As COVID-19 evolves, so should your mask game, experts say

In light of the highly transmissibleOmicron variant, it might be time to upgrade your mask.

That's the growing consensus among experts whose recommendations are shifting with theknowledge base around COVID-19. Some are expressing concern withthe level of protection surgical and cloth masks provide against Omicron.

Dalhousie University epidemiologist Susan Kirkland is a member of the national COVID-19 Immunity Taskforce. She says the logical upgrade for the general population is to the N95or KN95masks.

"The difference is the quality of filtration, but also the degree to which you can get a seal around your face," she told CBC News.

Kirkland's feelings were recently echoed by Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, given how transmissible Omicron is. Any small gaps around the side of the masks or around the nose give the chance for tiny airborne particles, or aerosol,to get through.

No more cloth masks, says Tam

3 years ago

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Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says people need to be wearing three-ply surgical masks at the very least, and N95-type respirators if possible. (Jean-Claude Taliana/CBC/Radio-Canada)

Dr. David Fisman, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, offers an analogy: think ofCOVID-19 like cigarette smoke, which, as aerosols, hang in the hair after exhaling.

"How would I get rid of cigarette smoke if someone smoked a cigarette in my house and I didn't like the smell? You open a window," he said. "Because it infects by people breathing in 'the smoke,'breathing in these tiny particles, you want to protect yourself with a well-fitting respirator that is going to filter those little particles out."

Fisman points to the Centers for Disease Control in the United States, which says the N95 masks can be usedup to five times, if properly maintained andnot damaged.

"The filter itself lasts for about 40 hours of 'on-face' time. So that filter is not going to give out first," he said.

Michael Doyle, a safety specialist for mask manufacturer3M, said while the N95's designmakes it better suited for the Omicron wave, there are caveats.

"Facial hair? A big no-no," he said. "It's going to break the seal. Some cosmetics can break the seal. Obviously, earrings, facial piercings anything like that can break the seal and can basically render the N95 respirator useless."

Province still reviewing evidence

Nova Scotia's Health Department said in a statement that evidence around masking is being considered and more information will be communicated to Nova Scotians soon. In the meantime, it says to pay attention to how well masks fit your face.

Kirkland believesit's timeto do "everything in our power" to slow Omicron's spread.

"The fact that we're having an outbreak right now, that we're seeing a lot of cases and a lot of transmission, I think it's smart to take whatever protection youcan, and that includes outdoorsas well."