For the last two years, you have relied on your cloth masks to get through the pandemic. However, with the discovery of the highly contagious omicron variant that’s threatening to ravage the country, it might be the time to get an upgrade.

The reason is that some disposable masks like FFP2 maske rot, N95 AND kn95 masks work way better, according to experts. And these masks are even more important in the fight against the omicron variant. Experts warn that the variant spreads twice as fast as the delta variant. 

And unlike at the beginning of the pandemic when high-quality masks were only reserved for frontline healthcare workers, you can get efficient ffp2 maske blau in several shops. 

In a study published in 2021 by researchers from top universities like Stanford and Yale, it was found that respirator masks have 95% effectiveness in filtering viruses and bacteria. This is much higher than the 37% filtration efficiency offered by fabric masks.

This remains true even after washing the surgical masks 10 times with soap and water. But we don’t advise reusing these masks as the CDC discourages reusing these masks no matter what. In this article, we tell you eight compelling reasons to toss those cloth masks and start using high-quality respirators. 

Provided they fit properly, fabric-based masks can do a good job of blocking out droplets that people produce when they breathe, talk, sneeze, or cough. That is according to Yang Wang, the owner of Particle Measurement and Technology Laboratory. Wang is also an assistant professor at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. 

However, Wang says that you are significantly better protected when you wear a higher-quality disposable mask, like FFP2 or KN95. An FFP2 mask is probably the strongest option. Made in Europe, this mask filters up to 95% of airborne germs.

Linsey Marr, a Virginia-based researcher, who specializes in how viruses are transmitted in the air, says that cloth masks simply won’t work to protect you from contracting omicron. 

Where N95 masks or FFP2 face coverings are not available, you can use surgical masks manufactured from non-woven materials known as propylene. This type of material can hold an electric charge that attracts, intercepts, and removes foreign compounds that easily slip through a cloth mask’s cracks, Wang adds. 

Apart from coming in a variety of colors to choose from, these masks are also relatively affordable. This means stockpiling them should not be a problem. On average, you can get 50 pieces of these masks for $8-$12.

Another advantage of these masks is their consistent quality. On the other hand, cloth masks vary in quality. Several things will determine their ability to block out particles, and one of them is the type of fabric used to make the mask. 

  

The use of cloth masks was promoted in the initial stages of the pandemic by most governments across the world. Masks like the N95 and FFP2 varieties were reserved for medical workers and individuals with very high COVID-19 exposure risks. 

Today, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has not completely ruled out the use of cloth masks. It says that, where an individual cannot access respirator-grade masks, they can use cloth masks. However, for it to be effective and protect you from the virus, the mask needs to fit properly. However, the CDC still recommends the use of KN95 and FFPs as better and safe options. 

The best mask should be that which you wear correctly and consistently. Jade Fulce, the CDC spokesman, says that the effectiveness of different face masks is something that is still under study.

Most Americans have now got used to wearing two or three layers of fabric masks during the two years that we have been faced by the pandemic. Cloth masks have advantages, too! They are affordable, reusable, and comfortable to wear. They can even be fashionable.

Their advantage of reusability is also the main disadvantage of respirator masks like KN95 and FFP varieties. Fabric masks are durable. Unlike respirator masks that must be disposed of after each use, cloth masks can be washed and used again and again. 

Their single-use nature is also expected to create lots of medical wastes. According to a study done by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), medical wastes to the tune of 7,200 tons will be produced by the pandemic per day, and most of these will arise from disposable masks. 

 

There are situations where it is impossible to always maintain social distance. Examples are when sitting in a theatre or classroom. Another instance is when you have to sit for hours on a plane. In situations like these, you should wear a surgical mask on the minimum. 

Wang says he wears FFP2 maske blau every time he travels. And while he is fully vaccinated, he feels that he should do all he can to avoid catching the virus.

However, there are situations where wearing a cloth mask is perfectly fine. These are circumstances where you will not have to be close to another person except for fleeting moments. Examples include when you go shopping in a supermarket or have to drop your kid at school. 

It is also important to consider how your chosen mask fits, irrespective of the type you have chosen. A perfectly-fitting fabric mask works better than a poorly fitting surgical mask. 

The best ffp2 mask rot should come with a metal bridge for holding over to your nose. It should also cover your mouth and chin entirely, as well as lie flat across the cheeks. There should be no gaps on the sides. 

The discovery of the omicron variant in South Africa has put the world in a tricky situation. Previously, the delta variant was deemed the most contagious. However, omicron spreads twice as fast, meaning we need better quality masks to stay safe. And while any mask is better than no mask at all, ffp2 masks and other high-quality respirators give you significantly better protection.