Thread by @SafetyinNumbrz

If you put on your own mask when you see a masked person enter the room:

1) Thank you for trying to be supportive. Truly. It's nice to be cared for & not harassed.

and

2) Let's talk about how airborne transmission works... (I PROMISE this isn't a "mask always" tweet) 🧵1/16

There's a lot of misinformation and confusion about COVID transmission, and that isn't your fault. It's a complicated history, but here's the upshot:

Some viruses are in big droplets & fall quickly to the ground removing them from the air. Plus, your mask can catch some.
2/16

But much of the virus are in tiny virus aerosols that DON'T fall quickly. They float for hours.

So your unmasked exhalations from the past hours you've been in the room are STILL THERE & still infectious. (Even after you leave the room!!)

They can even move to other rooms.
3/16

Distance helps because these virus aerosols get diluted.

Imagine smoking a cig & stubbing it out as someone else comes in. Close up, it's very smoky. Across the room, it's still smoky. Down the hall, you can probably still smell it, bc some smoke particles are out there.
4/16

Putting on a mask when someone walks in is like stubbing out your smoke indoors.

It's definitely a nice courtesy. It helps people feel cared for. It reduces total amount of smoke.

But you are still exposing them to smoke. (Or COVID, at high enough amounts to infect)
5/16

And if you are wearing a baggy or non-filtering mask, the improvement is more like leaving the burning cigarette in the ashtray for occasional puffs, rather than stubbing it out.

It needs to be N95+/KN94+ or similar to do much good w/ new variants.

6/16

cleanaircrew.org

Optional video:

This video has slightly awkward narration, but really EXCELLENT at showing how it works. Suitable for all ages.

Quest of the Virusols follows COVID virus aerosols as they attempt to infect humans in their quest for survival.

7/16

BUT WAIT!

NO WAY you're going to mask (respirator) continuously in public buildings, to protect another masker who isn't even in the same room sometimes?!

THAT'S OK.

There are ways to fix it that don't require this. It need not be super onerous, just a few tweaks.
8/16

Step 1: Improve ventilation/filtration. The more fresh air, the less "smoke" (or COVID) there is left. HEPA filters & CR-boxes do this too.

A CO2 monitor can show you how good the ventilation is. Aim for 600-800 or less ppm, for best protection.

9/16
cleanaircrew.org/box-fan-filter…

Step 2: Get a GOOD 'mask'. Since you are nice enough to bother to wear it sometimes, you might as well use one that will actually make a big difference.

You need a respirator, like N95 or KN94. It needs to fit snugly with no gaps.
10/16

Step 3: Prepare for your masked friend BEFORE they arrive.

Even just 5-10 minutes before they come, you can put your good respirator on, and make sure it seals well.

Then open a window, turn on extra filters, cycle the air.
11/16

Think about trying to "secretly" smoke indoors. How would you hide it from someone about to arrive and "bust" you? (Air-fresheners do NOT count!)

You'd stop creating more smoke (mask) & try to blow the old air outside + filter it away for several min before they arrive.

12/16

Step 4: Keep your distance.

You are more likely to be infected than someone already carefully masking all the time. Give them a fighting chance & lots of extra air space to further dilute any virus that might still be slipping past your mask.

13/16

Step 5: Keep it small, short and sweet.

The less time you share air, the less chance of infection. The fewer people, the better as well.

If it needs to be big or long, consider going outside or ask them if there is anything more you can do to make it safer for them.
14/16

Bonus options:

Upper-room UV can kill virus in the air. You still need to distance & aim for good filtration/mixing but it is very effective.

Far-UVC (222 nm) is even safe on the skin. Put it around your room & kill most virusols almost instantly.

https://twitter.com/joeyfox85/status/1572728764454391815?s=20&t=Bu9bYpFUtd48tR5vOUiZjA

15/16

Recap:

Thanks for being kind. To be both safe AND kind, use a proper respirator & clean out the air a few minutes ahead of time. Distance & UV also help.

For best protection, wear respirator in crowds always, but if you don't want to do that, do this to support others.

16/16

#BringBackMasks #CovidIsNotOver #COVIDisAirborne

@ScienceUpFirst If you happen to find this message appropriate, would you consider sprucing it up in your special social-media-friendly way and sharing it along? I think there are still quite a few ppl out there who want to be supportive, but don't get the details right.