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    Featured Topic
    Friday, January 14, 2022

    How to decide which mask is best for you

    Wearing surgical mask

    When it comes to masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, many options are available. How do you decide which mask is right for you?

    John O'Horo, M.D., a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, reviews and demonstrates how to properly wear acceptable masks:

    Wearing a mask serves two purposes, says Dr. O'Horo. They add a layer of protection to the person wearing the mask and help prevent onward transmission to others.

    If you are using a surgical or procedural mask, it should be replaced daily or at any sign the mask's integrity is compromised, or when the mask is visibly soiled, contaminated, damaged or deemed unusable.

    Along with masking, Dr. O'Horo advises everyone who is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination and booster.

    Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.


    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Hot topics
    • Infectious Diseases

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