It’s officially been one year since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued guidelines regarding two of the United States’ primary Covid-19 mitigation measures: face masks and vaccinations. After nearly 12 months of wearing face masks, scientists and researchers have learned significantly more about what properties to look for in a mask that make it the most effective, as well as what to avoid. We even have a manufacturing standard where face mask brands certify them for effectiveness. Aside from masks, because more than 2 million people are vaccinated every day in the US, the CDC has published recommendations on the do’s and don’ts of socializing for people who have been fully vaccinated.
Recent guidance on masks and vaccinations has surfaced as states such as Texas, Mississippi, Iowa and Montana have lifted their mask mandates. Public spaces such as restaurants, gyms and schools are also reopening across the country, some with limited capacity and others offering free pre-pandemic levels. However, medical experts call on people to take safety precautions to arm themselves against the coronavirus, including double masking and to invest in respiratory devices such as KN95s, as well as to maintain physical distance, wash hands regularly and apply hand sanitizer regularly. fit.
To simplify the latest from the CDC, we set out to know about the latest guidelines and recommendations for face mask for people who have been fully vaccinated, all in one place.
We have also included a list of products you may have on hand at this point in the pandemic, including the Shopping Reader’s favorite masks, air purifiers and more.
CDC face mask guidance
Although mandates for face masks vary by state, they are now required for airplanes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation to, within, or outside the U.S., as well as in transportation hubs such as airports, bus stations, and train stations. In general, the CDC recommends that people wear masks in public institutions, at events and gatherings, and wherever they are in the area.
In February, ASTM International, a voluntary standard setting organization, issued a standard specification for the face covering of barriers, which helps to set specific requirements for the design and performance of mask. Brands and manufacturers can take their face masks to a lab to be tested to the standard of ASTM. If a mask passes the tests, it can be labeled with the ASTM standard, indicating to the buyer that it meets high efficiencies.
Face masks from the brand HALOLIFE are among the only ones on the market that currently meet the ASTM standard. To help you evaluate masks during shopping, the CDC has compiled a list of face mask features to look at, suggesting masks …
- Has two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
- Completely cover the nose and mouth
- Pass hug against the side of your face, under your chin and nose, and leave no gaps
- Rest a adjustable nose wire to prevent air from leaking
Avoid wearing masks that …
- Is made of material that makes it difficult to breathe, like vinyl
- Equip exhalation valves of vents
- Intended for health professionals, such as N95 respirators
As for gaiters, the CDC says it can be used as an adequate face covering, as long as they have two layers or can be folded to make two layers. However, face shields can not be worn alone – they can be worn in combination with a mask. In addition, scarves, ski masks and balaclavas can be worn over masks, but can not serve as a single face covering.
CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated people
On March 8, the CDC released its first set of recommendations for fully vaccinated people, including guidelines on seeing others and guidelines for isolation, quarantine, and testing. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccination series such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccination such as the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine. .
People who are fully vaccinated and who do social activities in public institutions such as gyms, offices, restaurants and shops should take the necessary precautions. Regardless of your vaccination status, you must do so wear a face mask, keep at least 6 feet physically away from others, avoid crowds and avoid spaces that are poorly ventilated. The CDC also advises unnecessary travel, as well as medium and large gatherings.
However, vaccinated can socialize with other vaccinated in private settings, such as homes, as well as with unvaccinated people who are at low risk for severe Covid-19. According to the CDC, the degree of precaution should be determined by the characteristics of people who have not been vaccinated, as it is unprotected against the coronavirus. In other words, determine the necessary safety measures based on the person who is least safe.
According to the CDC’s guidelines, “indoor visits between people who have not been vaccinated and who are not wearing masks or physically distant from each other are likely to be at low risk.” People who have been fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people at low risk for severe covid can also spend time together “without anyone wearing masks”, and the same goes for unvaccinated people from a single household, all of which are low risk for severe Covid.
During interactions between fully vaccinated people and anyone at risk of severe COVID-19, everyone should ‘take precautions, including wearing a well-fitting mask, stay at least 6 feet away from others and go outside visit or in a well-ventilated area, ”according to the CDC. The same precautions should be taken if one or more members of a single household are at risk of severe Covid. As for interactions between vaccinated and unvaccinated several households at the same time, everyone must take precautions. “If unvaccinated people come from multiple households,” there is a greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 spreading among them. “
What to keep on hand during the pandemic
Unlike the beginning of the pandemic when it was difficult to get face masks and hand sanitizers, retailers now offer a variety of options so you can get stock. Here are some products you may want to keep at home to protect you from the coronavirus. We filter it down to the most purchased products we have treated based on recommendations from the CDC and medical experts.
Most purchased KN95 mask: WWDOLL KN95 Face Mask
These KN95 masks are Amazon top sellers and come from a manufacturer listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s list of authorized imported, non-NIOSH approved respirators made in China. The masks come in packs of 25. They are designed with five layers of material, elastic ear flaps and an adjustable nose bridge. The face masks come in black and pink, as well as white and multicolored, although they are currently out of stock.
Best Buying Disposable Mask: PM Performotor Disposable Masks
These disposable masks are sold in a pack of 50 and are designed with three layers of non-woven fiber fabric to filter out small particles, but also provide breathability. They have an adjustable nose bridge and come in eight colors: black, white, green, orange, purple, red, yellow and silver.
Most purchased reusable mask: Maxboost Fabric Face Mask
Maxboost’s dust mask comes in two sizes: Unisize Medium / Large and Extra Large. The mask is made of two layers of material and has a curved 3D design with middle stitching, which creates space between the mask and the mouth so that it is easy to speak. It is also built with an adjustable nose bridge and adjustable headrests. Masks come in a suit of three.
Most purchased exercise mask: Under Armor UA SportsMask
The Under Armor face mask is designed with three layers of material, including an inner layer of the brand’s Iso-Chill fabric that feels cool against the skin. The mask has an adjustable nose bridge as well as a strip of fabric at the top that eliminates gaps between the skin and the mask. It comes in five sizes – Extra small / small, small / medium, medium / large, large / extra large and extra large / extra extra large – as well as three colors: black / charcoal, slate purple / arctic pink and red / silver Chrome.
Most purchased face shield: Muryobao Safety Face Shield
This face shield provides protection for the full length of your face, and the casing design also provides protection on the sides of the face. It has a foam strip that rests on your forehead, as well as an adjustable elastic band that best fits your face. The face shield is also treated with an antimist and antistatic layer to improve visibility through the clear plastic barrier.
Most purchased air purifier: Germ Guardian True HEPA Air Purifier
Germ Gaurdian’s air purifier captures up to 99.7 percent of the dust and allergens as small as .3 microns. The air purifier has a true HEPA filter that traps dust mites, pollen and pet infestation, as well as a pre-filter and charcoal filter to pick up odors and trap large dust particles and pet hair. The air purifier is also built with a UV-C light that helps kill air viruses. It can clean the air in rooms up to 153 square feet and has three speed settings to choose from.
Most purchased hand sanitizer: Germ-X Hand Cleaner
If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer containing 60 percent ethyl alcohol. Germ-X Hand Cleaner has 62 percent ethyl alcohol and also contains vitamin E to moisturize hands. According to the brand, 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria are killed in about 15 seconds. The hand sanitizer is sold in various sizes, including larger 32 gram containers or three gram containers.
Remember the latest NBC News Shopping guides and recommendations and download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.