Face Mask With Breathing Vent (Avoid or Use?)

Face mask with breathing vent is a premium inflatable, soft-cushioned, pliable mask that has an ultra-thin wall and an air-filled cushion to provide a low-pressure soft seal and superior seating characteristics.

How does it work?

Face mask with breathing vent has a tiny plastic piece attached to the fabric. It’s a one-way valve that closes whenever you breathe in to prevent pathogens from getting through. Whenever you breathe out the valve opens, expelling air from the mask.

Should you use a face mask with breathing vent for protection against coronavirus?

According to the Mayo Clinic, these types of masks do not protect others from coronavirus, as the one-way valve which allows unfiltered air to be released when the wearer exhales means the wearer can spread the virus as easily as not wearing a mask.

Face masks with breathing vent defeats the purpose of wearing a mask, you may be protecting yourself but you are not protecting others from the virus.

When you wear a mask with a valve, a significant portion of your exhalations is entirely unfiltered. A normal cotton mask is far from perfect at capturing virus particles that you might inhale or exhale. (Surgical masks were originally invented to protect patients from coughing and sneezing, not pathogens from the air!) But when you add the valve, you aren’t even filtering your breath with cotton. Your mouth is essentially an open exhaust.

How to put on a face mask

1. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the mask.
2. Remove a mask from the box and make sure there are no obvious tears or holes in either side of the mask.
3. Determine which side of the mask is the top. The side of the mask that has a stiff bendable edge is the top and is meant to mold to the shape of your nose.
4. Determine which side of the mask is the front. The colored side of the mask is usually the front and should face away from you, while the white side touches your face.
5. Follow the instructions below for the type of mask you are using.
   • Face Mask with Ear loops: Hold the mask by the ear loops. Place a loop around each ear.
   • Face Mask with Ties: Bring the mask to your nose level and place the ties over the crown of your head and secure with a bow.
   • Face Mask with Bands: Hold the mask in your hand with the nosepiece or top of the mask at fingertips, allowing the headbands to hang freely below hands.  Bring the mask to your nose level and pull the top strap over your head so that it rests over the crown of your head.  Pull the bottom strap over your head so that it rests at the nape of your neck.
6. Mold or pinch the stiff edge to the shape of your nose.
7. If using a face mask with ties: Then take the bottom ties, one in each hand, and secure with a bow at the nape of your neck.
8. Pull the bottom of the mask over your mouth and chin.

How to remove a face mask

1. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the mask.Avoid touching the front of the mask. The front of the mask is contaminated. Only touch the ear loops/ties/band.Follow the instructions below for the type of mask you are using.
2. Face Mask with Ear loops: Hold both of the ear loops and gently lift and remove the mask.
3. Face Mask with Ties: Untie the bottom bow first then untie the top bow and pull the mask away from you as the ties are loosened.
4. Face Mask with Bands: Lift the bottom strap over your head first then pull the top strap over your head.
5. Throw the mask in the trash. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

What type of mask should you use?

Surgical masks

Also called a medical mask, a surgical mask is a loose-fitting disposable mask that protects the wearer’s nose and mouth from contact with droplets, splashes, and sprays that may contain germs. A surgical mask also filters out large particles in the air. Surgical masks may protect others by reducing exposure to the saliva and respiratory secretions of the mask wearer.

At this time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any type of surgical mask specifically for protection against the coronavirus, but these masks may provide some protection when N95 masks are not available. (source)

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Cloth masks

A cloth mask is intended to trap droplets that are released when the wearer talks, coughs, or sneezes. Asking everyone to wear cloth masks can help reduce the spread of the virus by people who have COVID-19 but don’t realize it.

Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus when they are widely used by people in public settings. And countries that required face masks, testing, isolation, and social distancing early in the pandemic have successfully slowed the spread of the virus.

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N95 masks

Actually a type of respirator, an N95 mask offers more protection than a surgical mask does because it can filter out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales. As the name indicates, the mask is designed to block 95% of very small particles. Some N95 masks have valves that make them easier to breathe through. With this type of mask, unfiltered air is released when the wearer exhales.

Health care providers must be trained and pass a fit test to confirm a proper seal before using an N95 respirator in the workplace. Like surgical masks, N95 masks are intended to be disposable. However, researchers are testing ways to disinfect N95 masks so they can be reused.

Some N95 masks, and even some cloth masks, have one-way valves that make them easier to breathe through. But because the valve releases unfiltered air when the wearer breathes out, this type of mask doesn’t prevent the wearer from spreading the virus. For this reason, some places have banned them. (source)

Our recommended mask

KN95 is an FDA approved mask created by Hoppe Supply. KN95 mask has 5 strong layers of protection including 2 premium quality melt-blown layers. The elastic straps have been reinforced with a strong heat press for a very strong hold, not like those other masks that snap when you try to put them on.

KN95 mask has a smooth texture ensuring a comfortable, all day long fit for first responders. It also comes with a flexible nose pin for a tighter fit during high-density situations.

Disposable KN95 comes with layers of non-woven fabric. They contain breathable properties, are skin-friendly and soft. This product can be used in various settings and works against air pollutants, pollen, allergies, and dust particles. They all have an elastic band that loops around each ear to stay fit in place.

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