Yeah probably reduced, but it may be more to do with them becoming contaminated. The link points to a study saying
> One study found that nurses averaged 25 touches per shift to their face, eyes, or N95 respirator during extended use.
How problematic that touching is probably scales with how problematic your environment is. They're pretty sponge-like. Wearing a surgical mask over an N95 would help a lot.
In a controlled biosafety level 3 lab, "single use" things are definitely the most common, where everything exposed to the outside world is destroyed after you're done. What's worn underneath is washed and you're forced to take a shower. So that's what you do if you know you're in a contaminated environment – not sure what I'd do in a public place.
> Yeah probably reduced, but it may be more to do with them becoming contaminated.
How effective is the virus after the mask has been unused for a while (so "cold", like a doorknob or a desk)? If it is not, the mask should be good to go then, doesn't it?
I gather that it's too early in understanding COVID to have robust answers to this sort of question.
I use a reusable mask, and honestly, I don't wash it very often. It's there mostly so if I absentmindedly touch my nose I don't actually touch my nose, and so I never remove it until I've thoroughly washed my hands.
No idea but some people (whose source I don’t know) say the virus can live on some surfaces to nine days. Guess one could use sterilants/disinfectants to accelerate that time dramatically.
[0] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hcwcontrols/recommendedguid...