What is the difference between using a N95 face mask and cloth or a scarf to cover your face?

Question

For folks going out to get groceries, will covering the face with any old piece of fabric make a difference? What makes N95 masks CDC approved?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Any covering is better than nothing. N95 filters 95% percent, surgical masks will cover most but not as much (as long as you’re wearing it correctly), and a cloth mask or scarf secured will precent droplets from leaving/coming into your various face holes. If you’re going out to the store or whatever and keep with the physical distancing of ~6feet, then a cloth mask or scarf should be sufficient. You only really NEED the N95 masks if you’re in direct contact with a contagion routinely or if you test positive.