First, check with your doctor for medical advice that is specific to you, your health conditions, and your community.
Here is some info that may help guide the conversation and decision.
There is no one correct type of mask. Whatever choices you make will involve trade-offs between comfort, convenience, and efficacy.
| For Lower Risk People and Situations | For Higher Risk People and Situations | |
|---|---|---|
| Style (see patterns here) | Pleated patterns are faster and easier, but have a looser and less precise fit. | Fitted patterns will do a better job of keeping particles out, but are harder to sew if you cannot make adjustments specific to the person who will wear the mask. |
| Materials (see more info here) | Cotton with tighter weaves, tea towels, pillow cases, t-shirts. | Melt-blown fabric is ideal. If using hypoallergenic fabrics look for filtering at the 3 micron level. 50 microns and above does not give much benefit. Disposable filters that can filter at the .3 micron level are ideal. |
| Layers | Fewer layers are easier to breathe in and not as hot. Also less expensive and faster to make. | Multiple layers may, or may not be helpful. This may depend on the composition of the layers. An additional layer for a disposable filter pocket is likely to be beneficial. |
| Breathability | Of lesser concern, though keep in mind that more breathable is less efficacious. | Of greater concern, particularly for those who may have underlying conditions (cardio or pulmonary) whose systems may be stressed by the greater effort to breathe. |
| Metal across the nose | Helps ensure a better fit, try to include if at all possible. | Needed for a closer fit. |
| Attachment | Elastic only for casual or more limited use, and only for those who are not allergic to latex. Although elastic can help with a better fit, it will not hold up as well to repeated washings and high temperatures for sanitation. | Ties that can handle repeated washings or high temperature sanitization processes. |
| Boob tape (aka skin tape) | Not as needed if you have a good fit. | Can be helpful to improve fit. |
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