Why is there PTFE in masks? Is it in both surgical and KN95 masks? After reading this I m considering using my cloth one more often now

submitted by infocom6502 from (neverb4.net)

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[–]mongre 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

If you're wearing a mask, especially now, you're an idiot.

[–]infocom6502[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I disagree. Masks are critical for public indoor spaces.

They attenuate viral debris one exhales, reducing the range and probability of infecting others. It also partially filters intake air, reducing your own risk significantly. If you take in under a certain amount of viruses per day the risk of infection is very low (I think the number is somewhere between 10 and 100 live viruses), especially with a working immune system (enough vit D, C, trace metals, and avg to above avg body temperature).

i don't want to have the above link be taken as an anti-masker statement. But it is good to see both sides. I think both sides have some valid points.

Eg., down sides to masks as well (one just needs to be aware of these): For instance, treat the outside of a recently heavily used mask as a potentially highly contaminated surface. Avoid touching it or getting food on it. Rotate and disinfect masks periodically.

Anyway, I may reduce use of surgical masks that have a funny smell to them, and switch to KN95 and cloth.

Still am very curious what hte function of the teflon is in these masks. That specifically is my main science question to this board (since it is the ask science forum). If anyone knows or can guess, fire away.

[–]mongre 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

You assume first that viruses are "bad" and that they haven't been coexisting with us for millennia and second that masks actually help. Read the ACTUAL research on the subject and you will see masks are being used as a tool for fear and do next to nothing to promote heath.

[–]infocom6502[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I go on fundamentals. In this case it's physics and fluid mechanics. You are attenuating expulsion of droplets and thus decreasing (not eliminating) risks of contamination, thus reducing the range of the radius of moderate risk.

This fluid mechanics effect is also why these are used in surgeries.

SARS2 is not a natural virus. And even if it were natural, not all natural viruses are harmless. Some definitely are horrible as eff**.