How Much Does One-Way Masking Protect You From COVID On An Airplane? –

Then a federal judge in Florida Fell On Monday, an order for masks on planes and other public transportation, major airlines – including American, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, Spirit, and JetBlue – quickly announced that they no longer needed the masks for flights. domestic and some international flights.

While some passengers were excited that they no longer had to wear a mask, many others were concerned about the safety of mass transit with the group of unmarked strangers. Except meInfectious disease specialists say a side mask is still worth it.

“We like to think of situations as safe or vulnerable, but the question of disguise effectiveness goes down the gradient,” he said. Andrea Handel, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. “Unilateral masks are less effective than bilateral masks, but more effective than not wearing them.”

One-sided masks are very protective, especially when wearing high-quality masks such as N95, KN95 or KF94, as they better filter viral particles from the air you inhale. However, the Cloth Face Mask and Surgical Mask do several things to protect us from the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus, Studies A good, appropriate mask has been shown to significantly reduce the impact of the human virus. , which reduces the likelihood of infection.

“A better Omicron mask is preferred, like surgery or better,” he said. Amesh Adalja Infectious disease expert and senior scientist at Johns Hopkins University Health Security Center.

After all, this is what doctors who treat COVID patients in intensive care units across the country do. Adalja usually wears a side mask (mostly with N95, but sometimes with a surgical mask) to treat TB or COVID patients in the hospital.

“It’s very safe and normal,” Adalja said, adding that the same is true for the general population.

They also have planes Large air filtration system That eliminates most SARS-CoV-2 in the air. Adalja said it makes flying safer than many other crowded indoor activities where no mask is required.

Many experts advise people to continue wearing high -quality masks when in crowded places such as airports, planes, or trains, especially those at risk or immunodeficiency.

I recommend the N95, KN95, FFP2, KFN94 or Double face masks (surgical plus fabric) “In public transport, if patrons want less exposure, according to physical science research,” he said. Monica Gandhi University of California, San Francisco Infectious Disease Specialist.

If you choose a side mask, you want the mask to fit your face so that there are no gaps left on your nose, cheeks or chin. Which is more flawedThe virus is more likely to steal.

Although most young children are not at risk of developing serious COVID disease, especially if they already have COVID or have been vaccinated, you still want to protect them. Flying with other masked passengers can be annoying, especially for parents with children who are not yet suitable for staff.

Every parent should consider their child’s health when deciding whether to cover while traveling. “For high-risk children who can wear a mask, a one-sided mask works,” Adalja said.

If your child is at risk or has not been vaccinated, Handel recommends reducing your family without hanging up masks at the airport. “The planes have better air circulation than we give them credit for, which lowers the risk of COVID infection,” he said. “But we have to remember the other steps [needed] For travel, for example, sitting at the airport or in a crowded place where we can also contact COVID.

In addition, vaccination of family members will ensure that young children are better protected from infections. Being more careful with these children, wearing a mask with them and any partner, will make them more likely to have COVID, Handel said.

Experts say that people with immunity are already protected from serious diseases. Even if antibody levels drop four to six months after vaccination, in most cases, the immune system will still be able to fight the virus and protect people from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

“I think healthy people who have been vaccinated or have had a previous infection might consider protecting themselves from the most important thing: a serious illness,” Adalja said.

This protection increases when people, including those with serious COVID risk factors, also wear high-quality face masks. Anyone who is vaccinated and wears a high -quality inner mask usually feels safe, Adalja says.