Thread by @michaelzlin

For a new year tried out a new mask, the 3M Aura N95 mask. Wow what a night and day difference. Didn't realize a mask could be this comfortable. Most amazing thing: speech comes through clearly.

My colleague @AbraarKaran is correct: CDC should be pushing better masks like these

These are $3 each and worth it. You can buy a 3pack (or 10pack) and rotate between them. On the 3 days off you let the mask air out to evaporate odors and let any viruses in them die off. More info on this thread.

https://twitter.com/AbraarKaran/status/1476806887878258690?t=gb9DCPDu9mZ6L2II1Mechw&s=19

Not only did HHS and CDC failed to push for mass manufacturing of these masks earlier (a problem since the previous administration when @RickABright was overruled on the matter) but CDC continued to push wrong or obsolete ideas about N95s

https://twitter.com/AbraarKaran/status/1476583715958525959?t=gb9DCPDu9mZ6L2II1Mechw&s=19

These Auras for example are not your granddaddy's cup-style N95s. They fit me without any wiggling and that wasn't true for cup N95s. There's a wide flexible padded strip that's easy to shape around your nose.

CDC has been consistently behind in recommending the right masks. First CDC told people to use cloth and not surgical masks although they were only 50% vs 80% effective in reducing infection from casual exposure. Only a few months ago CDC finally shifted advice to surgical masks

We should move to N95 now not just because the better efficacy (up to 95% block) is useful to slow down transmission by the highly contagious omicron, but also because these new styles are easier to wear right and more comfortable. Here they're modelled by yours truly.

One very nice thing about this design is it doesn't touch your nose and lips. That keeps odors and flavors from accumulating and is also more comfortable.

Given how ineffective cloth masks are and how people don't wear surgical masks correctly (you can always spot someone with their nose poking out from them) it's amazing any studies about mask mandates found differences in case rates, and not surprising that some didn't.

Makes you realize what a missed opportunity it is for CDC not to educate themselves and then the public about more comfortable and effective choices in the market.

And no I'm not getting paid by 3M

And thanks for the multiple people who have pointed out that the bottom strap should go under the ear. I lost track of where the straps went and couldn't feel them. That is the only hard part about putting on the mask — you now have two straps to position.

It's COVID19 so of course we are going to reinvent the wheel, just more slowly

https://twitter.com/AbraarKaran/status/1476673083905699849

...while denying the need for the wheel

https://twitter.com/GaryPWarren/status/1476586125754052610