Report Finds KN95 Masks Not as Effective as N95 Masks. A new report finds that the popular KN95 masks are not as effective as N95 masks that have been in short supply. However, KN95 masks may have uses outside of high risk areas. Masks have been shown to be effective at limiting the spread of COVID-19.

What are the pros and cons of KN95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Pros: Filter up to 95% of particles in the air (when they meet the right requirements and are not counterfeit/fake, and when proper fit can be achieved).

Cons: Can be uncomfortable; often requires more effort to breath; may be more expensive and difficult to obtain; designed for one-time use; many counterfeit (fake) KN95 masks are commercially available, and sometimes it is hard to tell if they meet the right requirements just by looking at them. At least 60% of the KN95 masks evaluated by NIOSH did not meet the requirements that they claim to meet.

Additional Considerations: It may be hard to achieve a proper fit with certain types of facial hair.

What type of mask is recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

CDC recommends community use of masks, specifically non-valved, multi-layer cloth masks, to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2.