In plenty of countries around the world, face masks have become the hottest trend… Cough. Cough (Don’t worry, that wasn’t a Corona cough. It was my gagging at the idea that these masks are only a fashion statement). ⁣
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In all seriousness, these face masks are doing so much more than hiding the food that is caught between your teeth. The simple truth is that we use them for protection. Since its purpose is to keep you and those around you healthy, an important question should come to mind: Is your face mask doing its job?⁣
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Here is the nitty gritty on a couple of MYTHS you need to understand in order to know if your mask is working for you, instead of solely acting as a nose and mouth hammock:⁣
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1. All mask shapes are acceptable as long as it covers the proper areas.⁣
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Pretend you can hear an incorrect answer buzzer because this statement is far from true. While any barrier is a better alternative to nothing, not all masks are created equally. If a mask does not fit well to the skin and contours of the face, it creates openings for more germs to escape. Let’s take the surgical mask as an example. Though they are typically cheaper and more common, tests have shown them to prevent up to 80% of the particles that try to pass through their fabric. When the same experiment added a fit-test, which offers an answer to their effectiveness on a face, the results dropped to a mere 67%. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be happy to receive that number as a grade on a test, let alone something that is supposed to protect my overall wellbeing. ⁣
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2. It doesn’t matter what kind of mask you wear as long as you have one, right?⁣
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I’m so sorry, but it would be an enormous mistake to think this way. It’s probably the most important question when faced with a choice in masks too. Particulate matter (also referred to as PM) describes a particle’s size, and those particles range from dust to water droplets or even the dreaded bacteria and viruses. When studying the coronavirus, it has shown a diameter range between 0.06 and 0.14 microns. AKA: Incredibly tiny. Often, homemade masks offer as much as 50% less protection than a filtered mask or respirator, allowing the passage of particles through the fabric or around the sides. This is why it is so important to find a mask that has a filter and specifications of PM0.3 to stop up to 95% of those pesky particles.⁣
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3. If I want to be heathy, I’ll need to buy expensive masks that have to be thrown away at the end of each day.⁣
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Though many masks should be retired after a day’s use, that is not the case for all. You also don’t need to spend your well-earned money on endless boxes of them either. While there are multiple options, Double Dare created an affordable alternative that champions a replaceable PM0.3 filter. The mask itself washes easily in warm water, and it retains its shape for months with the proper care, ensuring that it fits snuggly to your face. You simply replace the filter daily for up to 95% protection, and it offers UV guarding from the sun to boot!⁣
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There you have it! That’s the scoop on face masks, and whatever path you take with them, I hope this leaves you more prepared for your next journey out into the world.