It’s been just about five years since the coronavirus pandemic turned our world upside down. Surely, people have created social barriers based on their comfort levels. Traveling, for instance, was extremely difficult at the start of the pandemic. However, these days is relatively easy to do if you’re doing it correctly and keep the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in mind.

Although it’s no longer mandatory to wear masks in most public places and most major airlines dropped mask mandates in April 2022, plenty of travelers still prefer to take extra precautions for their health, with a majority of travelers picking up at-home COVID-19 tests for peace of mind and extra safety.

To help you travel comfortably and safely, Post Wanted spoke with Karen Jubanyik, MD, associate professor of Emergency Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. 

“Overall, the best mask to wear on a long flight is one that you can put on, not touch, and leave on for the entire flight,” Dr. Jubanyik said. “You can test different masks before your actual day of travel to make sure that you can wear it for a prolonged period of time. Try taking a jog as if running to catch a short connection [or wearing] it indoors for a few hours.”

Jubanyik recommends KN95 and N95 masks to travelers, particularly if they’re not fully vaccinated, immunocompromised (meaning that the vaccination might not be as effective) or in close contact with someone who is. 

Luckily, WellBefore — a marketplace that sells medical products at budget-friendly prices — and Amazon have plenty of N95 and KN95 masks that are both reputable and effective.

Note: The disadvantage of both N95 and KN95 masks is that they can be itchy, cause breakouts (like maskne), and have decreased breathability while wearing them, especially if you are running to catch a flight. Facial hair may also make the fit of these masks difficult. 

Jubanyik recommends travelers wear a NIOSH-compliant properly-fitted disposable N95 respirator mask if they are on a long flight. “They offer the most protection and do come in universal-sized models, meaning that one size fits (almost) all. However, other N95 masks come in sizes, and these must be fit-tested to the individual, and a poorly-fitting N95 is worse protection than other options.”

Jubanyik also mentioned KN95 masks but stressed the importance of ensuring the one you pick up is from a reputable retailer. Luckily, WellBefore is a company we trust, with various purchasing options, based on quantity and if you’d like to auto-ship every few weeks or so, available before checkout.

Suppose you’re not fully vaccinated or immunocompromised and don’t want to wear an N95 or KN95 mask but want to prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 while traveling. In that case, Jubanyik recommends you consider double masking with a surgical mask and a cloth mask.

“Surgical masks (disposable) should fit well; using the bendable nosepiece and tying a knot at the ear loops helps make it fit close to the face. Surgical masks should be discarded and replaced if they get wet,” said Jubanyik.

“The best masks are made of multiple layers and can be tested by holding up to the light to see how much light shines through,” Jubanyik explained. “Cloth masks to wear on top of surgical masks should also be adjustable, comfortable and made of multiple layers. If you wear glasses and your glasses fog up, that is an indication that your mask(s) is not fitting well over the nose.”

Alternatively, if you are fully vaccinated and at low risk, you can also choose to wear a single mask while traveling.

“The mask should be well-fitted and be composed of multiple layers or include the ability to add a filter,” Jubanyik said.

“Do not wear a gaiter, as these have been shown to offer inadequate protection to you and others around you, as the fit is not usually adequate and the material is often too thin to offer sufficient protection to prevent virus particles from escaping,” Jubanyik said. “In addition, do not wear a mask with a valve or an exhalation vent. A good cloth mask has a wire over the nose and has adjustable ear pieces.”

Ahead, find Jubanyik’s favorite reusable masks for traveling and long wear.

Jubanyik like this Under Armour mask for those with small or very large faces since it comes in five different sizes, ranging from extra-small to extra-extra-large.

“It was designed for exercising, has some water resistance, is made of three layers, and does not lie tight across the entire face (but should fit snugly around the sides),” Jubanyik said. “It [also] has a nose wire and ear loops.”

FIGS, which makes high-quality scrub uniforms, also make great masks that match their scrubs and are great for traveling.

“This particular model is made of woven, machine-washable fabric, with a soft inner lining and a slot for replaceable filters,” Jubanyik said. “They are really comfortable and allow easy breathability.”

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