A face mask can protect you from contracting a cold, flu or other virus — just make sure you get the right kind.
Walk around any crowded area during flu season and you’ll see a common sight: people wearing medical face masks to protect themselves from pollution, germs and other contaminants. With the rapid spread of a new coronavirus, and increased concerns that there will be an outbreak in the US, these face masks are flying off the shelves in almost every drugstore. But do they really work?
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Disposable face masks block large particles from entering your mouth, while a more tight-fitting N95 respirator mask is far more effective at protecting you from airborne illnesses. Both of these masks can help protect you from getting a viral infection, but you don’t necessarily need to run out and buy one right now, especially if you don’t live in a community where is a viral outbreak.
Despite that, fears of coronavirus have made finding these masks online very difficult. As of February 26, 2020, both face masks and N95 respirator masks are either sold out online or marked up significantly, especially on Amazon and Walmart.com. You might have better luck heading to your local drugstore for surgical face masks and your local hardware store for N95 masks.
Here’s what you need to know about using these masks and how they can protect you from getting sick.
Face mask vs. respirator
If you’ve ever been to the dentist, surgical face masks will look familiar — healthcare professionals use them to prevent the splashing of fluids into their mouths. They’re loose-fitting and allow airborne particles in. People commonly wear face masks in East Asian countries to protect themselves from smog and respiratory diseases, but these masks aren’t designed to block tiny particles from the air.
A face mask’s main purpose is to keep out the liquid of another infected person’s sneeze or cough from entering your mouth or nose (gross, I know). Wearing one can protect you from getting sick if you’re in close contact with someone who is ill and also help prevent you from spreading your illness to someone else. Face masks can also help prevent hand-to-mouth viral transmissions, because you can’t directly touch your own mouth while wearing one. However, virologists say that surgical face masks cannot block airborne viruses from entering your body.
For that you’ll need a respirator, a tight-fitting protective device worn around the face. When people say “respirator”, they’re usually referring to the N95 respirator. The N95 respirator gets its name from the fact that it blocks at least 95% of tiny particles. Several brands manufacture N95 respirators, and they come in all different sizes. When shopping for this kind of mask, be sure the packaging says “N95” — some masks will only say “respirator” but if they aren’t marked as N95, you won’t get the full level of protection.
Dr. Michael Hall, a CDC vaccine provider, tells CNET in an email that N95 respirators are the most protective, but that surgical masks can be worn when taking public transport or entering crowded areas to help protect you from other people’s coughs and sneezes.
N95 masks are tricky to put on, so make sure you watch a video or check out a guide on how to fit one to your face. Hall says that the key is to wear the mask firmly around your nose and mouth without any gaps. And once it’s on, leave it on — a respirator that’s only worn sometimes isn’t nearly as effective.Coronavirus in pictures: Scenes from around the world28 PHOTOS
Do respirators actually prevent viral infections?
The answer to this is yes, but the exact effect is difficult to define. Studies have shown that they’re highly effective in preventing viral illnesses, but only in people that actually wore the masks correctly, which is rare.
N95 masks are difficult to put on for people who aren’t medical professionals. If you’ve put the mask on right, it gets hot and stuffy, so a lot of people take it off before it can do any good.
Another study showed that respiratory masks are helpful in preventing viral infections, but only when combined with frequent handwashing.
The bottom line? A government-approved N95 mask can lower your chance of viral illness, but only if you use it correctly. Plus, you should still continue other common-sense preventative measures, like washing your hands frequently, not touching your mouth or nose and avoiding other sick people.
If you don’t have access to an N95 mask, a surgical face mask will suffice. Though, as noted, you’ll get less protection from airborne viruses if you wear a face mask. Hall says that wrapping a scarf or other cotton fiber around your nose and mouth can also work in a bind.
Do respirators protect against the new coronavirus?
The new coronavirus is officially called 2019-nCoV, and it’s part of a group of coronaviruses that includes both the common cold and the deadly SARS. The novel virus is spread through coughing, sneezing or contact with a sick person.
So, the same logic still holds — a respirator, if worn correctly and combined with other virus-prevention methods, can help lower the risk that you catch the disease.
The CDC only recommends that people wear face masks or respirators if they’re travelling in China or have already contracted the virus. The CDC also states that face masks should be worn by healthcare workers or anyone who is taking care of a person who has the novel coronavirus. However, if you’re in a place where coronavirus is present, or are especially concerned about the disease for another reason, a respirator can’t hurt.
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How to buy a respirator
Hall tells CNET that N95 masks are difficult to find, because many brands have left the market. However, if you live near a store like CVS, Target or Walmart you may be able to pick one up. The key is to make sure the mask is approved by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.)
The CDC’s website has a comprehensive list of all the NIOSH-approved N95 masks, which you can use to cross-check any mask before you buy it. These masks filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, so again, if you wear them correctly they’re fairly effective.
If you’d prefer to go the face mask route, those are easy to find. Just Google “face masks near me” — most drugstores should stock them. Make sure to look at the product details to make sure it’s FDA-approved — there are a lot of face masks on the market that haven’t been cleared by the FDA.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
