4 Face Mask Myths That We Need To Debunk (COVID-19 Misinformation)

Social distancing and hand-washing are obvious measures that we should all be following to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Especially in areas that are experiencing a surge in case numbers. So what about masks?

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 2 also wears a mask in a public setting. But with every man and his dog having an opinion on this, there has been a lot of misinformation spreading online.

In this blog, we want to outline some common myths that need to be debunked, based on what the best current research is telling us.

 

False. A mask should fit securely around the face, specifically covering your nose and mouth. A mask must fit from the bridge of the nose to the underside of the chin. There must be no gaps for air to get in or out around the mask.

All air going in or out must pass through the mask, so the mask needs to fit snugly on your face and be secured at the back of your head or with ear loops. With people’s face size (and shape) varying wildly it’s important you find a mask that fits you well.

We provide a handy sizing guide on our reusable mask product pages for our ViralOff and Silver iON masks.

 

Myth #2 - It’s fine to remove or adjust my mask to talk to people (or eat and drink)

It can be oh-so-tempting to try and adjust your mask. Especially during social interactions. But as soon as you touch your mask, you’re at risk of contaminating your hands and then contaminating yourself.

The best advice is to not touch your face when you’ve got your mask on. You want to ensure that your mouth and nose are covered at all times and only remove your mask when it's safe to do so. This is the best way to avoid the risk of infecting yourself or others.

 

Myth #3 - Cotton masks are just as effective as medical-grade masks

Masks work by filtering the air that you breathe. And unfortunately, handmade cotton masks don't offer the effective filtration that is essential in the protection and prevention of spread.

We offer two high-quality reusable masks with different levels of filtration (both come in various sizes).

The Viraloff Mask – A basic mask that provides a barrier (without advanced filtration). This mask uses ViralOff chemical treatment to kill viruses. This mask provides a strong barrier against droplets (think of it as sanitizing gel for your mask).

The Silver Ion Mask - A reusable and washable mask that provides at least 99% filtration efficiency against microbial and airborne particles down to 2.5 microns (PM2.5). It has a silver ion fabric that effectively disinfects and reduces microbes.

An N95 mask by definition needs to have a filtration efficiency to remove 95% of .3+ micro-particles. Our Silver Ion mask has a 99% filtration efficiency to 2.5microns.

It is constructed with 5 different filter layers; each layer serves a specific function and ensures that the mask’s performance can be retained after washing.

 

Myth #4 - If I’m not sick I don’t need to wear a mask

While wearing a mask is extremely important for people who may be infected with COVID-19 - it’s also important for people who don’t believe they’re sick.

There is research suggesting that a significant number of people with COVID-19 show no symptoms. And these people are completely unaware that they could be spreading the virus.

 

Why do people choose our reusable masks?

As discussed above, we offer two high-quality masks at Infectious Clothing Co. Being reusable, these Pacsafe masks are cost-effective and friendlier on the environment.

• They're Antimicrobial
  Pacsafe offers two types of Antimicrobial technologies – ViralOff and Silver iON
• They Provide A Strong Barrier
  The mask itself offers a barrier to prevent droplets from spreading through talking, sneezing, and coughing.
• They Offer Advanced Filtering
  Pacsafe's Silver iON is constructed with 5 different filter layers. Each layer serves a specific function and ensures that the mask’s performance can be retained after washing.

Whether you wear one of our Pacsafe masks or one of the many other options out there, it’s crucial that we all do what we can to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Thank you for doing your part!