CDC Guidelines: How to Use and Care for Surgical Masks and N95 Respirators
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidelines on using surgical masks and N95 respirators. With respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 prevalent, understanding how to use and care for these masks is crucial.
To discard a surgical mask, wash your hands, hold it by the loops, ties, or bands, and drop it into a covered trash bin. Wash your hands again afterward. To put one on, wash your hands, check for defects, position the colored side outward, mold the metallic strip to fit your nose, and pull the bottom over your mouth and chin.
A surgical mask is loose-fitting and rectangular, with an outer layer that repels water and body fluids, a middle layer that filters certain pathogens, and an inner layer that absorbs moisture. While a properly worn surgical mask may help block transmission of large-particle microorganisms and reduce hand-to-face contact, it doesn't filter out small airborne particles or form a tight seal around the nose or mouth.
N95 respirators, on the other hand, are form-fitted to the size and shape of your face, filtrate small airborne particles, and fit your face more snugly than surgical masks. They offer superior filtration efficiency, effectively filtering out smaller airborne particles including aerosols, thus providing better protection against airborne pathogens.
The CDC recommends using surgical masks only if you have a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms, or if you're caring for someone with a respiratory infection. It doesn't recommend that the general public wear surgical masks or N95 respirators to protect from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, as healthcare providers and first responders need these supplies and there's currently a shortage.
Proper use and disposal of surgical masks and N95 respirators are essential in preventing the spread of respiratory infections. Always follow the CDC's guidelines for the most effective and safe use of these masks.
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