• Medical masks are face coverings you most often see doctors and nurses wearing.
• Cloth masks are face coverings made from - you guessed it - cloth, such as cotton or polyester.

• The masks most commonly worn by doctors and nurses are Level 1 medical masks, as defined by the ASTM International.
• Level 1 masks have three layers, the second of which is a high-density filter made from a melt-blown fabric. This basically means the fibers are super close together, keeping particles from passing through the fabric.
• The fibers of cotton and polyester fabrics in cloth masks are not as tightly wound and therefore allow more particles through.
• And guess what? Olivian masks are Level 1 masks.
  

Medical masks feature a high-density filter that offers more protection than a cloth mask.

As you just read above, the ASTM sets the standard for Level 1 masks.

• The ASTM requires Level 1 masks meet five standardizations. Olivian masks meet all five.
• The most important criteria as related to COVID-19, Olivian face masks offer a ≥95% bacterial filtration efficiency and a ≥95% sub-micron particulate filtration efficiency.
• So what does that mean? The high-density filter in Olivian masks can filter out ≥95% of particles in the air, including particles carrying the virus responsible for COVID-19.
• N95 respirators are also Level 1 masks. Olivian masks and N95 are made from the same materials, but N95s are more closely fitted to the face and include a respirator, for greater protection.
  

Olivian masks filter out ≥95% of bacteria and particles in the air, including particles carrying the virus responsible for COVID-19.

• The World Health Organization recommends wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• WHO recommends medical masks for health professionals, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, and anyone caring for someone with symptoms.

WHO also recommends medical masks for at-risk people, including people aged 60 or over as well as people of any age with underlying health conditions.

Choose a medical mask if you are 60 or over, have an underlying health condition, or if you want to benefit from the greater protection.

Wear a mask over your mouth and nose, with the loops tucked behind your ears.

• Wash your hands before you touch your mask!
• You want the mask to be as closely fitted to your face as possible.
• Pinch the nose bridge to conform the mask to the shape of your face.
• Watch this TikTok video to learn a cool hack for making a medical mask better fitting.

Wear a mask over your mouth and nose, as closely fitted to your face as possible.

Medical masks are disposable, intended for a single use, for your protection.

• While wearing a medical mask, do not touch the fabric of the mask. Any filtered particles will be on the exterior of the mask.
• When it is time to take the mask off, remove the mask via the ear loops and throw the mask away. Then, wash your hands!

Dispose of a medical mask after a single wear, touching only the ear loops.