With the omicron variant of COVID-19 rapidly spreading across the country, it’s important to make sure the mask you buy is exactly what it claims to be.
The Omicron version of the coronavirus now makes up 98.3% of new COVID-19 cases in the United States, and because of that rapid spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is hoping to issue new mask guidance soon.
Given the highly infectious nature of the variant, high-quality masks with a tighter fit than cloth or surgical options may be in order, such as the popular KN95 and N95, which claim to filter at least 95% of airborne particles. Huh.
NBC News correspondent Tom Costello warned viewers Wednesday morning that it's important to "do your homework" and make sure you know exactly what you're buying.
According to the CDC, about 60% of masks labeled as KN95, the Chinese version of high filtration masks, are actually counterfeit.
The organization shared the following advice for those considering purchasing an international respirator: "... more rigorous evaluation measures should be considered to determine whether a product conforms to standards. This should include verifying that The product you intend to buy was tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratory in the country that meets the standard."
So how do you avoid being duped?
Costello recommends looking for N95 masks.
The reason you might consider going with these American-made masks is because there's a way to be sure you're getting what.
"So when buying an N95... look for the stamp that says, 'NIOSH,'" Costello advised.
NIOSH stands for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and is the federal entity certified for various types of masks and respirators, including N95.
However, if you see NIOSH approval on the KN95 mask, it's a red flag.
"(d) CDC, through NIOSH, does not approve KN95 masks or any other respiratory protective equipment certified to international standards," according to the CDC notice about counterfeits.