#covid19 #mask #respirator #vax #vaccine #masks #respirators #covid #pandemic #prep

A properly worn respirator is the most effective way to prevent infection and spread of COVID-19 disease.

An N95 filtering facepiece respirator is at least 95% efficient at filtering out the tiny particles that carry the virus.

The respirator should be NIOSH-approved and have straps that go all the way around your head. (Or the similar European standard FFP2)

Never ever wear a mask with earloops – they are not reliable.

The respirator should fit tightly to the face and not allow any air to flow around the mask.

You should probably also get vaccinated. The vaccine is about 44-50% effective at preventing infection at its peak effectiveness and it helps to prevent hospitalization and death, however, vaccinated people who become infected can still spread the virus.

An elastomeric respirator is even more effective.

(Image: Mediawiki Commons, Martin von Creytz, cc-by-sa-2.0, modified with PD image)