Before COVID-19, not many people knew what an N95 mask even was. Now it’s a household name. What most people still don’t know is that the N95 mask has remained virtually unchanged since the early 1970s. In the time since, there have been quite a few epidemics including SARS, MERS, and H1N1.
During the SARS outbreak in 2003, it was revealed that 43% of the casualties were healthcare workers, many of whom removed their Surgical N95 masks and risked exposure because the masks were too uncomfortable and impractical for use during long, grueling shifts. Other industries where the use of N95 masks is common told the same story of discomfort. If professionals can’t bear wearing N95 masks, then it should be apparent that an upgrade is needed.
After the SARS experience, the federal government launched Project B.R.E.A.T.H.E., to assess how to improve N95 masks in order to provide better protection for frontline workers. This group of experts from across a number of specialties recommended 28 changes needed for respirator masks to be truly effective. The report, published in 2009, was a call-to-action … that was widely ignored by manufacturers.