Which face mask/covering should you wear?

With the Covid regulations changing all the time, everyone now needs to carry a mask with them at all times. So what mask do you wear and why? Do you even know the differences between the masks? The government has been careful to use the term "face covering" rather than "face mask" - with the term surgical masks being kept for medical use.

Fabric/Cloth Masks/Coverings

Infections are spread by droplets, which can be large when they first come out as a cough or a sneeze and then as they travel through the air they become much smaller. We are being encouraged to make our own masks (coverings) or buy fabric ones if we are ‘general public’ and use them for shops, supermarkets etc. These masks will trap the droplets coming from the person wearing it.

Therefore the job of a cloth face covering is not to protect the wearer as such, but to block the source of infection (‘source control’). Basically most of your germs will be caught in it, so you will be less of an infection risk to others and vice versa. The methodology is: my mask protects you - yours protects me.

You should not share your mask and wash it frequently. Try not to touch your mask, but if you do, sanitise or wash your hands.

Surgical Masks

These are also called medical masks. They fit across the face above the nose and under the chin, and are designed to be disposable. 

There are two standards - the first one (lower specification) is referred to as ‘Type ll (2)’ (it is not fluid/splash resistant) which means that they operate much like the fabric coverings above block others from your germs ONLY. The second (higher specification) fluid resistant face mask is referred to as ‘Type IIR (2R)’, they provide a barrier to droplets entering the mask, therefore protecting the wearer from coming into contact from droplets from other people that could carry germs, as well as stopping your germs reaching others. 

The masks are one use only and cannot be washed. Medical masks sold in Europe must comply with the European standard EN 14683, must have CE markings and have 3 levels of bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE1, BFE2, Type R).

N95 Masks

These masks are designed to block 95% of the droplets that can come in contact with the face, hence the name. They provide a high level of protection as they filter both small and large particles and liquids. They are designed for the heath workers and people on the front line. They are single use only and not effective for people with facial hair.

They are tight fitting and designed to create a seal when on the face, protecting the wearer of droplets.

Face Masks with Valves

Although these masks look effective, they are actually not. The valves push any germs out from the wearer into the air around them, bad news for others, great for the wearer as the valves are one way only so nothing gets into them. These are actually banned in many countries.

As you can imagine, we supply all types of face masks/coverings. Just ask us at Hygiene Stores UK and we will guide you in the right direction. Call us on 0121 458 5598 to order or for guidance.