Smoke and COVID-19 Masks – Which Type is Better?

So what should I wear?

If your N95 Is have an exhaust valve, you have a few options. Some, like UCSF pulmonologist Dr John Balmes, have found creative solutions.

“I put a piece of duct tape on the valve when I go to a store. So I protect myself and others, ”he says.

His wife also found a workaround.

“She puts a surgical mask on her N95 exhalation valve,” Balmes said.

While some public health officials have recommended wearing two masks to prevent both inhaling wildfire smoke and the spread of the coronavirus, there is no consensus – as of yet – on this. question. You should check with your health care provider if possible.

The next best thing? A surgical mask.

“They’re actually a bit protective of the smoke from wildfires because they’re standardized,” Balmes said. “It’s about a third as good, on average, as an N95.”

Cloth masks are the least effective against smoke, Balmes said, but you should still wear them. Because smoke from forest fires or not, protecting others from the virus is again important.

What else can I do to protect myself?

While masks are a good option, public health officials say the most effective way to protect yourself from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors.

Below is an interactive crowdsourced air quality map from private company PurpleAir. You can find more information on air quality here.

These tips may not seem particularly helpful or possible during a heatwave and with evacuation orders looming, but officials at the State Emergency Services Office still recommend residents stay indoors with emergency services. doors and windows closed and with the air conditioning on if possible.