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What Is the Difference Between Cloth Masks and N95 Masks?

The world today is facing an unprecedented time with the outbreak of coronavirus and the spread of COVID-19 disease. The COVID-19 disease has spread to over 200 countries around the world and has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Currently, we do not understand the virus completely and so we do not know how it spreads. 

The best method of prevention is social distancing and self-isolation. You must stay away from crowded public places where you may be in contact with different people. The situation is even worse because the infected person could not even know that they have been infected. 

There may be times when you have to go outside in public to visit the grocery store, the dentist, or visit the hospital for a different reason. In cases like this, you must take preventive measures while going out such as wearing respiratory masks, gloves, and washing your hands as soon as you reach home. 

If you are looking to buy respiratory masks such as N95 and KN95 safety masks, surgical masks, or even cloth masks you can order them from the Custom Earth Promos website. They are an eco-friendly company that manufactures reusable bags from recycled materials and cloth materials. These bags can also be customized for companies to use as promotional products. However, in this time of crisis, they have started to manufacture protective equipment. 

What are the cloth masks?

Cloth masks are made up of layers of cloth material that can be washed and reused. The cloth masks do not have strict standards for manufacturing and may not filter out all the aerosols but they are still a good way of prevention for the general public. 

What are N95 masks?

N95 masks are respiratory masks that are approved by the NIOSH. They are made with strict standards and can filter out 95 percent of harmful aerosols and bacteria. These masks must be thrown out after one use.  

N95 masks can provide more protection than cloth masks. The mask will be very tight and snug around the face to prevent any air from leaking in through the sides. These masks are named differently according to their manufacturing in different countries. If it is manufactured according to US standards it is called N95, in China it is KN95, and in Europe it is FFP2.

Should you use N95 masks?

The CDC has suggested the general public against the use of N95 masks. The N95 masks are vital for front-line workers such as ambulance paramedics, doctors, nurses, and others who are in close contact with the virus. The general public does not require these masks and with the shortage of these special masks, the general public is discouraged from using it. 

A cloth mask is sufficient for the general public due to the open spaces. If you maintain a distance of 6 feet from another person in a public area then you will not be infected and the use of a simple mask is more than enough. Furthermore, you can rewash these masks and use them again. You can find these cloth masks in online stores like the one mentioned above. 

Conclusion 

With proper hand hygiene, social distancing, and a simple cloth mask, you can successfully prevent yourself from getting infected by the coronavirus.