All of this resulted in a list that we believe includes masks with the most thoughtful and sturdy designs, as well as models that should comfortably fit most faces. A properly fitting mask extends vertically from the bridge of the nose to about an inch under the chin. Don’t fall for “one size fits all.” That one size might not fit you.
Face masks, as they are used today in health care and in the community, can be largely traced back historically to a more recent period when a new understanding of contagion based on germ theory was applied to surgery. Face Masks are also referred to as procedural masks, medical masks, and surgical masks. The varieties meet the needs of the public and medical professionals working on the frontlines. Find more information below to make it easier to find the best mask and protection needed. If you are looking to buy surgical masks, procedural face masks or medical masks, Vitality Medical has a wide variety from several top brands.
Hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent acquiring and spreading respiratory infections. Try not to touch your nose, eyes, or mouth prior to washing your hands. Clean household surfaces and objects with wipes or cleaning spray when available.
Health care providers must be trained and pass a fit test before using a surgical N95 mask. While a surgical mask may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, a face mask, by design, it does not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures. Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the mask and your face. If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs , keeping it from reaching your mouth and nose. Surgical masks may also help reduce exposure of your saliva and respiratory secretions to others. More recently, due to the rising issue of smog in South and Southeast Asia, surgical masks and air filtering face masks are now frequently used in major cities in India, Nepal and Thailand when air quality deteriorates to toxic levels.
The bacterial filtration efficiency of the mask material is the fractional reduction in the number of colony-forming units when the aerosol is passed through the material. For a Type II mask under this standard, the material must filter enough of the aerosol particles containing the bacteria to achieve a CFU reduction of at least 98%. Healthcare facilitieslicensed or operated by the Commonwealth and healthcare practice locations of any provider licensed by a professional board which sits within the Department of Public Health or the Division of Professional Licensure. These settings include nursing homes, rest homes, emergency medical services, hospitals, physician and other medical and dental offices, urgent care settings, community health centers, vaccination sites, and behavioral health clinics.
But the ear-loop elastics on the version we tried were too thick for our testers to adjust easily by knotting, resulting in gaps along the side. Just because a mask isn’t one of our picks doesn’t mean it’s no good. Some masks may work well for your particular facial features, circumstances, and preferences. That way, you’ll always have a backup at the ready, as well as some leeway if you don’t get to the laundry as planned.
I started researching masks in spring 2020, when people were still wearing bandanas and wiping down groceries. Later in the pandemic, as we learned more about how the virus is transmitted, Wirecutter commissioned independent tests at Colorado State University’s Center for Energy Development and Health. That’s where John Volckens, professor of mechanical engineering, and Christian L’Orange, assistant research professor, assessed the filtration efficiency and breathability of a variety of cloth masks and filters, including for our picks. Our panel testers liked wearing the lightweight, filter-incorporated Enro Tech Mask more than any other model (as did our junior panelists, who tested pint-size versions for our guide to cloth face masks for kids). You can choose from six sizes and further adjust the fit with this mask’s pliable nose-bridge wire and smartly designed, adjustable ear loops. And, according to filtration efficiency and breathability testing we commissioned, the Enro Tech Mask sample we sent filtered about 99% of 0.5-micron particles —more than any of our other cloth mask picks filtered.
The risk of contracting COVID-19 increases in situations where people are in closed spaces and crowded places when with people from outside their immediate household. Risk is higher in settings where these factors overlap or Medical masks involve activities such as close-range conversations, singing, shouting or heavy breathing (e.g., during exertion). The AAP strongly recommends that all individuals over the age of 6 months receive the COVID-19 vaccine.