Need your help! What is the BEST mask to wear in Barcelona and Paris in case I test positive before

[CTyankee]

the trip back? Is a face shield (along with a mask) a good idea? I'm not going until October and I don't want to take any chances.

I can't afford a period of time to wait in quarantine, altho I plan to get trip insurance for the cost of flight change and another week or so in a hotel. I'm worried about cost AND the time delay.

I realize that things may have improved by then. But I don't want to take any chances.

[hlthe2b]

1. N95 or KN95... without a doubt.

N95s should have a NIOSH certification to ensure they are not counterfeit. And don't forget some type of eyeglass protection for the plane. Even sunglasses. Ocular transmission is not as efficient as through nose/mouth, but it does occur in heavily crowded indoor settings with poor ventilation.

[CTyankee]

5. No problem there. I wear glasses.

[Moostache]

2. I was in Paris last October...pre-Omicron

At that time, my wife and I used only surgical masks in public places and outdoors there were not as many masks being used. The widespread use of the Pass Sanitaire was also making sure that places like the Louvre and Versailles had vaccinated visitors only.

Neither my wife nor I contracted COVID in Paris or Brussels, luckily...but in January my wife and 4 of our 5 children tested positive, while only myself and my youngest tested negative (5 times over an 8 day quarantine). Omicron variant was immensely more transmissible, so I have no earthly understanding of how my youngest and I avoided it an I am thankful that the worst we had was a 103-degree fever for my wife for about 12 hours and everyone else had either mild symptoms like a sore throat and cough or nothing at all.

Currently, I would probably count on using N-95 or equivalent masks in addition to the Pass Sanitaire (which I am not sure but assume requires an active booster now and may require a second booster by the time of your trip).

Best wishes and good luck!

[unc70]

3. Positive test: can't come back

If you test positive, you can not fly back until you test negative. Can't do much else, either.

[NoRethugFriends]

4. Yup. KN95 or N95. Face shields are a waste. Not useful. (nt)