How to wear an N-95, and how do they work?
The Biden administration recently announced that they’ll be giving free masks similar to how they’ve been shipping tests. So, how do we wear them?
Head-loops or ear-loops?
N-95 masks come in two styles, ear-loops (the most common) and head-loops (the best-fitting). While you might be tempted to get the ear-loops, head-loops in my experience provide a much tighter and sometimes more comfortable fit. The better the seal, the better the mask is going to protect you!
How do I fit it correctly?
Good question, it’s not too hard actually. First, you’re going to want to find a mask that fits you well. Everybody has a different face shape and size and so some masks just work better for some people and not others. Next, put it on and breath in. If you feel air coming in through the sides of your nose especially, make some adjustments. Usually you’ll find a sort of wire that can be bent in different shapes, use that to seal up the areas around your nose. Finally, just feel for any air leaks and adjust as needed, you’re never going to get a perfect seal but try to get as little of a leak as possible.
How long can I wear them?
Usually, you don’t want to go past 5 days with these guys but N95 masks are in short supply so going longer is acceptable if you absolutely need to. Make sure to keep them from getting wet, as this will diminish the effectiveness of the mask even after it dries. Make sure to store them in a dry place like a paper bag when you’re not using them, this helps to keep them effective.
How do they work?
N95 masks use a couple cool tricks to be super effective while staying relatively cheap. Each fiber is charged with static electricity which catches particles in the air. This is why getting it wet it so bad because it removes the static charge. They are also very good at fitting to your face, which improves the efficacy significantly. This is why it’s okay to go a little longer with it if you need because the good fit already makes the mask more effective than a cloth or surgical mask.
Final note…
If you’re looking for N95s, they can be a little tricky to find but with the Biden administration distributing them they should be more available. Try looking at pharmacies and googling “N95 masks near me” and you might be able to find some free ones too. Just remember that right now, any mask is better than no mask so use what you have and if you’re able to get some use them sparingly.
