Doctor’s advice on mask selection

Even though we are now in Phase Three of reopening, there are still places where you have to wear a mask.

One doctor says microfiber is a material you want to avoid for your mask.

“Because of the fibers in those masks, they tend to split the droplets up, so they actually create more droplets, so many microfiber ones should be avoided,” said Edward Salerno, a pulmonologist from Millennium Physician Group.

Salerno says the best masks are the KN95s, as they create more of a seal around your nose and mouth. Since many people don’t have access to those, though, he says any mask made out of cotton is usually thick enough to reduce the spread.

Many Fort Myers residents were supportive of mask usage, even if they acknowledged some risk was still present.

“I mean, I think it’s a guard for some percentage, but it’s not 100%,” said Lettie Andrade de la Torre.

“We have to take necessary precautions; we just don’t know when we’re going to get a vaccine,” said Robert DeMarco.

While many hope a vaccine is ready soon, Salerno says masks will likely stick around even then.

“You heard the CDC director say that he thinks that the mask is the single most effective way of combatting the virus, even more so than a vaccine, so I tend to believe that and I think the more that we adhere to that, the better we’ll all be,” Salerno said.

Masks can also help protect you as we head into flu season; the flu is spread through respiratory droplets just like the coronavirus, which makes masks just as important.