One thing we don’t like seeing is the recent uptick in COVID-19 case counts in the U.S. the past few weeks. As reported by Business Insider, researchers at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) have released a new model predicting the country’s total death count “could surpass 511,000 by the end of February — more than double the number of COVID-19 deaths the nation has seen so far.”

While those predictions seem ominous and disconcerting, the researchers also offer a ray of hope by projecting that nearly 130,000 of those lives might be saved through universal mask wearing (95% of the population). And this isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition; “Even if 85% of the country started wearing masks, the IHME model found, about 96,000 fewer lives would be lost.” In other words, every little bit — and every time you mask up when leaving your house and/or interacting with at-risk populations — helps.

Masks, the researchers wrote, have "the potential to save the most lives while minimizing damage to the economy."

But, it’s important to keep in mind that the type of mask you wear can make a big difference. So, when you’re shopping for the type(s) most suited to your needs, seek out high quality masks that live up to the standards they promise.

For instance, Powecom KN95 masks have repeatedly met or exceeded filtration efficiency standards and appears on FDA's Appendix A of authorized masks. Plus, all Powecom masks also include an anti-fake sticker so that you can verify the mask’s authenticity when you receive it.

View our full line-up of masks here: https://bonafidemasks.com/face-masks/.

Read more here:

https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-masks-save-lives-mitigate-third-surge-model-2020-10

Written by Liz B.