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The face mask is one of our key tools to slow the spread of Covid-19. They can not only prevent the virus by suppressing the spread of droplets, but also reassure the nervous public.
But some news from last week is not reassuring. It turns out that many masks are not that effective. The National Standards Agency of Ireland warned that most of the masks sold do not prevent the virus. The authorities have been setting new standards for face masks. Project leader Elizabeth O'Ferrall said that most of the masks sold, including designer brands and major sports brands, did not do their best-although she admitted that the international public health recommendations "wear A mask is better than no mask.”
Although all masks look the same, some masks are "more equal than others" in terms of protection, comfort, and value for money. With these criteria in mind, the Irish Times evaluated nine different coverings with the help of Dublin nurse Lynda Quigley.
How many? 10 Euro 4.50. When we talk about blue surgical masks, the first thing we notice is the price. We bought a pack of 10 for 4.50 Euros. We are pretty sure that the same 10 packs were sold in the same store for 2 euros a few weeks ago, which may reflect slowing demand or increasing supply. These masks are easy to put on and take off and are very comfortable to wear. Metal ridges mean they are more securely fixed to the bridge of the nose, and they seem to provide considerable protection for the wearer and those around them. One obvious downside is that the environmental impact of products like this, and the kind of masks that are randomly discarded in the streets and parks—not just those sold at Tesco—have become one of the more depressing symbols of 2020. . There is no year in which there is no shortage of frustrating symbols.
Nurse Quigley said yes, I would definitely buy these. The wired top for the bridge of the nose helps to ensure a fit. And they are disposable. I am very happy.
How many? The DIY shop costs 3.50 euros per item. We said that we found this mask in a hardware store, with a beautiful valve. It's expensive, but you get what you pay for, right? Of course, it seems to provide a considerable degree of protection for our untrained eyes and untrained faces. It fits very well, and the metal nose bridge and foam backrest hold it on our faces for a long time. The valve means it is more breathable than some other masks.
Nurse Quigley said these are only sold in hardware stores for a reason. I think they are just for dust. It took me a minute to figure out how to put it on, it was so uncomfortable. I can't wait to take it off. It looks shocking, but I will not buy it.
How many? Boots is 20 euros for three persons. We say "Unity is strength", the inside of this self-styled designer mask that we found on Boots shelves tells us. There are clips on the straps of the two-layer mask, which can be adjusted according to the size of your head. We found these clips to be very cumbersome, but they may be caused by our clumsy fingers, rather than any inherent design flaws. The size of the actual mask is not changed-it is just big. This may actually be its credit, although it may not provide more protection than other cloth masks around the edges, but its coverage may give it an advantage. Boots pointed out that masks "cannot protect you from any viruses or airborne diseases. This facial cover is designed to reduce the spread of vapor droplets."
The nurse Quigley said I must first find out who Julian McDonald [the designer] is. It fits very well, is trendy, covers a wide area, and feels thick (layered) to provide protection. I will buy this, I like the adjustable shoulder strap on the side.
How many? 2.50 Euros each. We say that this mask is listed as a historical relic, because when we bought it in March last year, there were three other packages that were the same as it, which cost us ten dollars. It must be a well-made product, and the three layers meet the basic standards of surgical masks. The tie is infuriating. Although it means that the mask can accommodate heads of all shapes and sizes, it is not easy for people with less flexible fingers to fit the mask safely and comfortably.
Nurse Quigley said it felt safe and had a good grip on the nose. However, it is embarrassing for some people to tie it up. I thought of the old man trying to master the four strings. It has great coverage, although I think you will never let a teenager continue to use it. It was a one-off, which got me a tick again.
How many? 2.50 Euros for two persons. We say that Lidl sells all kinds of masks, from disposable masks that retailers claim to sell at cost prices to reusable masks for children. Then this. It has two layers-for those who want to add a third layer of protection, there is an easily accessible gap between the two. It is also great. It looks weird, it feels like we are walking around with a huge bandage on our faces-like a mummy that has taken off most of its wrapper. It washes well enough, although it is hardly fashionable height, but it can get the job done.
Nurse Quigley said that if you wash it at 60 degrees, it will allow you to wear it up to five times. I think there is a bandage on my face. It's beautiful and comfortable, but it doesn't feel like much protection. Although the length is good, the coverage is wide. The packaging also states that it "has been tested for harmful substances." I'm not sure what this means.
How many? One euro for three people.
We say these are another option we found in the hardware store. There are cheap ones that might let you board a bus or walk into a store, but we seriously suspect that they provide a lot by protecting virus particles, although to be fair, the manufacturer has not made any claims that they will do so. .
Nurse Quigley said that the clue was in the name. After putting it on, this mask crawled onto my face, which is definitely a troublesome thing. I guess it is a one-off. It says on the packaging that it is not suitable for preventing respiratory bugs, which literally means dust and powder. I would never buy this.
How many? The pharmacy costs 4.95 euros per item. We say that this "fashion mask" (no brand name, but it is a widely used type: black, foam and this one with a filter) pulls our ears in a way best described as "ridiculous" . We bought it at the pharmacy, and the staff said it could be worn all day long. Leaving ear issues aside, it's pretty good overall. The foam material and tight fit are reassuring, and the filter is also impressive, even if we accidentally put on the wrong one.
Nurse Quigley said it was made of a strange foam material, and even the side vents would feel sweaty after two breaths. This is my big taboo. The chin area is also a bit short and can be pulled down to cover it completely.
How many? 3.95 euros each. We said that this may seem a bit expensive for disposable masks, but it is a K95 mask, which is said to be the best on the market. Although peer-reviewed research on the efficacy of masks is limited, there is evidence that these masks can block up to 98% of harmful aerosols, which indeed makes them the best choice on the market so far. Our local pharmacist recommended it and said that even if it is disposable, you can wear it for three consecutive days. We can also rest assured that the supply has greatly improved and that this type of mask — once used exclusively by frontline medical staff — is now easy to buy. Although we look a bit like ducks, or at least some kind of bird, because of the triangular shape of the mask, it is very comfortable and we are safe to wear it.
Nurse Quigley said it had five layers of protection and claimed to have enhanced filtering. The ears are a little loose and comfortable. It says it helps filter out dust/bacteria/pollen and smoke, and I will be safe to wear it. It is obviously for one-time use only.
How many? 4 Euros per person. We say this is a safe bet. The people behind these delightful Irish masks would not have imagined that they would produce such a product at the beginning of this year, but they did, and we are grateful for that. The Irish Socks Association in Galway made it clear that what they sell is not medical-grade personal protective equipment, but it allows you to conduct business in a way that might put a smile on the faces of the people you meet. We are assured of a comfortable fit, and the pocket between the two layers allows us to add an extra layer of protection.
Nurse Quigley said it was comfortable to try on and was fair to them. There was a clear disclaimer on the packaging, telling you that this is not a surgical mask. It acts as a barrier, but it cannot resist 100% viruses or bacteria, so I personally would not buy it even for fashion.
Conor Pope is a consumer affairs reporter and Pricewatch editor
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