Don’t Wait for a Mandate to Get The Best Masks for Your Child.

(Ad) We know that the best ways to protect kids and families from any COVID-19 variant is wearing proper masks, social distancing, avoiding crowded public places, handwashing and getting vaccinated.  Many places still recommend or require masking on public transportation and of course it is still required on planes. Now is also the time to keep track of your region’s transmission rates. If infection rates in your county or in places you plan to visit reach a high or moderate level, go back to using the precautions that you know will keep you safe. You also want to consider masking when you will be in large crowds or around those whose safety practices are unknown to you.  Certainly if your child or a family member is at high risk for severe COVID, has medical issues that put them at high risk for getting infections,  or if they have not been vaccinated, consider continuing to mask regardless of your region’s rate

It is also important to remember that wearing a well fitted mask with high filtration is vital. Finding trusted sources for masks, like Little Lives PPE, a company with products created by Doctors on the front line of the COVID pandemic, is one of the top priorities for parents and students alike. Products like the Little Lives LL95 - KN95 equivalent and masks with PFE > 95% are your best bet for protecting kids against new COVID variants.

We have moved to a new stage in the pandemic where national, state and city wide mandates for masks have largely gone away.  In place of these mandates public health departments and the CDC are encouraging families to monitor local community rates and their personal risks to inform individual decisions on whether to protect their children and themselves from COVID by wearing a mask. But monitoring rates of infection and vaccination is a complex task that’s been challenging for medical professionals and even more so for the general public. Rates vary widely in states and counties, and the widespread use of rapid home tests and testing shortages in some locations has led to undercounting of cases.

While some experts predicted COVID cases would decline during the summer months, due to BA.5, the newly dominant highly infectious immune-evasive Omicron subvariant, Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations are now rising again in the US, and  pediatric cases are actually higher than they were a year ago. If last year is any indication, COVID cases among kids are likely to increase further when children go back to school.  Fortunately, among vaccinated children  acute COVID infections are mostly mild or asymptomatic. Still 30% of children hospitalized for COVID-19 are admitted to intensive care units, and 5%-15% require mechanical ventilation.

What continues to worry parents and pediatricians most is emerging data demonstrating that COVID infections can have lasting adverse effects on the long term physical and mental health of children. Babies born to women infected with COVID during pregnancy are more likely to have neurodevelopmental disorders in the first 12 months after birth  (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2793178). 

Additionally,  dilation of the arteries of the heart was observed in a small cohort of pediatric patients with mild or asymptomatic COVID. Research on the cardiac effects of COVID in kids is ongoing and may change recommendations for cardiac screenings for youth.  Concerns about long covid are just as relevant for children as they are for adults.  In a recently published study looking at outcomes in over 80,000 children and adolescents who were infected with COVID, the prevalence of long-COVID was a whopping  25%. Mood symptoms like anxiety and depression (16.50%), fatigue (9.66%), and sleep disorders (8.42%) were most common. Children infected by SARS-CoV-2 also had a higher risk of persistent shortness of breast, and an inability to smell/taste.  (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-13495-5)

BETTER MASKS FOR KIDS MEANS BETTER PROTECTION AGAINST NEW VARIANTS, INCLUDING OMICRON, AND STEALTH OMICRON - KNOWN AS BA.2

We have made it this far into the pandemic, facing the Alpha, Delta,  Omicron and now its subvariant, BA.2.  New variants will continue to emerge, including the  recently identified
BA.2 and XD in Europe. Unfortunately there are no vaccines available for children under 5 years old and though   children 5 years and up are vaccine eligible, only 26% of kids in this age group are fully vaccinated and rates vary widely between states . This means, when COVID infections among children are on the rise, masks and face shields are still the primary defense for kids against COVID variants like the new Omicron subvariant, BA.2.  In fact, Covid cases in kids account for ~19% of all new infections. Keeping kids in school is rightly a top priority and for many people, visiting family this spring is too. When your kids do wear masks for travel, making sure they have  the highest quality disposable kids mask available is the key to keeping children and families protected.

WHY KIDS NEED PROTECTION FROM COVID 

While some COVID infections in kids are mild and may be treated at home, the recent surge of pediatric ICU admissions for kids with COVID is still a risk, no matter how low, and we are still learning how Omicron will affect children and babies. With variants we have seen to date a small percentage of kids develop severe acute infections from COVID and need hospitalization. In addition, following COVID infection, kids can also suffer a rare but serious inflammatory disease called MIS-C (Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). On top of that, there’s long COVID or “long haul”, which occurs when COVID symptoms—fatigue, insomnia, abdominal pain, breathing problems, chest pain, irregular heart rhythms,  headaches, loss of smell and taste, brain fog—linger for weeks or months after mild and even asymptomatic infections. In a recent study it was found that 25% of kids infected with COVID developed long haul

What if my kids are vaccinated?  What if they have already had COVID?  Do they still need to mask?

For a while it felt like the one upside to having COVID was the 90 day period of high antibodies and relative protection that followed. Unfortunately, with the new Omicron variants like BA.4 and BA.5, antibody levels after these omicron infections decline more rapidly. Reinfection after only 30-60 days has now been reported, so be mindful.  It is now recommended not waiting more than two months after infection to get vaccinated.  In terms of vaccinations, they have been vital to preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and loss of life in all age groups. At the end of the day, masking with premium quality masks consistently offers another layer of protection indoors, during travel, and in crowds.

WHY THE TYPE OF MASK YOU CHOOSE FOR YOUR CHILD MATTERS 

Despite the political and legal arguments, there is little scientific debate about the effectiveness of masks for COVID transmission. Plain and simple, face masks decrease the spread of COVID. With new infectious sub variants of Omicron such as BA.2 and recombinant variants spreading, plans for kids to remain in the classroom and mask mandates ending, we all need to recognize that there will be times when putting the mask on for a bit is necessary for keeping everyone safe – and when you do make sure you find the best masks for kids to protect from variants like Omicron.

With hundreds of masks on the market, finding quality masks can be easier said than done. Here’s what you need to ensure when it comes to picking a mask for your child:

1. A snug fit.
2. A high filtration capacity or PFE (particulate filtration efficiency), which tells you how well the mask filters out tiny viral particles.
3. Wearability: Is it comfortable enough for your kids to keep it on? 

FIT: When it comes to finding a good fit, the key is to pick a mask that is designed and sized specifically for kids. As most masks only come in a couple of sizes, if a disposable kid’s mask is still too loose on your child, tie knots in the ear loops for a tighter fit or try what the CDC calls “the knot and tuck” technique. 

FILTRATION: To find a mask that keeps particles out, look for masks that have certified test results that confirm it has a high particulate filtration efficiency (PFE). The higher the PFE, the better the mask material is at keeping tiny droplets out. If the last mask you bought doesn’t clearly show its testing results, it probably means it wasn’t tested to the standards you want it to be held to to be most effective. You may not know that millions of KN95 masks imported during the pandemic didn’t pass proper filtration tests, with some masks filtering only one percent of particles while claiming to filter greater than 95%. Health care providers rely on certified testing to know if a mask is safe. As consumers and parents, we should insist on the same level of transparent testing.

WEARABILITY: Good testing allows you to trust in your mask and the protection it provides. At a minimum, masks should comply with the new voluntary ASTM F3502–21 standard. This standard was created to help ensure that masks designed for the general population filter out 20–50% of particles. But now that the Delta variant is on the rise, many people feel that a higher level of filtration is desirable. Top-notch certified test results are a big part of why we are completely in love with Little Lives PPE’s LL95, a KN95 for kids that’s manufactured in America. The company’s 3-ply ASTM Level 3 face masks for kids are also made from premium materials to keep particles out and they meet medical grade testing specifications. At the end of the day, a less tested mask is a less trusted mask.

KN95s FOR KIDS WITH OVER 99% FILTRATION 

When searching for a KN95 mask for kids to wear in school, on playdates, or during travel, it is important to remember that there are no FDA-approved N95 masks for kids. 

N95 respirator masks are designed to keep 95% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns out and are secured with two super tight elastic bands that wrap around the head. Wearing an N95 all day can be tough even for medical providers. Little Lives PPE has perfected a manufacturing process that produces an American-manufactured KN95-equivalent mask. On top of the mask material and construction, all Little Lives masks are manufactured and assembled in an FDA-registered facility. The LL95 is manufactured in the USA in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility for maximum quality control. The PPE products are FDA-listed as product code QKR, so you can trust that each face mask is made to the highest standard. 

Part of the effectiveness of a Little Lives mask is that it has an electrostatic charge that blocks particles from coming through, and unlike most masks out there, the LL95 (ages 2 to 12) and thehttps://littlelivesppe.com/products/themicrocome in over a dozen colors, which will satisfy even the pickiest children! 
 
The founders of Little Lives PPE, who happen to be Harvard-trained doctors and moms, set out to prove that their high standards were effective. Enlisting the help of well-known medical testing facilities like Eurofins and Nelson Labs, the company had all its products rigorously tested to meet the best safety measures. The results were the same across the board: a breathable and comfortable mask that has passed tests that show it keeps out >99% of small viral particles, both the sodium chloride aerosol test and the particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) test. On top of that, the LL95 passed the NIOSH’s inhalation/exhalation test with flying colors. This test ensures that kids can breathe in and out with ease while wearing the LL95, which means that keeping the mask on for an entire flight or school day is no longer a challenge.

Do I need to worry about protecting my child from other outbreaks besides COVID?

The  COVID pandemic has opened our eyes to the presence of other outbreaks. Monkeypox and meningitis are on the rise and interestingly wearing a mask can help decrease the spread of those too.  Monkey Pox isn’t spread during short periods of shared airspace, but it may spread through respiratory secretions when people have close, face-to-face contact, raising parental concerns about the risk of it spreading among kids in classrooms. Cases of monkeypox in kids are emerging (https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/22/health/monkeypox-children-vaccine/index.html), and recently an Illinois daycare worker infected with Monkyepox exposed co-workers and children, all of whom are now being observed closely for possible infection. 

In addition, monkeypox can spread by sharing items like towels, clothes or bedsheets used by someone with a monkeypox lesion. Keeping frequently used surfaces disinfected may also prove beneficial. Monkeypox has now been declared a public health emergency, and hopefully aggressive vaccination efforts will prevent the spread of Monkeypox especially among new populations, given the complications of monkeypox are more serious in children and pregnant women

How Do KN95 Masks Best Protect Kids In School?

The most important aspect of any PPE item is the level of protection it provides, but from a child’s perspective, it must be comfortable too. Perhaps the most attractive part of the Little Lives LL95 mask is that it fits both soft and snug, with a design that makes it easier to breathe in. Kids are more likely to keep a mask on if they notice it less. Besides comfort, there are a number of cute color kids face masks to choose from . 

The LL95 offers 5 layers of protection, and Little Lives PPE also makes an effective lightweight 3-ply ASTM Level 3 mask for kids. Little Lives 3-Ply Masks are available with fun and different patterns. Also with a variety of packs, from 3 to 50, Parents can feel prepared no matter where they go. 

Speaking of parents, it is nice to know your child is comfortable on a plane, in school, or in public, but the most important thing is safety —a child's face mask needs to filter particles and fit around the nose and mouth to protect best. The LL95 has a moldable wire nose bridge wire wrapped in protective polypropylene that adjusts the mask’s fit to your kid's nose and face shape in order to create a snug fit.

COMFORTABLE, RECYCLABLE, AND BPA-FREE FACE SHIELDS FOR KIDS

With more COVID variants than ever before, face shields offer an important additional layer of protection for the entire face when indoors or in a higher risk environment. Professionals who have close face-to-face communication with people, and who want to be considerate, have chosen to pair the Little Lives PPE Face Shield with the LL95, the MICRO or the Little Lives PPE ASTM level 3 mask.
 
Little Lives PPE doesn’t just offer the most trusted KN95 kids masks and N95 equivalent face masks for kids, they also offer a number of protective face shields for kids. The founders used their medical expertise to design full face shields, for kids and adults, that are not only medical grade but sustainable and made in the USA. With use of recyclable PETG plastic materials, the teen and adult face shields are not only designed to stay clear, but they also boast a  hypoallergenic, FDA-certified non-toxic cushion for the best long term fit. Did we mention they are machine washable, to boot? Longer opportunity for healthy use and better protection make the Little Lives kids, teens, and adult face shields head and shoulders above the other brands. 

THE BEST KN95 FOR CHILDREN 

Whether children are in the classroom, in the grocery store with parents, or traveling abroad  for Spring Break  it is important to keep them safe until the pandemic is truly over. The Little Lives PPE masks for adults and children are tested and parents, teachers, and professionals can feel secure knowing that the minds behind these masks are thinking about children—not only as doctors, but as parents too. 

*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice nor to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, and may or may not be peer reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using a natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.