Manufacturers promote unsafe "masks" that aerosolize and spread COVID-19. Hospitals, companies and retailers buy them in bulk with logos!
Magazines, newspapers peddle unsafe masks in "articles" to earn commissions. Journalists test masks for comfort, not safety.
A dangerous black market in fraudulent N95s and KN95s has developed with substandard, non-certified masks made from materials like fiberglass
LIKE MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES in the textile industry, I've been making and donating high-quality masks to healthcare and front-line workers during the personal protection equipment (PPE) shortage.
Alarmed by the low quality and lack of safety in many of the masks on the open market, I decided to write a simple, visual masking guide based on my expertise in fabrics and textile science combined with research.
-Liz Ross (alumna, Jefferson University textile school; Rutgers University journalism & politics)
It's a field closely linked to materials science, the field responsible for the famed N95 high-filtration face mask and high-filtration surgical masks used in hospitals.
This guide incorporates research from medical and scientific studies; It also includes expertise from textile engineers and other textiles experts, medical doctors, scientists, public health professionals and educators "masking up" with children and adults of all ages during this pandemic.
Filtration: 97% (Wake Forest)
ONE-TIME USE (disposable)
Not all contoured masks are certified, medical-grade N-95 masks, and N95s with valves have been banned in many areas.
(Food & Drug Administration information on N95s and surgical mask)
"KN95s"are certified by the Chinese government (as opposed to the U.S. government).
A dangerous black market in fraudulent N95s and KN95s has developed with substandard, non-certified masks made from materials like fiberglass.
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PROS: Tight seal to face; Gold standard in filtration and protection
CONS: Wearers complain of breathing difficulties and generated heat; High rate of fakes on market; Single-use/Disposable
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Filtration: 62 - 65% (Wake Forest)
ONE-TIME USE (disposable)
A proper surgical mask is three layers of non-woven, medically approved fabric -- most likely polypropylene.
The personal protection equipment (PPE) shortage has led to the widespread use of single-layer surgical masks, with doctors being told they have a 40 percent filtration rate when issued.
For better protection, double up single-layer surgical masks or couple one with a high-quality cloth mask.
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PROS: Lightweight; Highly breathable; Good for frequent public speakers (because more oxygen allowed in); Good for adults, children and people with special needs highly sensitive to items/cloth on face; Good for people with severe breathing or asthma problems
CONS: Collects moisture towards mouth; Lack of fabric flexibility can create air gaps & stop tight seal around face; High rate of fakes on market; Single-use/Disposable
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Ordering Certified Masks & N95s from American Manufacturers
Filtration: 79% (Wake Forest)
REUSABLE
Research has shown cloth masks or face covering vary widely. Only two-layer, high thread count, 100% cotton, tightly woven masks hail a 79% filtration rate.
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: Local quilters will provide higher-filtration masks than Old Navy, Banana Republic, Nordstrom and retailers selling masks provided from t-shirt and fashion industry manufacturers. Even doctors offices, hospitals and health insurers are regularly distributing unsafe masks -- many of them made from knits and unsafe fabrics.
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PROS: Flexibility of fabric has tighter seal around face than surgical mask to prevent air "leakage" (if properly sized); Higher filtration than surgical masks; More breathable than N95s; Reusable/Washable
CONS: Lower filtration than N95s (but can be close if extra layers added); Need to search for high quality cloth masks (to balance high filtration with breathability); Less breathable for people with severe asthma and people with breathing problems
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Any lower grade of fabric, weave or layers has shown much, much lower filtration rates -- some dropping to just 1 percent, according to Wake Forest research!
Face coverings such as bandanas, scarves, balaclavas or gaiters are NOT cloth face masks and have shown to spread COVID-19 by aerosolizing saliva droplets (Duke University research)
A dangerous black market in fraudulent N95s and KN95s has developed with substandard, non-certified masks made from materials like fiberglass.
Avoid dangerous fakes via Amazon and third-party sellers -- even if it appears to be a legitimate name brand with proper certification. Scammers are forging documents, logos, seals, certifications, etc.
BUY DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER. Your health matters much more than "saving a buck" on that supposedly great deal.
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NOTE: "Ethics over Kickbacks"
Absolutely NO commissions or "kickbacks" are provided to me for posting these companies and products. Websites from the New York Times to USA Today post mask products and reviews in "articles" for commissions -- a practice I find unethical.
Legitimate American medical manufacturers have now opened web stores for the general public to buy ASTM-, FDA- and NIOSH-certified masks.
... UNLESS you decide to wear FOUR (4) DOUBLE-LAYERED knit masks AT ONCE. [See the eight-layer, CDC-recommended t-shirt mask below on this list.]
Knits don't provide proper filtration.
UPDATES - Duke research shows knits, gaiters and single-layer face coverings aerosolize and spread viral particulates
Wake Forest researcher: "you don't want to use a knit fabric [for masks], because the holes between the knit stitches are bigger."
Until research shows that neoprene is a safe option, steer clear of these masks. Neoprene is a thick, synthetic knit used for wet suits.
Retailers boasting about the "breathability" of these masks is irrelevant. Lace is breathable -- and will provide absolutely no protection when breathing in or exhaling COVID-19-infected air.
Masks need to filter the air coming into your nose and mouth -- not just move around to the sides, above the cheeks and below the chin.
Tighten and tuck so no air enters or escapes from gaps in your mask.
Give customers a reason to do business with you.That cute little form-fitting mask has needle holes through your entire breathing zone, which makes you vulnerable to viral particulate penetration. UPDATE - Wake Forest research backed up this vulnerability.
Polypropylene is one of the few exceptions, which is the basis for surgical masks. Sadly, its medical protection degrades upon washing -- even when hand washing.
FYI: The shortened term "poly" means polyester, which should NOT be used for face masks. (i.e., "poly/cotton" means "polyester and cotton")
Does it filter out saw dust? Or viral particulates? Don't assume that any contoured mask is medical grade. N95s and other medical-grade masks are clearly labeled and certified. [News & Observer article: Spotting Fake N95s]
In March 2020, I issued a warned against random, uncertified valves.
UPDATE - In August, the CDC finally issued warnings against ALL valve masks after cities, counties, airlines, hospitals and others banned valve masks.
They're knit, often single layer and made out of polyester or other bad fiber choices for viral protection.
UPDATES - Duke research shows knits, gaiters and single-layer face coverings aerosolize and spread viral particulates
Wake Forest researcher: "you don't want to use a knit fabric [for masks], because the holes between the knit stitches are bigger."
Bandanas have an exceptionally open weave and are the equivalent of not masking.
- Congressman Blames Bandana for COVID Diagnosis
-Ignored Warnings from own ABC Affiliate: "Bandanas Least Effective"
Unless it's 2006 and you're in a battling avian flu in a remote part of the world -- and need to safely cart off the dearly departed -- you shouldn't be wrapping your head in this eight-layer, CDC-suggested monstrosity ... or ANY type of t-shirt fabric. (See "NO to Knits")
Turn your old t-shirts into cleaning rags, instead.
To be effective and prevent "leakage" around the sides of filters, filter fabric must be sewn entirely into the full structure of the mask. (Hey, it seemed like a great idea at the time ...)
UPDATE - Wake Forest research determines removable filters obstruct breathing and do not aid filtration.
COVID-19 can survive on hard surfaces for days. Don't add anything to a mask that:
ALTERNATIVES: STAINS, DYES & PERMANENT INK! Permanent markers are a great alternative!
When and how do you wear a masks? How do you take it off? Do you touch the inside? Where do you put it when it's off? When do you wash your hands? What if a friend approaches you without a mask?
Agree to a set of family norms so everyone understands what's expected.so family members can gently remind each other as all get used to the "new normal."
Go through videos together as a family. Ask the kids to point out good and bad masking habits from the videos or on the news.
Being responsible doesn't mean you can't smile while doing it!
Choose fabrics or colors your family members love ... or that put smiles on your faces!
CLEAN MASKS: Put them near the front door or where family members can quickly reach them when needed.
DIRTY MASKS: Create a laundry bag or location so routines are set on where to take off and put dirty masks upon re-entering the house.
SPARE MASKS: Sash spares where most needed: backpack, purse, briefcase, car ...
Leaving the house? Grab your backpack, keys and put on your mask!
Make sure you have a three- to five-day supply of masks for each person in the household PLUS spare masks to bring to school/work. (More, if you hate to do laundry often!) While used masks are waiting to be washed, a clean one is being worn with a spare or two on hand!
Masks should be changed daily and washed! More often for high-risk workers and young children. (Children often have wet masks by mid-day when wearing for prolonged periods.Breathing through wet masks can aerosolize saliva, possibly spreading infections.)
If visiting a high-risk environment, change and wash immediately!
Just take it as a given: We'll all need fresh masks for a variety of reasons!
Have each person stash a spare in a purse, backpack, briefcase or car.
Having trouble getting very young or special-needs children to "mask up"? Buy them the same mask as a parent, adult, older sibling or family member.
Pull out the Sharpie markers, socially distance and draw on your cloth masks!
(Don't do this on N95s or surgical masks; Don't do anything that will "add" materials to your mask or puncture the mask. See "No Embellishments or Paint" in "Basic NO-NOs of Masking" for safely personalizing masks.)
Joie de vivre! Think like the French! No matter what the occasion, eat outside and make it fun!
And use those cool bandanas you bought as table cloths or napkins and enjoy your meal.
Just take it as a given: We'll all need fresh masks for a variety of reasons!
Have each person stash a spare in a purse, backpack, briefcase or car.