Consider upgrading your mask for your upcoming travel plans.

As we continue to learn about the omicron variant and its effects, it's clear that it's driving a rise in positive COVID-19 cases across the U.S., with over 1 million new cases reported on January 3 alone.

Due to the spread of omicron, health professionals advise that cloth masks might not provide sufficient protection against the virus. They recommend opting for a higher-grade mask, like an N95. A professor from the University of Miami emphasized to CBS New York that 'now is not the time for cloth masks.' Additionally, a Virginia Tech virus researcher told NPR that cloth masks 'won't be effective' against the omicron variant.

If you have upcoming travel in the next few months, investing in a higher-quality mask could enhance your sense of safety. Here’s why you should refresh your mask collection before your journey.

The importance of upgrading your mask.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to advise that surgical N95 masks be reserved for healthcare professionals. However, health experts recommend that the general public should opt for higher-quality masks, like N95 or KN95, instead of standard cloth masks.

Dr. Jenny Yu, senior manager of medical integrity at Healthline Media, a subsidiary of TPG's parent company, Red Ventures, stated that recommendations have evolved due to new insights regarding the omicron variant, which is rapidly spreading throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

"The omicron variant has a much higher transmission rate," Dr. Yu explained to TPG. "Its capability to infect individuals is significantly enhanced. Consequently, these developments indicate that an N95 mask or similar protection is advisable in high-risk environments. These masks consist of multiple layers and can filter out 95% of tiny particles."

What distinguishes an N95 mask from a KN95 mask?

N95 mask. KN95 mask. KF94 mask. If you're searching for a higher-quality face mask, the variety of choices can be daunting and perplexing. According to Dr. Yu, the letters preceding the mask names represent different country standards, with 'N' denoting the U.S. standard, while 'KN' and 'KF' refer to the Chinese and Korean standards, respectively.

"When examining how effectively these masks block tiny particles, like viruses, they perform similarly," Dr. Yu notes. "The slight difference in pressure resistance between the two types of masks is minimal."

If an N95 mask is unavailable, it's perfectly fine to opt for alternatives such as KN95 or KF94 masks.

"The key takeaway is that medical masks should be multilayered, constructed from materials capable of blocking viral particles, and provide a better fit," Dr. Yu emphasizes.

Ensure you have the appropriate mask for your travels.

In light of the new variant, the federal mask mandate is likely to remain in effect for the foreseeable future. Airlines and airports continue to enforce mask-wearing during travel, and it remains mandatory on public transport across the U.S. Before you head to the airport or train station, make sure you have the right mask for your journey.

As per the CDC guidelines on mask usage while traveling, masks must fully cover both the nose and mouth and should not feature slits, exhalation valves, or holes. This means that masks with exhalation valves, like those 3M masks typically used for home improvement tasks like painting, are not allowed on flights.

In addition to ensuring you're wearing the proper mask for your flight, it's crucial to select masks that fit your face well. Dr. Yu advises that masks should fit snugly over the nasal bridge and wrap securely around the entire lower face and chin.

"The fit is just as crucial as the mask type," she states.

How to secure an N95 mask at this moment.

Similar to COVID-19 tests, locating a high-quality mask can be challenging right now due to increased demand.

Websites like PacMedPro.com and ProjectN95.com offer masks that are budget-friendly, especially if you need to buy in bulk for a family. A pack of five N95 masks from ProjectN95 starts at only $11, averaging just over $2 per mask.

Amazon is another option, but be sure to conduct thorough research to ensure you're purchasing a genuine N95 mask, as there have been past incidents involving counterfeit 3M masks.

The alert website NowInStock (known among gamers for tracking the elusive Playstation 5 restocks) is also a viable choice for finding N95 masks. As previously mentioned, ensure you select a mask without a respirator, and keep in mind that NowInStock generally does not notify users when masks are restocked.

If you're concerned about costs, you might be questioning whether you can reuse an N95 mask. During the early days of the pandemic, when resources were limited, Dr. Yu notes that healthcare workers reused N95 masks by re-sterilizing them or utilizing UV lightboxes for cleaning.

In general, Dr. Yu advises that N95 or KN95 masks can be reused as long as the material appears clean and is not damaged. When you're not using your mask, hang it by the strap or store it in a clean brown paper bag.