In late August 2023, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 steadily climbed. The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that hospital admissions increased by 19% during the week ending August 19, 2023. Compare that to early June of 2023 when the weekly average of positive COVID-19 tests was about four percent. That figure has since tripled to 13.4%, and the region of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico hit a positivity rate of 18%. 

Ever since states made masks completely optional, the percentage of people wearing masks outside their home in the U.S. decreased. The percentage went from about 57% in January 2022 to around 27% in January 2023, according to data from Covid States Project. Did vaccines have anything to do with that? It’s not for us to say, especially since vaccinated individuals may not be protected against new subvariants. 

Infectious disease specialists still argue that masks can provide good protection in several scenarios. Many people don’t want to wear masks for their own reasons, while others continue to wear masks to protect themselves or other high-risk individuals. Wear a mask or don’t wear a mask, and let everyone do what they feel is right for them. 

COVID-19 Mask Mandates Reappear

Overall COVID-19 indicators are down from this time last year, but some institutions don’t want to take chances. For example, Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia posted on Instagram that it was restarting the mask mandate because of positive COVID-19 cases among students. Becker Hospital Review found eight hospitals that reintroduced face covering rules. Kaiser Permanente’s Santa Rosa Hospital in California states that masks are required upon entrance and throughout the duration of your visit. 

Other institutions that recently reinstated mask policies include Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn, New York. UMass Memorial now requires employees to wear masks when visiting emergency room and cancer patients.

Should You Consider Masking Again? 

Infectious disease experts also recommend that you wear masks, or at least take more precautions, in certain situations. Consider wearing a mask in a public space if the following conditions apply to you:

• Going on a big trip in the very near future
• Getting married or attending a wedding soon
• Taking care of someone who is immunocompromised

For people who have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 complications, consider wearing a mask in crowded public spaces. Planes, trains, or enclosed areas with lots of people are breeding grounds for COVID-19. Nobody wants to get COVID-19, so take matters into your own hands and increase protection. 

If You Choose To Mask, Wear It Right

If you wear a mask, don’t wear it as a chin diaper. Make sure that you secure the face covering over your nose and mouth to protect yourself from breathing in contaminated droplets. There are many high-quality masks available these days, so get one that fits well. KN95s and surgical masks offer great protection, while NIOSH-approved respirators offer the highest level of protection, according to the CDC. How much protection you need will depend on you and how much you want to stay safe. It’s hard to say what COVID-19 cases will look like in the coming months, but taking precautions may help limit the spread and keep communities safe.

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Americans are out and about this summer, with many taking their very first vacations since the beginning of the pandemic. For most places around the country, Los Angeles County included, there are few signs of COVID-19 precautions. Some people continue to wear face coverings indoors, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, LA County continues to experience daily COVID-19 positivity numbers of about 3,700-6,500, depending on the day. 

From June 13, 2022 to June 19, 2022, unvaccinated people were 5.3 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than people who received a booster dose. The new increase in cases and hospitalizations have been fueled by the omicron BA.5 sub-variant, which is very contagious. The BA.5 sub-variant is the fastest-spreading form of omicron so far. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is responsible for more than 50% of all new COVID-19 cases in the country. Additionally, researchers say that this sub-variant is three to four times more resistant to antibiotics. 

When Could Indoor Masking Happen?

The decision to reinstate the indoor mask mandate will depend on future daily case rates and hospitalization rates. If the number of case and hospitalization rates remains high enough for two weeks, LA County may require indoor masking by July 29, 2022. Fortunately, LA County is not in that high COVID-19 community ever yet. This category indicates that an area is experiencing high COVID-19 spreading, with the transmission straining hospitals. 

The CDC updates community assessments every Thursday. If LA County enters a high COVID-19 community level on July 14th, for example, it has to remain in that tier until July 28th, 2022, for authorities to issue an indoor masking order. This information comes from Barbara Ferrer, LA County’s Public Health Director. She did say, however, that there is no guarantee that the masking order will take effect. 

How Close Is Los Angeles To The Indoor Mask Policy?

There has to be 10 new weekly coronavirus-positive hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents for health officials to reinstate the indoor masking order. As of July 7, 2022, that number was 9.7, a 17% increase from the previous week’s rate of 8.3. From the county’s perspective, though, the actual figure is about 8.4, because that combined federal data from LA and Orange counties. LA County and Orange County numbers have been relatively similar, but Orange County’s new weekly coronavirus-positive hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents was 13.3 as of July 6th, 2022. 

Why Is LA Considering A Mask Mandate Again?

LA County health officials say that the order would align with guidance from the CDC. According to the CDC, indoor masking should be enforced in counties that have high COVID-19 community level. Roughly 60% of California’s counties remain in that category, including the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay areas. About 16 million Californians currently live in a county with a high COVID-19 community level. That number accounts for about 41% of the state’s population. 

In Southern California, Ventura County remains the only county with a high community level. Despite the high community levels in other counties in California, LA County seems to be the only county that has responded to the CDC framework. It will reinstate an indoor mask mandate if the numbers continue to climb. 

Even though health officials recommend wearing a mask indoors as a preventative measure, some officials don’t think it is necessary at this time. The reason for this logic is because epidemiological changes in the virus have taken place. Plus, treatments and vaccines are readily available. Ultimately, health officials want to do their best to avoid the effects of another pandemic wave in LA County. Wear a mask indoors if you can to help reduce the spread of the new contagious BA.5 sub-variant and the mask mandate may not go into effect.

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The majority of American adults (57%) say that airlines and public transportation services should require travelers to wear masks. This comes from a new Pew Research Center survey, where a separate 42% of Americans think that travelers should not have to wear masks in these situations. 

If you recall, a federal judge in Florida struck down the CDC’s mask mandate for public transportation in April 2022. The Department of Justice is in the process of appealing this disease. Since the decision by that federal judge, the CDC has continued to recommend people to wear masks in these settings, in addition to other settings. In the meantime, airlines and other businesses can make their own rules, but most say that masks are optional. 

The Face Mask Divide

Since the March 2020 lockdown, there has been a divide on mask wearing. For many Americans, the support of face masks depended on the political party to which they belonged. Others didn’t let politics sway their decision, but rather thought the entire pandemic to be a hoax. According to the recent Pew Research Center survey, 80% of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic were in favor of masks on public transportation and airplanes. A contrasting 29% of Republicans and independents who lean Republican say that masks should not be required. 

Additional information from the survey found that most people who supported mask wearing received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (66%). The unvaccinated (25%) in the survey were against future masking mandates. Even among the unvaccinated, though, there are different views on masking policies. About 60% of unvaccinated Democrats think that people should still wear masks on airplanes and public transportation. Compare that to the 12% of unvaccinated republicans who do not support mask wearing. People who were, or are still, concerned about contracting COVID-19 were also in favor of mask policies. The same opinion applied to those who were scared of being hospitalized from COVID-19.

Do Americans Still Wear Masks On Planes?

During the omicron surge in January 2022, about 61% of American adults said that they still wore masks in stores and businesses. The numbers have since declined for mask wearing in the U.S., though. About 30% of Americans say that they wore a mask “all or most of the time” over the past month in stores and other businesses. To this day, more Democrats or Democrat-leaning independents (42%) report frequent mask use.

Even though there has been an overall decline in mask use on planes, travel experts report that many travelers continue to wear masks on flights. Many clientele still opt to wear masks, while others enjoy the flexibility to do so. That said, mask use is much lower on flights to certain areas of the country. With climbing COVID numbers, travel experts can only hope that people take more precautions during travel, especially as they head into summer travel season. Families with younger children, or people who are at risk of severe illness, are more likely to wear masks on flights. 

Americans Aren’t As Bothered By Unmasked Travelers

According to a recent White House COVID-19 press briefing, over 32% of Americans live in a county with medium or high COVID-19 community risk level. In medium- or high-risk areas, the CDC encourages people to wear a mask in indoor public settings. It also states that any areas with COVID-19 risk, people can always opt to mask up for their own protection. The Pew survey showed that more American adults have become more tolerant of others who don’t want to wear a mask in public indoor settings. 63% of Americans do not really mind when mask-less people are around them. This contrasts the 72% of Americans who were bothered by people not wearing masks in November 2020. 

As more Americans take to the skies, rails, and roadways for summer travel, the hope is that people don’t shame or judge others for masking decisions. Pilots continue to ask people to respect everyone’s mask choice, regardless if it differs from their own. It seems that tensions have eased since the early days of airline mask disagreements and disputes. Let’s be as healthy as we can be to keep our immune systems strong during summer travel. 

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A federal judge recently ruled against nationwide mask requirement for trains, planes, and other forms of public transportation. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) were directed to cut mask enforcement on public transport. Even though both agencies changed their policies, they continue to recommend wearing masks in these settings. 

On Monday, April 18, 2022, some of the country’s biggest airlines said that they would no longer require masks on flights. Most carriers followed masking guidelines for nearly two years, but this response came as a result after the Florida federal judge’s ruling. U.S. District Judge Kathyrn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, ruled that the 14-month-old directive for mask wearing was unlawful, and it overturned the White House’s effort to keep masking mandates in place. 

What Does The Ruling Mean?

The ruling means that the CDC’s public transportation masking order is no longer in effect. It comes a little early as the U.S. health officials extended the mandate to May 3rd, 2022, requiring masks for travelers on trains, taxis, planes, and busses. Health officials said they needed more time to assess the impact of recent COVID-19 surges caused by the virus. The TSA won’t currently enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring masks on public transportation or in transportation hubs.

In response to the ruling, many airlines reacted swiftly, dropping mask requirements for passengers on their flights. You can learn how the different airline companies responded below.

Delta Airlines

Delta announced that it would stop requiring masks onboard its flights. Within this announcement, Delta also asked that the public be patient with the change in policy and allow time to adjust to changes. It takes time to change the safety advisories and signs, but the sudden nature of this policy change was somewhat surprising. Customers, airline employees, and federal agency employees may receive information at different times and there may be inconsistent enforcement at first. 

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines issued a statement to customers saying that it welcomed the chance to see the smiling faces of its passengers. The statement went on to thank customers for their patience during shifting rules and guidance during the pandemic. With constant changes and restrictions, it’s been difficult for both passengers and staff. The statement also noted that Alaska hopes people will continue to treat each other with kindness and respect, regardless of masking or no masking. Additionally, guests that the airline banned due to egregious behavior during the pandemic will remain banned after the mask policy is rescinded. 

American Airlines

In a public statement, American Airlines made sure to emphasize one point, “In keeping with our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us, customers and team members may choose to continue to wear masks at their own discretion.” Face masks won’t be required for customers or team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights. Depending on different local ordinances, people may still have to where masks, especially in international locations and flights. 

United Airlines

On domestic flights, United Airlines does not require passengers or team members to wear masks. It will, however, continue to require that passengers and team members where masks on flights to countries with mask mandates. Employees don’t have to enforce mask wearing on domestic flights, but they can wear them if they so choose. This is in response to the CDC’s recommendation to continue wearing a mask on public transit. 

Southwest Airlines

In a statement to the public, Southwest Airlines said that customers would be free to make the best decision to support personal well-being. In addition to promoting the freedom to choose whether to wear a mask or not, Southwest took the chance to promote their high-end air filtration systems on its planes. These systems are also installed on the aircrafts from other carriers. 

Frontier Airlines

While Frontier will stop requiring masks on its planes, other airports and cities that it serves may still require people to wear masks. The airline stated that both customers and team members should continue to abide by masking rules where required. Frontier also said that the CDC encourages individuals to wear masks in indoor settings, regardless of current mask mandates. 

Other airlines, including JetBlue and Spirit, also responded similarly to the new mask regulations. Just keep in mind that this is an evolving situation. Respect the decisions of others during this process. If someone wants to wear a mask or not wear a mask, there’s no need to chastise their decision.

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COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to decline, and states with mask mandates have started lifting regulations. Some states continue to require face masks in indoor settings, but they lifted outdoor mask mandates. Other states have not had mask regulations for quite some time, which may not fall under the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because individual state masking policies may go against the CDC’s recommendations, some people may not know what to do.

Recent data from the CDC shows that as of February 16th, 2022, daily new COVID-19 cases in the United States dropped 43% compared to the previous week. Infectious disease specialists confirmed the decrease in cases and remain optimistic about the situation. For this reason, the specialists understand the rationale behind the lifting of mask mandates. Even though states drop mask guidances, the CDC has not adjusted their own recommendations. The recommendation is still that anyone over two years old and not “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccines should continue to wear masks in indoor public places. 

Should You Still Wear A Mask If Your State Lifted Regulations?

This is a decision that only you, and you alone, can make. Some people may not have difficulty making the decision to discard the mask and leave it in the past. Others may grapple with the fear of removing the mask in a public setting, especially an indoor one. The risks and benefits are not merely yours; rather, they also belong to the people around you. For example, you may be perfectly fine, healthy, and vaccinated, and not wearing a mask may be a risk you can take. You have to think about others in your immediate circle, though.

If you regularly interact or live with someone who is immunocompromised, it may be a good idea to continue to wear a mask in public. Although the newer COVID-19 variants may not be as lethal to your health, they are still quite contagious. That means that you may be fine if you contract COVID-19, but the immunocompromised person you see may not be so lucky. Additionally, you may want to wear a mask if you regularly spend time with people who did not get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot. Data reports indicate that unvaccinated people have an extraordinary risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. 

Pay Attention To Infection Rates

Regardless of your state’s mask mandates, it may be wise to wear a mask in public if infection rates are high where you live. Although the CDC encouraged masking indoors during the omicron wave, the decision seemed to be very individual. The decision to wear a mask is personal, but if you want to be safe and worry-free, put the mask on and don’t worry about what people think. 

What Type Of Mask Should You Wear?

If you want to continue wearing masks in public areas, a well-fitting, high quality mask is your best bet. A bandana or thin cloth offers very little protection and many researchers found that they were subpar compared to masks with three or more cloth layers. KN95, N95, and KF94 masks offer the best protection around. When you buy them, make sure that they are not counterfeit, as some may only have two layers. If you don’t want to purchase an N95 mask, you can add a filter to cloth masks, or simply wear a surgical mask under your cloth mask for extra protection.

What If You Have The Sniffles?

COVID-19 is not the only virus floating around the general public. People are regularly exposed to flu variants and strains of the common cold, which can be very harmful to certain people. The flu, for example, kills over 30,000 Americans in a typical season, and most of the deaths are older adults or immunocompromised people. Flus and colds are likely transmitted the same was as COVID-19, so if you feel a little sick, you may be shedding the virus into the air. This causes you to infect other people, so if you feel sick wear a mask if you must go out, otherwise stay home. 

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Since the beginning of the pandemic, N95 masks have been the gold standard in regards to protection against COVID-19. At that time, people were discouraged from buying them because health care workers desperately needed them. Nowadays, they are readily available and sought after, due to their ability to block more viral particulates than regular cloth or surgical masks, especially when indoors or in crowded areas. 

The N95 respirator is the most common of seven types of particulate filtering face respirators. The “95” comes from the fact that it filters 95% of airborne viruses. Due to the increased transmissibility of omicron and the new BA.2 sub-variant, more and more people are upgrading to N95s from regular cloth masks. These masks, however, can be quite expensive, so people want the maximum use out of each one. That applies to people who get them for free or to people who purchase them in bulk. 

Can You Reuse An N95 Mask?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can wear an N95 mask up to five times. The number of times you reuse an N95 will depend on where you wear it and how long you wear it. Wearing an N95 mask for brief periods, for example, going to the grocery store or running an errand, can extend the mask’s longevity. Wearing a mask in a crowded indoor environment for a long period of time may require replacement sooner rather than later. Experts also want to note that you should not wear the same mask for five consecutive days.

Over time, masks start to lose their effectiveness, experiencing general wear and tear. Elastic straps can weaken with each wear, which makes it more difficult for the mask to create a protective seal around the face. When there are gaps, it’s easier for unfiltered air to pass through the mask. If you notice that the mask doesn’t fit snugly or the nose wire or straps are damaged, you should discard the mask and wear a new one. The same rule applies if the mass gets dirty, even if you only wore it once or twice. Additionally, you should throw masks out if you regularly cough or sneeze in them. 

How To Clean An N95 Mask

In order to keep the mask in good working order, you have to clean the N95 between each wear. This helps to de-germ the mask and even though it sounds complicated, it isn’t. After wearing an N95 mask, store it in a paper bag for five days before wearing it again. This amount of time is sufficient for any virus particulates to die off. You essentially clean the mask by allowing it to air out in a paper bag. It’s very important that you don’t wash an N95 mask with soap and water. That may seem like an effective way to clean the mask, but it can compromise the mask’s integrity, disrupting the electrostatic charge to reduce filtration effectiveness. 

Treating An N95 With Heat Or UV Light

According to a paper published in 2020, dry-heat decontamination may be an effective way to clean masks, but only once or twice. Using a UV light to clean an N95 is acceptable three times, but the mask’s fit and filtration become compromised after that. Both the heat and UV light help to zap away viruses, which was beneficial during a mask shortage during 2020. Most experts agree that the paper bag method is a lot easier and less expensive, though. 

How To Store N95 Masks

When you aren’t wearing your N95 masks, you should store each one in a separate paper bag, so that they can air out properly. As a general recommendation, you should have three to five masks in your rotation at any given time. Filter new masks into your rotation as you needed. 

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COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country, and yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new shortened isolation times for asymptomatic people who test positive for COVID-19. The previous quarantine guidelines for people who tested positive were 10 days of isolation. The new isolation restrictions for people who do not have symptoms is now five days, but they should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days after quarantining. 

In addition to the reduced isolation recommendation, the CDC also suggests a five-day quarantine for people exposed to the virus who are not vaccinated, or over six months from their second mRNA dose. Health experts say that the CDC’s recommendations for isolation balance what they already know about the spread of COVID-19. Currently, omicron accounts for 73% of coronavirus infections in the United States, and breakthrough infections are rising within the fully vaccinated population, including those who received a booster shot. 

Why Did Isolation Time Reduce?

According to data analysis, the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of the illness. Generally speaking, people transmit the disease one to two days prior to experiencing symptoms, and two to three days after. Isolation relates to behavior after confirming COVID-19 infection, and quarantine refers to the confinement period after exposure to a known case of COVID-19. People who are asymptomatic have different guidelines than those who experience symptoms. 

ANYONE WHO TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 SHOULD ISOLATE FOR AT LEAST FIVE DAYS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

Reducing quarantine guidelines can help asymptomatic people return to work or school sooner, provided proper precautions are in place. The CDC states that people who received their booster shot do not need to quarantine after exposure. They should, however, wear a mask for 10 days after to be safe. It’s also beneficial to get a COVID-19 test after exposure as a precaution. 

What If Symptoms Are Present?

Should you experience a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19, you should continue to stay home until symptoms resolve. If your symptoms resolve after five days and you don’t have a fever for 24 hours, the CDC states that you are free to leave your house with a mask on. It’s best to wear a well-fitting mask around other people after testing positive to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. 

What Should You Do If Your Are Exposed? 

Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC recommends that you quarantine for five days, followed by strict masking practices for five days after that. If, for whatever reason, a five-day quarantine is not feasible, the CDC says that it’s imperative that you wear a well-fitting mask at all times, especially when around others for 10 days. For anyone who is exposed to COVID-19, the best practice is to get a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at day five after initial exposure. Should symptoms occur, immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms that symptoms are not because of COVID-19. 

The motive behind these new guidelines is to keep society running smoothly. Experts only expect the volume of new cases to increase, especially with the recent holiday travel period. Booster shots greatly lower the risk that someone will contract the virus and pass it to other people. Recent data suggests that two doses of an mRNA vaccine is 35% effective, while a COVID-19 vaccine booster has 75% efficacy against infection. Regardless of vaccination status, please be safe and take precautions to keep yourself as healthy as possible. 

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Autumn 2020 seems like it was here just the other day. Masks were mainstream and the scariest part of Halloween was potential COVID-19 infection. For that reason, that the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) advised against door-to-door trick-or-treating. With climbing vaccination rates and reduced COVID-19 cases, could trick-or-treating be safe this year?

Various health experts don’t advise gathering in large crowds this year, but they do expect kids to enjoy some semblance of normalcy this Halloween. In fact, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that children can enjoy a safe, fun Halloween this year. That means one thing and one thing only: ready your buckets because trick-or-treating is on!

Given that trick-or-treating is an outdoor activity and many children over the age of 12 are getting vaccinated, Fauci considers it a safe activity. Children under the age of 12 already spend time together on the playground and in the classroom at school. Trick-or-treating doesn’t pose an additional risk to them, according to hygienists and clinical professors. There is one variable, however, and it’s the door-to-door interaction with strangers. Nobody can know how safe other people are, but experts want to assure people that being outside significantly reduces the rate of infection. Plus, there are several steps you can take to stay safe while collecting candy. 

Avoid Indoor Trick-Or-Treating

In colder areas of the country, it’s common for parents to take children to trick-or-treat in malls, or indoors at an apartment building. The reality is that these places do not have great ventilation, which puts younger children, or the unvaccinated people, at risk. To limit your risk of COVID-19, it’s best to focus your efforts on outdoor candy collection. If the only option is to trick-or-treat indoors, it’s best to wear a mask. 

Keep The Mask On

The great thing about Halloween costumes is that many come with masks! The only downside is that costume masks do not replace masks with three to five layers of fabric. Costume masks are not designed to limit the spread of viral particles. Parents can, however, get creative and make a face mask a part of a child’s costume. Surgeon costumes, anyone? It’s also possible for children to wear masks under their costume masks, but parents should make sure children can breathe comfortably. 

Inspect Treat Before Indulging

It’s hard to resist a bag or bucket full of candy when you are a child. Some adults have that same problem! Try to feed your child(ren) a large meal before you venture out to trick-or-treat in order to reduce the urge to savagely consume candy. Upon arriving home from a successful night, discard any candies that have torn packaging, or ones that don’t have a seal. As a general safety measure unrelated to COVID-19, inspect labels if your child suffers from food allergies. 

Keep Hands Clean

Between railings, fences, candy, and the other things kids may come in contact with on Halloween, it’s important to keep hands clean. Since you’ll be out with children away from soap and water, keep hand sanitizer at the ready. It’s not necessary to sanitize after every house you visit, but every once in a while is beneficial. The risk of contracting COVID-19 via candy wrappers is very low, but keeping hands clean decreases the risk even further. Additionally, experts advise that children wash their hands before they eat some of the candy they picked. This reduces the risk of ingesting any germs they picked up while trick-or-treating. You don’t have to quarantine the candy, by the way.

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Planes were nearly empty during 2020, but you’re lucky to have an empty seat next to you on a flight, nowadays. Plane travel is essentially the same as it used to be, but the only difference is that people still have to wear face coverings. Face masks are not going anywhere, either. According to TSA, people will have to continue to wear face masks on planes and in airports until at least January 2022. And that’s just an estimate as of now.

Even though planes have great air filtration systems in place, passengers still have to wear masks for everyone’s safety. You shouldn’t just pick out a random mask to wear for fun, though. Much like booking a flight or an entire trip with activities and hotel stays, research is absolutely necessary. Some people throw whatever cloth they can find over their face! Numerous cloth masks prove very ineffective at preventing respiratory droplets from entering or escaping. 

What Should You Look For In A Mask?

Any mask made from a single layer of thin cloth is very ineffective. The bandana is probably the least effective mask, in case any of you enjoy that thin cloth that barely stays on your face. Ideally, a face mask that offers great protection will consist of two to three layers of heavyweight fabric like cotton. According to the American Lung Association, a mask like that can filter 70-79% of particles. Masks with four or more layers can provide 80-90% filtration. It’s also beneficial to get a mask with a nose wire so that it doesn’t continuously fall down your face. Lastly, when it comes to airline travel, you typically cannot have one of those masks with circular vents. Most airlines don’t allow passengers to wear those because of the fact that respiratory droplets can escape through the vents. 

The SupplyAID KN95 Face Mask

This protective face mask is has over 48,000 five-star ratings online. Several studies have proven that these masks are some of the most protective and comfortable masks to wear. It’s possible to get a five-pack for about $10 or less, and they hold up for hours of travel. Some passengers said that they were still comfortable wearing these masks after 10 hours on a plane. 

The Disposable KN95 5-Layer Mask

Five layers of protection means that you can have peace of mind while you travel through the skies in a metal tube with strangers. Many users claim that these masks are comfortable and the fit makes it easy to breathe, even during longer trips. Healthcare workers typically use these masks when they are not working in hospitals. They offer excellent protection and the nose wire makes it so they don’t slip off the nose. 

The Boncare KN95 Mask

This brand makes masks for people with smaller faces, as other masks can slip off more easily. Mask size will vary from face to face, but this one seems to fit comfortably on small- or medium-sized faces. Additionally, users report that the loops on this mask are very comfortable. Some people say that they don’t even realize they are wearing a mask with ear loops! 

N95 Pouch Respirator Mask

This mask can look like a duckbill on a person’s face, but that’s a primary reason why users rate these as the most breathable masks. It holds the edge of the mask farther away from the mouth and nose, creating a pouch that is more comfortable for the user. The nose wire consists of two parallel wires that are designed to smoothly fit on the face. Lastly, the straps that go around the head are less irritating for people who dislike ear loops. Plus, the head straps make the mask fit more snug on the face. 

The Three Layer Cloth Mask

Many companies make three to four layer cloth masks that use cotton or similar heavy fabrics. The inner layer often consists of breathable cotton so as not to make the user uncomfortable. The other two layers consist of woven cotton that provide optimal protection. It’s wise to get these cloth masks with a nose wire so that they can hug the face, leaving very little room for germs to enter. These types of masks, however, will not offer the same protection as the aforementioned masks in this article. 

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Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and many people use it as a last hurrah. Celebrations range from a camping trip in the forest, a large barbecue, a beach rental with friends, or a trip to a neighboring city or state. As Americans attempt to squeeze in one last weekend of summer shenanigans, it’s best to do so safely with the nationwide spread of the coronavirus delta variant. 

Labor Day is a notorious holiday for travel, and plenty of Americans are ready to hit the road or airport to reach their destinations. According to Arrivalist, a travel data company, roughly 42.9 million Americans will head out on road trips for Labor Day 2021. That’s actually a 10% decrease since 2019 Labor Day Weekend travel, and a 1% decrease since 2020 Labor Day travel. Perhaps this is due to the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19. 

It’s wise to reconsider what you have planned for your travels. Some things may or may not be open, or your anxiety about the developing situation may induce fear. If you plan to travel or already have existing travel plans for Labor Day Weekend, keep the following safety tips in mind. 

Bring Masks…Lots Of Them

The rise of the delta variant is an evolving situation, meaning that cities and states may change safety guidelines as they see fit. For example, Hawaii may enforce a 72-hour stay-at-home order for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend because it has seen the highest case rates since the beginning of the pandemic. With updated recommendations and regulations, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Bring lots of masks wherever you go, especially if you have to fly to your destination. TSA requires that people wear masks until at least January 2022. If masks get dirty or wet, they offer less protection. Opt for triple-layer protection with adjustable ear loops so that the mask fits snugly on your face. 

Focus On Outdoor Activities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that outdoor gatherings are much safer than indoor gatherings. This is especially true if the gathering consists of both unvaccinated and vaccinated people. Use Labor Day as an excuse to soak up the last bit of summer weather. If possible, try to keep the size of the gathering to a minimum, and exercise caution if there are children present. Be extra safe if anyone you know is immunocompromised.

Check Guidelines Before Traveling

Before you depart or venture across state/country lines, it’s best to check what your destination’s guidelines and regulations are. Some states or countries may implement quarantine requirements for incoming travelers. Alternatively, you may have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48-72 hours of departure. This is mainly for international travel, though. Traveling within the U.S. may be easier, but still exercise caution and do your research before you leave. 

Have Your Vaccine Card Handy

This only applies to people who received one of the COVID-19 vaccines. Places like New Orleans or New York City recently started requiring proof of vaccination for indoor venues like gyms and restaurants. Now, the vaccine card is not the most wallet-friendly document, which can bring up some issues. Fortunately, most places often accept a digital photo of the vaccine card, or the QR code that reveals status of vaccination. Those last two options may be more feasible than carrying around the vaccine card. 

Stay Home If You’re Unwell

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of transmission is to stay at home if you feel sick or unwell. You may have a summer cold as opposed to COVID-19, but stay home, rest, and allow the body time to get better. If you don’t have COVID-19, it’s easier to contract it when your immune system is already struggling. With the more contagious delta variant, however, some COVID-19 symptoms can mimic those of the flu or common cold. It may be wise to get a COVID-19 test if you are not feeling well, just to be on the safe side. 

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