KN95 Or Surgical Mask: Which Mask Type Offers The Best Protection Against The Omicron Variant?

by Victoria Marian Belmis / Jan 15, 2022 04:42 AM EST
A Young Woman Wearing a KN95 Mask

Wearing a mask is a critical tool to prevent getting and spreading the coronavirus, especially during this time when the world is seeing another surge of cases due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Masks and other respirators are proven to be effective in decreasing the chances of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. Take note that this is true when masks are worn correctly and consistently.

As there are quite a number of masks and respirators available, each of them offers different levels of protection, while some may be harder to wear consistently than others.

In order to protect yourself as well as everyone around you from COVID-19, it is recommended by health professionals that you wear the most protective mask available to you that fits well and you can wear consistently.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC suggests that properly-fitted respirators such as N95s, KN95, and the like, provide the highest level of protection, and it is important to wear them when in higher-risk situations or by individuals with high risk for disease.

Additionally, it is recommended that you wear a mask that is a proper fit over your nose and mouth to prevent leaks. So, remember to make sure your mask fits snugly against your face as gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask, putting you at risk.

Also, a standard-quality mask should have multiple layers of non-woven material and a nose wire. Triple-filter masks will stop more respiratory droplets from getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick.

You may also check out quality KN95 masks that meet the standards for your extra protection against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Lastly, it is also quite important to note that any mask is better than no mask.

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