that a well fitting!!! reusable silicone mask is actually much less unleasant to wear than FFP masks.
… problems with compliance … unpleasant to wear for prolonged periods.
Yes, to a degree that is true. This should be addressed by...
Well fitting masks, at least 5 to 10 different types as discribed above with state of the art low resistance filters
Requiring people to wear masks only if there is actual risk of infection as described above
Rigorous enforcement especially in places where there are lots of people around (public transit, dense work places, schools and so on)
Do you have more information about that? How do I go about getting such a well-fitting reusable silicone mask for myself?
Well, difficult at the moment. I would try the M3 6000 or 6500 series first since they are available in 3 sizes. But you basically have to shop around until you find something, which is difficult when most shops are sold out.
The outlook of kids with a respiratory is kind of scary, as shown in HK. I did not see any other issue with this strategy.