Some materials, like polypropylene, may enhance filtration by generating static electricity that enhances the capture of charged particles.īeyond the material and number of layers of your mask, improving its fit can improve filtration, as well. "Multiple layers of cloth with higher thread counts have demonstrated superior performance compared to single layers of cloth with lower thread counts," the agency wrote in a release, "in some cases filtering nearly 50% of fine particles less than 1 micron." Myth 4: Wearing a mask only protects you from infecting othersĪccording to the CDC, while the primary function of masks is to block the release of "exhaled respiratory particles into the environment," several studies have illustrated that cloth masks can also reduce the wearer's exposure to infectious droplets through filtration - including particles less than 10 microns. In other words, if you're not wearing a mask and you breathe in the same air as an infected person who also isn't wearing a mask, your risk of acquiring the coronavirus increases dramatically.Įven fully vaccinated people should continue wearing face masks. Scientists and medical experts generally agree that COVID-19 is an airborne virus: Wearing a mask forms a barrier that traps virus-containing droplets emitted by the wearer. People who are mildly affected can still spread the virus to others, including those at higher risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19. You could be sick without realizing it, either because you're asymptomatic, presymptomatic or blaming mild symptoms on other causes, such as allergies. If you're going out in public or will be around people who aren't part of your household, wear a face mask to protect them, even if you're vaccinated. If you're not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you're not infected: The CDC cites more than a dozen studies indicating that asymptomatic or presymptomatic people can still spread the virus. Read more: The best face masks to stop COVID-19 Myth 3: Only people sick with COVID-19 need to wear face masks President Biden said his administration would be making high-quality masks available for free, with details coming this week. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said that "the government has a strong stockpile of 750 million masks for health care workers and first responders." If you're worried that using N95 masks will mean frontline workers won't have access to them, that's not such a concern anymore. Still, the most protective masks are N95 respirators, which block 95% of tiny particles, including viruses, and they're much easier to find now than they were at the start of the pandemic. Walensky added that the CDC is updating its website "to best reflect the options available and the different levels of protection they provide." Her agency recommends well-fitted masks, which can include multiple layers of cloth masks. Rochelle Walensky said at a COVID-19 briefing. "Any mask is better than no mask," CDC director Dr. If a cloth mask is all you have, it can still work as a physical barrier by absorbing respiratory droplets that carry the coronavirus. Though a cloth covering alone may not completely prevent someone from spreading the coronavirus, it still reduces the likelihood. However, those guidelines changed when the highly contagious and deadly delta variant spread caused breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals. When the COVID-19 vaccines were first administered, the CDC and WHO changed their guidelines to say those who were fully vaccinated didn't have to wear masks anymore. Myth 1: You don't need a mask if you're fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 For more, get the latest about at-home COVID-19 tests, what to know about Merck's and Pfizer's COVID-19 pills, and whether the CDC will redefine "fully vaccinated" to include booster shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization agree that properly wearing a face mask over your nose and mouth is proven to slow the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 852,000 Americans.īut there are still many misconceptions about face masks, from who needs to wear them to which are the best kind, so we're addressing the most common here, backed by information from experts. In December, President Joe Biden also extended the federal mask mandate - which applies to those riding buses, trains and airplanes, and those entering federal buildings - at least through March 18. Once available, people in the US can get a pack of three N95 masks at no charge. And the White House is gearing up to send 400 million high-quality masks to pharmacies and health centers for free.
For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.ĬOVID-19 cases have skyrocketed in January, making it clear that face masks aren't going away anytime soon.
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