Medical masks | surgical mask
This mask is used in medical institutions and is a single-layer, non-woven mask used by medical staff or patients without the risk of infection. Its main function is to prevent saliva, spittle and secretions in the mouth from spilling, and to prevent health care workers or patients from contaminating the surrounding environment. Medical masks do not prevent the flow of air in the opposite direction, nor do they effectively block the virus.

General surgical masks | procedure mask
General surgical masks are similar to medical masks and are also single-layer non-woven masks. It is slightly thicker than a medical mask and can filter some aerosols, but it still cannot block the virus.

Medical protective masks | medical protective mask
This mask is used in medical institutions and is used by medical staff when they are at risk of infection. It is usually a multi-layer mask with strong protective ability. Medical protective masks can block the virus, but their protective effect is not as good as N95 masks and KN95 masks.

N95 Masks | N95 mask
The N95 mask is a protective mask certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to filter 95% of non-oily particles, including viruses. Its filtration efficiency is higher than that of general surgical masks and medical protective masks. N95 masks are usually multi-layer masks with strong protective capabilities.

Scientific experiments have proved the protective effect of masks. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found in a study that N95 masks can effectively block the virus. In the study, the researchers placed simulated virus particles on both sides of the mask and found that the virus particles were almost all filtered by the mask. In addition, in some studies, it has been found that the protective effect of multi-layer masks is better than that of single-layer masks.

KN95 Masks | KN95 mask
The KN95 mask is a protective mask certified by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, and its protective effect is equivalent to that of the N95 mask. It is capable of filtering 95% of non-oily particles, including viruses. KN95 masks are usually multi-layer masks with strong protective capabilities.

In general, N95 masks and KN95 masks are currently the most effective protective masks and can effectively block the virus. Medical masks, general surgical masks and medical protective masks have weak protective capabilities and sometimes do not effectively block the virus.

The spread of the new coronavirus is not isolated by a mask, so we should pay attention to personal protection, avoid crowded places, wash hands frequently to maintain personal hygiene.