Respiratory Masks

摘要

Within days of the announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in February 2020 that COVID-91 would inevitably spread across the US, prices for N-95 masks skyrocketed online and were out of stock locally. Moreover, there seemed to be mass confusion over what masks could do to minimize the transmission of viruses. The current virus epidemic aside, respiratory masks should be part of your permanent tool arsenal. If you work around chemical vapors (e.g., use spray paint or a soldering iron) or fine dust (e.g., operate an electric sander), then a proper respiratory mask can save your lungs. My introduction to respiratory masks of the most rudimentary sort was as an early, overconfident teen with a commercial radiotelephone license with RADAR endorsement. One of my summer jobs was working in a shipyard, installing cable for ship-to-shore radar systems alongside welders.