As new variants of COVID-19 emerge, mask recommendations and mandates have returned in many areas. As we move into 2022, what new information is out there on what masks are best for what situation and what mask you need to give you and your family the best protection? In the beginning, there were not enough masks for everyone, and what masks there were on the market to buy were very expensive. Cottage industries sprang up overnight to address the shortage, but these masks were not made to required specifications and also did not use the kinds of material that would be the best to protect people. Regardless, everyone was required to have them in order to do the most simple of errands, like groceries and dropping off or picking up kids from school. In some cases there were recalls on masks due to faulty materials or manufacturing processes. In one …