Thread by @niggasippian

here is a non-exhaustive thread on the various modifications you can apply to surgical masks to increase their efficacy at preventing airborne illness (95% effective like N95 masks). combining these modifications will increase your mask's efficacy 🧵

surgical masks are made from the same material as N95 masks but do not have the same fit or seal to the face. meaning, surgical masks can have the same efficacy at preventing airborne illness as N95 masks with modification for a better fit .

jada.ada.org/article/S0002-…

modifying the seal of surgical masks improves its efficacy at preventing airborne illness.

jada.ada.org/article/S0002-…

all masking efforts (regardless of quality, fit or breathability) lowers transmission! communal mask wearing lowers transmission

jada.ada.org/article/S0002-…

mask mandates reduce new transmissions in a population

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32543923/

fuck the CDC with all my might but here is something even their fuckasses said:

cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/7…

now for the modifications ⚙️

this is Dr. Rabeeh Bahrampourian using a knot and fold technique, who quotes the Australian Dental Association in justification for the modification of surgical masks:

https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1359563442819112960

this is a correspondent from good morning america demonstrating a knot and fold technique:

https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1359564964307087364

Here is Nurse Tammy Dunnett, a youtuber who explains that reducing the gaps in surgical masks reduces the risk in the infection control component while using a knot and fold technique:

Here is youtuber, i Yutuc, using another knot and fold technique:

This is an ex Apple Engineer teaching ways to create a mask brace using rubber bands:

Here is another version of a mask brace using other surgical masks:

Here is tiktoker @carmondos demonstrating a way to adjust the earloops on surgical masks to tighten the fit:

@carmondos A knot and fold technique demonstrated by youtuber Keeping It Real With Aaron:

@carmondos Medical doctor and youtuber, George Yang, MD, demonstrating techniques using wire-crimping, mask tape and expanding the pleats of a surgical mask to improve the seal