Are You Wearing the Best Mask for You?

By Jasmine Mistry

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been a debate over the effectiveness of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the corona virus. It has already been proven in multiple studies done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) that masks are in fact an efficient way to slow the spread of the corona virus. Masks are worn to help contain tiny droplets that come out of your mouth or nose, which greatly reduces your chance of spreading the infection to other people. But, did you know that if you aren’t wearing the correct type of mask properly, that you still pose a high risk to others?

How Do I Know If my Mask Is Right for Me?

There are many things to consider when choosing a mask. The most common types of masks worn include N-95 masks, disposable masks, cloth masks, neck gaiters, and surgical masks, and they all have been confirmed as capable of slowing the spread of the virus. Many studies have been conducted on the durability of masks against the expanding of COVID-19, but not many people realize the importance of wearing them correctly as well. According to the Loma Linda University of California, some things to consider when finding the right mask for you include the type of fabric, the number of layers, and its shape. The fabric of your mask should be tightly woven to filter out harmful things better, and cotton is recommended due to the structure of its natural fibers. The mask you select for yourself should contain multiple layers, which decreases the chance of particles breaking through the mask. Lastly, you should try to aim to use a mask that seals to your face well, so there are few to no openings between the mask and your face. Masks that cup tightly to your face are usually the best shape, as they form a bubble-like seal against any unfiltered air.

How to Properly Wear a Mask

For your mask to perform its job correctly, it needs to cover your face from the bridge of your nose to the bottom of your chin. It should not be too loose, but just secure enough to stay in place on your face. Additionally, it’s best to check to see if you are able to talk with your mask on and that there is no irritation, so you are not tempted to touch it or take it off, which could put you at risk and limit its effectiveness.

If you wear the correct type of mask properly, the risk of you and the people around you contracting the corona virus is greatly reduced. Ultimately, the decision to wear a mask or not lies in your hands, but the more people who wear masks, the better it is for everyone!

Citations:

Chiu, Allyson. “Wearing a Neck Gaiter May Be Worse than No Mask at All, Researchers Find.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 25 Aug. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/mask-test-duke-covid/2020/08/10/4f2bb888-db18-11ea-b205-ff838e15a9a6_story.html.

Godoy, Maria. “A User's Guide To Masks: What's Best At Protecting Others (And Yourself).” NPR, NPR, 1 July 2020, www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/07/01/880621610/a-users-guide-to-masks-what-s-best-at-protecting-others-and-yourself.

Maragakis, Lisa Lockerd. “Coronavirus Face Masks & Protection FAQs.” Coronavirus Face Masks: Types & When to Use | Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-face-masks-what-you-need-to-know.

“Which Type of Face Mask Is Most Effective against COVID-19?” News, news.llu.edu/health-wellness/which-type-of-face-mask-most-effective-against-covid-19.