People older than two should wear a mask in public, indoor settings if they are not fully vaccinated, have a weakened immune system or are fully vaccinated but live in an area with high levels of community transmission. All parts of New Hampshire currently have high levels of transmission.
In most outdoor situations, you do not need to wear a mask. However crowded during outdoor events in which you expect to come in close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated, you may consider wearing a mask.
Doctors recommend that you wear either an N95, KN95 or KF94 mask when you are in a crowded indoor area. If these masks are not available, you should opt for a medical-grade surgical mask with a well fitted cloth mask on top.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated their mask guidelines to say that KN95 and N95 masks offer more protection than cloth masks, though the guidance stopped short of saying everyone should wear the respirators.
Here are the primary differences between each type of mask:
Surgical masks are lose-fitting and disposable. Though surgical masks are effective in blocking large-particle droplets they do not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs or sneezes, according to the U.S Food and Drug Administration.
N95 masks are tight-fitting respirators that is designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. These masks are tested and certified in the United States by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These masks are designed to filter out 95% of particles larger than .3 microns.
KN95 masks are respirator masks like the N95 but are not tested and certified in the United States. These masks should also filter out 95% of small particles, however the majority of KN95s sold in the United States are counterfeit, according to the CDC. The best way to avoid counterfeit masks is by buying from trusted retailers.
KF94 masks like KN95s are not certified in the United States. The masks filter out 94% of small particles according to South Korean standards.
When buying masks, you should be careful to purchase authentic, certified products.
Some signs that an N95 mask be counterfeit include:
■ NIOSH is spelled incorrectly
■Has decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g., sequins)
■The use of ear loops instead of two headbands (one of which goes over the crown of the head, and the other that sits at the base of the neck) or ear loops that are approved to use with a connecting fastener.
A list of known counterfeit masks can be found at cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.
Project N95 has a vetted list of surgical, N95, and KN95 masks available for order. Soon, a federal supply of free N95 masks will also be available at several local pharmacies and community health centers.