With omicron so transmissible, experts warn everyone to up their mask game

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With omicron so transmissible, experts warn everyone to up their mask game

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The CDC is expected to recommend that Americans to upgrade their masks to high-efficiency respirators. But how do you find one that fits you — and is legit?

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Get ready for updated guidance from the CDC about masks. We need them as much as we ever have, but health officials say omicron is so transmissible we need to up our game, which means you might want to trade in your bedazzled cloth coverings for high-filtration masks like N95s. I know; I've got a lot of questions about what this means for my family. I'm sure all of you listening do, too. So let's bring in the lady with the answers - NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy. Hey, Maria.

MARIA GODOY, BYLINE²: Hi, Rachel.

MARTIN: Let's first underscore your credentials³, Maria, because you have spent a lot of time researching the efficiency of different masks, right?

GODOY: Oh yeah, and trying them out on my own family.

MARTIN: (Laughter).

GODOY: And I can tell you that N95s and similar respirators offer way more protection than cloth masks. I mean, they're called N95s because they're designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles when worn correctly. And they're made with a material that has electrostatic charge, so basically, it uses the power of static electricity to trap incoming particles. Plus, they have a snug⁴ fit, and with masks, a snug fit means better protection.

MARTIN: I know it does, but I have to be honest. There have been a few times where I've had to wear an N95 all day, and yeah, it was snug, and it was not that comfortable.

GODOY: I know. I know. But not all of them are hard to wear. You can now get N95 masks in different shapes, and that can really affect comfort.

MARTIN: OK.

GODOY: For example, I personally dislike the cup-shaped N95s because they're really uncomfortable, but I do like the ones that fold in the middle. I spoke⁵ with Aaron Collins. He's a mechanical engineer with a background in aerosol⁶ science. He's known as the Mask Nerd because he's been testing hundreds of masks for the last year, and he's a fan of the duckbill-shaped N95s.

AARON COLLINS: These, like, duckbill-style masks, they look a little goofy, but it's ultra-breathable. I'm pretty sure you could run a marathon in that thing and not have a problem.

MARTIN: I mean, really?

(LAUGHTER)

GODOY: I know. I know.

MARTIN: I like his optimism, yeah.

GODOY: I'm not running a marathon for any reason.

(LAUGHTER)

GODOY: But regardless of shape, N95s are made to the U.S. government NIOSH standard and are rigorously tested. So they are a reliable choice.

MARTIN: OK. So what about masks like KN95s and KF94s? You see those around. Are those masks just as good?

GODOY: They can be pretty close. Both of those masks use ear loops, which makes them more comfortable, but it means they don't seal quite as tightly to your face. One thing to know is that KF94s are made to a Korean standard, and these are regulated by the South Korean government. They've got a really good reputation. Now, KN95s are a Chinese standard, but the Chinese government doesn't regulate them strictly⁷. And while there are some good KN95s, there's also been lots of low-quality or just fake ones on the market. Ann Miller⁸ is with Project N95. That's a nonprofit that connects consumers with legitimate⁹ masks. She says she's seen more fake documentation for masks over the last two years than legitimate paperwork.

ANNE MILLER: People will submit documentation on their product that is maybe a false European Union certificate, a false FDA registration¹⁰. Maybe it's a product that's mislabeled as being FDA approved when these are not FDA-approved items.

MARTIN: I mean, that is so stressful, Maria. It's hard enough to just deal with the reality of the pandemic, but now you got to worry about whether or not your mask is fake.

GODOY: Yeah, it can be hard to tell if it is real or not, so experts I spoke with say make sure to buy from a trusted source. Project N95 sells masks from vetted¹¹ distributors. There's also Home Depot¹² and Lowe's. Aaron Collins says if you're buying from Amazon, go to the manufacturer's shop - so the 3M store or Kimberly-Clark store on Amazon - rather than a third-party vendor¹³. For KN94s, Collins says Korean importers like Be Healthy USA and KollecteUSA are a good bet.

MARTIN: Real quick - what about kids?

GODOY: Yeah. You know, they're not - N95s aren't regulated for them, but you will have to go to a KN95 or KF94. The Mask Nerd has a whole list of brands that he's tested for kids at his Twitter profile at @masknerd.

MARTIN: Super helpful. Maria Godoy, our health correspondent. Thank you.

GODOY: My pleasure.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

3 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

4 snug   

adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房

参考例句：

• He showed us into a snug little sitting room.他领我们走进了一间温暖而舒适的小客厅。
• She had a small but snug home.她有个小小的但很舒适的家。

5 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

6 aerosol   

n.悬浮尘粒，气溶胶，烟雾剂，喷雾器

参考例句：

• They sprayed aerosol insect repellent into the faces of police.他们将喷雾驱虫剂喷在了警察的脸上。
• Aerosol particles affect visibility,climate,and our health and quality of life.气溶胶对大气能见度、气候变化以及人类健康等有重要影响。

7 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

8 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

9 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

10 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

11 vetted   

v.审查（某人过去的记录、资格等）( vet的过去式和过去分词 )；调查；检查；诊疗

参考例句：

• The recruits were thoroughly vetted before they were allowed into the secret service. 情报机关招募的新成员要经过严格的审查。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All staff are vetted for links with extremist groups before being employed. 所有职员录用前均须审查是否与极端分子团体有关。 来自辞典例句

12 depot   

n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站

参考例句：

• The depot is only a few blocks from here.公共汽车站离这儿只有几个街区。
• They leased the building as a depot.他们租用这栋大楼作仓库。

13 vendor   

n.卖主；小贩

参考例句：

• She looked at the vendor who cheated her the other day with distaste.她厌恶地望着那个前几天曾经欺骗过她的小贩。
• He must inform the vendor immediately.他必须立即通知卖方。