Respirators and masks

Masks and Respirators are useful items when it comes to flu or other airborne pandemics. While most people are familiar with DIY cloth masks, 3PLY face masks and Respirators, many aren't sure which ones to use to get a proper protection. When does one offer more protection than the other?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging the general public to wear face masks that can block droplets traveling through coughing, sneezing, and talking.

DIY masks. A lot of people are trying to do their part by wearing DIY masks made from what they have at home. Unfortunately, most shirts and handkerchiefs use woven materials that allow particles to easily pass through and therefore not suitable for viral harmful particles.

3PLY non-medical face masks are excellent at blocking bodily fluids, which can contain viruses and bacteria.These masks tend to be looser fitting against the face and leave a gap between your skin and the edge of the mask. This makes the masks fairly inefficient at blocking smaller germ-laden particulates, which can easily sneak into the open gaps.

A Respirator is more capable of protecting against small contaminated airborne particulates. The construction of a KN95 Respirator is designed to fit the face creating a tighter seal eliminating the gap that regular face masks have, while allowing less inward leak of environmental particles. This mask will protect a user against the small germ-laden particles.

Key things to remember

DO NOT SHARE YOUR RESPIRATOR OR FACE MASK WITH ANYONE.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DISPOSE A RESPIRATOR OR FACE MASK AFTER USE.

ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER DISPOSING A FACE MASK. 

Why we all need to wear masks during the Covid-19 crisis

Even if you feel healthy, or those around you appear healthy, an illness may still be present, just not showing symptoms yet. 

If you are near someone coughing and sneezing, there is a high risk of spreading harmful particles to them. Even someone talking has the potential to spread harmful particles through water droplets every time they open their mouth.

To prevent yourself from getting these small particles when around people, a Respirator is a safe choice. In general, face masks like the 3PLY face mask and face cloths with inserts is of course still protection and is far better than not have protection at all.