New Way to End COVID-19
New Way to End COVID-19
New-Generation Respirators & Real-Time Virus Detectors
1. Cognitive Blind Spots
1.1. Viral Shedding From Mask Outer Layer
Most masks have a three-layer structure, the inner and outer layers are spunbond non-woven fabrics, and the middle layer is meltblown non-woven fabric. The outer layer of this kind of mask sometimes becomes a potential virus carrier. The spunbond non-woven fabric will absorb the virus when inhaling, and the virus will fall off when exhaling.
This phenomenon of viral shedding may cause some accidental infections. For example, when the mask outer layer is contaminated with a large amount of virus in high-risk places (supermarkets, airplanes, subways, hospitals, nucleic acid testing sites), and the wearer does not change the mask after returning home, it may cause infection of family members.
The outer layer of the three-layer mask was originally designed to block large particles of dust and splashing fluid. However, when used in epidemic prevention, the outer layer of the mask not only increases respiratory resistance, but also brings the above risk of viral shedding.
The meltblown non-woven fabric in the middle of the mask is the main body of virus filtering. Because of its electrostatic charge, the risk of viral shedding from meltblown non-woven fabric is much smaller than that of spunbond non-woven fabric. While we should still consider the viral shedding during inhalation, which determines the lifespan of the mask.
Although the "double masks" (surgical mask plus cotton mask) recommended by US CDC have enhanced protection, cotton masks do not have static electricity, and the risk of viral shedding is greater than that of a single surgical mask. Therefore, this kind of "double mask" is not suitable for nucleic acid testing personnel.
When the SARS-CoV-2 variants become more infectious, the risk of infection caused by the viral shedding from masks will increase.
1.2. Higher Breathing Resistance Caused by Inner Mask Layer
The inner layer of the three-layer mask was originally designed to absorb moisture and support the mask, but in actual use it may increase the breathing resistance. After wearing a mask for a long time, the absorbed water vapor would block the vent pores of the inner layer, and increase the breathing resistance and mask leakage.
1.3. Current Mask Design and Mask Standards Unsuitable for Epidemic Prevention
The current mask design and mask standards are mainly formulated in accordance with heavy physical work and high pollution or medical environments, and are not suitable for epidemic prevention in a conventional environment (most people’s daily indoor life is mainly sitting or light activities in a normal atmospheric environment). Not only does it increase the cost of masks, but it also increases breathing resistance. If the current mask design and mask standards are still followed, breakthrough in respirator technology is impossible.
1.4. Herd Protection
"Herd Protection" refers to the idea that when the whole population wears respirators and the herd protection index exceeds a certain value, the virus spread is effectively blocked.
Herd Protection Index (HPI) is the decrease of the concentration of viruses in the inhaled air when all people wear a certain type of respirator, which is used to measure the effect of "Herd Protection".
For example, when everyone in a population wears a respirator with a personal protection index of 100, the HPI may reach 10,000 (the virus inhalation is reduced by 10,000 times compared to the population without wearing masks). It means that the virus spread has completely stopped.
However, most people are not aware of the importance of herd protection. The protective performance of masks purchased by most people is poor. Even if everyone wears a mask, the HPI is still lower than 9, which cannot effectively block the virus from spreading indoors.
We have estimated that when the HPI exceeds 500, the spread of the original SARS-CoV-2 in most indoor occasions is prevented, so as to achieve herd protection. However, only a few expensive respirators (such as PAPR) on the current market may help people to achieve herd protection.
1.5. Double Mask Enhancement Effect
Most people think that double masks can promote protection. In fact, the protection of double masks will increase in some cases, and be weakened in other cases. Almost no one knows the double-mask enhancement effect. Perforating KN95/N95 masks to make porous mask braces is an application case of double mask enhancement. When the porous braces are used with appropriate surgical masks, HPI can be increased by about 100 times! The porous brace can be used repeatedly after disinfection. This means that the virus spread can be rapidly prevented by simply applying the double mask enhancement!
1.6. Possibility of Poor Quality Masks to Drive Virus Evolution
When poor quality masks cannot completely block the virus spread, it may bring selective pressure on the virus, so that the virus with a higher viral load or a lower infective dose is more likely to survive and spread. Masks were mandatory globally a year ago, but various mutant viruses still appear and become more infectious. One of the reasons may be that poor quality masks initially inhibited the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but also promoted the evolution of the virus.
1.7. Other Cognitive Blind Spots
The above-mentioned cognitive blind spots are ignored by almost everyone. Why is it that almost everyone in the world is wearing masks, but they are not aware of the problems of masks, even though some problems can be discovered with a little thinking or research? This phenomenon is worthy of everyone's thinking.
Such a simple mask has so many cognitive blind spots, but what about the much more complicated COVID-19 vaccines?
When you understand the double slit experiment, delayed-choice quantum eraser experiment, Benjamin Libet's experiment, and John-Dylan Haynes's experiment, you would find that there are too many unknown things in our world.
We need to remain humble and have the courage to discover the truth.
2. New-Generation Respirators & Real-Time Virus Detectors
We have developed the following seven series of innovative technologies and products to make it possible to end the COVID-19 pandemic:
• Mask Brace: Porous mask brace and exoskeleton mask brace.
• Single-Layer Single-Frame Mask (SLSF Mask): Normal and enhanced types.
• Single-Layer Double-Frame Mask (SLDF Mask): Adult and child models.
• Face-Shield PAPR: Simple, normal, enhanced and professional types.
• Economy PAPR: Simple, normal and professional types.
• Filtering PAPR: Full-face mask, hood, disposable cover, reusable cover.
• Real-time Virus Detectors: Exhaled-gas particulate detector, exhaled virus and air virus real-time detector (to be developed).
2.1. Comparison of Single-Layer Single-Frame Mask and Surgical Mask:
SUMFOUND™ Single-Layer Single-Frame Mask is the world's first single-layer respirator. A single-layer filter and a specific frame are combined to form a disposable mask that is more comfortable than surgical mask.
• The HPI of normal type is 100 times more than that of surgical masks.
• Respiratory resistance is reduced by ~50%.
• The cost of a normal type is similar to that of surgical masks.
• Plastic pollution is reduced by >60%.
• The risk of viral shedding is greatly reduced.
The SLSF masks are suitable for all people, including babies and children. If the whole population uses the normal type of SLSF mask, the HPI would exceed 500, which can quickly suppress the spread of COVID-19 epidemic. The HPI of the enhanced type can reach 10,000.
2.2. Comparison of Single-Layer Double-Frame Mask and KN95/N95 Mask:
SUMFOUND™ Single-Layer Double-Frame Mask is the world's first reusable respirator with a single-layer filter. It consists of two flexible frames and a high-performance single-layer filter. It can be used repeatedly after replacing the filter. In the prevention of COVID-19, SLDF masks can replace most KN95/N95 masks.
• The HPI of SLDF masks is ~10000, which is 100 times that of ordinary KN95 masks.
• Respiratory resistance is reduced by 50%~80%.
• The use cost is reduced by >80%.
• Plastic pollution is reduced by >70%.
• The risk of viral shedding is greatly reduced.
If the whole people wear double-frame masks, the COVID-19 epidemic can be rapidly controlled and ended. Due to the low breathing resistance, single-layer masks (single-frame and double-frame) can also be worn while sleeping, making them very suitable for use in families, dormitories, and military camps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
2.3. Comparison of Face-Shield PAPR and Conventional PAPR:
SUMFOUND™ Face-Shield PAPR has a minimalist design in contrast to the conventional PAPR which is bulky, costly, and inconvenient for use. Face-shield PAPR is suitable for all people. When Face-Shield PAPR is used with a new generation of masks, the total personal protection index may exceed 10,000.
• The no-hose PAPR is as easy to use as a simple face shield.
• The purchase price is reduced by >90%.
• The use cost is reduced by >90%.
• The weight is reduced by ~85%.
2.4. Comparison of Economy PAPR and Conventional PAPR:
The SUMFOUND™Economy PAPR portable design is quite different from the conventional PAPR with expensive and bulky characteristics. The normal type is compatible with several kinds of 3M filters.
• The purchase price is reduced by >80%.
• The use cost is reduced by >90%.
• The weight is reduced by >70%.
2.5. Comparison of Filtering PAPR and Conventional PAPR:
SUMFOUND™Filtering PAPR can purify the wearer's exhaled air, while conventional PAPR does not have such function. This novel PAPR is suitable for all people, especially for COVID-19 patients and international travelers.
• The exhalation protection factors range from 10 to 1000.
• The cost of disposable full-face masks is similar to that of N95 masks.
• The purchase price is reduced by >80%.
• The filter cost is reduced by >90%.
• The weight is reduced by >70%.
2.6. Real-Time Virus Detectors
The exhaled-gas particulate detector has just been successfully developed, which can examine the particulate concentration when the subject exhales. The next step is to establish the corresponding relationship between the particulate concentration and the virus concentration in exhaled gas, so as to realize the rapid and real-time detection of the virus concentration in exhaled gas.
This exhaled-gas particulate detector has multiple functions: it is used to detect the leakage rate of PAPR and masks, and can also be used to detect the relative resistance and filtration efficiency of masks; with masks, it can be used as PAPR.
The equipment has low cost and can be used in hospitals as well as households.
3. Protection Index
Several parameters are explained here: assigned protection factor, personal protection index, herd protection index and infective dose. The protection index is defined for clear analysis.
Assigned Protection Factor (APF) is the decrease of the concentration of harmful substances in the inhaled air if a respirator is used properly. APF is the inverse of the total leakage rate of a respirator.
Personal Protection Index (PPI) is the decrease of the concentration of harmful substances in the inhaled air when an individual uses a respirator in a certain circumstance. PPI reflects the actual protective performance, which is not necessarily the same as APF, and is related to breathing volume and the external environment. The protection index discussed in this article usually refers to the protection index in a normal circumstance (sitting or light activity, ordinary atmospheric environment).
Herd Protection Index (HPI) is the decrease of the concentration of virus in the inhaled air when the whole population wears a respirator of certain type. HPI is usually the product of the personal protection index and the exhalation protection factor (EPF). When the mask does not have an exhalation valve, the exhalation protection factor is usually equal to the personal protection index.
Infective Dose is the quantity of a pathogen that is necessary to cause infection in a susceptible host. Different bacteria or viruses have very different infective doses. The infective dose for the influenza A variant, Influenza A2, is greater than 790 organisms via the nasopharyngeal route.
For example, during the flu season, when the respirator is not used, the concentration of Influenza A2 in the air in some high-risk places can reach ~10,000/m3. Assuming that both the infected and healthy people wear surgical masks, the individual inhales about 0.6 m3 of air per hour, the PPI is 2.7, and the HPI is 7.3, then the healthy people inhale about 820 viruses in one hour, exceeding the infective dose. Assuming that the infected person does not wear a mask, and the healthy person wears a certain mask with a PPI of 15, then the healthy person inhales about 400 viruses per hour, and the amount of virus inhaled after 2 hours exceeds the infective dose. If HPI reaches 500, a healthy person will inhale about 12 viruses per hour, and the amount of inhaled virus will not reach the infective dose for as long as 50 hours.
There are high risks of infection in the parliament halls of many countries or regions. One reason is that the ventilation is not good enough, and the other reason is that if an infected parliamentarian debates loudly, the amount of virus released may be several times or even more than 10 times that of normal breathing. If the masks worn by members of parliament have a low PPI, there is a great risk of infection.
The herd protection index (HPI) of various masks is as follows:
Surgical mask: 4~9
Double masks (surgical mask + cotton mask): ~20
Surgical mask + porous mask brace: 100~1000
KN95/N95 masks (without valve): 100~1000, some high-performance KN95/N95 masks can reach ~10000
Surgical mask + exoskeleton: ~1000
Single-layer single-frame mask (normal type): ~1000
Single-layer single-frame mask (enhanced type): ~10000
Single layer double frame mask: ~10000
The use of low HPI masks, such as surgical masks, can prevent the virus from spreading through droplets, but the performance of prevention of the virus's indoor aerosol transmission is poor. COVID-19 can spread easily among family members. Masks with low HPI are difficult to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 spread among family members. Previous clinical trials have shown that wearing surgical masks among family members has little effect on preventing influenza. The new generation respirators can effectively prevent the virus spread among family members.
4. Technology Sharing
Many industrial products are designed to avoid counterfeiting by others as much as possible, and we try to make it easy for others to replicate when designing some respirators, so that when the epidemic breaks out, it is convenient for people to replicate them in large numbers. The porous mask brace, the single-layer mask (simple type) and the face-shield PAPR (simple type) are all designed to facilitate people's replication. Although imitation will reduce the company's profitability, it can save more lives. For example, the porous mask brace is only an abandoned product designed in the research and development process. If commercial interests are considered, the announcement of this abandoned product will seriously affect the sales of other products. However, publishing this abandoned product and allowing people to replicate it can quickly improve the protective performance of masks, which can prevent more people from being infected and save many lives.
Double mask enhancement effect: When two masks are worn together, if the leakage around the inner mask is reduced, the double mask enhancement effect can be achieved. Many people mistakenly think that the double masks enhance protection by increasing the total filter efficiency of the masks.
Some double masks are counterproductive, not only reducing the protective performance, but also doing harm to health. For example, a N95 mask worn over a surgical mask not only greatly increases the respiratory resistance, but sometimes the protection is worse than a single N95 mask. Some people, even health care workers, still use this kind of double mask by mistake. The double masks （a cotton mask worn over a surgical mask） recommended by US CDC can improve the protective performance, but the double masks will increase respiratory resistance and increase the risk of viral shedding.
Perforating KN95/N95 masks to make porous mask braces is an application case of double mask enhancement. The following are the technical details of replicating the porous mask brace. This kind of brace is easy to be replicated and can quickly increase the PPI of surgical masks by several times, or even more than 10 times!
1. Punch holes in a new or used KN95/N95/FFP2/KN90 mask. The total area of the holes is recommended to be 3~6 cm2. If the hole is too small, it will increase breathing resistance. If the hole is too large, it will damage the structure. The holed mask can be used as a mask brace over a flat mask.
2. A flat mask with a filtration efficiency of 95% or above is recommended. The PPI of "flat mask + porous mask brace" can reach 10-30. The performance of this kind of double mask exceeds some KN95/N95 masks.
3. A simpler way to make a mask brace is to remove the valve diaphragm from a mask with double breathing valves.
4. The porous mask brace can be used many times after cleaning. It needs to be replaced when the brace is severely deformed or the elasticity of the ear straps is not enough.
Many hospitals are equipped with a respirator fit tester, which can be used to test the protective performance of "surgical mask + porous mask brace" and to select an appropriate N95/KN95 mask to make a porous mask brace.
We have estimated that when the HPI exceeds 500, the infection of original SARS-CoV-2 in most indoor situations can be prevented. Wearing a porous mask brace over a surgical mask with ASTM level 1 or above, the HPI can approach or reach 500. If the infectivity increases or the ADE effect occurs after SARS-CoV-2 mutates, the HPI is required to be higher.
Healthcare workers are recommended to wear a set of respirators with a total PPI of more than 10,000 (e.g., new generation mask plus face-shield PAPR). Even if the patients do not wear masks, they can still be well protected.
The use of a new-generation respirators for all people to fight against COVID-19 requires people to have sufficient knowledge of virus transmission, especially aerosol transmission, have a full understanding of the performance and usage of respirators, and know how to protect themselves well. However, a lot of epidemic prevention information is messy, fragmented, or even contradictory, and useful information is buried.
5. Global Cooperation
Cooperation is the key to solve the COVID-19 pandemic.
5.1. Production and Supply of New-Generation Respirators
Except for the porous mask braces, the current production capacity of the new-generation respirators is very limited. Due to the shortage of raw materials and manpower, the current production capacity is far from being able to meet global demand. We need to expand production capacity.
Most traditional mask production lines cannot be used to produce new-generation respirators, we need to re-establish new-generation respirator production lines, which are much simpler than traditional mask production lines.
Some products of the new-generation respirators require many accessories and raw materials. For example, face-shield PAPR contains dozens of kinds of accessories and raw materials. Among them, the global production capacity of several core accessories is very limited, and the annual production capacity cannot meet the needs of one percent of the world's population.
We hope that through cooperation, we can establish different production bases around the world to avoid supply interruption in a single production base due to the outbreak of the epidemic or logistics interruption or other unforeseen accidents, and reduce the relative risks.
5.2. Popularization of Correct Knowledge of Epidemic Prevention
The proper use of the new-generation respirators and the correct knowledge of epidemic prevention are all required to be popularized. Most people do not understand the leakage of masks, virus infection dose, virus aerosol transmission, virus concentration and ADE effect. Many people still use masks incorrectly or wear masks that have poor protective performance or even endanger their health. This requires people to obtain accurate and detailed knowledge of epidemic prevention.
5.3. Research Work on Virus Transmission and Infection
• Up to now, we still don't know the infective dose of the original or mutant SARS-CoV-2. This value is very important for later epidemic prevention.
• Will the ADE effect cause a significant reduction in the infectious dose of SARS-CoV-2?
• SARS-CoV-2 can infect people through the eyes. What is the specific infectious dose through the eyes? Is it the same as that of respiratory infections?
• What is the relationship between the amount of viruses landing in the eyes and the virus concentration in the air?
In addition to the above questions, there is still a lot of research on virus transmission and infection that needs to be carried out, which requires the participation, cooperation and sharing of global researchers. The data about eye infections are very important. The new -generation masks can prevent SARS-CoV-2 from infecting the respiratory tract. However, if eyes are prone to be infected, the new-generation PAPR is required.
Since everyone is pinning their hopes on vaccines, a lot of research work is related to vaccines. In the process of developing the new-generation respirators, there are very few valuable references, and many basic experiments need to be done by ourselves.
5.4. Develop new-generation respirator standards
Some current mask standards are mostly formulated in accordance with heavy physical work and high-polluting environments, and are not suitable for epidemic prevention in conventional circumstances (sitting or light activities, normal atmospheric environments).
For example, the KN95/N95 mask standard uses 85 L/min airflow to examine the filtration efficiency of a mask. The particulate concentration of NaCl used in the test is more than a thousand times the concentration of air particulates in the normal environment.
The filtration efficiency under this test condition will be very different with that under the normal environment. For example, the breathing volume of a person during light activity is only about 8 L/min; under the airflow of 8 L/min, the filtration efficiency of a certain mask is 99.7%, but the filtration efficiency may be only about 95% under the airflow of 85 L/min.
In order to meet the standard, many KN95/N95 masks use two layers of meltblown non-woven fabric, but if the total leakage rate of the mask exceeds 1%, the mask with two layers of meltblown fabric has almost the same protective performance as the mask with single layer of meltblown fabric in the conventional circumstance. Because of the high breathing resistance, it is not as good as the mask with a single layer of meltblown fabric.
The KN95/N95 mask standard is not very demanding in terms of total leakage rate and respiratory resistance. For all kinds of masks that meet the KN95/N95 mask standards, the total leakage rate will vary by ten times, and the respiratory resistance will vary by two to three times. The total leakage rate and respiratory resistance are the two most important parameters for selecting masks. The total leakage rate determines the protective performance of the mask. When the respiratory resistance is high, it not only affects the protection index, but also may do harm. For example, many KN95/N95 are not suitable for the elderly and children.
There is another parameter that is not mentioned in all mask standards, and that is the filtration efficiency decay. The filtration efficiency of some KN95/N95 masks may not reach 95% after storing for one year or even six months. For individuals, countries or regions that need to reserve respirators, attention should be paid to the problem of filtration efficiency decay.
Purchasing masks according to the current standards is like everyone choosing clothes of the same size and style and using them for all occasions. This is an urgent need for the world to work together to develop standards for the new-generation respirators, including subdivision standards suitable for different groups of people and different occasions.
5.5. Real-Time Virus Detection
Real-time virus detection is to discover new methods and develop novel equipment to rapidly detect virus concentration in real-time. The current nucleic acid test cannot be done in real time, and when the virus has mutated to a certain degree or a new virus appears, it will not be detected.
We have developed a real-time exhaled-gas particulate detector. If the virus concentration can be inferred from the particulate concentration, it can be used to help diagnose an infected person.
The next step is to develop a device for real-time detection of the virus concentration in the air, so that it can determine whether the virus concentration in the indoor place will cause infection, and thus issue an early warning. But this is hard work, and some people may even think that it is impossible to achieve within several years.
Miracles will only happen if you believe that there will be miracles.
When low-cost and high-performance real-time detectors for airborne virus concentration are developed and popularized, mankind would fully take the initiative in this war, and human society would completely return to normal.
6. Implementation of the New Route
6.1. We have produced some samples of the new-generation respirators (dozens to two hundred sets of some series), which will be supplied to more than 200 countries or regions around the world for testing and evaluation, and even replicating them in times of crisis.
6.2. Before the new-generation respirators are supplied in large quantities, it is recommended that people use the "mask brace plus surgical mask” to control the epidemic.
6.3. Due to insufficient production capacity in the early stage, we can only fully supply new-generation respirators in a few countries or regions with a population of less than 10 million. Real-world data on the use of new-generation respirators for epidemic prevention would be obtained, such as the relationship between the infection rate and the penetration rate of the new-generation respirator, the relationship between the infection rate and the HPI, and the relationship between the number of days that the population wears a new-generation respirator and the number of infections.
6.4. We will cooperate with some countries or regions that end the epidemic by popularizing new-generation respirators to establish production bases to realize the local production of most new-generation respirators, and even export them to other countries or regions with severe epidemics.
6.5. For countries with a shortage of vaccines, vaccines can be supplied priority to people who are inconvenient to wear respirators, such as those in the entertainment industry and sports circles. Others use new-generation respirators against COVID-19. The combination of the two routes can end the epidemic as soon as possible, while reducing the potential risks of the vaccine route. Even if a mutant virus that triggers the ADE effect appears in the future, it will be easy to control.
6.6. Countries or regions with low vaccination rates and low infection rates can prevent outbreaks by popularizing new-generation respirators, and it is also convenient to trace the source of infection through antibody testing.
6.7. The initial production capacity of face-shield PAPR is limited, and it will be supplied priority to healthcare workers around the world to try to achieve zero infection of healthcare workers.
6.8. The initial production capacity of filtering PAPR is limited, and it will be supplied to international flights in priority to prevent the variants of SARS-CoV-2 from spreading to the world through international flights.
6.9. We will cooperate with some countries or regions to accelerate the research and development of real-time virus detection technology.
6.10. When all countries and regions use new-generation respirators to control the epidemic, the world can basically return to normal.
6.11. When the real-time detection technology for viruses in the air is successfully developed and popularized, humans will be able to deal with any kind of virus.
We are racing against time. Before the emergence of a super virus, we need to popularize new-generation respirators (PPI 30~100) by all people, and popularize new-generation respirators with a higher index (PPI ~10000) among occupational groups with a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (accounting for 1%~5% of the total population). When the super virus comes, disasters can be avoided.
Herd immunity cannot deal with the super virus, but herd protection can deal with it easily.
7. Remarks
After reading this article, you may be surprised, why very few people planned to create high-performance low-cost respirators, no one pointed out the problems of masks, and no one thought of and discussed this new route.
When people despise the virus and think that vaccines can easily solve the COVID-19 pandemic, any discussion of future risks becomes out of date. When there is only one voice in the world, very few individuals or companies will look for other ways to solve the COVID-19 pandemic. And even if it is developed, it will face the problem of promotion. When the vaccine route fails, it is already too late to find other solutions. Humans will pay an extremely heavy price.
In a society lacking risk awareness, taking precautions is often regarded as unfounded worry. The social division of labor also makes many people know little about knowledge outside of their professional fields, even if this knowledge is related to their own lives and health. People are more inclined to believe in authority, but lack the motivation to discover the truth by themselves. As a result, very few people have noticed the obvious problems in masks, and even many mask manufacturers have not noticed those problems.
When people believe in authority and there is only one voice in the world, it becomes extremely difficult to discover new routes.
Fortunately, we have made this new route from impossible to possible.
Today, I hope that people put aside all kinds of prejudices, and work together to solve the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that more people are aware of the problems and dangers facing the world, and prepare well in advance before the dangers come.
Doning Young (Yang Dongning), PhD
Founder & CEO of Sumfound Technology
September 4, 2021