How to choose a disposable face mask, according to experts

These surgical masks come in a box of 50 and are designed with three layers of nonwoven fabric. They feature an adjustable nose bridge and earloops. With concerns about new Covid-19 variants across the country, many people are currently restocking their supply of face masks. And though face masks were in short supply at the beginning of the pandemic, shoppers now have many options to choose from, like reusable cloth masks, disposable masks, respirators and even gaiters. It’s incredibly important to get a mask that fits your face. A big part of the reason cloth or even surgical masks can be less effective is due to the gaps between the mask and the face.

Disposable masks

Check with your healthcare provider to see if you should wear a mask when you’re in an area with a lower number of new COVID-19 cases and people with COVID-19 in the hospital. We recommend keeping some disposable face masks on hand in the car, your purse, at your desk and anywhere else you may come in close contact with others. If you forget your reusable mask, a disposable mask is an easy back-up. Just remember to store extra masks in a plastic bag or other enclosed space so they don’t get contaminated before use. Kids with sensory differences might like Sommerfly’s “sensory-friendly fabric” mask.

Click here for a helpful reference to masks or for guidelines and recommendations in selecting personal protective equipment. The PF-2 face masks have been innovatively designed for use in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and compounding industries or in any cleanroom operation. The PF-2 face masks allows for excellent breathability, comfort, and protection, while maintaining filtration efficiency.

The CDC doesn’t recommend using face shields instead of masks because it’s unclear how much protection shields provide. However, wearing a face mask may not be possible in every situation. If you must use a face shield instead of a mask, choose one that wraps around the sides of your face and extends below your chin.

But with the pandemic far from over, you can still choose to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable—especially in public indoor spaces or while spending time with people outside of your household. And as yet another Omicron subvariant drives a surge in cases, it might be time to upgrade your go-to COVID 19 Test Kits mask or stock up on more. We looked into some good options (some of which we’ve tested), and here’s what we found. For any questions regarding masks or personal protective equipment products on the Henry Schein Medical website, fill out our request for info page and someone will be in touch with you shortly.

Our testers really liked that the Happy Masks Pro didn’t sit against the nose and mouth, as many masks do. Testers reported that it was easy to breath and talk through this mask. Happy Masks has also released a new version, called the Happy Masks Ultra, which claims an extra-strong nose wire and more structure. However we don’t think that the extra structure makes it much better.

However, it did not perform as well as the Happy Masks Pro or the Enro. This mask is also very stiff, and our testers did not find it particularly comfortable. As with masks for adults, when it came to kids masks, we found that one size definitely did not fit all. Even brands offering multiple kids sizes weren’t Medical masks well suited to every tester in the target size. To increase the odds of getting a good fit, look at the dimensions of the mask and compare them to the measurements of your child’s face before you order. But know that even if the dimensions of the mask seem appropriate, the ear loops play a big role in fit.

Children should also be encouraged to wash their hands after handling their worn masks in practice sessions. And even if a parent decides on the brand of mask, Markham said it’s valuable to have your child choose the pattern or color so they feel a sense of ownership. Though this mask lacks adjustable ear loops, it is one of the cheapest KN95s available. This mask has five layers, including a three-ply filter, but it still feels breathable and lightweight. In our independent lab test, it was among the best performers.