Do I need to wear a face mask and what’s the difference between the various masks on the market?

Essentially there are 2 main types of face masks. The 3 Ply Surgical Mask and the Respirator Mask. Surgical masks and respirator masks serve different purposes and are designed and manufactured in different ways.

Surgical masks also are known as 3 Ply medical masks are essentially small pieces of cloth people use to keep the germs from their coughs and sneezes to themselves or to prevent picking up other people’s viruses and bacteria.

They are made of 3 layers which serve different purposes. The outer hydrophobic non-woven layer is intended to repel water, blood, and body fluids. The middle melt-blown layer which is the key piece of a surgical mask is designed as the filter to stop germs from entering or exiting the mask. Lastly, the inner soft absorbent non-woven layer is intended to absorb water, sweat, and saliva. These masks are the most affordable and recommended to wear if you are feeling unwell and or around people that might be unwell. It is prudent also to wear when you are likely to be in close proximity to people. These are disposable masks and typically worn between 3 to 8hours per day.

Respirator masks also are known as FFP2 and FFP3 Masks are more robustly designed than surgical masks. They contain a respirator that prevents much smaller particles from passing through to a person’s respiratory system. Three of the most common respiratory masks are N-95, KN-95 masks, and N-99 masks, which, when used correctly, prevent 95 percent and 99 percent, respectively, of airborne particles from entering a person’s mouth or nose. When in very close proximity to people or when working as a first responder or as a healthcare professional, it is advised to wear these more protective masks.

Respirator masks can be further divided into two categories: insulating and filtering. Filtering respirators includes a face piece and a filtering device. The filter element is integrated into the facepiece, sometimes. The mask will either be effective only against particles, only against certain gases, and vapors, or against particles, gases, and vapors depending on the type of filter.

Filtering respirators can sometimes also be provided with an exhalation valve to improve user comfort. The valve prevents moisture inside the mask, misting on the glasses, and helps the user breathe in and out easily. Respirators can be disposable or reusable. In another case, it is possible to replace the filter when it is full. Tampa Bay Rays Face Coverings

People wearing face masks wait in line to shop for groceries Saturday in metro Phoenix. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered residents of the state to stay at home through April 30 to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Matt York)
ARIZONA — Gov. Doug Ducey has issued a series of executive orders aimed at protecting Arizonans from the new coronavirus, which public health officials say is widespread across the state and sickened 151 more people from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the total to 2,726.

At least 80 people have died from COVID-19, as the illness caused by the virus is known. At least 15 of those deaths are linked to coronavirus infections in nursing homes in Maricopa County, and one of Ducey's new orders outlines steps all nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the state should take to separate residents who are infected from those who are not.

The governor's orders also require travelers from three states in the Northeast hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving at an Arizona airport.

Travelers From 3 States Must Quarantine
To slow the coronavirus spread, Gov. Doug Ducey issued a series of executive orders, including placing restrictions on some travelers.

Maricopa County, the state's most populous county and home to Phoenix, the 10th largest metropolitan area in the country, is the epicenter of the Arizona outbreak with 37 deaths. On Wednesday, there were 1,556 confirmed coronavirus cases, up 62 from the day before. The county health department said 87 people living in nursing homes have contracted the illness, and 15 of them have died.Los Angeles Dodgers Face Coverings


The NFL initial changed the rules after Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey took a COVID-19 test, played against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and then on Monday got a positive test result back. There were six Ravens players that were considered high-risk due to their close contact with Humphrey and now they're forced to quarantine for five days. Couple that news with the latest from the 49ers, and its evident why the NFL is enforcing these new face mask rules.

"We're trying to double down on (preventing) high-risk close contacts during game day," NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said on Tuesday. "Our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of everyone involved," Sills added. "We want to be as safe as possible and that's why we go through the detailed exercise of contact tracing. That's why we go through the detailed exercise of identifying high-risk contacts. We continue to consider that every one of our 32 clubs are vulnerable to infection every single day we're in business, just like all of us are in the country right now and we have to be extremely vigilant in the measures that we know right now mitigate risks."MLB Face Coverings Online Sale