The CDC’s new guidelines state cloth face covers are less effective than other masks to protect against COVID-19.
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In their updated guidelines, the CDC is urging Americans to wear N95 or KN95 masks because they apparently filter out airborne particles. “Loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection, layered finely woven products offer more protection, well-fitting disposable surgical masks, and KN95s offer even more protection, and well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95s) offer the highest level of protection,” the new guideline says.
This is the first update on face coverings since September 2021 and officials also recommend wearing a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask.
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According to the New York Post, the CDC said surgical N95s are specifically for healthcare professionals and are not readily available for the public. Additionally, President Biden said in a statement that his administration was working on making “high-quality masks.
“We are making high-quality masks available to the American people for free. I know we all wish that we could finally be done with wearing masks. I get it.”