Recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate the Omicron COVID-19 variant is three times more contagious than the Delta variant, and masks with better filtration will provide better protection. Infectious disease experts recommend that, with Omicron on the rise, citizens should use a N95 or KN95 if they have the option. Recent studies show that cloth face masks provide the least amount of protection. Surgical masks out-perform cloth masks but don’t come close to providing the same protection a N95 or KN95 mask does. 

Health officials say if individuals cannot purchase or find N95 or KN95 style masks, they should wear a triple layer cloth mask, or surgical mask along with a cloth mask. Masks should also have a snug fit on the individual’s face to prevent leakage of droplets.  

“While healthcare providers were struggling to get N95 masks at the start of the pandemic, that hasn’t been the case for a long while. We want folks to make sure they are using high-quality masks or wearing multiple layers of masks if they cannot get N95s or KN95s,” Health Officer D’Shane Barnett said.  

The CDC says Missoula County is currently experiencing high transmission and masking is strongly recommended for people in public settings, but Health Officer D’Shane Barnett says not enough community members are choosing to wear masks. 

“When you go around town, you can see that the percentage of people choosing to wear masks is just too low to stop a surge from happening,” Barnett said. “We can’t mandate masks. We need more people to choose do to the right thing.” 

Businesses and other public settings can make a big difference in Missoula’s fight against COVID-19 by reminding patrons that wearing a mask is the best choice for the safety of themselves and others. Free posters encouraging mask use can be downloaded here or on missoulainfo.com under the resources tab.