With COVID case counts still high and potentially more-contagious variants spreading, it may be time to up your mask game. Doubling up is one solution, but N95s and other high quality masks still provide the best filtration.
Unfortunately, it’s still hard to find genuine N95s. The CDC continues to advise the general public to not buy N95s or surgical masks, because they are needed for healthcare workers. Even if you wanted to buy them, they’re scarce on the ground. In addition, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recently told CNN that she worries that if the CDC recommended N95s, people would find them uncomfortable and end up not wearing them.
Any mask is better than none, so it’s better to have a cloth mask on your face than an N95 in your pocket. With that in mind, here are some of your options if you’re looking for a high-quality mask.
A better cloth mask
Cloth masks should be well fitted to your face, so that you don’t have air leaking through gaps next to your nose or on the sides of your face. If you’re buying cloth masks, go for ones that have multiple layers or include a filter pocket (and then use filters with them).
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N95 masks
If you can find N95s, that’s great, but beware that counterfeit ones are out there. A legit N95 will have a NIOSH logo and an approval number, which you can double check on the NIOSH website. We’d also recommend looking over the CDC’s tips on spotting fakes. Real N95s will never have ear loops, decorations, or designations about being approved for children.
KN95 masks
KN95 masks are approved in China and are similar to N95s, but it’s also tough to get legitimate ones. A study from the ECRI institute found that 70% of the masks they tested that were labeled KN95 didn’t meet the standard.
The FDA has assembled a list of masks that are authorized for healthcare workers to use during the pandemic, including a few specific brands of KN95s.
KF94 masks
KF94 is a South Korean designation for a mask very similar to an N95. They are intended for use by the general public, and NPR reports that they’re both easier to find and cheaper than N95s.
FFP2 masks
The European equivalent of an N95 is the FFP2. In Germany, authorities now require these in some situations, like when riding on public transit.
Reusable elastomeric masks
Elastomeric masks are perhaps better known from home improvement projects than healthcare. They have a rubbery part that fits your face and replaceable filters that are often in the shape of discs.
The CDC allows them for healthcare workers, finding that they work well against the coronavirus. The filters aren’t designed to get wet, but as long as you keep them dry and clean, you can keep reusing the mask without having to throw anything away.
