Can masks help slow the spread of the new coronavirus? Yes, masks combined with other preventive measures (such as frequent hand washing and staying away from crowds) can help slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

So, why is it not recommended to wear a mask at the beginning of the new coronary pneumonia pandemic? At the time, experts did not know the extent to which people infected with the new coronavirus could spread the virus before symptoms appeared. I don’t know that some people have new coronary pneumonia, but they don’t have any symptoms. Both types of people may spread the virus to other people without knowing it.

These findings prompted public health organizations to let people wear masks quickly. So what are the effects of different types of masks?

Medical surgical mask

Surgical mask, also called medical surgical mask, is a loose disposable mask that protects the wearer's nose and mouth from water droplets, splashes and sprays that may contain germs. Medical surgical masks can also filter out large particles in the air. Medical surgery can protect others by reducing exposure to saliva and respiratory secretions of mask wearers.

At present, the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any type of medical surgical masks specifically for the prevention of coronavirus, but when there is no N95 mask, these masks may provide a certain degree of protection.

N95 mask

N95 mask is actually a kind of respirator. It has better performance than medical surgical mask because it can filter out large and small particles when the wearer inhales it. As the name suggests, the mask is designed to block 95% of very small particles. Some N95 masks have valves that make it easier for the wearer to breathe. With this mask, unfiltered air is released when the wearer exhales.

Before using N95 masks in the workplace, healthcare providers must be trained and passed qualified tests to confirm their tightness. Like medical surgical masks, N95 masks should also be disposable. However, researchers are testing methods for disinfecting N95 masks and found that they can be reused.

Some N95 masks, and even some cloth masks, have one-way valves to make them easier to breathe. But because the valve releases unfiltered air when the wearer breathes, this mask does not prevent the wearer from spreading the virus. Therefore, their use is prohibited in some places.