NO MASKING THE TRUTH ABOUT PANDEMIC.

With the recent story of a man wearing an N95 mask passing out behind the wheel and crashing his car, it is clear some people may not realize masks can do more damage than good when worn improperly. The average person may not understand exactly how to use masks that are made especially for health workers.

With wearing masks becoming the new normal, ENT Dr. Shawn Nasseri breaks down what you need to know--from safety to proper fit.

* N95 mask. A respiratory or N95 mask requires training on how to use it effectively. It protects the wearer from 95% of particulates smaller than three microns, but also car decrease the user's oxygen by 25%.

* Surgical mask. A surgical mask has three layers--an occlusive fabric to form a protective barrier, a layer of filtration, and inside layer of cotton as a second layer of filtration. It is considered 80-90% effective at reducing the wearers exposure to respiratory droplets.

* DIY mask. Effectiveness depends on how it is made, but a do-it-yourself mask can help keep the area clean and clear. It is not as effective as a surgical or respiratory mask.

* Essential places to wear...