Some face masks are more protective than others—here are the types you should avoid | USA Today

CEID Faculty Dr. Cassandra Pierre cautions against masks with valves:

“While you can use any NIOSH-approved N95 mask—medical or industrial—you should stray away from N95 masks with valves on them. Despite them feeling more breathable, the CDC recommends against these masks in healthcare settings as they don’t protect those around you.

‘Those masks [with valves] protect you, but not the person in your vicinity. In fact, it may make it riskier for people in your vicinity because it blows out your air,’ says Dr. Cassandra Pierre, an infectious disease specialist at Boston Medical Center.

Pierre reminds us that masks are for the protection of all involved. ‘We’re putting on our masks not only to protect ourselves, but the people in our immediate environment, and having those valves open does not do the latter.’”

Read the full article here