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Surgical Masks and you:
How to stay protected even as COVID-19 evolves.
COVID-19 has had more than a year to adapt.
And now, more infectious variants of COVID-19 have emerged!
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It’s no surprise that we need to start thinking about what constitutes a better mask.
Now, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated their recommendation for masks.
The key number to remember is 95!
Masks should have a bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of over 95%.
This means that inexpensive, thin cloth masks are no longer going to cut it by themselves.
There are three main kinds of masks (mask types) on the market today:
Medical 3 Ply masks, N95 masks and Reusable masks.
1. Medical Grade 3 Ply Surgical Masks
There are many single-use masks out there. Here’s the most important statistic to watch out for: make sure yours is 3-ply! 3-ply surgical masks provide much more protection while remaining comfortable to wear.
Our 3-ply masks actually reach 98% BFE and are trusted in medical workplaces.
On the other hand, do not use single-ply masks. They are so thin that they cannot block airborne droplets effectively. Check out the following standards to make sure your medical mask is rated to an established standard:
EN 14683, ASTM F2100 and YY 0469.
2. N95 and KN95 Disposable Respirators
For the best non-powered option, choose a an N95 or KN95 respirator. These two types of masks provide similar levels of protection; they are just evaluated using different criteria.
What's a respirator? They're like masks, but form a tight seal around your mouth and nose. This makes them more effective at blocking airborne particles, keeping you much safer than a standard mask.
Hospitals trust N95 masks because they provide the best possible seal. And as an added bonus, they prevent you from touching your own face to a much larger degree than regular masks. This drastically cuts down any contamination risks from your hands.
3. Reusable Cloth Masks
Reusable masks come in a variety of types. One example is the recent KFC face mask that was on promotion a month or two ago.
The main thing to note is that reusable masks should contain at least two layers of material. This is to add an extra degree of protection from droplets entering your mouth and nose. If your reusable mask has an extra pocket to insert filters, that’s even better!
Do note the following tips regarding reusable mask maintenance:
- They are good for around 30 washes. Be sure to wash them after each day of wear!
- Lay masks in soap water and rinse. Do not pull, stretch or scrub masks as it can interfere with the integrity of the mask.
4. AVOID Valved Masks!
While masks with valves are easier to breathe in, they defeat the purpose of wearing masks in a pandemic. They allow breath escape into your surroundings, which can be deadly if the wearer has COVID-19.
Avoid buying these!
In summary:
Point 1:
Look for 3-ply reusable masks!
Point 2:
N95 and KN95 masks offer the best protection!
Point 3:
Wear reusable masks that have at least two layers of fabric, or a filter pocket.
We hope this article has been informative for you!
For any more mask queries you may have, we will be happy to assist you.
Speak to us via our site using live chat today!