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Health

Shopping for KN95 or N95 face masks to protect yourself from COVID-19? Know this first

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More-infectious variants of the coronavirus and new federal requirements have people rethinking the quality of their face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 until more people can be vaccinated.

Starting Feb. 2, 2021, masks are required on planes, buses, trains and all public transportation hubs in the United States.

For all of Oregon, face coverings are required for everyone 5 and older in indoor public spaces and outdoors anywhere physical distancing isn’t possible.

Not everyone needs medical-grade N95 filters, but Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage everyone not at risk to wear a face covering with at least two layers of protection when around people not in their household.

Other health experts recommend most people wear a tightly woven face covering over a disposable surgical mask.

See The Oregonian/OregonLive’s coronavirus coverage

The face coverings should be well-fitted over your nose and mouth (review the CDC’s “seal check”) and you should sanitize or wash your hands when handling masks. Do not touch the mask when wearing it.

People who have been exposed to the coronavirus, have health issues or live in areas with high transmission rates can better protect themselves and others by wearing a certified N95 mask that filters 95% of aerosols people emit when coughing, sneezing, breathing and talking.

But where can you find N95s that meet the highest standards? And how can you keep the cost down? N95 masks were about 50 cents a piece before the coronavirus pandemic, but now prices are around $2 each for KN95 masks imported from China and around $5 for a N95 mask made in the U.S. (A 3M-brand valve-less N95 respirator is $1.41 in an eight-pack at Home Depot.)

David Sugar of Ashland was part of a friend’s group email asking if anyone would like to buy N95 masks in bulk through Costco (100 masks at $3.20 each). But Sugar and his wife, Skye, already had a supply of 3M-brand filters, which they purchased when smoke blanketed Ashland two years ago.

They wear layered cloth masks with a pocket in which they insert the N95 filter when they need to go inside a public place.

A recent study of 10 types of face coverings found that cloth and blue surgical masks partially filter the small COVID-19-spreading particles known as aerosols that people emit, according to Harvard Medical School health experts.

As the number in the name indicates, N95 masks made to U.S. standards and KN95 imported from China, are intended to filter at least 95% of airborne particles.

“Actually a type of respirator, an N95 mask offers more protection than a surgical mask does because it can filter out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

While N95 and KN95 face masks were hard to get and were being reserved mostly for front-line medical workers at the beginning of the pandemic last year, supplies of these items have expanded recently and more people have been ordering them online for personal use.

Before you buy, see the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved products listed by brand and make sure the manufacturer has a NIOSH certificate.

See other federal guidance on mask standards.

The FDA has a list of non-NIOSH-approved KN95 respirator models approved for emergency use during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

N95 respirators are intended to be used once and then properly disposed of and replaced with a new N95 respirator.

Here are N95 or KN95 respirators available to purchase online right now:

AOK N95 mask: This $2.99 mask at Well Before is sold out but you can be notified when they’re in stock again.

BLSCode KN95 protective mask ($1.33 each if purchased in a 60-pack, individually wrapped for $79.74 through Amazon): The mask is made of two layers of non-woven cloth, two layers of melt-blown fabric and one layer of hot air cotton with an adjustable metal nose bridge wire. Read more about KN95s

Home Depot has N95 and KN95 as well as reusable cloth masks. Avoid the N95 masks with a valve or vent. A six-pack of 3M disposable, valve-less N95 respirators is $8.46, or $1.41 a mask.

Kimtech (Kimberly Clark) N95 pouch respirator ($3.99 each from Well Before): The NIOSH-certified mask has a large, duckbill-style breathing chamber and foam headband to maximize comfort. There is also a bendable nosepiece for a consistent seal.

N95 Medical Supplies has three-ply surgical masks as well as N95 and KN95 masks. The ALG hard-cup shell N95 mask with NIOSH approval is sold in a 25-pack for $99.99.

Portland-based Protectly has U.S.-made surgical, N95 and KN95 masks by 3M, Fangtian, Moldex, 3PE and Medline with a 100% guaranteed. Take 23% off Respokare’s N95, NIOSH-approved mask at $5 each in a five- or 30-pack.

Powecom KN95 face mask: The FDA emergency-use authorized mask has multi-layer protection. Available in a 10-pack for $12.94 from Amazon.

Respokare Niosh N95 respirator (10-pack for $89.99 from N95MaskCo.com): This mask design by personal protective equipment company Innonix has patented multilayer, anti-viral technology that blocks 95% of small (.3 micron) particles and is said to inactivate up to 99.9% within minutes. Also available in a 5-pack for $49.99 or a 20-pack for $179.99.

Well Before KN95 mask by the company formerly known as Honest PPE Supply: Individually wrapped, the disposable mask has a five-layer design and adjustable nosepiece. Available for $1.99 each but must be purchased in 10 packs. Kid-size masks are also available.

Xiantao Zhongyi N95 respirator mask (20-pack for $179.99 at n95maskco.com): The NIOSH-certified, cup-style mask can be purchased in a box of 1,000 for $6,999.

There are more N95 and KN95 masks available at Amazon and Sears.

Now that we’ve been wearing face coverings for nearly a year, it could be time to replace masks that have been washed frequently (check manufacturers’ guidance) or don’t fit as well as they should.

Before you mask in a bandana or neck gaiter, read this: Evaluation is ongoing on the effectiveness of those types of face coverings in preventing droplets and particles from spreading the coronavirus. At the very least, double up the fabric when in poorly ventilated areas or if you’re unable to safely keep your distance from others.

Face shields, folded handkerchiefs and masks with exhalation valves or vents are also discouraged since they may not be effective enough barriers.

Layers of washable face coverings should also not be see-through.

What to use if you are not at risk? Two or more tightly woven layers of washable, breathable fabric. The mask should completely cover your nose and mouth, and it should fit snugly against the side of your face and have no gaps, says the CDC.

Here are some retailers’ reusable masks offerings:

Amazon has an ever-changing supply of washable and U.S.-made disposable protective masks. The online retailer also has antimicrobial masks and sells PM 2.5 activated carbon filter inserts (100 pack for $21.99).

American Eagle has reusable masks made with two layers and an antimicrobial finish. Youth face masks are on sale and come in a variety of prints and patterns. Twenty percent of mask sales were donated to the Crisis Text Line.

Backcountry has its own line of face masks to have handy when you pass someone on the trail. Also, men’s, women’s and kids clothing plus hiking, camping, biking, climbing, running fly-fishing and paddling gear is up to 50% off during the winter sale.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has “sportmasks” face masks by Under Armour and other fitness brands. Also found at underarmour.com

Fanatics has adult and youth-size face coverings to cheer on every sports team, especially Oregon’s teams.

Disney has Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars character-theme face masks in small, medium and large (see measuring chart) and the company is donating one million cloth face masks for children and families in underserved and vulnerable communities across the U.S. through MedShare.

Spacemask offers three layers of antibacterial nanotech fabric yarn that is said to protect from dangerous particles, droplets, dust, smog, pollen and mold. The washable, contoured Advanced Nanotech Premium face mask is $19. The company pledges to donate 5,000 masks.

School MaskPack has color-coded, Crayola-branded reusable masks ($29.99 for a five-pack for kids, $39.99 for teens and adult sizes) that come with their own mesh laundry bag to keep them together in the washing machine. The masks have adjustable ear straps to securely fit a wide variety of face shapes and sizes. The company is donating 1% of net sales to No Kid Hungry, DonorsChoose and Heart of America.

MasQd has coverings for adults plus a kids collection with themes of green camouflage, rainbow hearts, space, unicorns, cars, puppies and solid colors ($17 each ) plus mask filters (20-pack for $27).

The Gap has masks with filter pockets in adult sizes and kid-friendly ones with themes like Hello Kitty, Jurassic Park, Ninja Turtles, Justice League and Minions (3-pack starts at $5). The company pledges to give away 50,000 masks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Canada.

The Odells has handmade, washable masks in adult and kid sizes made of a cotton blend with adjustable, behind-the-ear straps with an interior pocket sized to fit a PM2.5 filter ($10). Each mask sold supports 10 meals for hungry children and adults.

Walmart has cotton face coverings for adults and kids on sale. A five-pack of reusable face masks in a washable polyester-blend for ages 3-10 is $10.99 (regular price is $21).

— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman



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Health

US coronavirus: CDC says travelers must wear masks on all forms of public transportation

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The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

The coverings must be worn over both the nose and mouth while waiting, boarding, traveling and disembarking, it said. The masks need to be at least two or more layers of breathable fabric and needs to be secured to the head with ties, ear loops or elastic bands, according to the order.

The CDC said it reserves the right to enforce the order through criminal penalties, but it “strongly encourages and anticipates widespread voluntary compliance” and expects support from other federal agencies to implement the order.

As the US death toll from Covid-19 tops 436,000 people, the Biden administration has already called for 100 days of mask usage as well as an increase in the allotment of vaccine doses for each state by 16% in hopes of managing the impacts of the virus that has made January the deadliest month of the pandemic.

Variants could dominate the pandemic going forward

And though vaccines are making their way to the public, health experts say the nation faces many more months of the pandemic, and the spread of variants has raised alarm.

More than 400 cases of a coronavirus variant first identified in the UK have been reported across the US, and health experts say new strains like it could soon become dominant.

At least 434 cases of the variant were detected across 30 states, the CDC said Wednesday — that number is more than 100 more than the cases reported just days before.

The UK variant as well as another first identified in South Africa have worried officials and experts because they are more easily transmitted than the strain the US has been fighting so far. And as leaders race to get Americans vaccinated, they say the newer strains could spread quickly.

“The projection that is made with regard to the UK (variant) is that probably by the end of March, the beginning of April, it actually will become more dominant in this country,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during a White House news briefing on Friday.

“The fact is, when you have a virus that has ability to transmit more efficiently than the wild type in the community, sooner or later by pure viral dynamics itself, it will become more dominant than the wild type,” Fauci said.

The variants are likely to worsen the spread of coronavirus and add to the death toll, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington forecast Thursday.

Its model now projects 594,624 deaths by May 1, up from its previous forecast of 569,000 fatalities by that date.

And a rapid variant spread would take that number up to 620,000 by May 1, IHME said. In a worst-case scenario, nearly 654,000 Americans could be dead of Covid-19 by May 1, IHME warned.

Closing the vaccine gap while fighting new strains

To get a handle on the spread of the virus requires closing the gap between the number of available vaccine doses and those that have been administered, according to experts.

So far, at least 49,216,500 vaccine doses have been distributed and at least 27,884,661 doses of vaccine have been administered, according to the CDC.

Experts say they expect existing vaccines to be protective against new strains of the virus, but that the nature of the South African originating strain may make them less effective, adding another hurdle to the efforts to bring a sense of normalcy back to life in the US.

But officials have also said that they anticipate the production of new boosters or vaccines will have fast turnarounds, thanks to systems already in place.

Biotechnology company Novavax said it is developing a booster to protect against newly emerging strains.

On Thursday, the company announced its vaccine, known as NVX-CoV2373, was found to have an efficacy of 89.3% in a Phase 3 clinical trial conducted in the UK and the vaccine appeared to demonstrate clinical efficacy against some variants of the coronavirus.

In January, Novavax started developing boosters for the newer variants, and expects to select its ideal candidates in “the coming days.”

“The company plans to initiate clinical testing of these new vaccines in the second quarter of this year,” Novavax said.

CNN’s Jen Christensen, Rebekah Riess, Lauren Mascarenhas, Michael Nedelman and Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.

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Health

What to know about layering up with double masks to avoid COVID-19

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You might start seeing more people wear double masks, and the philosophy behind that is that layers provide greater filtration and better protection, according to a Maryland infectious disease expert.

You might start seeing more people wear double masks, and the philosophy behind that is that layers provide greater filtration and better protection, according to a Maryland infectious disease expert.

“Additional layers provide additional filtration, and therefore protection to the mask wearer,” said Dr. Gregory Schrank, an infectious disease physician and associate epidemiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

“From these masks, whether it be multilayer, multilayer with a filter placed in between, or multiple masks — that protection afforded by having multiple layers and additional filtration is really what we see as a benefit to the mask wearer,” said Schrank, who is also an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Schrank stressed that masks should fit firmly with no gaps along the bridge of the nose, cheeks or chin.

“But, we want to make sure the mask is comfortable, as well, for people, so that they are more likely to wear it and continue to use it throughout the day,” he said.

Schrank does not recommend wearing gaiters that are typically made of thin cloth and might hang down the neck loosely.

“The degree of filtration from wearing those is much reduced,” he said.

Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that during cold weather, balaclavas, scarves and ski masks are not substitutes for masks. It recommends wrapping your scarf, or wearing a ski mask or balaclava over your mask.

You can find comprehensive mask wearing guidance on the CDC website.

WTOP has contacted the CDC for comment on whether it’s in the process of developing mask filtration standards.

Even though vaccinations against COVID-19 are underway in Maryland, Virginia and D.C., Schrank said it’s unlikely the area will begin to see an effect on community transmission until a much larger portion of the population has been vaccinated.

Citing Israel as an example, Schrank said a very large percentage of the community there has been vaccinated, and there’s some suggestion it may be beginning to have an impact on transmission.

But the U.S. still has far to go.

“So, until we get to that point, continue good adherence to masking and physical distancing — and the other guidance we’ve been recommending throughout the pandemic is so important, especially as we see these potentially more transmittable strains emerge in different parts of the world,” he said.

More Coronavirus news

Looking for more information? D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each releasing more data every day. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C.

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Health

Idaho women wears burka to City Council meeting to ‘protest’ face masks

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An Idaho woman went on a bizarre rant at a local city council meeting saying she had to wear a “freaking burka” so she could avoid wearing face masks while attending college classes on campus.

A woman who identified herself as Katie Dugger voiced her frustration about the mask mandate and shared why masks had been a burden in her life during a city council meeting in Lewiston, Idaho on Monday.

Dugger, wearing a colorful outfit with a headscarf over her head complained that she took off a semester from school because she didn’t want to wear a mask.

“I took last semester off at LCSC (Lewis-Clark State College) because of all this nonsense because I can not wear a mask,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter why but it is very traumatizing for me to put on a mask, because of something that happened to me when I was a kid.”

Dugger went on to explain why she was chose to wear her eccentric outfit instead of wearing a mask.

“I’m wearing this because the only way I could go to school today was because I had to act like I had on a freaking burka and go like this so I could go to school and cover my face like I am a Muslim because I can breathe through this at least,” she said.

“This is thin enough that I can breathe through it. The way for me to go to school and get my education is I have to dress like a freaking Muslim,” the woman added.

Dugger also downplayed the vaccine during the rant.

“If they want to get a vaccine, let them get a vaccine and get Bell’s palsy and fall over dead two weeks later,” she claimed.

Idaho has reported over 161,000 COVID-19 cases and 1,714 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.



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Health

Harvard health expert makes case for everyone to wear N95 masks

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A health expert from Harvard made his case Tuesday that everyone in the U.S. should wear N95 face masks in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Joseph G. Allen, the director of the Healthy Buildings program at the university, penned an op-ed in the Washington Post and said there’s “no reason any essential worker—and really, everyone in the country – should go without masks that filter 95%.”

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His pitch came a day after Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top disease expert in the U.S., said in an interview that wearing two cloth masks “likely” offers more protection for the wearer.

“So if you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective. That’s the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an N95.”

President Biden said Tuesday that masks are “the best defense against COVID-19” in the coming months as his administration acquires a sufficient supply of vaccine to innoculate the majority of Americans.

“The brutal truth is, it’s going to take months before we can the majority of Americans vaccinated – months,” Biden said. “In the next few months, masks, not vaccines, are the best defense against COVID-19. Experts say that wearing masks from now just until April would save 50,000 lives that otherwise would pass away if we don’t wear these masks.”

Fauci’s comment was criticized on social media. Some asked why the country wasn’t told to wear double masks earlier on in the outbreak, and others asked– with that logic– wouldn’t three masks be more effective than two?

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Scientists continue to learn more about the disease can be transmitted. The Wall Street Journal reported that one year into the pandemic, we know that mask-wearing and good airflow inside buildings are more effective in preventing transmission than surface cleaning.

Allen wrote that if two people wore N95s it would result in a “greater than 99% reduction in exposure.”

“Think about that for a minute. We could reduce exposure by 99 percent for what should be $1 a mask. (Prices are higher now because of the failure to produce an adequate supply.) Throw in better ventilation and some distance between people, and you have hospital-grade protections,” he wrote.

Fox News’ Thomas Barrabi contributed to this report

 

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Health

Covid-19 masks: Which mask is best for you, and when to use it

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But instead of what pattern, logo or slogan you display, choose your mask based on its effectiveness against the deadly coronavirus in the environment you are in.

Working closely with government agencies, industry stakeholders and ASTM International, an international technical standards organization, the standards will apply to filter efficiency, sizing and fit, cleaning and recommended period of use or reuse.

For now, here’s a breakdown of respirators and masks based on current scientific knowledge, and what experts are saying on how to best use them.

N95-type masks

Made from fibers woven with an electrical charge that can trap errant particles — like a sock that sticks to your pants in the dryer — studies have shown N95-type respirators are currently at the top of the line when it comes to filtering large and small particles. Masks in this category are also known as “filtering facepiece respirators” or “disposable respirators.”

What would happen if every American wore an N95-type mask for four weeks in risky settings like being indoors?

“It would stop the epidemic,” Dr. Abraar Karan, an internal medicine physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

N95 respirators come in many sizes to accommodate various face shapes. When fitted to the wearer’s face and worn properly, N95-type masks can trap 95% of particles around 0.3 microns, studies have shown. SARS CoV-2 can be as small as 0.1 micron in diameter — that’s about 4 millionths of an inch.

While it may seem that N95 filters would miss the tiny Covid particles, that’s not so. Most bits of virus exit the lungs encased inside larger respiratory droplets, typically much bigger than 0.3 microns.

Even those that become aerosolized are easily captured. Due to a natural phenomenon called Brownian motion, such minute particles don’t travel in straight lines. Instead they bounce around in a zigzag fashion and are easily caught in the N95’s electrostatic filter.
While some experts are calling for a nationwide rollout of N95 masks, such masks are currently reserved for health care professionals on the front lines of caring for Covid-19 patients. That’s partly due to a shortage of such masks, which are designed to be worn once and discarded, but also due to the training needed to fit and wear the mask properly.

“In a health care setting, there’s an advantage because there’s a degree of sophisticated training to inform people how to properly wear respirators which doesn’t exist in a public setting,” NPPTL’s Szalajda said.

According to the CDC, a few other respirators also meet or exceed the 95% efficacy level: the N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99 and P100 masks. Some of these devices — which can look like gas masks — have received an emergency use authorization and can be used in nonsurgical settings during shortages of N95 masks.

The N95 mask — and its sisters and brothers — is best fitted to a person’s unique facial contours on a bare face to keep the seal tight. Then the mask must be worn properly, despite the fact that such high filtration can make breathing more difficult. N95-type masks have a much higher breathing resistance than simple surgical or fabric masks.

“I’ve seen people with a full beard wearing the N95, or they’re wearing the 95 upside down, or they just have it over their mouth and not their nose and mouth because it’s easier to breathe when you’re not covering your nose,” Szalajda said.

Note: Beware of N95 masks with exhalation valves in them, since those valves put your airflow back into the environment. Also beware of knockoff N95s being sold on the internet and at some commercial stores.

The CDC’s NIOSH lists dozens of counterfeit masks being sold as N95 or NIOSH-approved masks on its website, and offers the following advice on how to be sure you are not buying a fraudulent product:
  • NIOSH-approved respirators carry an approval label on or within the packaging of the respirator and on the mask itself.
  • NIOSH-approved respirators will always have one of the following designations: N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99 or P100.
  • You can verify the approval number on the agency’s equipment list or trusted-source page to determine if the respirator has been approved by NIOSH.

Europe’s FFP2

In response to the spread of new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus, some European countries are mandating the use of FFP1 and FFP2 masks — which stand for “filtering facepiece respirator.”

  • Note: The “P” means the mask is strongly resistant to oil and can be used to protect against nonoily and oily aerosols. In comparison, the “N” on N95 means the mask is not resistant to oil and can’t be used in an oil droplet environment (such as drilling for oil).

An FFP1 filter has a minimum filtration efficiency of 80%, an FFP2 is 94% effective and a FFP3 is 99% effective against airborne infectious diseases.

Last week the German state of Bavaria mandated that citizens use FFP2 masks when shopping in stores and traveling on public transport. The German government then followed that lead, requiring everyone in the country to wear either FFP1 or FFP2 masks while at work, in shops or traveling on public transport.

France is also requiring citizens to leave homemade masks behind. Now single-use surgical FFP1 masks and more protective FFP2 filtering facepiece respirators are required in all public places. France is also allowing people to use commercial fabric masks certified to filter 90% of particles greater than or equal to 3 microns. Citizens are told to look for the “filtration guarantee” logo when buying such masks.

KN95 and similar filtering facepiece respirators

The KN95 masks, which are certified via Chinese standards, also filter out and capture 95% of 0.3 micron particles. But there are differences: Filter layers of N95 respirators were “8-fold thicker and had 2-fold higher dipole charge density than that of KN95 respirators,” a study published in December found.
These KN95 masks are not certified by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, but a few manufacturers of KN95 masks have been given emergency use approval to be used in health care settings in the US.
The company 3M, which makes many filtering facepiece respirators, put out a document comparing N95 and European FFP2 respirators to the Chinese KN95, the Australia-New Zealand P2, the Korean 1st Class and the Japanese DS2 and found all of them “similar” in regard to “filtering non-oil-based particles such as those resulting from wildfires, PM (small particle) 2.5 air pollution, volcanic eruptions, or bioaerosols (e.g. viruses).

“However, prior to selecting a respirator,” the 3M document said, “users should consult their local respiratory protection regulations and requirements or check with their local public health authorities for selection guidance.”

Surgical-grade masks

Designed to be used by surgeons and other health care professionals, surgical-grade masks are loose-fitting, disposable devices meant to “help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria), keeping it from reaching your mouth and nose,” according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

They do not “filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures,” the FDA stressed.

“Surgical masks weren’t meant to perform the functions of the respirator,” said NPPTL’s Szalajda. “They’re not intended to be protection from inhalation particles but from contact with body fluids.”

True medical-grade masks are made of three layers of nonwoven fabric typically made from plastic. The colored top layer of fabric is made of medical-grade spunbond polypropylene, which is a resin polymer heat-bonded into a weblike structure.

Surgical masks also have small, bendable wires to help the mask stay in place, and are often tied behind the head or secured with ear ties. This design doesn’t make for a particularly great fit, especially compared to the N95, according to Szalajda.

Surgical masks are one-time use only, and if they are soiled or breathing becomes difficult, the mask should be carefully discarded and replaced, the FDA said.

Homemade cloth masks

The most common mask in use among the general public today is a fabric mask, often homemade. Effectiveness depends on the type of fabric used and the number of layers of cloth. These masks can be as little as 26% effective.

According to the CDC, “multiple layers of cloth with higher thread counts have demonstrated superior performance compared to single layers of cloth with lower thread counts, in some cases filtering nearly 50% of fine particles less than 1 micron.”

That’s good news — studies have detected SARS‐CoV‐2 in aerosols between 1 and 4 microns.

A study published last September examined the ability of cotton, polyester and silk to repeal moisture when used in masks or as mask inserts.

“We found that silk face coverings repelled droplets in spray tests as well as disposable single-use surgical masks,” the authors wrote, adding that silk masks “can be more breathable than other fabrics that trap humidity, and are re-useable via cleaning.”

Whatever the fabric, look for a tight weave, according to studies. Use the light test to check the weave: If you can easily see the outline of the individual fibers when you hold up the mask to the light, it’s not likely to be effective.

You can also add filters to your fabric mask, according to the CDC. Some are made from polypropylene, the plastic that produces static cling; others from silver or copper, which have antimicrobial properties. Studies on the effectiveness of inserts, however, are rare, so guidance is limited.

To up their odds, people have begun layering fabric masks over surgical ones for added protection.

President Joseph R. Biden has been seen wearing two masks on numerous occasions. On Inauguration Day, Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten Glezman, took a selfie double-masking and inaugural poet Amanda Gorman wore a surgical mask beneath her Prada version.

It’s a behavior advocated by Joseph Allen, an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the director of the school’s Healthy Buildings program.

“A surgical mask with a cloth mask on top of it can get you over 91% removal efficiency for particles,” Allen recently told Dr. Gupta’s team.

It makes good sense to double mask, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, now chief medical adviser to Biden.

“If you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective and that’s the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an N95.” Fauci told NBC’s Savannah Guthrie.

But pay attention to fit on any mask, Allen told CNN last fall. “You want the mask to go over the bridge of the nose, below the chin and be flush on the face, resting along the skin.”

Face shields, bandanas, gaiters, ski masks and scarves

Certain items fail to provide a sufficient barrier against Covid-19 and other viruses and should not be worn as a means of significant protection, according to the CDC.

Don’t wear scarfs or knitted ski masks as a protective measure, the CDC says. Do not wear a face shield without a mask, the agency advises, as it won’t protect against tiny airborne droplets that can float under and inside the shield. And forget bandanas and neck gaiters.

A 2020 study by Duke University looked at 14 commonly available face coverings. Not surprisingly, the fitted N95 was judged most effective, followed by three-layer surgical masks. But the study found folded bandanas, knitted masks and neck gaiters did not offer much protection at all.

In fact, gaiter masks, also known as neck fleeces, actually increased the transmission of respiratory droplets.

CNN’s Keri Enriquez and Eliza Mackintosh contributed to this story.

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Health

COVID-19: Wearing Two Masks Better Than One, Creates Obstacle Course For Virus, CDC Says

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Face masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but you could be getting more protection out of them by wearing two.

Research shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) recently noted the increased effectiveness of multi-layered masks or wearing two masks compared to a single-layer or just one mask.

Multi-layer cloth masks can block up to 50-70 percent of fine droplets and particles and limit the forward spread of those captured.

The message is pressing in the United States where more than 400,000 people have died due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. This is the most deaths from COVID-19 reported by any country. The closest any other country has come to the U.S. fatality toll is Brazil, where more than 211,000 people have died due to the virus, according to Statista.

Early adopters of double masks include President-elect Joe Biden and NFL coaches, according to CBSNews.

“Experimental and epidemiological data support community masking to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2,” the CDC said. “Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation.”

The CDC said that medical and cloth face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19 predominantly by trapping respiratory droplets generated by coughs, sneezes, singing, and talking from passing on to other people. Masks also reduce inhalation of other people’s droplets.

Wearing two masks, or multi-layered cloth masks creates an “obstacle course” for the virus to make its way into the air, explained CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida in an interview.

According to the CDC, the best face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are non-valved, multi-layered cloth masks. It is important that everyone wears a mask, even if they are feeling healthy, as COVID-19 can be asymptomatic in some people, the CDC said. You can spread the virus without ever being aware that you were sick. Asymptomatic people account for 50 percent of virus transmissions, the CDC said.

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