Surgical masks[edit]

Main article: Surgical mask

Surgical mask.

World Health Organization infographic on how to wear a medical mask safely. [5]

How to wear a surgical white mask: 1) up nose strip, 2) down folds, 3) cover chin

A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier

between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the
immediate environment. If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block
large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain viruses and
bacteria, keeping it from reaching the wearer's mouth and nose. Surgical masks
may also help reduce exposure of the wearer's saliva and respiratory secretions to
others.[17]
Certified medical masks are made of non-woven material. They are mostly multi-
layer. Filters may be made of microfibers with an electrostatic charge; that is, the
fibers are electrets. An electret filter increases the chances that smaller particles
will veer and hit a fiber, rather than going straight through (electrostatic capture). [18]
[19][20][better  source  needed][medical citation needed]
 While there is some development work on making
electret filtering materials that can be washed and reused, [21] current commercially
produced electret filters are ruined by many forms of disinfection, including washing
with soap and water or alcohol, which destroys the electric charge. [22] During the
COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities issued guidelines on how to save,
disinfect and reuse electret-filter masks without damaging the filtration efficiency. [22]
[23]
 Standard disposable surgical masks are not designed to be washed.
A surgical mask, by design, does not filter or block very small particles in the air
that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures.
Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other
contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the face mask and
the face.[17] However, in practice, with respect to some infections like influenza,
surgical masks appear as effective as respirators (such as N95 or FFP masks).
[24]
 Surgical masks may be labeled as surgical, isolation, dental, or medical
procedure masks.[17] Surgical masks are made of a nonwoven fabric created using
a melt blowing process.[25][26]
Surgical masks made to different standards in different parts of the world have
different ranges of particles which they filter. For example, the People's Republic of
China regulates two types of such masks: single-use medical masks (Chinese
standard YY/T 0969) and surgical masks (YY 0469). The latter ones are required to
filter bacteria-sized particles (BFE ≥ 95%) and some virus-sized particles (PFE ≥
30%), while the former ones are required to only filter bacteria-sized particles. [27][28][29]
Modifications[edit]

CDC demonstration of ear loop surgical mask modifications intended to improve fit. A)
unknotted mask with side gap; B) cloth mask covering surgical mask; C) knotted/tucked
surgical mask.

The effectiveness of surgical masks in limiting particle transmission is a function of

material and fit.[30] Since the start of the pandemic, scientists have evaluated various
modifications to ear loop surgical masks aimed at improving mask efficacy by
reducing or eliminating gaps between the mask and face. [31] The CDC evaluated
and recommends two such modifications to ear loop masks to reduce transmission
of SARS-CoV-2. Under normal use, the CDC found that a surgical mask worn by a
coughing individual blocked 41.3% of simulated cough aerosols (0.1–7 μm particle
size) from reaching a second individual six feet away. However, by applying a knot
and tuck technique[a], 62.9% of particles were blocked. When the surgical mask was
covered with a larger cloth mask, 82% of particles were blocked. When both the
source and recipient wore masks, 84% of particles were blocked. The number
increased to more than 95% when both parties were either double masked or used
the knot and tuck technique.[32]