Paper Masks May Be a Better Choice
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As highly transmissible coronavirus (COVID-19) omicron cases surge in New York City and across the country, doctors warn that some face masks offer better protection than others.
Though the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) simply advises us to wear two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that completely covers our nose and mouth and has no gap on the sides, some doctors warn that medical-grade disposable paper masks, like N95 respirator masks and KN95 masks, are a better choice when facing the very contagious omicron variant.
These masks fit better and filter particles better than cloth masks, two of Staten Island’s top doctors told the Advance/SILive.com.
“N95 masks really protect better than other masks,’’ said Dr. Brian McMahon, chairman of pediatrics at Richmond University Medical Center. “It’s the best protection that we have now.’’
Since N95 masks are the preferred mask of medical professionals and are in high-demand in hospital settings, another strong choice is the KN95, the mask Dr. Eric Cioe-Pena said he chose for his family and recommends to his friends. Both are available in retail stores and online.
“They’re pretty tight-fitting,’’ said Cioe-Pena, director of global health at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). “They’re pretty good. With the omicron being so transmissible ¬— it’s probably one of the most contagious viruses on earth — I would certainly advise wearing the best mask you can get.’’
Both doctors stressed the need to wear a tight-fitting mask whenever indoors with others from a different household. And both said any mask is better than no mask.
And, “if you’re going to have an indoor gathering, having people test at the door is not a bad idea,’’ Cioe-Pena said.
McMahon said he recognizes that “people have different tolerance for these things ... Some can wear them without a problem. I find myself taking it off outside to get a breath of fresh air. Sometimes the mask can feel oppressive. You can feel as though you just want fresh air.”
In that case, if wearing something comfortable means you’ll keep it on more often while indoors, it’s a better choice than not wearing a mask at all, he said.
“I think anything is better than nothing, and some people are not comfortable with the N95 mask,’’ McMahon said. “But, it’s the preferred method of protection.’’
Cloth masks do provide some protection, if they don’t have too many gaps allowing “escape” Cioe-Pena said.
“I wouldn’t say they’re useless,” he said. “Certainly, a mask of any type is better than no mask.”
