SO MANY MASKS, WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

SO MANY MASKS – WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

Cloth Masks

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

Surgical masks and N95 respirators are in short supply and should be reserved for healthcare workers or other medical first responders, as recommended by CDC guidance.

Surgical/Procedure Masks

Fluid resistant and provides the wearer protection against large droplets, splashes, or sprays of bodily or other hazardous fluids. Protects the patient from the wearer’s respiratory emissions.

Loose-fitting
No fit test or seal test
Leakage occurs around the edge of the mask when user inhales. Does not provide the wearer with reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles.

N95 Respirator

Filters out at least 95% of airborne particles including large and small particles

Tight fitting
Should be fit tested to ensure proper seal

Half face piece respirators (such as an N99 mask)

May be equipped with filters that block 95%, 99%, or 100% of very small particulates. Also may be equipped to protect against vapors/gases.

Tight fitting
resuable