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As the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread, experts say it is time to reconsider your face mask options — especially if you’re still wearing the cloth variety. “Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations. There’s no place for them in light of Omicron,” said Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. “This is what scientists and public health officials have been saying for months, many months, in fact,” she stated.
“We need to be wearing at least a three-ply surgical mask,” she said, which is also known as disposable mask and can be found at most drugstores and some grocery and retail stores. “You can wear a cloth mask on top of that, but do not just wear a cloth mask alone.”
Ideally, in crowded places, “you should be wearing a KN95 or N95 mask”, Dr. Leana Wen added.
By having a better fit and certain materials — such as polypropylene fibers — acting as both mechanical and electrostatic barriers, these masks better prevent tiny particles from getting into your nose or mouth and must be fitted to your face to function properly.