Why Are N95 Masks the Best? Here’s What the Experts Say

Moving into our third year of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we've seen a lot of changes when it comes to recommendations and guidelines. In the early days, experts discouraged the general public from buying and using N95 masks because of major supply shortages. Throughout the remainder of 2020, opinions oscillated on whether masking was even helpful or necessary. It wasn't until February 2021 that the CDC issued an order requiring face masks on public transportation throughout the US. Here we are, almost a year after that order, and COVID-19 is still with us. We weathered the Delta variant over the summer, and now we're dealing with a new — and much more contagious — variant known as Omicron. What's the best way to protect yourself against the COVID-19 Omicron variant? Here's why health experts are recommending that you upgrade your face mask to the N95 variety.

Evaluating Different Types of Face Masks

At some point (or multiple times) during the past two years, many states have passed mask mandates. The basic direction is clear: the mask must "cover" your nose and mouth. As a result, we've seen people wearing:

• Homemade cloth masks
• Gaiters, ski masks, and balaclavas
• Three-ply surgical masks
• N95 and KN95 respirator masks

Until Omicron came along, the general feeling was that any type of face mask was better than no face covering at all. However, health experts now agree that any type of cloth masks and even surgical masks aren't enough to protect you from Omicron. Studies show that cloth masks are only about 50% effective at stopping transmission and infection, while surgical masks are about 60%-70% effective. Meanwhile, N95 masks filter out 95% of all particles in the air, offering the wearer a much better chance of avoiding infection. Let's examine what makes them the best choice to protect yourself from the Omicron variant.

Why N95 Masks Provide Superior Protection

The most obvious difference between N95 masks and their counterparts is the fit of the mask. Cloth masks and surgical masks often have a loose or irregular fit, allowing air particles and fluid particles to escape through the top and sides. This increases the odds of both catching COVID-19 or passing it on to someone else. Contrast that to N95 masks, which form a tight seal around the wearer's nose, cheeks, and chin. They're also made of synthetic fibers that are charged with electrostatic energy, which acts as another barrier to prevent unwanted particles from exiting or entering. Why are health experts so much more concerned about the type of face masks we wear during the Omicron outbreak? Primarily because this variant is up to 3.7 times more infectious than the Delta variant — even in fully vaccinated individuals. And even in populations with high vaccination rates, Omicron continues to spread. Why? A key reason is that even though many people are wearing masks, they're not wearing the right type. In other words, the mask they're wearing simply doesn't offer effective protection against the highly-transmissible Omicron.

What Does the Research Show?

A recent study found that the chance of transmission drops 75-fold when both the infected person and someone nearby wears N95 masks. Another study compared infection rates in front-line medical workers. The results found that wearing N95 respirator masks reduced the risk of infection by 50% compared to traditional three-ply surgical masks. Perhaps the most dramatic results, however, come from a recent study from the ACGIH's Pandemic Response Task Force. As this chart shows, Omicron transmission occurs within 15 minutes if neither the infected person nor the uninfected person is wearing a mask. If one or both people wears a cloth or surgical mask, the infection time increases to 20-40 minutes. What about N95 masks? If just one person wears an N95 respirator mask (the infected person or the uninfected person), it takes 2.5 hours for an infectious dose of COVID-19 to pass between the individuals. If both parties wear N95 masks, the transmission time jumps to an astonishing 25 hours — much longer than you're likely to be in the same room with that individual!

Where to Find N95 Masks Near Me

The benefits of wearing N95 masks are clear. And thankfully we no longer have the supply shortages that we had at the beginning of the pandemic. Even if you're fully vaccinated, it's worth upgrading your face mask during this wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is you don't have to drive anywhere to get your supply — you can order N95 masks online with just a few clicks. Start here by viewing our full collection of N95 masks, surgical masks, and other PPE for your entire family. We have supplies IN STOCK and ready to ship to you today!