How Much Protection Does Your Face Mask Offer?

Although face masks and respirators have become commonplace during COVID-19, consumers still struggle to find products that are legitimate and offer adequate protection for themselves and their families. With a proliferation of both credible and not-so-credible manufacturers and retailers, as well as varying regulatory requirements comparing masks available online and in stores is a confusing and difficult process. As the CDC underscores the importance of better-quality masks and respirators to mitigate the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant, the increase in fraudulence and lack of clear guidelines for these now mass-marketed products proves troubling.

How did we get here?
Before the pandemic, medical face masks and surgical respirators were used primarily in the healthcare industry, with public usage uncommon in most regions. These medical-grade products undergo strict testing and review through regulatory bodies, like FDA and NIOSH. At the beginning of COVID-1