Masks are Ineffective
Fight back using science.
How many microns in size is the COVID-19
virus?
The COVID-19 virus is approximately 0.125 Micron or 125 nanometers in diameter. (Source: National Library of Medicine) However, it often travels in biological aerosols from coughing and sneezing which range in size from 0.5-3 Micron. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4369385/
N95 or KN95 face masks capture 95% of particles down to 0.3 micron. This means that 5% still get through the protection. HEPA air purifiers in contrast are 99.97% effective at 0.3 Micron and are much more efficient than face masks. In the US, KN95 masks are primarily used in industrial settings and offer the same filtration as N95 face masks with a rating of 95% at 0.3 Micron.
UV-C Light - In a recent, non-peer reviewed study, N95Decon found promising data to indicate that UV-C light can effectively render COVID-19 inactive. However, N95Decon admits that ”UV-C and other deactivation approaches should be viewed as risk mitigation for extraordinary circumstances rather than complete decontamination.”
https://www.n95decon.org
Cloth masks do not give the wearer full protection against viruses in the air, but they can help protect others by barricading YOUR biological aerosols or “droplets” containing the virus. A Cambridge University study from 2013 found that homemade cloth masks significantly reduced the potential amount of infectious droplets expelled by the wearer.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/testing-the-efficacy-of-homemade-masks-would-they-protect-in-an-influenza-pandemic/0921A05A69A9419C862FA2F35F819D55
Our findings suggest that a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better than no protection.
HEPA filters
An interesting study performed by NASA indicated that HEPA filters were able to capture sub-micron particulate down to 0.1 micron!
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20170005166.pdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/
Airing out the room is best by opening the window. https://www.consumerreports.org/air-purifiers/what-to-know-about-air-purifiers-and-coronavirus/