🥁 Axios PM: Why we need better masks

Plus: Outfitting kid chefs | Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Jan 11, 2022 Good afternoon: This special mask-takeover edition of PM — edited by Justin Green — is 479 words, a 2-min. read. ⚡️ Breaking: The Justice Department is opening a new unit to investigate domestic terrorism, and it warned Congress of an "elevated" threat from violent extremists in the U.S. Go deeper.     1 big thing: Why we need to wear better masks Data: Gholamhossein Bagheri and Eberhard Bodenschatz/Max Planck Institute. (The study examined FFP2 masks, which we denote as N95 here, given their similar performance.) Chart: Will Chase and Annelise Capossela/Axios Wearing the right mask — the right way — can be the most powerful tool in your arsenal to slow the spread of COVID-19. Fitted particle-filtering masks like N95s are up to 75x more effective at preventing COVID infection than surgical masks, Axios visual journalist Will Chase reports. Researchers at Max Planck Institute in Germany investigated the risk when two individuals are speaking with each other at a close distance. As shown in the data visualization above, only universal masking with well-fitted N95 or similar masks reduced the risk to below 1% after 20 minutes. Surgical masks — and situations where one person wore a poorly fitting mask, or did not mask — reduced the infection risk. But it remained far above the acceptable risk level. This study didn't include cloth masks. But other studies have shown that those provide even less protection than surgical masks. The bottom line: The fit of the mask is the most important factor, study author Eberhard Bodenschatz told Axios. Masks should have a tight fit around your face and nose, to minimize any air leakage.     2. How masks buy you time Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   It takes 2,500 hours for an infectious dose of COVID to transmit between people wearing tightly sealed N95 masks, The Wall Street Journal reports. Compare that to 25 hours for people wearing N95 masks that aren't tightly fitted — and 15 minutes for people not wearing masks. The bottom line: The better the mask, the longer you can be in close proximity without spreading the virus.     A message from Facebook Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations     Rochelle is one of many experts working on privacy at Facebook—to give you more control over your information. Hear more from Rochelle on why Facebook supports updating regulations on the internet's most pressing challenges, including federal privacy legislation.     3. Don't fall for fakes Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Be on the lookout for true N95 or KN95 masks — meaning they're rated with 95% filtration efficiency. Why it matters: Counterfeits have flooded the market. Go deeper. Here's a guide to respirator masks approved by the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health.     4. 🥘 1 smile to go: Outfitting kid chefs Photo: Opinel via AP This young cook is wielding a knife from Le Petit Chef — with built-in finger rings to help kids learn proper holds, plus a plastic finger guard. The set ($49) includes a peeler. Le Petit Chef is among the stars of the state-of-the-art gear for budding chefs, served up by AP's Kim Cook (!): Little Tikes is out with Home-Grown Kitchen ($69.99), a modern take on its classic playsets — a corner-shaped countertop with battery-driven sounds for boiling water and a sizzling stove. KidKraft's Farm to Table kitchen ($186.99) nails the country-chic trend with a farmhouse sink, hooks for utensils, and window boxes with plastic onions and carrots for chopping. The Create & Cook kitchen ($155.99) lets your 3-year-old whip up faux avocado toast. Keep reading.     A message from Facebook Working to stop harmful content and improve our platforms every day     We're committed to stopping illicit content and keeping you safe on Facebook. That's why we've quadrupled our safety and security teams to more than 40,000 over the last five years. But there's more to do. See how we're working to help you connect safely.   Like this email style and format? Bring the strength of Smart Brevity® to your team — more effective communications, powered by Axios HQ.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: