Mask Standards
N95 - N95 is a US occupational standard and will almost always include elastic bands around the head to achieve fit. The N95 standard says that the mask must block over 95% of airborne particles, but many N95s perform better than this in fit tests
FFFP2s - A European standard with high filtration similar to N95s, but may have earloops or headbands
KF94s - A Korean general public standard with high filatration material similar to N95 but with earloops instead of headbands. The Korean mask industry is known for high quality and strict oversight, so when you purchase a mask from a verified seller, there is little chance of getting counterfeits. They are available in various sizes.
KN95s - A Chinese standard which specifies high filtration in some ways similar to N95. Most use ear loops and are bifold types. Use caution with these if you are not purchasing from a verified seller due to high likelihood of counterfeits as a result of little oversight in the Chinese mask industry.
Drawing from principles of HIV-counseling, a layered approach to COVID safety recognizes that it is currently impossible to avoid COVID. However, by “layering” different prevention methods, you can help with getting your risk level as low as possible.
Consider a spectrum of safety where one end is high-risk and the other is zero-risk. A high-risk approach to COVID is someone who never tests, never masks, never uses air filters, and never uses nasal rinses (or other layers). Each time you mask, you lower your risk. The more frequently and consistently you use a well-fitted mask, you lower your risk. When you test before and after events, you lower your risk. And the more you combine different layers, the lower your risk becomes. While you may never be able to get to zero-risk, each shift towards lower risk behaviors decreases the likelihood of contracting COVID, or having a severe infection.
This guide is organized starting with the most effective layering methods (masking and testing), moving on to additional layering methods that can be paired with masking and testing to help with risk reduction.