Function – not fashion. What masks are the best to get behind when facing the risk of Omicron?

Omicron is here and it is spreading like wildfire across America and most of the globe. It’s highly transmissible and easily caught.

For more than a year, most Americans have been taking on the simple approach of ‘masking up’ to contain any possible spread. People were using anything from surgical masks, N95s, cloth masks and even gators. Whatever could be used to provide a barrier around one’s nose and mouth.

Cloth masks caught on, some even became fashion pieces – but as this most recent wave of COVID has shown, the type of mask is now just as important as the idea of simply covering up and looking good.

“Cloth masks and things like that are very comfortable and they have good coverage on the face,” says Rodger D. MacArthur from the Medical College of Georgia. “But they don’t fit so tight and so air and any virus that’s in the air and come through the sides.”

MacArthur who brings 20 years experience in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Augusta University says medical surgical masks are best for getting the most protection.

"It’s not simply being so close to somebody that you sneeze on them, you splatter them with droplets. It’s in the air we’re breathing.”

He just keeps a disposable one folded up in his pocket, but encourages the highest forms of protection you can find.

Masks have been a popular and contentious topic during this pandemic and there’s a lot to know about this important topic – and if you are a reporter looking to cover this story – then let our experts help.

Dr. Rodger MacArthur is a widely recognized expert in COVID-19, HIV antiretroviral therapy, resistance to antiretroviral drugs, and sepsis. He is available to speak with media – simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.