Masks

Last updated: February 28, 2023.

As of March 13th, 2023, Northeastern community members can request N95 masks from the COVID Response Project using this form. Individuals can request a personal mask bundle of 5 masks whereas groups and organizations can request mask boxes of 50 masks to distribute among their members. 

In addition to free campus distribution, you can find verified KF94, KN95, and N95 masks at Project N95 and Bona Fide Masks. Be wary of fake masks and counterfeit sellers on popular sites like Amazon.

Why mask? What kind of mask is best? Basic rundown here.

Masks are an incredibly important layer of protection against COVID, as they filter the air you breathe and sift out viral particles that hang in the air like smoke, even after an infected person has left the room. 

Masking is most effective when it’s used universally, but masking when others are not still offers some protection. A recent study found that even a 10% increase in masking in schools led to a 47% decrease in likelihood of COVID-19 being found in wastewater samples.

Mask quality and mask fit matter, particularly as we encounter more contagious variants. High-filtration masks like KF94s, KN95s, and N95s are the best choices for preventing COVID, as they are carefully designed to filter out airborne, aerosolized particles, unlike surgical and cloth masks which only block larger droplets and particles and often lack an airtight seal.

If you can access a KN95-grade mask or better, we highly recommend upgrading from surgical or cloth, as the improvement in efficacy is significant.