Consider these things when choosing a face mask

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC recommends every individual, both sick and healthy, to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many types of face coverings exist, and each one of them has different levels of effectiveness. 

Image source: hackensackmeridianhealth.org


A person carrying COVID-19 can spread the virus through droplets by sneezing, coughing, and talking, especially when they are not wearing any form of face covering. Face masks are supposed to cover the nose and the mouth in order to block droplets from spreading. Cloth or fabric masks can be washed and reused. However, these get wet and dirty more easily compared to other masks, says Lisa M. Cannon, M.D.

Health care professionals and individuals accompanying sick loved ones in the hospital or 
other medical facilities are required to wear N95 masks. These masks filter out 95 percent of liquids and particles that have a chance of reaching the mouth and the nose. Some N95 masks are reusable while others are for single use only. Hospitals and other facilities do not allow individuals whose masks have one-way valves to enter their premises as these only protect the wearer from the virus and other particles, but expose others to the danger of catching the dreaded virus as the wearer could be spreading it through the valve. 

Image source: theconversation.com

While single-use only, surgical masks offer the best protection, says Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. It protects a wearer from splashes that could enter the nose and the mouth when coming in contact with others. Surgical masks are also known for filtering out particles and ensuring droplets from the wearer are not released or spread.

Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. is a board-certified specialist in pulmonary disease, critical care, and sleep medicine. She obtained her medical degree from New York Medical College and received her board certifications in critical care in 1998, in internal medicine in 2006, and pulmonary disease in 2007. To read more from Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., head over to this page.

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