Masks: Why We Wear Them For The Ones We Love
Whether you’re “ok” with them or not, face masks are here to stay… at least for a while. With the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, mask-wearing continues to be a huge part of our daily safety routine. The CDC now recommends that your mask have at least two layers of protection which could mean you may have to double mask to keep you, your community, and the ones you love safe.
Here are several mask options read on to decide which one might be best for you!
N95/KN95
N95 masks, as their name suggests, block 95% of all airborne particles. These masks which are designed to seal tightly around the nose and mouth are widely used in the healthcare and medical industry. N95 masks are not washable and must be discarded after each encounter with blood, respiratory or nasal secretions, and other bodily fluids. In April 2020, the FDA approved verified KN95 masks for healthcare and medical use as well.
In light of the spread of the more contagious COVID-19 variants, the CDC recommends N95/KN95 be reserved for medical and healthcare workers as supply continues to be strained.
Surgical Masks
Also known as medical masks, surgical masks are tight-fitting disposable masks that protect the wearer’s nose and mouth from contact with droplets, splashes, and aerosol sprays that may contain germs. Surgical masks may protect others by reducing exposure to the saliva and respiratory secretions of the mask wearer.
There are various opinions about how to wear a mask with two colors, blue or pink on one side and white on the other. Click here to learn more from the World Health Organization about how to properly wear and handle a surgical mask.
Cloth Face Masks
While regarded as the least effective in stopping the transmission of COVID-19, cloth masks are widely available, can be made at home, washable and reusable. Although cloth masks, surgical masks, face shields, and N95 all aid in slowing the spread of COVID-19. A cloth mask like a surgical mask is worn to help protect others from contracting the virus from the wearer. In contrast, an N95 mask helps protect the wearer from getting the virus from others.
With the increasing spread of more contagious COVID-19 variants, a number of brands are producing three-layer cloth masks to make them more effective. These new masks block out more particles without having to layer two masks and often feature a small wire within the top of the mask for a snug fit.
Plastic Face Shields
Although plastic face shields are widely used in hospitals and medical facilities they are also a great double mask option. Worn over a cloth or surgical mask plastic face shields provide an extra layer of protection from virus spread through airborne aerosol emissions. Fun styles are available for children too.
Demi Mask
Much like the plastic face shield, demi masks are great for blocking splatter, spit, and other aerosol particles. When worn on top of a cloth or surgical mask, the demi mask offers some layer of protection that helps to keep the base mask dry and functional. Demi masks are great when worn during beauty treatment procedures such as eyelash extensions.
ClearMask
ClearMasks seek to solve one of the main issues many still have with face coverings: conversations can often be hindered when the mouth is blocked from view, especially for those who rely on reading lips and facial expressions when talking to others. ClearMasks are transparent face masks that cover the nose and mouth to protect the wearer while also allowing for easier communication. They’re FDA approved and are currently being used in hospitals across the U.K. with great success.
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