The Difference Between A Facemask and A Respirator

My son has officially missed more days of school this month than he attended. I'm on the verge of becoming the paranoid mom who insist that everyone wash their hands before coming into contact with my child. That level of paranoia is rarely seen outside of first time mothers of newborns.

And if sending bars of soap (If you're going to ask you kid's teacher to do something extra,it is best if you send the supplies to do it) and tissues doesn't work, the wee tyrant may have to wear a respirator. I'm afraid that I may turn my child into some kind of Michael Jackson like hypochondriac, but it seems that this is the only way he is going to get an education.

According to the CDC wearing a facemask isn't enough to protect you from viruses.
Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the facemask. They are not designed to protect you against breathing in very small particles.

A respirator (for example, an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator) is designed to protect you from breathing in very small particles, which might contain viruses. These types of respirators fit tightly to the face so that most air is inhaled through the filter material. To work the best way, N95 respirators must be specially fitted for each person who wears one (this is called "fit-testing" and is usually done in a workplace where respirators are used). Most of the time, N95 respirators are used in construction and other jobs that involve dust and small particles. Some healthcare workers, such as nurses and doctors, use these types of respirators when taking care of patients with diseases that can be spread through the air.

The information is on the Centers For Diesese Control page about preventing a flu pandemic. I'm not worried about flu pandemics, my children haven't ever had the flu and I haven't had it in over two decades. We don't even get flu shots. It is the common cold that is the source of all my problems. And my child could actually attend school if other parents would keep their sick kids at home, instead of sending them to school when they are infectious (usually just a couple of days).
20 extra small N95 Respirators $17.75