Thread by @RickABright

The quality of your mask can be the difference between life & death.

It would be very helpful to have clear federal guidance on high quality N95/KN95/KF94 masks & a certification process to clearly identify those that meet a standard for filtration. 1/

https://twitter.com/svscarpino/status/1478401940732194817

I strongly encourage the USG to mail free N95 masks to every home (same masks required to be worn around @POTUS, same masks being worn by the @WHCOVIDResponse officials). 2/

A broad public messaging campaign, combined w/ mailing out high quality N95 masks, would enable Americans to see, touch & use better respiratory protection. They would know what to buy & how to wear it correctly. 3/

High quality masks should be available for free or as inexpensive as the lower quality blue masks. People shouldn't have to choose between better quality protection based on price. 4/

A properly worn, high quality N95/KN95/KF94 mask is your front line defense against infection from #SARSCoV2. When worn properly & combined with ventilation, air filtration (MERV 13+) & social distancing, you are doing a lot to prevent yourself & family from being infected. 5/

Combining your front line protection (clean, filtered air) with frequent testing (if your rapid antigen test is positive: stay home, isolate, call your doctor, get treated quickly if high risk, stay put until you no longer test positive) will help reduce virus transmission. 6/

If you get infected AND you're fully vaccinated, your body will turn on a full battle against the virus. Your risk of being hospitalized or dying are going to be much lower. (Trick here is that you need to be fully vaccinated weeks before your infection, so don't delay) 7/

However, if you are not vaccinated, you have a much higher risk of a more severe infection, hospitalization, and, yes, even dying. (Not trying to be dramatic, just stating the science as we know it today).

Vaccination against #COVID19 can save your life. 8/

To best protect yourself, family & others around you:
1. Get vaccinated (do 1st because it takes a while to get full benefit)
2. Always wear a high quality N95/KN95/KF94 mask
3. Ventilate/filter your air
4. Maintain safe distance
5. Test frequently
6. Help others to do the same