More places around Kansas City are requiring masks. Does it matter which kind you wear?

Mask mandates are making their way back into some area schools and cities around the metro, but in a lot of places around Kansas City, they’re not required right now.

In the wake of what many local doctors are calling the most severe wave of COVID-19 in Kansas City of the whole pandemic, medical leaders are calling on individuals to wear masks anyway—even if they’re not required—to limit the spread.

What’s the CDC mask guidance?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently asks that people 2 years and older who aren’t fully vaccinated wear masks while in public indoor spaces or even outdoors in places with high transmission.

In instances where there is significant community spread like in Kansas City, vaccinated people are also encouraged to wear a mask.

As the positivity rate in Kansas City climbs above 39 percent, wearing masks in public or in crowded places is an important tool for preventing infection.

Understanding which masks are better at preventing infection could also keep more people safe during the latest COVID-19 surge.

Does it matter what kind of mask you wear, or how you wear it?

“We do know that the different masks offer different protection levels,” said Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease physician at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

“Obviously with the KN95 or the N95 being the highest. Next down would be the surgical mask. And of course then after that would be the two to three layer cloth masks, but they still do provide protection,” Hawkinson said.

Whether it’s an N95 or cloth mask, Hawinson said the most important thing is to check that masks are well-fitted and cover your mouth, nose and chin.

Which mask works best?

Many doctors recommend N95 and KN95 masks, which are the most effective masks for preventing infection.

Both N95 and K95 masks are more than 95 percent effective at filtering non-oil-based particles, according to 3M, an American company that manufactures N95s and other goods related to worker safety and health care. The main difference between the two is that N95 meets U.S. standards while K95 masks are designed to meet standards in China.

Both masks are designed for single use, but they can be used more than once if it is stored in a bag for up to 24-48 hours between uses to prevent the virus from spreading to surfaces, according to one McClatchy report.

If you choose to wear an N95, make sure that it has a cup, flat fold or duck bill shape. It should also have two straps that go around the head and have a wire nose bridge, according to the CDC.

Do not wear an N95 mask if it is wet or dirty, hard to breathe or with a second mask. The CDC also cautions against wearing masks that are counterfeit. Around 60% of KN95 masks in the U.S. are counterfeit or don’t meet standards set by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH).

“Just be aware that those masks that you may buy at the pharmacy, at the grocery store or at the hardware store, they may not be validated or vetted the same as those masks that are available in the hospital,” Hawkinson said.

The CDC lists NIOSH-approved N95 manufacturers here.

What to know about surgical masks and fabric masks

Disposable three-ply surgical masks are sufficient, according to Hawinson, and offer more protection than fabric masks. Surgical masks are specifically designed to help filter particles from being inhaled. The CDC recommends that people tie a knot in the ear loops to ensure a close fit. Do not wear masks that leave gaps between the material and your face, and avoid masks that are wet or dirty.

Cloth masks should be at least two or three layers, but they do add protection as well. When double masking, current guidance suggests that people combine a disposable mask and a cloth mask on top.

“Currently we do believe that a well-fitting mask is important. Masks that are loose around the sides of the cheeks or the nose are not as effective…A multilayer cloth mask is more effective than a single layer like a bandana,” said HCA Midwest Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kim Megow at a medical briefing on Wednesday.

Where to find masks

Finding masks during the omicron surge can be challenging. Amazon has a selection of approved N95 and 3-layer surgical masks.

Masks are also available for purchase through delivery services like Instacart and GoPuff. Walgreens is sold out of most of its N95 and KN95 selection online, but in-store locations may have some masks available.

Places like the Kansas City Public Library, KC Care Health Center and the KC Streetcar have masks available to visitors if you need to pick one up, but we couldn’t find local mass mask distributions happening right now in Kansas City.

The Biden administration announced this week that it will be making “high-quality” masks available to Americans for free, CNN reported. The Biden administration will also purchase 500 million COVID tests that will be available to order on a website in the coming week, according to the report.

“Nothing is 100% and masks are only one part one component of public health guidance and risk mitigation strategies,” Hawkinson said, adding that people should continue to avoid crowded, high risk environments and wash their hands often.

Do you have other questions about the latest wave of COVID-19 in Kansas City? Ask us at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below.