Overall, Choose a Comfortable Mask
In the end, Dr. Chin-Hong said that at a certain point, the material you have on becomes less important. Instead, you need to have a mask that you can wear for a long period of time without manipulating your face, which is why fit and comfort trump everything else. Although cloth seems simple, high-quality cloth masks can do the trick and trap droplets going outwards from people infected with the virus and keep someone who is out and about from getting it, he said. Additionally, given that there are so many different types of cloth masks out there, people have the possibility to try different ones and figure out which one works best for them.
Per the CDC, it’s important to choose masks that have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric; fit snugly on the sides of your face and don’t have gaps; and completely cover your nose and mouth. If you’re looking for more tips, the CDC has a great mask guidelines page. And if you’re wondering, not a single recommendation includes gaudy masks made of solid gold.
