Health experts stress the best protection depends on the mask you're wearing

As New Year's Eve approaches, how well-protected people are against the coronavirus depends on the mask their wearing.

A popular mask through the pandemic has been a single-layer cloth mask. But health experts said that is not the best mask for the best protection.

Instead, the best bet for protection is a medical grade mask — such as a tighter fitting N95 mask.

KN-95 and N-95 masks filter about 90 percent aerosol-sized particles, while surgical masks filter about 50 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"I know in the beginning of the pandemic, when we didn't know much about this we were just using what we could. A lot of us were creating our own cloth masks at home and tearing up our clothes, but to be honest, I have never trusted them because they can get soaked ... it only takes a couple of minutes for the germs to contact the skin on your face," said Dr. Nicole Swiner, a family physician in Durham.

If a medical mask isn't available, health experts stressed that any face covering is better than no face covering.

While people might be tempted to decorate their mask for upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations, health experts said whatever you do, do not poke holes in the mask since that can allow the virus to pass through.

"You are free to put on your stickers and other things," said Dr. David Weber, an infectious disease specialist at UNC Health.

But Weber said whatever mask you choose to wear, wear it correctly.

"You have to wear it correctly. That is the most important thing, which means it has to cover your nose and mouth. I see many people with [the mask] just covering their mask, but there is actually more virus in your nose," said Weber.

Weber added that if you're indoors during a New Year's Eve celebration, masks should definitely be worn.

"If there's any question or concern whatsoever - if you are going to gather - mask up. There is no harm in masking. It is just additional coverage on top of hopefully being vaccinated and tested if you gather," said Swiner.