"US CDC Reviewing Recommendation for N95 Masks"

Published 11 Jan.2022 14:44(KST)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] In the United States, which is struggling with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, health authorities are considering recommending the use of N95 or KN95 masks instead of cloth masks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had previously recommended prioritizing the supply of high-quality masks to healthcare workers.

The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 10th (local time), citing anonymous sources, that "the CDC is actively considering revising its mask-wearing guidelines."

N95 masks can filter out up to 95% of very small particles. They correspond to Korea's KF94 grade. KN95 is the equivalent Chinese standard.

The existing guidelines specify that N95 masks should be supplied first to healthcare workers. WP explained, "One reason the CDC is considering changing its recommendation is that there was a mask shortage when the mask guidelines were initially established."

When the CDC first announced mask-wearing guidelines in 2020, there were concerns about shortages of N95 or KN95 masks for healthcare workers, but those concerns no longer exist.

Experts have continuously urged the government to use masks with higher protective effects than cloth masks in response to the recent spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

WP stated, "The revised guidelines are expected to emphasize that wearing masks correctly at all times is best, along with a recommendation that 'if there is no problem wearing N95 or KN95 masks all day, then that should be done.'"

Recently, as COVID-19 cases surged in the federal Congress in Washington, DC, medical staff at the Capitol recommended in a letter to federal lawmakers and congressional staff that "blue surgical masks or cloth masks should be replaced with KN95, N95 masks, or better."