What Doctors Want You To Know About N95 Masks & COVID-19

Medical professionals have been on the frontlines in the fight against Covid for 2 years now. They have been dealing with the virus every day since it began. What could they tell us about the disease, protecting oneself, and N95 masks?

It is understandable to be annoyed by COVID rules and misinformation. However, that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. On the contrary, recent data shows that new strains are even more contagious and deadly than ever. 

Doctor members of the American Medical Association (AMA) recently got together online to publish what they wish they could tell patients and the public about the disease and about N95 respirators.

5 Things Doctors Want You To Know About COVID-19 & N95s

They Offer The Highest Level Of Protection

N95s offer the best protection against COVID-19 and other similar viruses, as well as other airborne contaminants.

Data also suggests that many are getting far better protection from their N95s than vaccines, especially with so many boosters needed and new variants and sub-variants of covid that emerge that can be more contagious and harmful.

Improper Wearing Decreases Protection By 60%

All types of protections are only as good as how it is used. For example, if you are wearing your mask around your chin or on the neck, instead of your face, isn’t going to help. It may just help collect more bacteria.

AMA doctors say improper wearing and poor fit can decrease effectiveness by 60%. 

Properly fitted, the N95 means only a 1% chance of infection, even while being close to someone who has the virus. Even then, it would take 2,500 hours of exposure for transmission to happen. 

To make sure that you are wearing your mask properly, always check your manufacturers’ donning instructions.

Always Wear Them In Public

Doctors still say we should always be wearing N95s in public. Even more so when you are around potentially infected people, indoors or at home.

It’s Not About You

One of the doctors participating in this report said he wears his mask religiously to protect his mother even though he lives in New York and she lives in Texas. He wants to set a good example and to stop the spread.

Even if you believe you are immune and have had four shots and had COVID before, it is not about you. We wear masks to also protect those we care about and love. Unfortunately, they may not handle it as well as you and may not even survive it. 

That may be immediate family, children, parents, and siblings, or simply friends and coworkers. Either way, knowing that you were responsible for long-term health effects on someone else and their family, if not their death, is a hefty burden to have.

60% Of Masks Are Fake

60% of KN95 masks in the United States are counterfeits. Unfortunately, that is possibly true about N95s and other face coverings and PPE types. 

It is always best to ensure that you buy your N95 masks directly from a NIOSH-approved supplier.

What If I Am No Longer Mandated To Wear A Mask?

Some jurisdictions may be relaxing some mask mandates for some people in specific settings, and moving from complex rules and penalties to ‘strong recommendations.’

Freedom is great. That freedom of choice also means the ability to do the right thing—the smart thing for yourself and those around you. 

Plus, of course, you still have to have masks to enter some buildings and public spaces, as well as senior care and healthcare facilities, events, transportation, and more. This means that you don’t want to be caught without them. 

There will be plenty of other uses for N95 respirators shortly, even if this version of the virus mysteriously vanishes overnight. 

It is something everyone should have an emergency supply of at home, all the time. 

Where To Buy N95 Masks

As the AMA suggests, it is essential to buy your N95s directly from CDC and NIOSH-approved suppliers. It will help you in avoiding being a victim of scams and fakes. 

Bielcor is an officially approved supplier with NIOSH-approved filtering respirator products. In addition, to using the masks for virus protection, you’ll find dust masks with valves for work and home remodeling projects, and even the N99 for those that want to take no risks at all. 

Summary

Doctors wish they could tell the public more of what they know about COVID and the use of N95 masks for protection. 

The masks do work and they are the best way to protect yourself and others. Just be sure you are wearing and handling them correctly for maximum protection and avoid scams by ordering yours directly online from authorized suppliers like Bielcor.com. 

Make sure you have a fresh stock with you in your bag, in your car, at your home. Never be caught empty-handed. Protect yourself and others.