![]() A tighter seal means fewer gaps where potential viral droplets can enter or escape. “N95s have the tightest seal when fit properly, but are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time,” says Chang. Ravina Kullar, an infectious-disease specialist, epidemiologist, and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, about the differences between KN95, KF94, and N95 masks, she said KN95 masks “are made of the same synthetic material as N95 masks and filter out and capture 95 percent of particles in the air.” In addition to filtration efficiency, fit plays a major factor in how well a mask works. Their beaklike shape and ear loops (as opposed to the head straps found on N95 masks) make them a more convenient and comfortable everyday choice. N95 masks may be the gold standard, as they are approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), but KN95 masks, the Chinese equivalent, remain a more widely popular type of disposable high-filtration mask. So even with vaccines and booster shots in our tool kit, we should all be reaching for the mask that provides the highest level of protection possible. “The contagiousness of BA.5 appears to be approaching that of measles,” he says. ![]() According to Michael Chang, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, BA.5 is the most contagious variant yet, and is now the dominant variant in the US. The virus spreads much faster now than it did just months ago. ![]() While any mask is still better than none, doctors and public-health experts all recommend putting aside fabric masks in favor of those that offer higher filtration like KN95s, KF94s, and N95s. As the newest Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 continue to infect record numbers of people across the United States, finding the best mask to help stop the spread and limit personal risk of infection is more important now than ever.
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