What masks should you wear?

By Celine Nghiem

With both COVID-19 and California fire season in full swing, it is more important than ever to protect yourself and those around you. With so many different kinds of masks, which ones should you choose? To help with that decision, I’ve broken down some of the different types of masks and their efficacy.

1. 1. Cloth masks range from bandanas worn over the face to surgical mask lookalikes sold at your local grocery store. You can even make one yourself with an old shirt and some elastic. Cloth masks are recommended for public use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since they are effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19, reusable, and easily accessible. The CDC suggests that you use masks with two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your nose and chin and snugly fits against the sides of your face. However, the guidelines also state that you should not wear masks with vents or exhalation valves, since these openings allow particles from your breath to escape the mask and therefore, do not protect others from getting infected by you. In addition, cloth masks will not protect you from wildfire smoke and dust.

1. 1. Surgical masks are also widely available and generally more effective than cloth masks at preventing the spread of coronavirus. However, they are not reusable, and many wearers leave them on the ground instead of in a trash can. Additionally, most of these masks have not been approved by the FDA and some may not even be effective at all, so use discretion when buying them. Both cloth and surgical masks are good for preventing infection for short periods, but they won’t protect you for more than a few minutes of exposure.

1. 1. N95 masks are the most effective at preventing COVID infection, but due to their scarcity, they should be reserved for doctors and other health care professionals. However, you may have one at home from a previous fire season or a home renovation. You can use them to protect yourself from both coronavirus and air pollution, or you can donate them to frontline workers. 

1. KN95 masks are highly effective at filtering airborne particles, but according to an article by the National Public Radio (NPR), many are counterfeit. It can be hard to tell which ones are real or not, but the FDA has an emergency use authorization list if you’re willing to spend some time checking.

There are many kinds of face masks in circulation, but not all of them are as effective as they may seem. Although all of the masks on this list will protect you from COVID, they won’t be effective unless you social distance and wash your hands frequently. Research is important when choosing a mask, and the internet is a treasure trove of information about different types of personal protection. This shouldn’t discourage you from getting one, though. You should always wear a mask when going out, both for your protection and for others’.