Introduction
SECONDARY
Extensive evidence accumulated in 2020 revealing that surgical masks were effective in mitigating the spread of respiratory viral pathogens and specifically SARS-CoV-2, and these masks were similar in effectiveness to N95 filtering facemask respirators (The primary aim of this study is to compare the physiological effects of surgical masks on children and adults in the largest study on this topic to include physiologic endpoints. End tidal CO2 will be measured as the primary endpoint, with secondary endpoints of inspired CO2, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and heart rate. As the first to include broad age ranges, this study will investigate the relationship between age and mechanical dead space effects. Because a tidal volume brings in a large volume of fresh air, it is hypothesized that end tidal CO2 levels will remain within the normal range for all age groups. Because the dead space to tidal volume ratio is higher in pediatric patients (