Choosing the right mask for you

Dan Diekema, MD, MS, hospital epidemiologist for University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, has one key recommendation: wear a medical-grade mask.

“While a highly contagious variant of COVID-19 like omicron circulates in our community, this is a time when you’ll want to use a medical-grade mask,” he says.

What makes a mask medical grade?

A medical-grade mask must meet certain criteria for filtration efficacy in the laboratory, which should translate into filtration effectiveness when it's worn in the real world.

Knowing whether a commercially sold mask is medical-grade can be tricky. Many masks that have the words “not medical” printed on them are still considered medical-grade and provide good protection.

“We also consider unfitted N95s and KN95s to be equivalent to a medical-grade mask because they fit snugly against the face, allowing for fewer particles to break through,” Diekema says. “The most important thing is the fit to the face to protect the person wearing the mask as well as others.”

While medical-grade masks will provide the best protection during this COVID-19 surge, cloth masks are still an option, although Diekema warns they are not quite as effective.

“What I really look for is multiple layers, and then that it fits well and snug to your face,” Diekema says. “Any mask that has multiple layers and fits snuggly on your face is going to be better than many of the cloth masks that have only one layer.”

Although choosing a medical-grade mask and wearing it correctly is important, Diekema stresses that the best way to protect yourself is to pair mask wearing with other safety measures such as getting vaccinated and boosted, avoiding large gatherings, and keeping your distance from others.

Get your COVID-19 vaccination