A year into the coronavirus pandemic, there’s still a good deal of confusion over what type of face covering is best and how to effectively wear one. Although medical-style masks are more readily available now than they were early on, and may provide superior filtration in comparison with cloth masks, issues related to fit, comfort, counterfeits, and cost mean that cloth masks remain a go-to tool for slowing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Until reliable standards for non-medical masks are devised, here’s what we know for sure: Any mask is better than no mask, though some options are better than others. We consulted a range of authorities, from fashion designers and textile experts to aerosol scientists and infectious-disease specialists, to zero in on the small but crucial design details that have an outsize impact on how a mask fits and feels, and—by extension—how it helps reduce person-to-person viral transmission. We then commissioned independent lab tests to assess the filtration efficiency and breathability of a variety of cloth masks and filters, including our picks.
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