A trick to get you to download their app, I suppose.
I didn't think of trying that. It's too late anyway, and since I needed to stop by the registry desk to get my free baby gear, I was okay with going inside until I saw just how crowded it was.
The ones deemed medical grade have been tested and approved by the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials), at least that is the standard we follow here in Canada. Here is a link that explains medical masks pretty well.
Yeah that's what I figured---they're basically the same, but they won't certify them to avoid liability.
But keep in mind...some are labelled for non medical use as they only filter larger particles, so would not pass even if tested. Some masks are made with only 2 layers and some are made with 3. Some have a better effectiveness when dealing with moisture....there are many variables so I wouldn't put a blanket statement that it's ONLY about liability. SOME won't under the testing, but others simply wouldn't pass.
That's a great question, and my assumption would be FDA approved ones in the US. Someone had brought in some printed face masks from Amazon and now we can only use them at work if they are worn over another 'medical grade' mask - which in all honesty the box in my office states it is not medical grade. We are currently wearing N95's because we have a COVID 19 outbreak.
Do you think DeWine will lock us down? They have to do something
Some studies do show a certain level of protection for the wearer. As in, say, if someone is breathing right in your face and they're contagious, you aren't breathing in a full lungful of virus; it's slightly filtered. But, no, not full protection for the wearer. The saying is "I wear a mask to protect you, you wear a mask to protect me".
While that was true in the spring, when there was a worldwide shortage of masks and other equipment and not even medical personnel could get proper PPE, it no longer holds universally. Most industrialized countries stepped up production of medical grade masks to make enough available for healthcare workers and the general public (albeit at a relatively steep price). Some countries even distribute N95 and other medical grade masks to their inhabitants. Unfortunately, there have been some so-called leaders who've failed to act.
And that is part of the problem. Where I live most people don't wear masks in the stores they breath on our clothes, hair ... just have to act as defensively as possible.
All of this is true, but we have to protect ourselves as much as possible. Thanks for the reminder about steering wheel etc.. I used to do that back in the spring and have just been doing my hands and debit card.
