Health Hotline Magazine | May 2020

SO, ARE HOMEMADE MASKS EFFECTIVE?

YES, DATA SAYS THEY HELP: After the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, scientists at the University of Cambridge decided to see how homemade cotton masks compared to surgical types. They tested the ability of different masks in capturing 0.02-1 micron particles, which the coronavirus, at 0.1 microns, fits within. The findings are reassuring for everyday superheroes and citizens: Homemade cotton masks: 50-60% capture of viral particles, plus they remind you not to touch your face. Surgical masks: 80% capture. N95 masks (recommended for medical personnel): 95% capture. LET’S TALK ABOUT VIRAL LOAD: Homemade masks help reduce viral load, and this gives the immune system more time to do its work to support our health! One study tested the short-term (10-15 minutes) and long-term (3 hours) effectiveness of different masks in preventing ongoing transmission by a simulated infectious subject. Check out the findings: Short-term wear = protection all around: In this scenario, the research shows that ALL masks protected both the wearer and the environment surrounding them. Surgical masks were 2x better than homemade, and the FFP2 (European designation for N95) was 50x better than homemade and 25x better than the surgical. Long-term wear = similar results: In the long-term situation, every mask provided protection with similar levels of difference between them. The key takeaway: Here’s what the researchers concluded. “Given the need for the population to acquire sufficient natural immunity over time, it cannot be excluded that the amount of protection conferred by homemade masks might sufficiently

reduce viral exposure to impact on transmission during the early waves, while allowing people enough exposure to start mounting an efficient immune response.” vii At the end of the (very long) day, based on the evidence and now the CDC recommendations—Natural Grocers believes that homemade, washable, cotton masks are one more vital way that we can support our Crew and communities. Yes, the pandemic playbook demands that multiple measures be deployed together to help slow the spread. So making masks mandatory in our stores does not mean that we’re relaxing our vigilant standards of sanitization or social-distancing protocols. It does mean that we are employing one more strategy to defend our everyday superheroes and those they serve against the threat of this virus by doing everything possible to help flatten the curve.

References available upon request.

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