Medical-grade face masks are loose-fitting, disposable masks that create a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. They can be worn on a day-to-day basis in any environment. Clarified that people can choose respirators such as N95s and KN95s, including removing concerns related to supply shortages for N95s

Marketplace reached out to the stores and retailers selling the KN95 and KF94 respirators that failed the filtration test. Here is how they responded: Experts do not recommend using face shields instead of masks. It's not clear how much protection shields provide. But wearing a face mask may not be possible in every situation. If you must use a face shield instead of a mask, choose one that wraps around the sides of your face and extends below your chin. Do you still need to wear a face mask after you're vaccinated? The imported equivalents include the KN95 respirator, which meets the Chinese standard of 95 per cent filtration efficiency and the KF94, which meets the Korean standard of 94 per cent filtration efficiency.Clarified that “surgical N95s” are a specific type of respirator that should be prioritized for healthcare settings

Howard J, et al. An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2021; doi:10.1073/pnas.2014564118. There are hundreds of shapes and variations available, with similar masks called different things and a high risk of fakes, particularly if buying online. Hana Akselrod, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, George Washington University School of Medicine, phone interview, February 23, 2021 All masks fit differently, and features like adjustable ear loops and an adjustable nose bridge help you improve the fit of your mask, as do mask fitters or braces, according to the CDC. Using a fitter or brace is especially a good idea for people with facial hair, which can make it difficult to achieve a tight fit.A CE mark (certified respirators must have this to be sold in the UK) - but be aware that not all CE marks are legitimate, and it can be hard to tell, so other elements are important too A well-fitting N95 mask approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) offers the most protection from COVID-19. They are also approved for use in a healthcare setting. The second-best option is a KN95 mask, which meets China’s standards of protection. However, they are not regulated by the United States. N95 and KN95 masks capture at least 95 percent of tiny particles. How many times can you reuse an N95 or KN95 face mask? It's near-impossible to spot counterfeit masks, especially when shopping online, but you can take a few steps to ensure that you're getting the best protection possible: All the masks on this list are CDC authorized with a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the case of N95 mask or on the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) list for KN95 masks.

Parents and caregivers may have questions about NIOSH-approved respirators (such as N95s) for children. Although respirators may be available in smaller sizes, they are typically designed to be used by adults in workplaces, and therefore have not been tested for broad use in children. Selecting Masks As the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to circulate, some people may be looking to PPE-grade face masks, such as FFP2 respirators, to protect themselves. While reviewing the various face masks on the market, we took into account whether the mask is NIOSH- and FDA-approved, the level of protection, the cost-effectiveness, the comfort, and the ease of use and breathing. We offer a range of different types of face masks that fit various budgets and various levels of protection.

Gandhi M, et al. Uniting infectious disease and physical science principles on the importance of face masks for COVID-19. Med (NY). 2021; doi:10.1016/j.medj.2020.12.008. Outdoor Home & Kitchen All Outdoor Raised Garden Boxes Garden Hoses Gas Grills Beach Towels Solar Pool Covers Grilling Accessories For those that are CE marked, suppliers must be able to demonstrate how they know the documentation and CE marking is genuine, supported by Notified Body documentation showing compliance with the essential health and safety requirements as required by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (EU) 2016/425. Relevant legal documents

Lyu W, et al. Community use of face masks and COVID-19: Evidence from a natural experiment of state mandates in the US. Health Affairs. 2020; doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00818. Follow the user instructions for the mask or respirator. These instructions may show how to make sure the product fits properly. When working at a job where you interact with large numbers of the public, especially when not everyone is consistently wearing a mask. For example, bus drivers and grocery store workers. The other thing that makes N95s effective? They filter 95% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, hence the 95 in the name. (Although SARS-CoV-2 virus particles are about 0.1 microns in sizeby themselves, remember that virus particles are usually attached to something bigger, like the respiratory droplets generated when talking.) The CDC has a running list of non-NIOSH-approved N95s, KN95s, KF94s and other protective masks that have gone through filtration testing. The list also includes known counterfeits.KF94s offer an alternative fit to KN95s or N95s. They feature ear loops, an adjustable nose bridge and side flaps to create a tight fit. For some people, they're more comfortable and easier to wear than the alternatives -- unlike N95s in the US, KF94s are often worn by regular citizens in Korea. Greenhalgh T, et al. Face masks for the public during the covid-19 crisis. BMJ. 2020; doi:10.1136/bmj.m1435.