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The CDC urges Americans to wear the most secure mask or respirator they will ever wear

Lakshmi

“The mask is an important public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that no mask is better than no mask at all,” the CDC said in a statement.

Updated guidelines suggest that Americans wear a more secure mask or respirator that fits well and that they wear consistently.

“Some masks and respirators provide greater levels of protection than others, and some may be harder to tolerate or wear more frequently than others,” the new guidelines say. “It is very important to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator that provides you with comfort and good protection.”

The information was last updated in October. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Wednesday said the agency plans to update the information to reflect the options available to the public and the security levels offered by different masks.

“Loose-knit fabric products offer less protection, lace-lined products offer greater protection, well-fitted disposable surgical masks and KN95s offer even more protection, and well-fitted (National Institute for Occupational Hygiene and Safety) approved respirators (including N95s). ) Provides the highest level of protection, “the CDC said.

The updated guidelines state that “a high-safety mask or respirator may be more important in certain high-risk situations or in some people at high risk for serious illness.” These include:

  • When you care for someone suffering from Govt-19 disease
  • Especially when you are on a plane or on public transportation, especially for long periods of time
  • When you work at a job, when you interact with a lot of people, especially when everyone is not wearing a mask
  • When you are not up to date on Covit-19 vaccines
  • If you have a risk factor for a serious illness such as a weakened immune system or a specific medical condition
  • When you are in a crowded public place, indoors or outdoors

Masks for children under 2 years of age are not yet recommended, but the CDC “recommends indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and everyone attending K-12 schools, regardless of their vaccination status or area spread rates.”

Improved guidelines provide tips for better fit and extra protection:

  • Wear two masks (one cloth mask on top of the one that can be thrown away once).
  • Attach a fabric or disposable mask with a fitter or brace.
  • Knot and duck the ear loops of the fabric masks at the point where they meet the edge of the mask.
  • Fold extra items into disposable masks under the edges.
  • Use masks that attach to the back of the head and neck with elastic bands or ties (instead of ear rings).

The CDC says consumers looking for quality-compliant masks can search for certain labels, such as “Meet ASTM F3502” or “Meet Workplace Performance,” and visit the National Occupational Safety and Health website for more information on personal safety. Equipment

The agency says some respirators do not meet international standards and have links to sites for more details.

In particular, the CDC states that “surgical” N95s should be “reserved for the use of health workers”.

“These updates to our webpage reflect the science of concealment, including what we have learned over the past two years,” the company said in a statement. “We will continue to share the science of the mask as it becomes available.”