Swapping (Switching types of) facemasks could save lives. Here's how to upgrade

[applegrove]

https://www.salon.com/2021/01/31/swapping-facemasks-could-save-lives-heres-how-to-upgrade/

》》》》》》PLUS YOU CAN REUSE N95 MASKS 7 TIMES as many health care workers do - so they are more cost effective than they were 《《《《《《《

Swapping facemasks could save lives. Here’s how to upgrade Why you should switch to a "high-efficiency" mask, and what that means

By JAMES KNITTER - ABBA GUMEL - LUCAS MARINACCIJANUARY 31, 2021 1:00PM (UTC) at Salon

"SNIP.....

As new, more contagious coronavirus variants emerge, cases continue to surge throughout the United States, leaving healthcare systems and their workers overwhelmed and exhausted.  Unless we take immediate action, an estimated 200,000 additional Americans could die from COVID-19 by May.  With vaccination still months away from most Americans, it is imperative that we use everything at our disposal to help bridge this gap in protection.

Fortuitously, there's an answer that's cheap, easy, and accessible: High-efficiency masks. These kinds of masks, which include the N95 respirators used by healthcare workers, could reduce the chances of contracting the coronavirus — thus help saving lives and helping speed the return of our economy.

Until now, America's national mask strategy has focused largely on a concept known as "source control."  This uses low-tech, easily-sourced fabric or surgical masks to prevent someone who is infected from spreading the virus to others.

But the protection that fabric masks give the wearer can be limited, as some may block very few incoming aerosols.  And while the material that surgical masks are made from is better at blocking aerosols, they still do not seal tightly to the face, which can allow the wearer to breathe in unfiltered air around the sides.

.....SNIP"

I bought 20 online tonight. Went back to the site a few hours later and they were sold out.

[SunSeeker]

1. N95 masks are not available online. KN95 masks are, but not real 3M N95 masks. nt

[applegrove]

3. The ones i bought said N95:

N95 Mask Particulate Respirator Box of 20 - UNIAIR × 1

[Worried2020]

11. "N95 is the U.S. standard, and the KN95 is the China standard." ...

.
.

"N95 is the U.S. standard, and the KN95 is the China standard.” Because of this, only N95 masks are approved for health-care use in the United States, even though KN95 masks have many of the same protective properties.

It's worth a read . . .

https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/n95-vs-kn95-masks-1044184/

W

[LisaL]

12. Yes, they are available.

I purchased some off amazon.

[SunSeeker]

13. Not genuine 3M N95 masks, just knock-offs. nt

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. "Swapping facemasks" is a bit misleading. Makes it sound like

you and I swap masks.

I recently acquired a supply of KN95 masks.

[applegrove]

4. The idea that you ditch your cloth or surgical masks for the KN95 or the N95

is a swap. I hear you though. It should say switch.

[msongs]

5. so what ahppened to the war act thing to crank out zillions of masks and respirators? nt

[secondwind]

6. Amazon had Kimberley Clark KN95 masks for sale a few days ago.

A 50-pack for $57. We bought 150 masks, sent one 50-pack to granddaughter at Hobart. They flew off the shelves.

They arrive on February 8th.

[whistler162]

15. These? If so they are advertised as N95

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NVDFB3R/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[secondwind]

7. Putting your mask out in the sunshine helps also.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. So now 7 reuses of an N95 (and presumably a KN95, too) is okay. But what is a "use"?

I wear a mask for no more than 2 hours at a time, and more likely, less. When I do wear the KN95, I wear a cloth mask over it. The rest of the time I am at home and maskless.

So is a "use" a single wearing no matter the duration? Or is it a workday - 8 hours? 12 hours?

[applegrove]

9. Good points.

[retread]

10. I read there are lots of fakes out there. If the masks are NIOSH approved they are good. Some are

faking approval but the government has a web site listing approved masks. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1.html

I have read the South Korean KF94 masks are good. Counterfeits are everywhere but if you can verify they are manufactured in South Korea they are good.

FDA tested and approved KN95's are listed in appendix A https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-euas#respirators