Why We Should Wear N95 Masks
By Lauren W.
February 11, 2022
The Omicron virus, a new, highly contagious variant of COVID-19, has led to a rise in COVID cases around the world. This has resulted in increased COVID guidelines, as well as KLS guidelines which includes a requirement to wear N95 masks for all students. Cloth and surgical masks, a previously common mask for KLS students, are banned in favour of N95 masks, which are harder to breathe in, stuffy, and just overall more annoying. However, we are required to wear them every day, without fail. Why? Because they protect us from COVID-19.
Many people at KLS dislike N95 masks. When asked whether she liked N95 masks, Diana Steuk, a freshman, said “No, I don’t like N95 masks. They fog up my glasses.” Another student, Nicolas, has even more conviction, saying after a long rant, “We should ban masks […] Comfort over safety!”
But it is important to remember that although N95 masks are uncomfortable, they are the best at protecting us from the Coronavirus. They are designed for an extremely close fit and perform very efficient filtration of airborne particles. This design offers the highest level of protection amongst face masks and blocks 95% of COVID particles.
What about cloth and surgical masks? Unfortunately, those are remnants of an era before the highly contagious Omicron variant. Cloth masks are considered the least effective by the CDC. Surgical masks are loosely fit, and are designed to help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs from reaching your mouth and nose. While they can help prevent your germs from reaching other people, they do not filter or block small particles in the air transmitted by coughs or sneezes. They also do not provide complete protection against bacteria and viruses. With the rise of the Omicron virus, that is a huge problem.
So, are N95 masks worth it? Well, most would agree that, since safety is more important than comfort, yes, they are. With this logical premise, we should all wear N95 masks for our safety, as well as the safety of our family members, friends, and society as a whole.
Sources
Wall Street Journal
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.htm
