NEWS RELEASE November 2020
CATE Masks Seven Times Better for Biden Mandate
The president elect in the U.S. is instituting a mask mandate. This will be more effective if the right masks are selected and worn. CATE masks are seven times better than cloth masks. They can be quickly made available. The annual cost in the U.S. would be $30-60 billion/yr compared to $10-20 billion/yr for cloth masks. The cost is insignificant compared to the economic and social benefits. It is important that the new Administration and people around the world realize that the difference between masks is as great as the differences between pills.
CATE is an acronym for Comfortable, Attractive, Tight Fitting, Efficient. These masks have been available for many years to combat air pollution, wildfires and pollen. they are the ideal selection for the general public in the fight against COVID. Here are the numbers.
In a room where people are social distancing at six feet and MERV 8 filters are used in an HVAC system with three air changes per hour unmasked individuals will be generating a cloud of virus particles similar to perfume or cigarette smoke. If masks are worn by transmitters as well as recipients, the net protection is a combination of the performance of both masks.
The net effectiveness is a function of the potential capability of the mask minus failure to achieve a tight fit and periods where the mask is discarded due to discomfort or social drivers. When all is considered the CATE mask combination is 93% effective compared to only 49% for the cloth mask.
Mask type: CATE masks are generally reusable and have various features to make them attractive, tight fitting and comfortable as well as efficient. Surgical masks are efficient but not tight fitting. N95 masks can be fitted for a tight seal but when worn by general public they are often not used properly. Cloth masks can excel in comfort and attractiveness but are loose fitting and inefficient.
Direct Leakage: This is the amount of air which is exhaled around the mask directly.
Re-entrainment: Droplets initially captured on masks evaporate and split causing virus to escape.
Penetration: This relates to the efficiency of the filter media.
Use Discount: Masks should be worn as appropriate. Cloth and CAT masks are more comfortable than the others and are more likely to be used in borderline situations.
Recipient Load: This is the virus escaping the transmitter mask.
In Leakage: This is the amount inhaled around the mask seals.
There is no question that tight fitting efficient masks are the most effective weapon against COVID. These masks prevented any U.S. medical staff fighting Ebola to become infected. The COVID incidence among medical personnel in high COVID environments is very low. In cases where these personnel had no choice but loose fitting surgical masks the infection rate was high. If a comfortable, attractive version is available to the general public the battle can be easily won.
Data supporting these conclusions appears in the webinars and daily alerts which are part Coronavirus Technology Solutions Click here for more information
The capability of the supplier industry to meet the mask and media demand is assessed continually in private studies commissioned by suppliers and investors.
Bob McIlvaine can answer your questions at 847 226 2391 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
