N95 / KN95, N99 and N100 masks are good ( the number refers to the percentage of filtering ). Virus, are very, very small, so a bandana or surgical mask will not filter such small micro-organisms. N95 is Okay, 99 is almost perfect and 100 is the best, but you can’t easily get 99 or 100 (at least here) – in any case wouldn’t spend more than 25 [continuous] min. very close to a seriously ill patient unless I have the proper PPE (mask, suit, etc.) many of these masks only last for some 8 hours total (there are washable versions).
For an N95 (USA) or KN95 (China) to be effective (not all all truly certified), there are 3 tests:
1) Put the mask on, hold a lighter with flame a couple of inches from your mouth – if you try to blow the flame out and nothing happens, then it IS effective.
2) If you put your mask under a water tap and it drips, then it’s noi good – real 95s don’t drip at all.
3) Given 1 and 2, you must be able to smell odors – then you know it really works .
In the case of a normal sugical mask, if a COVID infected feller or gal sneezes, the mask may filter some of the spray but not much. The same goes for the receiving side, most masks won’t filter the virus – so keep a distance!! The spray from sneeze can travel a few meters and stays in the air for some time (on the insides it is worst).
Then, the real “danger” is that people who use surgical or similar masks may think they are really protected, which makes things worst!!
This comment is mainly meant for people who have an underling condition or have to be close to infected people, for those who are young and healthy the best way to stay safe is distance, a good vitamin and protein diet, breathing exercises and keeping cool while observing basic norms.
God bless, be happy and take care!!
