NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — With COVID-19 an infection numbers leaping from the Omicron variant, it’s a superb time to contemplate or perhaps rethink what mask you’re sporting to guard your self and people round you.
Sparkly masks, superhero masks — there are a lot of selections, however specialists say it’s not about vogue. We want the most effective safety with regards to the tremendous contagious Omicron pressure.
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“This isn’t the time to be sporting a material masks. I do know it’s chilly exterior, however you don’t want to make use of your scarf as your masks. They’re actually not doing something, each from a bodily barrier standpoint,” mentioned Dr. Geeta Nayyar, an affiliate professor of medication on the College of Miami.
She says the gold commonplace for defense is an N95 face masks.
“The KN95 or N95, that 95 actually stands for retaining out 95% of particles, so Omicron falls into that class,” she mentioned.
COVID VACCINE
Some New Yorkers who spoke to CBS2’s Thalia Perez are already making the swap.
“I used to have the material ones, and I simply modified,” Queens resident Helaine Samuels mentioned.
“I feel it has a little bit bit extra safety than the common surgical masks, so I attempt to use them as a lot as I can,” Queens resident Sharrell Lee mentioned.
Nevertheless it’s so necessary, Nayyar says, to ensure it kinds a seal in opposition to your face and nostril, stopping any particle penetration across the edges.
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She additionally says to make use of the N95 face masks with out entrance valves or openings as a result of they could truly propel germs additional by means of the open valves.
Nayyar says in the event you select to put on a 3-ply masks, double up as a result of two surgical medical grade masks are higher than one.
One other tip — reusing your masks is OK.
“While you take it off, put it in a Ziploc bag. Maintain it in a room temperature room,” Nayyar mentioned.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
If you wish to understand how efficient your masks is, some specialists say there’s one easy take a look at.
“You are able to do a really fast take a look at by perhaps taking a candle. Put your masks on. In case you can blow out that candle by means of your masks, it’s in all probability letting aerosols by means of,” epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin mentioned.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention says that correct masks sporting no matter vaccination standing is a technique we will all keep protected.
Docs say a material masks or every other face protecting is healthier than sporting no masks in any respect.
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CBS2’s Thalia Perez contributed to this report.
