Not all cloth masks are alike. Those with incorporated filters can offer a level of protection that nears that of N95, KN95, and surgical masks.

Prominent public health officials have increasingly highlighted the limitations of cloth face masks, pushing for more effective respirator masks such as N95s as omicron engulfs the United States ...

As the CDC changes its guidelines to recommend more heavy-duty masks, this scientist explains what's behind the difference in quality of cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95s—and how to make ...

N95s offer the most protection, followed by surgical masks and then cloth masks. However, the fit of a mask matters greatly.

The second interesting way to go is to re-examine cloth masks. Initially, these were found to be much less effective than the disposable masks at blocking the aerosols they are designed to stop.

Studies are emerging that cloth masks are not as effective in preventing the spread of COVID and N95 or KN95 masks remain the gold standard.

Americans were then urged to wear cloth masks to save specialized medical-grade masks for the health care professionals and COVID patients. And fights over mask mandates soon spread nationwide.

N95s offer the most protection, followed by surgical masks and then cloth masks. However, the fit of a mask matters greatly.