Buzz
If you're in the midst of a real-life disaster (like much of the western U.S. right now), you're aware that masks can shield you from coronavirus and also from the particles in wildfire smoke. But be aware: the masks that protect against each aren't exactly the same.
Cloth masks prevent droplets, but not the fine particles found in smoke. This is because the mask's weave has relatively large gaps. (The virus is tiny, but the droplets of saliva and mucus are large enough to be captured.) Just as you can smell a fart through a mask, smoke can also seep in. While a cloth mask can block bigger pieces of ash drifting through the air, it’s better than nothing, but far from ideal. If you can find a more effective mask, go for it.
For smoke from wildfires, you need a mask that fits snugly around your face and has a filter with minuscule holes. N95, P95, and R95 masks are recommended, as well as any masks with ratings above 95 (like N99). These might be difficult to find—especially N95s—but they are truly more effective if you can obtain one.
If your wildfire mask includes a valve, it’s suitable for use against smoke—this is exactly what these masks are designed to do. They filter particles when you're inhaling but allow you to exhale without filtration. This is not ideal for coronavirus protection, but perfectly fine when you're not in close proximity to others.
What if you live in a smoky region and need to interact with others? You can tape over the valve of your wildfire mask, or place a cloth mask on top of it. Alternatively, you can opt for a valve-free mask like an N95 or similar. If conditions permit, you can also alternate between a wildfire mask (such as a valved N95) and a COVID-19 mask (like cloth or surgical masks).
