January 13, 2022
As the Omicron variant continues to drive rapid spread in Canada, experts and public health officials are once again driving home the importance of wearing a properly fitted medical-grade mask to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
But with N95 masks in short supply and largely reserved for health-care professionals, a growing number of retailers are advertising KN95 and KF94 masks as alternatives.
These masks—more commonly referred to as respirators in the medical realm—are more effective at filtering out particles in the air, prompting a growing number of experts and public health officials to recommend their use over cloth masks.
Contrary to some claims on social media, KN95 and KF94 are not “knock off” N95 masks. So, what’s the difference between the two?