a bad material to make air filters from,” Sear said in a journal news release.
“In contrast, the filtering layer of an N95 mask is made from much smaller, 5-micrometer fibers with gaps that are 10 times smaller, making it much better for filtering nasty particles from the air, such as those containing virus,” Sear explains.
The signs of a good mask
Sear notes that good masks should feature the “two Fs: good filtration and good fit.”
“Surgical masks fit badly, so a lot of air goes unfiltered past the edges of the mask by the cheeks and nose,” Sear says.
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Knowing when to wear a mask
With mask mandates lifting in most places, it’s important to know when and how to protect yourself. Visit COVID-19 Community Levels, a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data.
RELATED: CDC Loosens Mask Guidelines as Omicron Surge Subsides
Additionally, this guide, provided by the CDC, will help you determine when you should consider wearing a face mask:
Low
- Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk
Medium
- If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness
- Talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions, such as wearing masks or respirators indoors in public
- If you live with or have social contact with someone at high risk for severe illness, consider testing yourself for infection before you get together and wearing a mask when indoors with them.
High
- Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings)
- If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness
- Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection
