What is the best type of face mask to buy online?
What is the best type of face mask to buy online? That’s a good question. Sifting through the tons of often conflicting information online can be confusing. Compounding the issue is that there are many options to consider when buying a mask. Should you buy an N95? A surgical mask? A neck gaiter? A bandana with a paperclip? It can all be a bit overwhelming!
What’s most important when buying a mask is that you adhere to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations. This will give you the best chance of remaining safe, as well as allowing hospitals to maintain a healthy stock of the supplies they need to manage the COVID pandemic as effectively and efficiently as possible. So, what does the CDC say about face masks?
Some other specifics, from the CDC Site:
That being said, we took the time to outline the features & benefits, the ins & outs, and the pros & cons of the 4 main options out there when buying a face mask. Without further ado, here are the 4 best types of face masks to buy online!
#1 - Cloth Face Masks with a PM2.5 Filter Insert
Our Number 1 Recommended Face Mask to buy Online is a Cloth Face Mask with a PM2.5 filter insert. This product is perfectly aligned with the CDC’s guidelines for safe civilian use. For one thing, they don’t contribute to a medical shortage of supplies, (in the way that buying Surgical Masks and Respirators does).
In addition, they provide enhanced protection as compared with standard cloth masks. Don’t underestimate the added benefit of the Activated Carbon PM2.5 Filter insert, which filters out 95% of particulate matter (PM), or harmful microscopic molecules.
Not to mention they can be a pretty fashionable choice as well!
At Yugenite, we have the best Cloth Face Masks money can buy, with extra PM2.5 Filter inserts available for sale. You can even enter WELCOME20 at checkout for a 20% discount on your first order! For a combination of quality, fair price, protection you can count on, and subtle yet distinctive fashion, you won’t find a better option online.
Buy Yugenite’s ConSeal Face Mask Today
#2 - Basic Cloth Face Masks
The next best thing you can do when considering a face mask to buy is to go for a basic cloth face mask. This won’t contribute to any shortage of medical supplies, so you can sleep soundly knowing you are in line with CDC regulations and are positioned for protection.
Of course, not having the PM2.5 Filter insert means that your mask won’t have quite the level of protection that it could. However, this is a good option for you to consider! There are tons of nice handmade cloth face masks available for sale on Etsy.
#3 - Respirators (N95, KN95, and N99)
Respirators, such as the N95, KN95, and N99 class respirators, are seal-tested and meet strict standards set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Respirators are made of tangled fibers that are highly effective at filtering pathogens in the air. So, these masks do a great job at protecting you and others from the spread of COVID-19.
However, we do not recommend that you buy an N95 Mask for personal use! Per the CDC’s guidelines, respirators are an essential medical supply. In order to ensure we don’t contribute to a shortage for our hospitals, caretakers, and first-responders, we should all stick to cloth face coverings for personal use. However, an exception could be made for KN95 masks, which are not used in American hospital systems. These are OK to buy online!
#4 - Disposable Surgical Mask
Surgical Masks are typically single-use, disposable face masks. They are less rigorously regulated, and do not need to meet the NIOSH standards for filtration like Respirators do. But they are generally thought to do a fine job filtering out pathogens and slowing the spread of COVID-19.
However, just as with respirators, the CDC has classified surgical masks as “critical supplies”, and does not recommend them for everyday personal use. That’s why our number 1 recommendation is still to use the Cloth Face Covering, with the added protection of a PM2.5 Filter insert!
Honorable Mention: Full Face Respirator, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Full Length Face Shield
We thought we would include some of the other “popular” options that you can find online. You may find many stores graciously willing to give you a great deal on Full Face Respirators, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses, Full Length Face Shields, and other large personal protective equipment (PPE).
Frankly, some of these are just over the top, providing far more protection than is actually necessary. Others are not even proven to be effective. The CDC says that: “It is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles.” So our firm recommendation is to stay far away from these choices!
What’s most important when buying a mask is that you adhere to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations. This will give you the best chance of remaining safe, as well as allowing hospitals to maintain a healthy stock of the supplies they need to manage the COVID pandemic as effectively and efficiently as possible. So, what does the CDC say about face masks?
CDC Guidelines
The CDC recommends that consumers wear a cloth face covering in all public settings when in close proximity to individuals that do not live in your household. There is evidence to support that this can contribute to slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus by keeping respiratory droplets contained, and thus preventing them from spreading to other people.Some other specifics, from the CDC Site:
- Cloth face coverings should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. That’s why it’s important for everyone to wear cloth face coverings in public settings and practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people).
- It is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles. CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for cloth face coverings.
- Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or respirators. Currently, those are critical supplies that should continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders
That being said, we took the time to outline the features & benefits, the ins & outs, and the pros & cons of the 4 main options out there when buying a face mask. Without further ado, here are the 4 best types of face masks to buy online!
#1 - Cloth Face Masks with a PM2.5 Filter Insert
Our Number 1 Recommended Face Mask to buy Online is a Cloth Face Mask with a PM2.5 filter insert. This product is perfectly aligned with the CDC’s guidelines for safe civilian use. For one thing, they don’t contribute to a medical shortage of supplies, (in the way that buying Surgical Masks and Respirators does). In addition, they provide enhanced protection as compared with standard cloth masks. Don’t underestimate the added benefit of the Activated Carbon PM2.5 Filter insert, which filters out 95% of particulate matter (PM), or harmful microscopic molecules.
Not to mention they can be a pretty fashionable choice as well!
At Yugenite, we have the best Cloth Face Masks money can buy, with extra PM2.5 Filter inserts available for sale. You can even enter WELCOME20 at checkout for a 20% discount on your first order! For a combination of quality, fair price, protection you can count on, and subtle yet distinctive fashion, you won’t find a better option online.
Buy Yugenite’s ConSeal Face Mask Today
#2 - Basic Cloth Face Masks
The next best thing you can do when considering a face mask to buy is to go for a basic cloth face mask. This won’t contribute to any shortage of medical supplies, so you can sleep soundly knowing you are in line with CDC regulations and are positioned for protection. Of course, not having the PM2.5 Filter insert means that your mask won’t have quite the level of protection that it could. However, this is a good option for you to consider! There are tons of nice handmade cloth face masks available for sale on Etsy.
#3 - Respirators (N95, KN95, and N99)
Respirators, such as the N95, KN95, and N99 class respirators, are seal-tested and meet strict standards set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Respirators are made of tangled fibers that are highly effective at filtering pathogens in the air. So, these masks do a great job at protecting you and others from the spread of COVID-19. However, we do not recommend that you buy an N95 Mask for personal use! Per the CDC’s guidelines, respirators are an essential medical supply. In order to ensure we don’t contribute to a shortage for our hospitals, caretakers, and first-responders, we should all stick to cloth face coverings for personal use. However, an exception could be made for KN95 masks, which are not used in American hospital systems. These are OK to buy online!
#4 - Disposable Surgical Mask
Surgical Masks are typically single-use, disposable face masks. They are less rigorously regulated, and do not need to meet the NIOSH standards for filtration like Respirators do. But they are generally thought to do a fine job filtering out pathogens and slowing the spread of COVID-19. However, just as with respirators, the CDC has classified surgical masks as “critical supplies”, and does not recommend them for everyday personal use. That’s why our number 1 recommendation is still to use the Cloth Face Covering, with the added protection of a PM2.5 Filter insert!
Honorable Mention: Full Face Respirator, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Full Length Face Shield
We thought we would include some of the other “popular” options that you can find online. You may find many stores graciously willing to give you a great deal on Full Face Respirators, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses, Full Length Face Shields, and other large personal protective equipment (PPE). Frankly, some of these are just over the top, providing far more protection than is actually necessary. Others are not even proven to be effective. The CDC says that: “It is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles.” So our firm recommendation is to stay far away from these choices!
Wrap It Up
Yes, we are selling the Cloth Face Masks that are mentioned in this article. But we are selling them for the same reason we are promoting them in this post: we here at Yugenite believe that wearing a cloth face covering with the added protection of a PM2.5 Filter insert is the right decision for any American who is health-conscious, concerned about slowing the spread of COVID-19, and wants to ensure our hospitals are running without any fear of a medical supply shortage. Many thanks to you for reading this!
Buy Your ConSeal Mask Today