With the recent omicron variant-fueled surge of COVID-19, some health experts believe that people should ditch their cloth masks for N95 masks.
For those who have been relying on cloth masks and surgical masks, switching over to N95 masks comes with a trove of questions: where can people get them, how much do they cost and, of course, how many times can you wear them before throwing them out?
There isn’t any solid answer regarding the final question, said Health.com.
However, the outlet did provide some tips about how to re-use the masks.
Before we get into that, lets cover what N95 masks, or respirators, are.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, N95 respirators are respiratory protective devices “designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles.” Edges of the respirator form a seal around the nose and mouth.
While surgical masks and cloth masks both have a looser fit than N95 masks, surgical masks listed as Class II medical devices meet certain FDA fluid barrier protection standards and flammability requirements and are effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets. N95 respirators are able to filter out smaller droplets.
“There’s no doubt that fabric masks work,” Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNBC Dec. 17. “The N95 is the best one. But they are relatively uncomfortable to wear. Not a lot of people wear them. But a regular surgical mask, as well as a cloth mask, is fine.”
Since then, the omicron variant – which appears to be more contagious than other forms of SARS CoV-2 – has continued to spread in the U.S.
and now accounts for more than 95 percent of cases. Now some other medical professionals think the N95 is the only way to go.
“The omicron variant as you know is at least three times more contagious than our previous variants including the Delta,” said Bell County, Tex., Health Authority Dr. Janice Smith, according to KWTX. “The cloth masks, they don’t filter those COVID particles very well.”
How to determine when to throw an N95 away
Cloth masks can be washed and re-used; surgical masks are typically only for one use. N95 masks fall in between. You can’t clean them, but you can re-use them. Determining when is key to staying safe.
Cassandra M. Pierre, an infectious disease physician and medical director of public health programs at Boston Medical Center, explained that determinations should be based on specific situations.
For example, if a person wears their N95 respirator for short periods of time while they remain physically distant from others, they can use the same mask for up to a week. Those in high risk settings such as health care facilities should throw away their mask after a day.
Pierre said people should take care of their masks between uses if they intend to wear them again and that they should be aware of risks when reusing.
Those who plan to use their respirators again should use clean hands to remove them by ear straps without touching the front of the mask, which can accumulate virus particles. After the mask is removed, it should be stored in a safe, clean space where it will not be touched. Paper bags and plastic storage containers are good options. Condensation should be avoided.
People should always handle the masks with clean hands and inspect them before putting them on or taking them off.
“We recommend every time you use a respirator, you're making sure there are no tears, gaps, or evidence of soiling on the surface,” Pierre said.
If the mask no longer has a tight seal or is visibly dirty, its time to toss it.
Although some methods of cleaning N95 masks have been identified, Health.com said it is better to dispose of masks when they get dirty. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the respirators should not be used more than five times.
Next steps
According to CBS News, N95 respirators approved by National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health – such as a 10-pack of 3M Aura Particulate Respirators – can be found on Amazon and Home Depot.
Having good-quality masks on hand is a good idea, even as Fauci predicts the omicron surge will soon come to an end.
“I would hope -- I can’t predict accurately, because no one can -- but I would hope that by the time we get to the fourth week in January --- end of the third week, beginning of the fourth week – that we will start see this coming down,” Fauci told NBC News 4 Friday.
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