But the agency stopped short of saying that people should opt for certain masks over others, instead saying that the “CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.”

Previously, the CDC did not recommend that the general population wear N95 masks or KN95s, a similar type of mask made in China, fearing that a run on those higher-quality masks would impact the supply in healthcare settings. The CDC now says shortages are no longer a concern.

“When worn consistently and properly,” the agency wrote on its website, N95 respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, or NIOSH, “provide the highest level of protection from particles, including the virus that causes Covid-19.”