They’re especially good for high-risk occasions, like a plane ride or spending a long period of time in a crowded enclosed space. Imported KN95 masks, the Chinese-made equivalent to the N95, are also a popular disposable option. Most of the rest of what you’ll see on the market are KF94 masks, the South Korean equivalent of an N95 mask, and pleated Medical masks. Dr.Ravina Kullar, an infectious-disease specialist, epidemiologist, and spokesperson for theInfectious Diseases Society of America, says the “94” indicates a 94 percent filtration efficacy. Though that might make it sound like they’re less effective than KN95 or N95 masks, which are purported to have 95 percent filtration efficacy, the truth is more complicated. Because there hasn’t been any official head-to-head testing between the two, the deciding factor on which one is better at protecting you comes down to which one fits your particular face better.
To help you find the very best disposable masks for people ages 2 to 102, we asked Parikh, Cui, Kullar, and four other mask and infectious-disease experts to weigh in on what makes the best disposable masks. Based on their advice, we ordered a bunch of masks to test on our own, wearing them on the subway, into the New York Magazine office, to school, and even during lengthy acupuncture appointments. We recommend keeping some disposable face masks on hand in the car, your purse, at your desk and anywhere else you may come in close contact with others. If you forget your reusable mask, a disposable mask is an easy back-up. Just remember to store extra masks in a plastic bag or other enclosed space so they don’t get contaminated before use. Face masks are designed to protect against particles and droplets.
But since not all surgical-style masks are created equal, if you’re planning on wearing one, we highly recommend this one from Evolve Together. Evolve Together also makes a KF94-shaped mask with KN95 level protection that Collins found to have a filtration efficiency of 98.64 percent. The very best disposable face masks are N95 masks, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , as they filter out 95 percent of airborne particles.
Try these masks, which have thicker ear loops and a 3D structure. Customers in the reviews love the way this mask stands out from the wearer’s nose and mouth. These masks come in a variety of patterns, including a super chic animal print. They’re inexpensive and come with all of the protective details you’d expect, like three layers and an adjustable nose bridge. Earlier in the pandemic, the CDC authorized emergency use of KN95, KF94, and other non-N95 masks in health care settings, but that order was revoked in June 2021. Still, many KN95 or KF94 masks are more than adequate for everyday use for low-risk individuals, and they’re far better than no mask at all.
Based on this study and given the need to reuse FFP respirators, the US government has recommended that each healthcare worker receives five FFP respirators and uses one per day in a specific order. At the end of the workday, the face mask FFP respirator must be kept in a breathable paper bag and stored by order of use. If the worker stores and uses their FFP respirators in order each day, a minimum of five days between the use of each FFP respirator elapses .
“Even though this variant may be milder, it spreads much more easily and in unvaccinated and high-risk individuals can still be very dangerous,” says Dr. Purvi Parikh, an immunologist with NYU Langone Health. An N95 mask is a type of respirator that meets U.S. quality standards. It offers more protection than a medical mask does because it filters out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales.
Choose masks that have bendable nose strips, as these help prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask. Masks should be snug over the nose, mouth and chin, with no gaps. You should feel warm air coming through the front of the mask when you breathe out. Wearing a mask doesn’t increase the level of carbon dioxide in the air you breathe. Polypropylene Delta Aire HS 95 filter inserts for use with cotton face mask.