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

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@franciscodeasis https://t.co/OuQaBRFPu7
Unfortunately the "This work includes the identification of viral sequences in bat samples, and has resulted in the isolation of three bat SARS-related coronaviruses that are now used as reagents to test therapeutics and vaccines." were BEFORE the


chimeric infectious clone grants were there.https://t.co/DAArwFkz6v is in 2017, Rs4231.
https://t.co/UgXygDjYbW is in 2016, RsSHC014 and RsWIV16.
https://t.co/krO69CsJ94 is in 2013, RsWIV1. notice that this is before the beginning of the project

starting in 2016. Also remember that they told about only 3 isolates/live viruses. RsSHC014 is a live infectious clone that is just as alive as those other "Isolates".

P.D. somehow is able to use funds that he have yet recieved yet, and send results and sequences from late 2019 back in time into 2015,2013 and 2016!

https://t.co/4wC7k1Lh54 Ref 3: Why ALL your pangolin samples were PCR negative? to avoid deep sequencing and accidentally reveal Paguma Larvata and Oryctolagus Cuniculus?
1. Project 1742 (EcoHealth/DTRA)
Risks of bat-borne zoonotic diseases in Western Asia

Duration: 24/10/2018-23 /10/2019

Funding: $71,500
@dgaytandzhieva
https://t.co/680CdD8uug


2. Bat Virus Database
Access to the database is limited only to those scientists participating in our ‘Bats and Coronaviruses’ project
Our intention is to eventually open up this database to the larger scientific community
https://t.co/mPn7b9HM48


3. EcoHealth Alliance & DTRA Asking for Trouble
One Health research project focused on characterizing bat diversity, bat coronavirus diversity and the risk of bat-borne zoonotic disease emergence in the region.
https://t.co/u6aUeWBGEN


4. Phelps, Olival, Epstein, Karesh - EcoHealth/DTRA


5, Methods and Expected Outcomes
(Unexpected Outcome = New Coronavirus Pandemic)