Yi Cui, a professor of materials science and engineering at Stanford University who co-authored a study on the efficiency of various mask materials, says the certification processes for KN95 and N95 masks are “nearly identical.” The main difference is their shape and the fact that many of the KN95 masks on the market today are unfortunately counterfeit. Imported KN95 masks, the Chinese-made equivalent to the N95, are also a popular disposable option. They’re especially good for high-risk occasions, like a plane ride or spending a long period of time in a crowded enclosed space. The very best disposable face masks are N95 masks, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), as they filter out 95 percent of airborne particles. Purvi Parikh, an immunologist with NYU Langone Health.
“Even though this variant may be milder, it spreads much more easily (replicating 70 times faster in our airways) and in unvaccinated and high-risk individuals can still be very dangerous,” says Dr. In light of how quickly the Omicron variant and BA.2 can spread, health officials are now recommending disposable masks that offer higher filtration such as KN95, KF94, and N95 masks over less effective reusable fabric masks. So you’ll likely still encounter situations in which masks are strongly recommended, if not required. For now, mask mandates on planes, trains, subways, and buses remain in effect, and individual businesses have the right to require masks if they choose. And while New York City mayor Eric Adams recently announced plans to roll back certain COVID restrictions, including mask mandates in public schools and proof of vaccination for indoor dining, many health experts believe masking is still an important tool in fighting Omicron and the newer BA.2 sub-variant. As a result, the CDC still recommends masks for all people in areas deemed high risk and for anyone who is unvaccinated. Cases among the unvaccinated and breakthrough cases are still posing a threat with tens of thousands of new cases daily.
Photo: The Strategist Photo: Liza CorsilloĪlthough more than 60 percent of Americans are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines, the pandemic isn’t over - and despite the lifting of mask mandates in many parts of the United States, neither is mask-wearing.
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