CDC says N95 masks offer the best protection against omicron variant but stops short of saying every
Source: Washington Post
CDC says N95 masks offer the best protection against omicron variant but stops short of saying everyone should wear them
Updated guidance stops ranks effectiveness of different types of masks.
By Lena H. Sun
Today at 6:03 p.m. EST|Updated today at 6:26 p.m. EST
This article is free to access.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided its most explicit guidance to date Friday on the superior protection offered by N95 masks compared to cloth coverings and other masks.
But the agency stopped short of recommending that people opt for N95 masks in updating its mask guidance. Officials have always maintained that the best mask is the one that fits well and is worn consistently.
The latest CDC information ranks the different levels of protection afforded by different masks and how they should be used. “Loosely woven cloth coverings” offer the least protection, the updated guidance says. Well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95 masks offer more protection. And well-fitting respirators, including N95 masks, which are approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “offer the highest level of protection.”
Both N95 and KN95s are considered respirators that filter out most virus particles — and come with markings to indicate they are authentic. Both types of masks must form a seal to the face to work properly.
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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/01/14/cdc-masks-best-protection-guidance/