Stupid question about masks

[XanaDUer2]

I have surgical masks. What side is worn facing out the blue side or white side?

[unblock]

1. Colored side out. Or so I've been told.

I am not a doctor....

[cyclonefence]

2. As someone who sews,

I look at where the "right" side is, where the outer layer is turned back in a seam or hem. Using this test, the blue side goes inside.

But what the hell. I don't think it makes one bit of difference.

[XanaDUer2]

4. I hope not, thanks nt

[wnylib]

15. But with masks, the blue side is face out.

[sl8]

3. Short version: colored side out. Longer version:

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/which-way-round-should-i-wear-my-surgical-face-mask/

Which Way Round Should a Surgical Face Mask Go?


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/04/15/fact-check-disposable-masks-should-always-worn-colored-side-out/2993699001/

Fact check: Disposable masks should always be worn colored-side-out

[XanaDUer2]

5. Ty! I should know this...

Had it on wrong

[3catwoman3]

6. Short answer - colored side goes out, whether blue, green, purple, etc.

If a mask is all white, feel for which side is softer to the touch. The softer side goes next to your face.

Lots of online info about this.

[SheltieLover]

7. Get 3M N95s!

[Quakerfriend]

8. Blue side out.

Hope u r feeling better, CD2.

[XanaDUer2]

10. Thanks

Mr X is on his 2nd dose of Pavloxid and I'm terrified of reinvention from him. Our apt is not that large. I'm doing my best to avoid him. This has been a nightmare, and it's not over

[wnylib]

16. In that case, a surgical mask alone is not

as good as the following options:

1. A snug fitting cloth mask worn over the surgical mask. Should have a metal clip at the nose to make it fit snugly there, too. This double masking closes up the gaps that a surgical mask leaves.

2. An N95 mask. They should fit very snugly at the nose, or have a metal nose clip to adjust the fit there. No need to wear a cloth mask over it because a good fitting N95 does not have the gaps that a surgical mask has. A "genuine" N95 has a NIOSH certification number stamped onto it. There are fakes on the market, so stick with known name brands like 3M or Honeywell. Usually have to order them online to get a good quantity, but you can buy them in smaller quantities ( 3 or 5 to a package) at some drug stores, or in larger quantities at stores like Home Depot where masks are sold for home improvement projects. They are sometimes labelled as "respirators" or "particulate" masks. Genuine ones will ALWAYS have a NIOSH certified number stamped on them.

[Tree Lady]

17. So sorry hope you don't get

My husband had it in August for 3 weeks, I thought he would never test negative. Then another 10 days of being weak. Finally normal now. He quit Paxlovid because he got super sick to stomach. Only took one day.

[XanaDUer2]

19. My bf is getting super sick to his stomach, too

I'm so worried it'll go back and forth. Thanks v for responding. Fingers crossed

[Ocelot II]

9. The blue side is out, but those things aren't that effective against covid.

Get N-95 or KN-95 masks, they are easy to get now and do a much better job of filtering than surgical or cloth masks.

[frogmarch]

11. Blue side out, according to the

picture on the package I bought.

[XanaDUer2]

12. Thank you

I have a generic-looking box. I'm trapped in a small apt with Mr X and I'm trying everything to stay safe

[multigraincracker]

13. Just to be safe, wear two with

one in each direction. That way you protect agains it going out and coming in.

[XanaDUer2]

14. Good idea

Its been over 2 weeks and I think I'm getting it again being in this apt. I have the patio door open

[sl8]

18. Everything I've seen says *not* to double surgical masks.

Two masks, yes, but not two surgical masks together. I recall seeing one test where two surgical masks were worse than just one. The tester said it was probably because 2 surgical masks double the air resistance, but does not improve the mask fit, therefore more air goes around the edges of the mask.

A cloth mask over a surgical mask is recommended.

Here's one of the first links I Googled, but I've seen the similar information in many places:

https://www.healthline.com/health/double-masking


Also, the reason you supposed to wear the surgical mask a certain way is because the outer layer is water repellent and the inner layer is water absorbent. The middle layer is the filtering layer and I'm pretty sure it filters equally well in either direction.