Mask Types

The CDC does not recommend the use of face shields as substitutes for face masks for protection against COVID-19. Once you are vaccinated, and especially if you are not yet up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines , choosing the right type of mask helps maximize protection against COVID-19 for you and others, as part of a layered strategy. If this happens, pull on the bottom of the mask; do not put your fingers by your eyes to move it down. Always wash or sanitize your hands before placing your hands close to your eyes.

Medical masks

Surgical masks and KN95s provide more protection than cloth face coverings, and approved well-fitting respirators such as N95s provide the most protection, according to the CDC. If you’re higher-risk for COVID because of your job or health status, that’s especially important information to keep in mind. Face shields are excellent for keeping individuals safe from splashes and airborne particles. Additionally, they’re very lightweight, so they may be better for those who feel encumbered by ordinary masks. Because they offer a similar level of protection to the masks we offer, choosing a face shield should only depend on your preference. Research shows masks, when worn correctly and consistently, can prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus and help save lives.

95PFE products or CSA certified CA-N95 and CA-N99 type respirators as marked according to the CSA Z94.4.1 standard. Place the mask on your face covering your nose, mouth and chin, making sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Do not cross the straps because this can cause gaps on the side of the mask. Health workers should continue to physically distance and avoid unnecessary close contact with colleagues and others in the facility when not providing patient care. In healthcare facilities where ventilation is known to be poor or cannot be assessed, or the ventilation system is not properly maintained. Pediatricians are encouraged to discuss infection control practices with their patients and families.

As we’ve grown to become the largest supplier of medical face masks to Canadian hospitals and long term care facilities, we’ve focused heavily on educating hospital staff on the latest standards and technology. With this focus, more healthcare practitioners than ever before are getting the protection they deserve. Choose a well-fitting and comfortable mask or respirator that your child can wear properly.

Masking up in these situations helps to protect vulnerable people you could unknowingly infect. Your mask should cover your mouth and nose and be tight-fitting but still comfortable. In this article and series of videos, UC Davis infectious disease specialist Natascha Tuznik provides guidance about masking. She discusses what kind of mask is most effective in which settings, how to get the most protection from your mask and how to spot a counterfeit N95 or KN95. The HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program is also providing NIOSH-approved N95 respirator masks to health centers across the country. The program will offer up to three of these masks per person for free.

If one person is using a cloth mask over a surgical mask while the other person is not, it has been shown to block 85.4% of particles emitted during a cough. While double masking or a mask fitter may not offer as much protection as an N95 respirator, they are a big improvement compared to a cloth mask alone. COVID 19 Test Kits are a type of personal protective equipment used to prevent the spread of respiratory infections. These masks cover the mouth and nose of the wearer and, if worn properly, may be effective at helping prevent transmission of respiratory viruses and bacteria. Healthcare workers are trained in how to put on, handle, remove, and dispose of surgical masks.

Further, if the elastic ear loops aren’t tight enough, try tying a knot or twisting the loop to make the fit tighter. When choosing your specific mask, make sure you choose the appropriate level in which procedures you will be preforming. COVID 19 Test Kits Our masks include ear loop masks, procedure masks, respirators, surgical masks and face shields. Click here for a helpful reference to masks or for guidelines and recommendations in selecting personal protective equipment.

The CDC notes that, in order to be effective, face masks must completely cover your mouth and nose and fit tightly against your face to prevent gaps around the sides of the mask, nose and chin. Other countries’ and regions’ standards include Europe’s FFP2, which is the counterpart to the N95 in the U.S., and KN95, the Chinese version. The FDA approved several KN95 models for temporary use by health care workers early in the pandemic but withdrew that emergency authorization in July 2021, when U.S.-made respirators were no longer in short supply. CASETiFY’s disposable face masks feature three layers of fabric, and they’re latex-free and hypoallergenic. The masks come in multiple colors like Mushroom , Fern and Cobalt .