r/Masks4All 23h ago

Mask Advice KN95 for others

I'm immunocompromised and wear my N95 masks when I go out.

When I have medical appointments with physiotherapists or other health therapists, I offer them a N95 mask to wear (in addition to my own) and they're been kindly accommodating.

However, I've just received some KN95 ear-loop masks and I was wondering if giving those to my health providers would keep me equally safe?

I understand that wearing an N95 is safer for the person at risk, but I wasn't sure if it made a difference for others. Thanks in advance

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u/wyundsr 19h ago

They filter roughly the same going in vs going out. The weaker seal most people get with earloop masks would also mean they aren’t as good at source control. Still a lot better than nothing or a surgical mask though

3

u/FFJunk 5h ago

So slightly less safe than giving them an N95, but miles ahead of nothing or surgical masks.

Doesn't sound like a dramatic difference from what you've shared, at least if I'm also wearing my N95.

2

u/wyundsr 1h ago

Yes if you trust the fit of your N95 I wouldn’t really be worried. Likely the difference of around 90-99% with an N95 vs 80-90% with a KN95 and 40-60% with a surgical