One-way masking: not ideal, but you can reduce risk
Use highest quality masks available for optimal protection
5 minute read
CDC mask mandates on public transportation have been reversed by Federal District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle as of Monday, April 18th, 2022. As a result, masking will now be optional when using public transportation: such as on planes, buses, trains, and even rideshares. The Justice Department is appealing this reversal, and legal experts have noted that the argument used in the decision misinterpreted the definition of masking.
However, right now, the mandates are not in effect. As a result, many people who have been diligent about wearing masks have concerns about how protected (or not) they will be if they are the only ones masking indoors now. Let’s discuss.
Yes, masks work. We’ve covered this at length in many posts.
Masks protect both the wearer and others by acting as physical barriers to trap and block respiratory droplets that contain viral particles. These droplets are much larger than the virus itself, and that is how the virus is spread from person-to-person.
Higher quality masks with multiple layers and smaller pore sizes will act as more effective barriers than lower quality masks with fewer layers or larger pore sizes.
It remains to be seen how many people will continue to mask in public places, especially aboard airplanes, trains, rideshares, and other transit options. However, even if you are one of the few still masking, there are ways to ensure you can protect yourself as much as possible.
It’s important to remember there are many variables that can contribute to your risk of infection that include things like community case rates in your area (or where you’re traveling to), ventilation, air filtration, physical distancing, and others.
Ideally, the optimal protection is when everyone is wearing highest quality masks, such as N95 or NIOSH-certified KN95 or KF94s.
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