Why you should upgrade your mask as the Omicron variant spreads
Why you should upgrade your mask as the Omicron variant spreads
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/24/health/cloth-mask-omicron-variant-wellness/index.html
By Kristen Rogers, CNN
Updated 11:28 AM ET, Fri December 24, 2021
Why experts recommend a N95 mask to stop Covid spread
(CNN)As the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread, some experts say it's past time to reconsider your face mask options -- especially if you're still wearing the cloth variety.
"Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations. There's no place for them in light of Omicron," ...........................
"This is what scientists and public health officials have been saying for months, many months, in fact," Wen added in a separate phone interview.
Omicron is now the dominant strain of coronavirus in the US, according to the CDC
"We need to be wearing at least a three-ply surgical mask," she said, which is also known as a disposable mask and can be found at most drugstores and some grocery and retail stores. "You can wear a cloth mask on top of that, but do not just wear a cloth mask alone."
Ideally, in crowded places, "you should be wearing a KN95 or N95 mask," which can be as inexpensive as a few dollars each, Wen added. By having a better fit and certain materials -- such as polypropylene fibers -- acting as both mechanical and electrostatic barriers, these masks better prevent tiny particles from getting into your nose or mouth and must be fitted to your face to function properly.
Changing guidance[/b
During the first several months of the pandemic, health experts discouraged the general public from buying N95 masks, since medical professionals were facing a shortage of personal protection equipment. But it has "been many months since supply of N95s (has been) an issue," Wen said.
Yet the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent guidance on selecting, properly wearing, cleaning and storing face masks recommended people avoid N95 masks and instead choose masks with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric -- which Wen called "a major mistake."
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lets and the smaller aerosols or particles potentially laden with airborne virus if infected people are present, Bromage said. A cloth face covering also has 75% inward and outward leakage, which the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists defines as the "percentage of particles entering the facepiece" and the "percentage of particles exhaled by a source exiting the facepiece," respectively.
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Last edited Tue Dec 28, 2021, 03:05 PM - Edit history (1)
with the outside 2 layers being 100% cotton tight weave fabric and the inner 3rd layer being pillow protector material. That inner layer is breathable facing in and waterproof facing out. Hold them up to the light and no light gets through. They're not "little more than facial decorations." 
They lay flat against and cover the face from ear to ear and snug under the chin. No gaps! A nose piece and the type of pattern I use prevents them from slipping down. They've proven their effectiveness and, as an added plus, they're comfortable to wear for extended periods (I've worn mine up to 17 hours in a row). When I have doctor appointments and have to switch to those paper masks...ugh! I can understand why anti-maskers complain.
not in total lockdown, but maintaining my near hermit lifestyle. 
as a qualifier I don't go out much, and when I do it tends to be brief periods in stores, etc. Between uses, I hang them up to dry out. If I have an extended wear, that will cut down the times I re-use it. Generally, on days when I visit the hospital and expect to be there for several hours, I'll grab a brand new one.
My box of 50 has lasted a couple of months so far with that method.
Which reminds me, time to check my inventory. 
If you get the nose bar bent right, they're fine for a whole day if you don't speak while opening your mouth (think ventriloquism) - but they're nowhere near as easy to wear as a blown-fiber folded mask.
But they're far more effective...like how sports tires last 5000 miles but WalMart tires last 50,000. I'm a gearhead, I do automotive analogies 
have the bands that go around the back of the head. Also (and this is just me personally) I don't like white masks. The Aura is only in white, AFAIK. The KF94's are available in black and I prefer that. The masks I ordered were individually packaged and had dates stamped on them.
(KF=Korean Filter)
What's the Difference Between KN95 and KF94 Masks?
How to Tell if Your Mask is Counterfeit
A lot of good info in this second article above about the history of the KF94 (hint: SARS, MERS), how to shop for KF94's, and avoiding counterfeit KF94 masks.
Also both articles show a few KF94 brands that they trust.
I ordered my masks from eBay. You want to be sure they are marked KF94 on the package and have the red, white and blue seal of the Korean government. If it's in English, look for certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea (similar to image below). Korea does rigorous testing and oversees the production and distribution of KF94 masks. It's pretty well controlled there. The fake masks are largely from China.
This is just what I've learned in the last 10 days or so... I'm not vouching for any particular mask or company!
