The 6 Best Face Masks for the Delta Variant
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We know, we’re completely over wearing the face masks too. But, sadly, we can’t toss our face masks away for good just yet.
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Though as of writing more than half of the United States’ population (54.6% specifically) is fully vaccinated, a new strain known as the “Delta variant” has been running amuck across the globe in recent months. And, honestly, we’re sure you’ve already heard all about it.
With that said, we still need to cover up our nose and mouth in public spaces with the best face masks for the Delta variant even if we’re fully vaccinated.
Mask rules are constantly changing, so you might be wondering if so many coronavirus mask regulations across the country were lifted earlier this year, then why would you need to wear one now? That’s because with a new strain, new rules follow. The Delta variant is different from what folks were contracting at the beginning of all this chaos. And, it’s simply better to be safe than sorry at this point, right?
But What is the Delta Variant Exactly?
According to the CDC, the Delta variant is a strain of COVID-19 that is two times more contagious than what we were dealing with at the beginning of the pandemic. Some data is showing more severe illness in folks who contract the Delta variant and it’s currently the leading variant dominating COVID cases in the United States.
Unvaccinated individuals are the CDC’s largest concern because there’s a greater risk of transmission, but even vaccinated people can contract the Delta variant although it’s less common.
How to Prevent Contracting the Delta Variant
Ultimately, like we said, you should be wearing a mask to prevent contracting the Delta variant of the coronavirus. We know it isn’t ideal, but it’s what’s gotta be done right now to help try and end this thing.
Plus, you should also get yourself vaccinated against COVID-19 (if you’re not already) to diminish the chances of contracting and passing on the virus.
What Kind of Masks to Wear
Because this strain is newer, guidelines have been updated, so the types of masks we would have recommended a few months ago we might not recommend as the best masks for the Delta variant now. And, to clarify, the CDC specifically says, “Everyone who is able, including fully vaccinated people, should wear masks in public indoor places in areas of substantial or high transmission.” This means that you should throw a mask on in the supermarket, on an airplane, whilst in the movie theatre — anywhere where other folks are out in public. It’s the safest way to keep yourself at less risk.
We went on a hunt to find the best masks for the Delta variant that you can purchase online to make your life easier. Keep in mind that these masks will not fully prevent the transmission of the Delta variant, meant to replace doctor’s orders or the vaccine, they’re simply a preventative measure to take precaution. Don’t get it twisted, folks. Get that vax and check out our top picks down below.
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1. Blue Bear Makrite 9500-N95 Masks
Blue Bear has some of the best face masks for the Delta variant that we can find online. Period. These FDA/NIOSH-approved N95 disposable masks are ideal for solid protection from the Delta variant. They fit well, make breathing as effortless as it should be and use a soft material to diminish any sense of discomfort. These masks are available in a 20-pack and 240-pack option depending on your needs and can keep you safe for up to eight whole hours. Meaning, yeah, you’re going to want to throw these out after a day’s use. You can even get them on sale right now.
$30.99 OFF!
Buy: Blue Bear Makrite 9500-N95 Masks $49.00
2. Blue Bear KN95 Face Mask
No, we’re not quite done with Blue Bear. Blue Bear Protection is one of our favorite places to buy PPE equipment like N95 masks and KN95 masks. Plus, the prices are relatively unbeatable for what they are. This pack features 10, 20, 60, 100 or 500 count options and a comfortable breathable fit. They use a four-ply construction for extra protection and a classic nose bridge to keep your mask fitting properly.
Buy: Blue Bear KN95 Face Mask $24.99
3. UA SPORTSMASK
We can’t recommend the UA SPORTSMASK from Under Armour enough. For real, we’ve been doing so since 2020. If you’re the type that prefers a reusable mask, this is the mask option for you. This mask is made to be sweat-wicking for high-performance activities like exercising. It’s got tons of airflow, the ability to keep your face temperature-regulated and doesn’t chafe. So, if you insist on a reusable, this is certainly one to check out.
Read More: Most Comfortable Face Masks
4. Kimberly-Clark Professional N95 Pouch Respirator
We’ve said it once and we will say it again, Amazon sadly isn’t the best place to purchase N95 masks. But, this one is the exception. However, these N95 masks are manufactured by Kimberly-Clark, one of the largest manufacturers of paper products in the United States, and sold directly by Amazon itself, which is why you can wear these N95 masks with confidence. These masks are entirely NIOSH-approved and come in a pack of 50 so you can stay safe in public daily. For those of you continuously complaining about lack of airflow in face masks, note that these are up to 75% more breathable than the NIOSH minimum requirement. So we don’t want to hear any complaining, people!
Buy: Kimberly-Clark Professional N95 Pouch Respirator $47.25 (orig. $57.90) 18% OFF
5. Boncare KN95 Face Mask
This KN95 face mask is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon, so you can expect to be more than impressed with it. It uses a 5-layer design that filters out 95% of particles that come into contact with it. Here, a bigger cup is used to push the mask a little further away to lessen the hot, sweaty dampness caused by breathing. It fits like a glove for most and comes in a pack of 50 total.
Buy: Boncare KN95 Face Mask $17.99 (orig. $29.99) 40% OFF
6. är Face Mask
Talk about sleek and safe. The är Face Mask is a reusable face mask that provides up to 40 hours of wear before needing to replace an inner replacement filter. Due to the exterior “ViralOff” coating used here, you can even go a tad longer before washing in the washing machine. That makes it much more long-lasting than a majority of disposables and essentially all reusable. Each replaceable nanofilter (which you can purchase here) uses three layers for protection and is super easy to breathe through. Make sure to use code SUMMER at checkout to get half off.
50% OFF CODE
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