1/ #BetterMasks - why and how

First, why do we even need high-filtration masks right now?

Increasingly, we are going to be (or already are) in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces- groceries, public transit, work, school etc
#covid19

2/ If can agree that we need these...what qualities should these masks have?

We talk about that in our @HarvardBiz piece on #BetterMasks

Fit
Filtration
Comfort
Affordability
Scalability
Style

#covid19

https://t.co/SZ451BIIYN
3/ Given huge delays in getting any of this done...what options are available right now, off the shelf?

One of these - elastomeric (eN95s) which are used in different industries and were used by some hospitals can get job done

#covid19
https://t.co/GkiuRcfSIP
4/ Many have pointed to the issue of the exhale valves-- actually, even this issue has been studied by CDC/NIOSH, report below

Apparently source control can still be better than surgical masks or cloth masks even w/ these
#covid19

https://t.co/xsS23xgvtn
5/ Additionally, many have rightfully mentioned KF94 and KN95s

There have been some issues around counterfeits

CDC has a list of some that have definitely run into these issues (check the list if you have any of these, may need to contact company)
https://t.co/gFbgPDXh1l
6/ Many are aware that higher filtration masks are the best personal protection we can get at this time, including President @JoeBiden

No silver bullets, but these are critical in addition to vaccines, T/T/I, ventilation etc #covid19

https://t.co/Mr3FV7TP7M
7/ Some home-made options exist & many smart people have studied these & have been trying to MacGyver their own

I commend these people- but it shouldn't have to be this way.

We are 11 months into this pandemic.

We have known this is an issue.

https://t.co/VkiLuLJTOK
8/ Some places, like Bavaria in Germany, have actually started to make FFP2 (their N95 equivalent) *mandatory* when using transit or in grocery stores

This is key- using HiFi masks in places w/ highest risk of transmission from both droplets + aerosols

https://t.co/AoV9La09KA
9/ But- just saying you need to wear #BetterMasks or even mandating them without helping people get access to these- ideally for free-- is unacceptable & will worsen health inequities. #covid19

https://t.co/XwiGA1CVUs
10/ Some governments, like Austria's, are actually sending these hi-fi masks for free to their highest risk citizens- those 65+ year of age

Even if we can get better masks to high risk folks + those in frontline jobs, that would be huge

But ideally more
https://t.co/4GPDnfEoBT
11/ Hong Kong got a 6 layer re-usable mask out to people; free w/ national ID card; ability to insert better filters for when you're in crowded spaces; distributed from post offices

#covid19
https://t.co/4WPhbHo9YO
12/ Singapore has something similar, given out through vending machines

It's a mask kit- 2 reusable masks, 3 reusable filters

They have distributed this 3 times now (maybe more since that article was written, not sure)

#covid19

https://t.co/ScAuQuvDzt
13/ Our latest piece in @statnews talks about what the @JoeBiden team needs to do

Ideally, you would be able to pick up your mask kit in convenient places or have it shipped right to you

More soon from @sri_srikrishna @RanuDhillon & me
#BetterMasks
https://t.co/fGA1zoM7Eu
14/ As expected, over time, more transmissible variants such as #B117 will outcompete older ones; and at a later time, some variants may do better at evading our immune response.

When that happens, having a #bettermask on will be key.
#covid19
https://t.co/Sdk0JnAd3Q

More from Society

I've seen many news articles cite that "the UK variant could be the dominant strain by March". This is emphasized by @CDCDirector.

While this will likely to be the case, this should not be an automatic cause for concern. Cases could still remain contained.

Here's how: 🧵

One of @CDCgov's own models has tracked the true decline in cases quite accurately thus far.

Their projection shows that the B.1.1.7 variant will become the dominant variant in March. But interestingly... there's no fourth wave. Cases simply level out:

https://t.co/tDce0MwO61


Just because a variant becomes the dominant strain does not automatically mean we will see a repeat of Fall 2020.

Let's look at UK and South Africa, where cases have been falling for the past month, in unison with the US (albeit with tougher restrictions):


Furthermore, the claim that the "variant is doubling every 10 days" is false. It's the *proportion of the variant* that is doubling every 10 days.

If overall prevalence drops during the studied time period, the true doubling time of the variant is actually much longer 10 days.

Simple example:

Day 0: 10 variant / 100 cases -> 10% variant
Day 10: 15 variant / 75 cases -> 20% variant
Day 20: 20 variant / 50 cases -> 40% variant

1) Proportion of variant doubles every 10 days
2) Doubling time of variant is actually 20 days
3) Total cases still drop by 50%

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