"Cloth Masks Are Mere Accessories Against Omicron," Warns US Expert

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] There has been a claim that higher-grade health masks must be recommended to curb the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

On the 24th (local time), US media CNN reported that Riana Won, a visiting professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, stated, "Cloth masks are nothing more than facial decorations. They are useless in the situation where Omicron is spreading." In a phone interview with CNN that day, Professor Won emphasized, "It is okay to wear a cloth mask over a health mask, but cloth masks alone are ineffective."

Professor Won said, "At the very least, health surgical masks should be worn," adding, "In close-contact settings, it is ideal to wear masks rated N95 or KN95." N95-rated masks can filter out up to 95% of very small particles and are similar in grade to Korea's KF94 masks, which can block more than 94% of fine particles with an average diameter of 0.6㎛. Currently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discourages the general public from using N95 masks, reasoning that as health-grade masks, they should be prioritized for healthcare workers.

However, Professor Won described the CDC's decision as a "serious mistake." She explained, "The shortage of masks was an issue several months ago. If we are in a situation where people from cultures that did not originally wear masks are now required to wear them, at least the most effective masks should be recommended." She added, "If you only have cloth masks, it is better than not wearing any, but if you only have cloth masks and must attend indoor gatherings, it is better not to go at all."

Earlier, Erin Bromage, a biology professor at Dartmouth College, expressed a similar view. Professor Bromage explained, "Masks buy you time. For example, assuming you get infected with COVID-19 after inhaling 1,000 virus particles, a mask that filters 50% of particles can double that time." He also argued, "Wearing a mask with 90% particle filtration efficiency can increase that time tenfold."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.