Resources

Mask FAQ

Why wear a mask?

Wearing a mask protects both you and those around you from airborne pathogens such as COVID-19, influenza, and many others!

An appropriate respirator can also protect you from hazards such as mold, dust, wildfire smoke, and air polution.

Further Reading
Community Respirators and Masks at The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (via The Internet Archive)

---

What's the difference between a respirator mask and a surgical mask?

A surgical mask is ALWAYS better than nothing! However, surgical masks are not designed to protect well against small particles like aerosols, which are the main way COVID-19 is transmitted; respirator masks are designed to protect against these particles. Surgical masks are also not designed to seal out contaminated air, and respirator masks are.

Sources
• COMMENTARY: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind COVID-19 protection
• FDA: N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, Face Masks, and Barrier Face Coverings (via the Internet Archive)

---

What about cloth masks?

Cloth masks do not provide enough protection against current variants of COVID-19 and should be worn only as a last resort if no other options are available.

Sources
• With omicron, you need a mask that means business - NPR, December 23, 2021
• Are Cloth Masks Enough To Protect Against Omicron? - Cleveland Clinic, January 20, 2022

---

Can I reuse a respirator mask?

Yes! You can reuse a respirator until it no longer fits properly (ex. straps loosen or break, material wears out), becomes too hard to breathe in, or becomes dirty or wet. They will last longer if you rotate between a couple different masks over the course of the week. Many can last for up to 32 hours of wear!

Sources
• Can You Reuse a KN95 or N95 Mask? Experts Say Yes, but Follow These Steps - Smithsonian Magazine, January 14, 2022
• How Many Times Can You Wear an N95 Face Mask? - AARP, January 24, 2022
• How to Reuse N95, KN95, and Other Disposable Masks - New York Times, January 20, 2022

Types of Masks

Any mask is better than no mask!

The below table contains an overview of common respirator masks you may see. These are all certified by their respective countries for high-level air filtration and, if worn properly, will provide excellent protection. What is ultimately most important is that the mask is legitimate and fits you tightly with a good seal.

Rapid Antigen Test Reliability

Adapted from this Instagram post by clean.air.club. Sources below.

Rapid antigen tests theoretically have 2 jobs: to show a true positive or a true negative. They are very good at showing true positive cases of COVID-19. This means if you test positive on a rapid test, you almost certainly have COVID-19.

Rapid antigen tests are very bad at showing true negatives. Negative results have historically been at best around 69% reliable. With current variants, that number drops to 27%.

To reduce the risk of false negatives, it's a good idea to test twice, 48 hours apart. You can also get a PCR test, which is very accurate, though these are less accessible as they usually need to be administered by a health care provider.

Other Tests

Molecular or PCR tests are considerably more reliable than rapid antigen tests. Currently, there is only one brand of at-home molecular test available in the United States: the Metrix molecular test, which requires an electronic reader which is sold separately. This test's positive results were around 97% accurate per the company's testing.

PCR tests may also be able to be obtained at local healthcare providers and clinics, if you are able to access one. You may have to ask specifically for a PCR test, as the default in many cases will be a rapid antigen test.

Sources
• At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests-Take Steps to Reduce Your Risk of False Negative Results: FDA Safety Communication (via The Internet Archive, Aug 24, 2024)
• The Math Behind False Positives and False Negatives - Gary Cornell at Slate, Jan 14, 2022
• Diagnostic accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen self-tests in asymptomatic individuals in the omicron period: a cross-sectional study - Venekamp et al., Clinical Microbiology and Infection, March 2023
• What is a PCR test? - Cleveland Clinic, Jan 21, 2025
• Metrix COVID-19 Test Instructions for Use For Healthcare Providers - FDA.gov (via The Internet Archive)

Throat Swabs for Greater Rapid Test Sensitivity

There is some data showing that swabbing the back of the throat in addition to the nose when performing an at-home rapid test may improve accuracy. Please see the this link for an instruction sheet describing the procedure. (Ontario Health via The Internet Archive)

Sources
• COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests With Self-Collected vs Health Care Worker-Collected Nasal and Throat Swab Specimens - Todsen, Jokobsen, and Grønlund, et al; Dec 6, 2023
• Using both nose, throat swabs boosts sensitivity of rapid COVID testing - University of Minnesota CIDRAP, Dec 6, 2023
• Should You Swab Your Throat plus Your Nose for COVID? - Scientific American, Mar 4, 2024

Links

Make My Test Count

Page allowing members of the public to report COVID and Flu test results to public health teams, allowing them to better track the spread of disease.

Project N95: Find the Right Mask

Comparison of different styles of face mask, as well as links to purchase them.

What to Do When I Have COVID (via Clean Air Club)

Google Doc detailing the author's plan for what to do if they contract COVID-19, to help readers make their own COVID+ plans.

Air Purifier Discounts by State (via Clean Air Club)

Google Spreadsheet with links to discounts on air purifiers for people in different US states.

Zines

We have zines on a wide variety of topics related to COVID-19 safety and advocacy, personal experience, and activism.

Legend:
= laid out for print
= direct PDF download
= outside link

---