We all know by now that wearing a face covering protects other people from contracting coronavirus. What has been debated is whether face masks actually protect you. Research has generally found that reusable fabric face coverings do not protect the wearer but do protect other people. It’s common courtesy to wear them, or standard surgical masks, to protect others during the pandemic. Recent research has indicated that high grade respirator masks protect the wearer from infection also. With this in mind, we still need to keep safe as restrictions are lifting. Although it may soon no longer be a requirement to wear a face mask, you may feel more comfortable continuing to do so. It will be up to personal preference and common sense; we need to respect each other as restrictions are lifted and we experience ‘normal’ life again.
We offer a range of face coverings to suit different situations. To help you find the best fit for your business or event, we will run through the options and you can make an informed choice.
Fabric Face Coverings
There are a great range of reusable fabric face coverings out there including pleated and adjustable styles, as well as snoods. They come in a variety of fun designs, and can be printed with your logo so they can double up as a promotional item too. This really gets your brand in the face of others! Fabric face coverings do not protect you as a wearer, but they do protect the people around you if you are infected. You can sometimes add a filter layer to them to make them more effective. While they are not classed as PPE, these are the best option for the environment, as they can be washed and used over and over again. They also look the prettiest!
Disposable Face Masks
The standard disposable face masks that you see are generally surgical/medical masks. These face coverings are resistant to fluids, with bacterial filtration efficiency ≥95%. These 3-layer masks are loose-fitting so it does allow leakage at the sides, but they are adjustable around the nose for a closer fit. If you use these face masks, please ensure that you cut the ear loops before disposing of them safely in the bin. This will ensure that if they somehow end up in nature, wildlife will not get tangled up in it. They are a great, low cost option to keep a stash of in the car or in your bag just in case you forget your reusable one! Another option to consider is the handy ‘Mask Mate‘ case with face mask included. It’s antimicrobial, keeps your face mask clean and clips onto bags so you always have an emergency mask to hand.
FFP2 Protective Masks
KN95/FFP2 protective masks are one of the best options out there for protecting yourself from coronavirus. With 6 layers, a higher grade mask such as this are designed to filter out particles in the air and are known as respirator masks. They fit much tighter around the face, therefore giving better protection as there is little room for leakage. They are a little less comfortable than surgical masks but provide a better shield to infection. Weighing up if comfort or function is more important is essential here, depending on the situation. These are also disposable and like before, please cut the loops before safely disposing of the mask. The filtration rate is ≥95% giving it a very high level of protection.
All our face masks are well priced, giving you wide scope to choose what is best for you and your business. Whatever products your business needs – PPE or otherwise – please get in touch and we will help as much as we can. Don’t forget to look at our full range of COVID-19 products to help protect each other while we navigate the reopening of society.
sales@giltedged.co.uk / 01604 671671 / www.giltedged.co.uk
