What mask is right for me?

CLOTH FACE MASK:

• Mask made from fabric with ear loops or elastic straps
• No pressure seal
• Depending on the material, may achieve 10-70% filtration
• Loses filtration ability after repeated wash.
• Not fluid resistant 

FDA/CDC Recommended Uses:
Mask for civilian/non-medical settings. Limited ability to protect

• 3-ply folded mask
• Should be disposed after 4 hours of constant wearing. 
• No pressure seal
• It generally achieves 70~90% filtration. Medical(surgical mask) grade achieves a minimal 95% to 99% filtration rate.
• Fluid resistant
• ASTM Level 3 surgical masks offer the highest fluid resistance. 

FDA/CDC Recommended Uses:
Good mask for civilian/non-medical settings. Good protection others from the wearer. Fair protection for the wearer from minimal droplets. High-level surgical masks.

KN95 Respirator (GB2626-2006/2019 CERTIFIED)

• 4-ply folded mask with earloops
• It can be worn for 8 to 12 hours.
• Pressured/seal better than a traditional 3-ply surgical mask
• >96% filtration of particles 3um(micron or micrometer) or larger
• Fluid resistant

FDA/CDC Recommended Uses:
Excellent mask for use in civilian/non-surgical settings. A good alternative if N95 is not available. It offers good protection from the environment around the wearer and protects others. 

N95 Respirator (NIOSH Certified)

• Cup-style respirator with elastic straps. If you see anyone selling N95 with ear-loops, they are definitely not NIOSH certified because ear-loops cannot guarantee a perfect fit and seal 
• Designed for maximum pressure seal around the nose/mouth - able to pass the "fit test"
• >95% filtration of particles 3um(micron or micrometer) or larger
• Fluid and/or oil resistant (surgical respirators only). N95 dust masks selling in regular hardware stores do not have fluid resistant

FDA/CDC Recommended Uses:Healthcare and surgical settings for workers on the front-line. Specific types of N95s are designed for surgery. These are specially designed for respiratory protection for the wearing from the environment. They also protect others from the wearer.

Source

https://www.ipromo.com/blog/what-mask-is-right-for-me/

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/Health-Care/Medical/Surgical-Safety-Solutions/Masks-Respirators/?N=5002385+8707795+8707798+8710839+8711017+8711100+3294857497&rt=r3

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.htmlhttps://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/Health-Care/Medical/Surgical-Safety-Solutions/Masks-Respirators/?N=5002385+8707795+8707798+8710839+8711017+8711100+3294857497&rt=r3

https://medium.com/@jayparkmd/how-to-spot-a-fake-kn95-mask-from-china-d5219e7f0ab2