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- The Editors at Men's Health

Why Cloth Masks Just Won’t Cut It Against the Omicron Variant, and 4 Masks That Do

Face masks are once again in the spotlight for health reasons, thanks to the surge in the highly contagious Omicron variant and the new CDC mask guidance—to wear one in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor areas, even if you’ve been vaccinated.

Now that it’s clear that the Omicron variant is not only the predominant strain in the U.S. but is much more contagious than previous coronavirus forms including Delta, many people are wondering if their mask is up to the task of protecting them.

Do you need to upgrade your mask now? Here’s the latest on what has and hasn’t changed, and why a good mask is so important now.