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Why do not self-made masks protect you from Omicron?

Why do not self-made masks protect you from Omicron?

Your fabric face mask, the one you sewed and washed and dried and put on again, is no longer protecting you against Covid, more precisely from the Omicron variant.

As common as face masks are made of fabric, they provide little protection to prevent the introduction of small particles of the virus into the nose or mouth and are not effective against the new variant, say health experts.

Health experts are urging the public to choose three-layer surgical masks, KN95 masks or N95 masks, which offer more protection against the highly contagious variant.

Why do not self-made masks protect you from Omicron?

Omicron spreads faster than other known coronavirus variants and is extremely transmissible - even through thick fabric face masks. Some countries, such as Germany and Austria, only require the placement of surgical masks in public.

Which face mask is most effective against COVID-19?

N95 masks were most effective at blocking airway drops by up to 99% to be exact. The second best? Surgical masks.

Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, said surgical masks are an excellent and more affordable option.

Why do not self-made masks protect you from Omicron?

"We have to wear at least one three-layer surgical mask. You can put a cloth mask on it, but do not just wear a cloth mask.