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The benefits of KN95 face masks against coronavirus

The effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 have been felt across the entire globe, and in the face of such dire circumstances we must take direct action. For the most part that has meant following social distancing measures, and ensuring the safety of those most vulnerable. An essential part of that in the months to come will be personal protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, refers to any and all equipment that can be used to maximise user health and safety. While it has traditionally been used to refer to gear used by construction workers, such as hard hats, that meaning has shifted. Now when people say PPE, they’re most likely referring to equipment designed to prevent the spread of viruses.

PPE can cover a wide variety of different items. That means protective goggles, disposable aprons, disinfecting hand gel, amongst many others. Significantly, one of the most common pieces of advice has been to wear face masks, since the majority of infections are passed via droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough. 

The gold standard for this sort of face protection is probably the KN95 face mask. Today, we’re going to look at why the KN95 represents some of the best quality in protecting yourself against coronavirus, and what to consider when you buy face masks.

Woman wearing KN95 mask | Face mask | PPE benefits

What are face masks?

This might seem like an obvious question, but there are so many different types of face mask that the category can get a little confusing. In short, a face mask is any sort of fabric covering that provides coverage to parts of your face, whether that’s everything up to your eyes, or just your mouth. 

The most common face masks you’ll see are probably disposable surgical masks, particularly among healthcare professionals. That’s because the disposable nature of them makes it easier to keep them sanitary during prolonged periods of exposure to infectious patients. These are typically made of a simple mesh of fabrics to try and prevent the transference of larger droplets.

Aside from these there are masks designed to fit more closely to the face, like the KN95 mask. Masks in this category have a tighter face seal, qualifying them as respiratory masks, since they attempt to prevent any contaminants entering your respiratory system. That’s why they’ve become so significant during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The benefits of KN95 face masks

Now that you know the difference between the most commonly found face masks, let’s get into what makes KN95 masks and other respiratory face masks such a helpful piece of equipment in the face of viral infections. 

Woman texting | KN95 Face Masks | Best masks

1. Prevents 95% of airborne particles

This is the major benefit of respiratory face masks. The seal means that the risk of inhaling any and all particles from your surroundings are drastically reduced—a surgical mask is really on meant to prevent the transference of larger airborne pathogens.

What does that 95% cover? Well, the vast majority of large and small particles, even covering aerosols. While no coverage is 100%, the KN95 mask and other respirators like it represent that closest and most comprehensive coverage possible for your mouth and nose. Keeping your airways safe helps keep others safe too.

2. Limited possibility of leakage

Due to the nature of the seal, the pattern of a user’s breath has a very limited effect on potential leakage when using a protective respiratory mask. This means that the seal isn’t prone to lifting or becoming compromised, regardless of your movements or actions.

While this seems obvious, there are plenty of masks that will lift and adjust depending on your pattern of breath, negating their usefulness at key points. With a KN95 mask you can be confident in consistent coverage.

3. Longer-lasting than disposable masks

You shouldn’t use protective face masks longer than is necessary, but KN95 face masks have a longer shelf life than masks designed to be disposable. Of course, if you’re directly exposed to someone coughing or sneezing, you should absolutely swap it out (washing your hands thoroughly after disposing of it). 

Otherwise, they’re good to use consistently until they become deformed and the seal is no longer functional. That makes having a few of these on hand a strong way to keep yourself and those around you safe for extended periods of time during the coronavirus pandemic.

Buying KN95 face masks

If you’re looking to protect yourself from the spread of COVID-19, a KN95 face mask is a great place to start. All of the masks we sell come with certificates of conformity, so you can feel confident when you buy KN95 face masks here. 

We also stock an extensive range of other personal protective equipment, including protective goggles, face shields and disposable masks for those working in high-risk environments. At PPE Connect,