How different masks protect against Covid-19, and its delta and lambda variants [View all]

[MisterNiceKitty]

https://qz.com/2042410/how-effective-masks-are-against-the-delta-variant/
By Clarisa Diaz
Published August 5, 2021 Last updated on August 19, 2021

"Masks help prevent the spread of infection, both with the original Covid-19 virus, and the delta variant that is taking hold of the US, and other variants like the lambda variant and those that will inevitably arise.

While mask mandates were lifted in some locations of the country months ago, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reversed its masking recommendations even for the vaccinated. Its mask guidelines now recommend that people in areas with high transmission wear masks indoors while in public. That’s because face masks reduce the transmission of the delta, lambda, and other Covid-19 variants as well as they do for the original Covid-19 virus. Mask wearing by vaccinated people reduces the risk of breakthrough infections."

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N95 masks offer the best protection against the Covid-19 virus and its delta variant. N95 masks filter 95% of particles in the air as small as 0.3 microns. The CDC says healthcare workers and other workers who work in hazardous conditions should have prioritized access to N95 masks. Only buy and use N95 masks if there’s an abundant supply in your area.

The next best option against Covid-19 is a KN95 mask, also filtering up to 95% of particles in the air as small as 0.3 microns in size. The difference between N95 and KN95 masks is how they are certified. N95 masks follow a US standard whereas KN95 masks follow a Chinese one. The standards are very similar, but the differences mean that N95 masks usually have headband straps, while KN95 masks have ear loops.

When purchasing KN95 masks, look to see if they meet requirements similar to those set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

According to the CDC, these masks are suitable for situations that require prolonged close contact with people who do not live in the same household, or for people who are at increased risk for severe illness.

The downsides to KN95 masks are that they can be uncomfortable, require more effort to breathe, and may not be readily available."

Other mask types are reviewed at link