Purvi Parikh, an immunologist with NYU Langone Health, recommends people opt for medical-grade masks or double-masking over fabric masks alone. Right now, given how contagious the Omicron variant is, Dr.
That’s especially true if you’re taking any form of public transportation, where face masks are still required in many cities and states. There’s still a lot unknown about the new variant, but with COVID surges happening around the country, it’s a good idea to have a face mask on you at all times. The Omicron variant is now the dominant variant of the virus in the United States. So whether you’re looking for a comfortable N95 you can wear on a plane, a child-size KF94, KN95 masks your teenager can wear to school, or advice on double masking, we can help.Įven with over 60 percent of eligible Americans vaccinated, booster shots available to anyone over 18 years of age, and new federal vaccine mandates in place, the coronavirus is still spreading. Of course, any mask is better than no mask, but we’ve talked to doctors, scientists, and public-health experts to help you find the best and most protective of the bunch. The agency’s new standards stress that fabric masks are the least protective against COVID-19, whereas well-fitting N95, KN95, and KF94 masks - which use special nonwoven materials with an electric charge to block tiny aerosol particles - do a much better job of stopping the virus’s spread. In light of the Omicron variant and at the urging of public-health experts, the CDC has updated its mask guidelines.