If you want to abide by President Biden’s order to wear a mask when traveling, deciding which type of mask is best to wear can be very confusing. 

Germany recently required the wearing of “medical-grade” masks outdoors, while France prohibits homemade masks and fabric masks that cannot adequately filter airborne particles. However, the U.S. government does not have clear guidelines on which mouth and nose coverings should be used when flying, staying in hotels, engaging in other travel-related activities, or just buying groceries at home.

So I asked three people for advice: Dr. Mike Hansen, an internist and a lung specialist; Rachel Walla, president of Ally Safety in Vancouver, Washington, and Mia Sultan, marketing officer of N95Maskco. An industrial hygienist, the company is a New York-based company that sells masks and N95 respirators. N95 respirators are similar to face masks, but they must meet federal standards for filtering particulate matter in the air.

On Monday, President Joe Biden put on a protective mask during an administrative signing event in Washington to... [] Strengthen American manufacturing. (Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg)

"What kind of mask to wear in a given situation is a tricky question, and there are many things to consider," said Hansen, who also specializes in intensive care medicine.

Before making a decision, readers should first understand that according to Hansen and Walla, no mask or N95 respirator can guarantee 100% protection against the coronavirus or spreading it to others. Masks or N95 respirators are most effective when properly installed and handled, and it may be wise to pay attention to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask considerations.

N95Maskco sells five types of oral and nasal masks: Respokare NIOSH N95 respirator, NIOSH N95 respirator, KN95 mask, three-layer surgical mask and cloth mask. N95 respirators are considered "medical grade" and meet the federal standards set by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and can filter out at least 95% of airborne particles. The N95 respirator is fixed to the head with a headband and neckband, while the mask has ear hooks.

KN95 masks were certified by China and some European countries, and were approved for use by the US government during the pandemic. KN95 masks should filter out 95% of the particulate matter in the air, but the government has a double warning: several Chinese companies' KN95 masks do not meet this performance standard, and various types of counterfeit masks and respirators are being sold. N95Maskco stated that its KN95 masks made in China are rounder and thicker than other KN95 masks and can filter out 95% of airborne particles.

The Respokare NIOSH N95 respirator has four layers of materials to protect the wearer; NIOSH N95 masks, KN95 masks and three-layer surgical masks have three layers, and cloth masks have one layer.

Sultan explained the general purpose of her company's respirators and masks. (The CDC website lists other companies approved to sell the device, and you can buy three-layer and cloth masks in pharmacies and retail stores.)

"Cloth masks are the most basic form of protection, designed to protect others from your droplets," said Sultan. "The effectiveness of cloth masks is still under evaluation by the CDC. Three-layer masks are the masks of choice for the general public that we often see on the street. Use them when walking or going out with your family. When you are within six feet of someone . 

“Use three-layer or better masks in public places such as supermarkets or schools,” the Sudan continued. "When you may be close to others in school, office, shopping center or traveling, please wear KN95 or NIOSH N95. Although KN95 is an acceptable respirator, it can be used under the emergency use authorization of the Food and Drug Administration Historically, NIOSH N95 has been an approved and recognized U.S. standard. Those who are at risk due to underlying health conditions or those over 60 years of age may also want to be safe and wear one of the higher-level respirators." 

The CDC website advises the public not to use surgical masks and N95 respirators because they “should be reserved for medical staff and other medical emergency personnel to prevent supply shortages.” But Sudan stated that N95Maskco has enough stock for everyone to use if The supply of medical staff and other medical emergency personnel is sufficient, and the company will suspend sales to the public. 

In an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Tuesday, Harvard University associate professor Joseph Allen stated that everyone should wear N95 respirators (he called them "masks") because they can filter out 95% of airborne particles. Allen is the director of the healthy building project at the university's TH Chan School of Public Health. 

He said that if two people are wearing N95 protective devices, the particles must pass through the N95 material twice-at the time of discharge and before inhalation-and more than 99% of the particles in the air are filtered out. 

This N95 mask meets the federal standards set by NIOSH and is sold by N95Maskco.

Walla and Hansen warned that the N95 respirator can make breathing difficult, so people with respiratory problems should consult a doctor before using it.

"Not everyone can tolerate these masks for a long time," Hansen said. "They are more uncomfortable because they have to fit tightly to your face to be effective. The beard should be shaved to keep it fit." 

Walla provides advice on how to stay safe and which mask or N95 respirator is best to wear in various travel-related situations.

Travel in a taxi. "All passengers should wear a mask. Wearing a well-sealed mask will be more protective. The purpose of a surgical mask is to act as a barrier, but it is not sealed. Multi-layer cloth masks or N95 near the face can provide better protection. "

Travel by bus or train. “Due to close contact and frequently touched surfaces, taking public transportation increases a person’s risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. The most effective way is to have everyone wear a mask and keep as far away as possible. Social distancing is usually not Possible, so wearing a mask or N95 can provide multiple layers of protection and the best seal. Hand washing is also more important than in many other public places." 

Pass the airport security checkpoint. "Many passengers report that it is difficult to maintain social distancing at airport checkpoints. You want a mask that is closer to the face and has multiple layers of filtering. Many workplaces currently provide employees with N95 for travel."

Waiting for boarding at the boarding gate. "In this case, it is usually easier to maintain social distancing, so if everyone is wearing a surgical mask or a regular mask, it is enough."

Inside the plane. "This is controversial. Research conducted by airlines and governments has shown that the risk of contracting COVID-19 during the flight is low enough that several airlines currently have refilled the middle seats. In addition, the COVID- 19 The incidence rate is lower -19 than the general population. Many airlines have implemented improved air filtration and UV disinfection systems to help reduce airborne viruses. However, some people claim that the research methods are flawed or that safety is exaggerated. Although the aircraft Other shared transportation methods that are safer than airplanes. Wearing a multi-layer mask or N95 that can provide a reasonable seal can help overcome the lack of social distancing."

Dine in the restaurant. "The problem with eating in a restaurant is that once the mask is taken off to eat, the risk of exposure will greatly increase. Safety depends most on whether the restaurant observes social distancing, indoor ventilation, whether customers are laughing or yelling, and other factors. No mask was worn during the visit, and even wearing N95 when not eating or walking to the bathroom could not overcome some other risk factors."

Hansen wears an N95 respirator every time he travels by air, and he has one last point to pay attention to.

"For people who are at higher risk due to age or underlying health conditions, the first line of defense should be to avoid all unnecessary contact with others."