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- Feb 1, 2015
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Becoming infected by COVID-19 is a matter of probabilities. There is a number of things that all have to come together in order for one to be infected. The number of contagious people in your are, your proximity to them, the length of time that one is exposed, and the degree of PPE that one has all have a contributory effect. To that end, properly wearing an N95 respirator mask will potentially reduce the exposure and decrease the overall probability of contracting the virus.
It will not protect completely. The N95 designation means that it removes 95% of the contaminants. Also, as Lo Fi stated, it doesn't protect the eyes from the virus and it may increase the possibility of transferring the virus to ones hands and then potentially to one's respiratory system.
The biggest reason for John Q. Public not wearing N95 respirators is that there is an extreme shortage of masks and medical personnel and othe first responders will make far better use of the supplies at hand. Should supply ever catch up to demand, then by all means, wear a mask if you want.
It will not protect completely. The N95 designation means that it removes 95% of the contaminants. Also, as Lo Fi stated, it doesn't protect the eyes from the virus and it may increase the possibility of transferring the virus to ones hands and then potentially to one's respiratory system.
The biggest reason for John Q. Public not wearing N95 respirators is that there is an extreme shortage of masks and medical personnel and othe first responders will make far better use of the supplies at hand. Should supply ever catch up to demand, then by all means, wear a mask if you want.