The omicron variant continues its impact on COVID-19 cases in the United States. As such, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking at updating its guidelines for mask wearing. indicates that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will recommend that Americans use more-protective facial covers.
Federal officials believe that any facial covering is better that none, but there is increasing concern that single-layer cloth covers may not be enough to protect against the omicron variant. This has led regulators to reconsider new guidelines to encourage Americans to use N95 and KN95 mask.
However, a major problem with such a recommendation is the increase in counterfeit facial coverings during the COVID-19 epidemic. The CDC states that more than 60% of KN95 masks on the American market are fake. Americans have also reported problems with N95 mask which are regulated and approved (NIOSH) by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
How can Americans protect themselves against counterfeit facial coverings? The CDC states that the types of facial coverings that a person seeks will affect the tip.
These are some tips from CDC to help you determine if an N95 filtering facial respirator (FFR) is legal:
- Coverings that have been approved by NISOH will always bear the following designations: N95/N99/N100, R95/R99/R100, P95/P99, R100 or P100.
- Filtering face piece respirator (FFR), has no markings
- The NIOSH markings should be clearly visible on the packaging or the covering.
- Coverings that are approved by NIOSH must include an approval number on the mask and/or the headband.
Correct spelling of NIOSH is required
- Add-ons or decorative fabric are not permitted on approved-coverings
- The NIOSH has not approved respirators for children. If packaging contains that claim it is likely to be fake.
- FFR's approved by NIOSH have headbands and not ear-loops.
A database has been created by the NIOSH, CDC and CDC so that individuals can check if their N95 masks have been approved by federal regulators.
The CDC has additional tips to help you spot a fake N95 mask.
The #1 Tip for Avoiding Counterfeit KN95 Masques
If you are looking for a KN95 Mask, there is one thing that you should remember. The mask must not bear the "NIOSH” marking. This is because the institute doesn't approve KN95 masks or masks made to conform to international standards.
KN95 masks were made in China and conform to Chinese governmental standards according to the CDC.