Why Surgical Masks Are Better Than Cloth Masks for Teachers

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• Guidance from CDC He states that wearing a mask not only protects others from the exhaled respiratory droplets, but also protects them from their illness.
• However, for educators, wearing a mask may prevent students from understanding you.
• Now, new research has found the type of mask that is safe and perfect for listening in the classroom.

many people Wear a mask It’s short-lived, but by the end of 2020, masks have changed to what we use every day.

With many schools open nationwide, educators and students are adapting to ensure a safe learning environment.

Teaching and learning depends heavily on the student’s ability to understand what the instructor is saying.

However, the physical presence of the mask can weaken the teacher’s voice and make it difficult for students to hear what the teacher is saying.

During the recent surge in COVID-19, some schools remained open, so researchers are investigating which masks are the least disturbing to teachers.

Pasquale BottaricoA PhD assistant professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he studies the effects of masks on communication.

He was earlier this month American Acoustical Society Meeting.

“Because of the problems COVID-19 faces us, the importance of my research is on the best type of mask to wear when teaching to minimize adverse effects on speech intelligibility. It’s about providing recommendations, “Bottarico told Healthline.

In their study, experts found that reusable cloth masks and cloth masks tended to absorb sound, making it difficult for students to hear what the teacher was saying.

The reason for this is how the fabric affects sound waves.

“Fabrics are often used for sound absorption because of their porous structure,” says Bottarico. Press release.. “Porous materials absorb sound energy because friction damps the vibrations of air particles.”

Comparing the most popular masks in use today (three-layer fabric masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks), the most suitable for understanding was the surgical mask or N95 mask.

However, N95 masks remain difficult to obtain as they are needed by healthcare professionals who treat people with COVID-19.

As a result, we asked if the more accessible KN95 mask would be a good alternative.

Although not specifically studied, Bottarico believes that “KN95 must be equivalent to N95”.

Bottarico and his team are currently investigating the intelligibility of masks for elementary school students and young adults using cochlear implants.

A Research In October, he concluded that the KN95 mask was not as effective as the N95 mask, but researchers said it could help people who are not considered high-risk.

The names of N95 and KN95 masks are similar, but they are not the same mask, despite many similarities.

N95 masks are considered the gold standard for protection from disease-causing pathogens.

These masks can filter up to 95 percent of small particles, such as those associated with bacterial or viral illnesses. However, the availability and practicality of this mask may not be the best choice for non-healthcare users such as daily and educators.

With a similar name, KN95 is another mask that is more easily available.

KN95 masks are said to be able to filter 94-95% of particulate matter, and a genuine KN95 respirator can provide the same protection as an N95 mask.

“If the mask is properly certified, the KN95 mask can be a good replacement for the N95,” he said. Dr. David Aronov, Director of Infectious Diseases Division, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

CDC Recommended Do not buy N95 masks for personal use by the public. Although they are considered to be the most effective, they are still considered important supplies for healthcare professionals, the front-line people who support the fight against COVID-19.

Alternatively Dr. Ren HorowitzA lung specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City told the Healthline:

To ensure proper protection and use, the N95 mask should be worn to provide maximum safety. The effect may be reduced due to gaps or breakage in the seal.

The KN95 mask is not exactly the same as the N95 respiratory system, but in many ways it is similar.

Both masks require regulatory testing and certification to provide multiple layers of protection for the wearer and help protect droplets from bacterial and viral pathogens.

In the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) A governing body that regulates masks. However, various agencies regulate masks abroad, including KN95 masks regulated in China, FFP2 masks regulated in Europe, and P2 masks regulated in Australia.

“The basic difference has to do with who certifies the performance of the mask. [the U.S. for N95 and China for KN95].. There are various authentication parameters, but both are strict, “says Aronoff.

During this pandemic, the FDA created due to the significant need for respiratory and regulated face masks. Emergency use authorization For specific respiratory use that meets the CDC recommendations to prevent serious exposure from COVID-19.

The· list In the ongoing battle with COVID-19, the proportion of companies authorized by the FDA to sell respiratory organs has increased significantly.

To ensure the highest quality and protection for the health line, Aronov said, “It’s important to buy masks from reputable suppliers, and ideally consumers have access to basic performance information. That’s it. “

“Teachers should wear masks such as: Recommendation According to the CDC — something that fits properly, is breathable, and can hear the teacher’s voice, ”Aronov recommended.

However, masks are only part of a multifaceted approach.

By ensuring that symptomatic or exposed people are at home, optimizing classroom circulation, and creating a distance between students and teachers without yelling, the virus can be slowed down.

Guidance from CDC He states that wearing a mask not only protects others from the exhaled respiratory droplets, but also protects them from their illness.

“All studies on the use of masks have shown that if masking is consistent, aerosol propagation is reduced by at least 70%,” says Horovitz.

Wearing a mask should be as natural as dressing at work or wearing a seatbelt when driving a car.

Aronov advises: “COVID-19 is highly active, but we need to do everything we can to limit the risk of infection. Now is the perfect time for teachers to continue to lead their students and colleagues.”