How to improve the fit and filtration of your mask.

To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, everyone must use a consistent and correct mask . While masks work best if everyone wears them all masks offer different protection. When choosing a mask, it is important to consider how it fits and filters air. With the increase in the spread of new COVID-19 variations, it is more important to wear a mask around those you don't live with or if someone is sick .

General Principles of Mask Use

Here are some general principles to be used as masks.

Masks should

• Cover the nose completely and the mouth
• The face should fit snugly against the sides and there shouldn't be any gaps
• Only use the ear loops , cords or head straps to handle the mask (not the surface).

Masks should be worn

• Public places:
• When you travel by plane, train, bus, or other public transport within the United States or in U.S. transportation hubs like airports or stations.
• You should not be around other people, even if they don't live with you.
• If someone in your household has symptoms or has been tested positive for COVID-19, please inform them.

Should not be worn

• For children under 2 years old
• A person with a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask or who is unable to safely wear one because of their disability.
• A situation in which wearing a mask could pose a danger to the workplace's health, safety or job duties, as determined by the workplace risks assessment

Different types of masks

You have many options for masks to protect yourself and others against COVID-19. Mask terminology is not standard. These terms and definitions might differ from those used in commercial products. Below is a brief description of various types of masks, along with some pros and cons for each.

Cloth Masks

Cloth masks can made from many different fabrics and fibers.

What should you look for

• You should look for cloth masks that are made from multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric.
• If you are displaying your cloth mask in bright light, make sure it blocks any light coming through.

Features

Advantages: Convenient, comfortable, affordable, convenient, washable, and reusable. Ear loops, tie strings, and nosewires can be adjusted if they are available.

Disadvantage: Masks that are not properly fitted may leave gaps around the nose or face. Gaps can allow virus-laden respiratory droplets to leak around the mask. The effectiveness of cloth masks in protecting you and others against COVID-19 can vary depending on how they fit or how they were made.

Medical Procedure Masks (sometimes referred as Surgical Masks, Disposable Face Masks)

Commercially available medical procedure masks, including surgical masks, are sometimes sold as "disposable facial masks."

What should you look for

• Make sure to check the labels to make sure they are made from multi-layered, nonwoven material

Features

• Ear loops are usually placed behind the ears. Some options offer cords that can be tied around the neck and head, rather than just behind the ears.
• A nosewire (a thin metal strip at the top of the mask) can be used by some to help improve the fit.

Advantages: Convenient, comfortable, affordable; convenient (great for situations where the mask might get wet or damaged); Nose wires can be adjusted (if they are available).

Disadvantage:- These masks can often be too loose fitting. Some masks with ear loops are not adjustable enough to provide a better fit. Some people find that masks with tie cords are more comfortable. Bad fitting can cause gaps around the nose, and along the sides and corners of the face where the virus respiratory droplets can leak in and out. This mask is intended for temporary use.

KN95 Masks (also known by KN95 Respirators).

KN95 masks might be preferred in certain situations and for some people, especially for those who require long close contact with others or who are at greater risk for severe illness due to COVID-19.

What should you look for

KN95 mask should meet requirements similar those set forth by CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. KN95 masks that are sold in the United States may meet requirements similar those set forth by NIOSH. Other KN95 masks don't.

Features

• Ear loops are often found behind the ears. Some options include head straps.
• Do not use KN95 masks that have exhalation valves. They allow virus-containing respiratory droplets to escape.

Pros - Can filter up to 95% of particles from the air (when they comply with the correct requirements and aren't fake/fake, or when a proper fit can be achieved).

Cons 60% of KN95 masks were not evaluated by NIOSH.

How to increase your mask protection: Increase fit and filter

• To prevent air (potentially containing virus droplets) from freely flowing around the edges of the mask, force air to flow through it.
• Increase filtration in order to capture more of the virus-containing droplets from the mask.

How to improve your fitness

COVID-19 is spread mainly from one person to another by respiratory droplets. These droplets come out of the nose or mouth during breathing, coughing, sneezing, talking, shouting, and singing. These droplets can travel through the air and land in the noses or mouths of others, spreading COVID-19. To be effective, masks should always be worn over the mouth and nose.

It is important that masks fit comfortably on the face to prevent COVID-19 spreading. Some masks can have gaps between the mask and the wearer's skin. Air with virus-laden respiratory droplets can leak out of gaps around the edges of masks (on the top and sides). Masks must fit tightly against the sides of your face to prevent air from leaking.

There are many options to improve the fit of your mask

Nose wires: Avoid air leakage by using cloth or medical procedure masks with a nosewire (a metal strip running along the top). The nose wires can be used to prevent eyeglass fogging. For a perfect fit, bend the nose wire to mold to your nose.

Mask Braces and Fitters: These devices are designed to be worn over a medical procedure or cloth mask. They reduce air leakage around the edges and improve the fit.

Tucking and Knotting: This technique is used to improve the fit for a medical procedure mask. The ear loops should be reattached to the edge of your mask. Fold the excess material under the edges and then knot the ends.

It is important that masks fit comfortably on the face to prevent COVID-19 spreading. Some masks can have gaps between the mask and the wearer's skin. Air with virus-laden respiratory droplets can leak out of gaps around the edges of masks (on the top and sides). Masks must fit tightly against the sides of your face to prevent air from leaking.

How to improve filtration

To increase your mask's protection, you should also improve its filtration. The mask captures the virus-laden particles that are exhaled by the wearer, preventing them from reaching outside air. The masks also act as a barrier and protect the wearer by trapping the virus-containing respiratory droplets exhaled by others. If you're sick, a mask with better filtration will prevent more virus-containing respiratory droplets from entering your mask.

Layering

Layering (or adding layers to a mask) can reduce the amount of virus-laden droplets that pass through it. A cloth mask with multiple layers of fabric is one way to layer. You can also wear two masks.

Use two masks to improve your mask fit and filteration

A second mask worn over a first one can be helpful.

Make the inner mask more close to your face. This will reduce air leakage around the edges.

• Increase filtration by adding layers of material to reduce the amount of virus-laden droplets that pass through the masks.

A medical procedure mask can be worn underneath a cloth one to achieve this. Recent laboratory study found that the combination offered greater protection for the wearer as well as others than either a cloth mask or a medical procedure face mask.

The choice and wearing of a mask is just one of many strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19

A mask is an important way to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. This document outlines the different types of masks and provides strategies to help protect both the wearer as well as the people who interact with them. It is better to wear a mask correctly than not wearing one at all.

This information should be used by people to guide their choice of masks and levels of protection. The CDC recommends that everyone wears masks when in public places, whether they are with someone else (including their own house), or when caring for someone with COVID-19.