Masks unmasked

Which mask provides the best protection against COVID-19?

WRITING AND ART by OLIvER FIcHTE

Looking back on the second anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, let’s appreciate what got us here (Hint: it’s on your face). Face masks have helped us through this difficult time, and we’ve seen them in multiple forms, from cloth masks to respirators. It’s time to settle once and for all: What is the best mask?

NECK GAITER

Thick cotton neck gaiters are the most effective of their kind, but not all of these masks provide good protection, as neck gaiters made of thin synthetic material do little to preserve your health. • Material is important • Many better alternatives

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, cloth masks were popular but have since been overtaken by surgical and KN95 masks. Many cloth masks are low quality, but some have tightly woven, multi-layered fabric or removable air filters, making them a more reliable option.

CLOTH MASK

• Ranges from very unsafe to somewhat safe • Safer with tighter fabric and air filters

SURGICAL MASK

Nowadays, these masks are very commonly used. They excel at preventing airborne transmission of viruses while remaining comfortably thin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they can leave the sides of the face exposed, but knotting the straps, folding in the material, and using a nose wire solve this problem. • Sufficient filtration and prevention of viral spread • Has nose wire, gaps on side can be closed

The N95 respirator is considered the king of masks, from viral protection to wildfire smoke filtration. With at least 95% protection against airborne particles coming from all directions (CDC), it’s easy to see why. The N95 respirator is made of the same particle-filtering materials as the KN95 and is also approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which assesses them based on an American standard. Correspondingly, it is also the most expensive.

KN95

KN95s use multiple layers of synthetic material to draw 95% of particles from the air, according to Stanford infectious disease physician Dr. Abraar Karan in an interview with NPR. They are made to meet standards set by China, but the CDC states that quality is often not a requirement, as 60% of all KN95 respirators are counterfeit. Regardless, they are a strong choice if you do your research. • Legitimate respirators are most effective • International/Chinese standards • Many counterfeits

N95

• Most effective against COVID-19 • Tends to be expensive • NIOSH-approved