Here’s How Effective Each Type Of Face Mask Is

While there’s been a shortage of masks recently throughout the country, businesses in the United States have gotten pretty crafty in regards to combating that problem.

Naming just a few, Vera Bradley, Joann Fabrics and Sanctuary, are all companies that have started making face masks to help that shortage.

Now that there are multiple different types of face masks, other than the most common go to you see on a doctor in a hospital setting, such as a surgical mask.

Most recently, there’s been more than a few ways face masks are being created and how they’re being produced.

So you may be thinking, which face mask is best for me and how effective is it?

Well, there’s a few ways to solve that question…

First, the more fabric, the more protection there is, according to Dr. Marr, a Virginia Tech Aerosol Scientist.

“Think heavy cotton T-shirt or a thick, felt-like fabric, said Dr. Marr, a Virginia Tech Aerosol Scientist.”

New York Times

And if you’re unsure about any material that has yet to be accurately tested for the use of face masks, a light test can fix that, according to Dr. Scott Segal, Chairman of Anesthesiology at Wake Forest Baptist Heath.

“Hold it up to a bright light. If light passes really easily through the fibers and you can almost see the fibers, it’s not a good fabric. If it’s a denser weave of thicker material and light doesn’t pass through it as much, that’s the material you want to use.”

New York Times

The CDC has recommended for the general public to wear cloth face masks, while the N-95 face masks should be reserved for only hospital workers and emergency responders.

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For a better and more specific understanding of how effective each face mask is, here’s a chart to break it down even further!