I was required to be fitted for an N95 mask yearly. Our agency would board foreign vessels with the CDC and local county health officials in the case a crewman illnesses that rose to a certain level of suspicion. The masks had to be properly fitted by an expert. There were various sizes and even special order modifications. Once fitted, the wearer was covered by a hood and an aerosol was sprayed into the hood. If the wearer had any reaction to the mist, the fitting was improper. Once fitted, we were given several of the proper sized masks. I learned two things: it was not easy to get a proper fit, and the masks were one and done. Never used twice. That would introduce bacteria and other contaminants to the mask. Even then, they were not 100 percent effective. I can tell you that 99 percent of the masks worn for covid were worthless. Improper fit and construction. Worse even, they gave the wearer a false sense of security that could actually cause the wearer to be less cautious. Additionally, they were filthy if worn more than once. Anytime the wearer touched the mask it potentially contaminated it.
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