The authors reviewed existing evidence for filtration efficiency of cloth masks vs medical masks, and they found that cloth masks fared surprisingly well. Layers matter, as does the material used.

It’s been said time and again: The purpose of a homemade face mask is to prevent an asymptomatic carrier of the coronavirus from infecting others, not to protect the wearer. But one way wearers of ...

The CDC declared "loosely woven cloth products" are inferior to surgical and N95 masks at protecting against COVID-19 particles. Anthony Behar/Sipa USA Cloth face coverings are less effective at ...

Wearing facial coverings in indoor public spaces — especially properly fitted masks — is more important than ever in the face of the most highly contagious variant of COVID-19 yet, according to ...

Prominent public health officials have increasingly highlighted the limitations of cloth face masks, pushing for more effective respirator masks such as N95s as omicron engulfs the United States, a ...

Health experts say cloth masks are no match for the tiny particles of the omicron variant of COVID-19. The CDC is weighing a change to its recommendations, away from cloth masks and toward a more ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about LGBTQ+ identity, disability, and rural health access. Going into a new year, some people resolve to clean our their ...

Throw away disposable face masks after one use. If you absolutely have to reuse an old face mask, here's how to minimize the ...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conceded Friday that cloth masks are less effective than surgical or respirator masks as protection against COVID-19. The updated guidance reflects what ...

To help combat Omicron, the Biden administration is opening up more Covid testing sites and delivering 500 million Covid tests to Americans. WSJ’s Daniela Hernandez breaks down why testing is still a ...

N95 and KN95 respirator masks reduce the odds of testing positive for Covid-19 by 83% compared to 66% for surgical masks and 56% for cloth masks, according to a real-world study published Friday by ...