The CDC Recommends You Use Face Masks That Meet These New Standards

[SheltieLover]

https://www.prevention.com/health/a38570005/new-cdc-mask-standards/

This new face mask guidance is crucial to know as cases of the Omicron variant increase.

Those recommendations have now changed and, with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant across the country along with a recent sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases, people are suddenly paying more attention to their masks once more. This being said, new CDC guidelines for masks are now in place.

If you’ve been using the same type of face mask since the pandemic started, it’s important to know that the CDC now has very specific recommendations on what, exactly, to look for in a face mask. That includes newer designations issued by the ASTM International and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that help specify exactly which masks in the U.S. are considered high quality.

New mask standards include:
Meets ASTM F3502. This designation means that the masks are able to be used as “a means of source control for individual wearers by reducing the number of expelled droplets and aerosols from the wearer’s nose and mouth into the air,” per the ASTM. It also means that they, “potentially offer a degree of particulate filtration to reduce the amount of inhaled particulate matter by the wearer,” ASTM says. Among other things, these masks must:

More at link. I snipped important parts to post. Be safe, All! 😷 cripes they are slow on the uptake! I've been in N95s for well over 1.5 years!

[BigmanPigman]

1. I just got 20 N95s in the mail

since they are back in stock. I have been wearing the same 5 original N95s since I believe that even a recycled N95 is better than a cloth one. One thing that cloth masks don't have is super tight bands that hold it tightly against your face. If I didn't have N95s I wouldn't go out at all.

[SheltieLover]

2. I wouldn't go out around people without one either!

And I recycle mine, too!

I bought 50 before civid hit the States for $26 shipped because I was watching what was happening in China.

Within 2 weeks, the same exact box of 50 masks was selling for $750 on ebay! 🤬

I still have a bunch left & bought another 100 online before Delta took off. So I'm well stocked.

I'm glad you are too!

This variant is qs contagious as measles! Holy cow! 😷

[captain queeg]

4. I just got 10 of them. I'd been using medical masks mostly

I have a couple fabric masks too but I figured I ought to get the real deal while they were available. In some ways they are more uncomfortable but my glasses seem to not fog up as much as when I use the medical masks.

[SheltieLover]

5. If your glasses fog, put a band aid over top of nose strip.

Get more if you can. This is qs contagious as measles, per Dr. Ding, Harvard epidemiologist. Here is a link to his twitter:

https://mobile.twitter.com/DrEricDing?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

I don't use twitter, but can read his poats. I have been reading his tweets daily for well over 1.5 years & he is light years ahead of health authorities in making recs. He has been 100% cirrect in the informatiob he presents & his predictions. Not surprising, considering his credentials.

You can recycle them by placing in a paper bag for 3 days because the bag dries out the mask & kills organism. At least that was what docs were doing before this variarnt.

[captain queeg]

17. That's good info. These masks were pretty expensive.

They seem way more durable than the cheap ones, and there are days when I don’t go out in public so recycling them I could make them last a long time.

[SergeStorms]

32. Double sided tape works well...

along the nose piece and along the edges of the upper cheeks. I wear glasses, and it was a pain having them fog up all the time. No fogging problem at all using the double sided tape.

As far a disinfecting N95 masks between uses, I bought a UV light case on Amazon for under $30. You can sanitize all sorts of stuff in there, but I mainly use it for disinfecting my previously worn N95 masks. I still have around 75 new ones in the box, but who knows how long we'll need to wear high quality masks? I'm 73, and I might be using masks for the rest of my life (although I hope not).

[BigmanPigman]

6. They are uncomfortable

because they are so tight (a great thing). My face/skin breaks out a little but you can't tell since it is hidden by the mask, a silver lining I guess. I think your glasses steam up with a cloth mask since your breath is allowed to escape a little around the edges.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

7. I redid the elastic on my masks

Added length to the straps used thicker elastic and I have 2 seperate ties at the back of my head. This makes my fabric 3 layer masks fit tight.

It really helps.

I wear a disposible surgical mask as the first layer on my face.

Then I insert a filter in my cloth mask it has a little pocket for them,

and the last layer is my cloth mask.

If I go to a place with a lot of people,like a store I wear a face shield too.

[BigmanPigman]

9. Why not just order some N95s?

I got a box of 20 from 3M for about $18. I haven't seen them at this price since before Covid began. A dollar each is a great price.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

15. Because I cant afford to keep using them

At a buck per mask those 20 masks would not be affordable to me over time. My sister gave me a pack of 10 kn95's I use those for stuff that there is a bigger chance of getting exposed like going to see a doctor ,dentist or going for routine lab work. I have like 5 left.

I am totally vaxxed and boosted .

[sir pball]

20. Have you considered a reusable half-face respirator with P100 cartridges?

That's the gold standard of protection; P100 is the level of filtration used in biosafety facilities.

A 3M 6200 facepiece is $14 on Amazon, and the replaceable P100 filters are $15.88 for a set of 2 - they have a much longer lifespan than masks, though. I have one, I usually wear N95s but for extremely "hot" situations such as when I was in Hartwell, GA a few months back, I will absolutely strap on the facepiece.

You can also get full-face respirators, like hazmat teams wear, but that's a bit extreme even for me

[Laura PourMeADrink]

31. Interesting. Was just reading that after an N95, that

A surgical over a cloth was almost as good. They said cloth first because it's comfortable to the skin. Then surgical on top with nose wire securing it all. You did it the opposite. Just curious is there a reason for the order you layer up? Or does it even matter.

[sir pball]

19. 3M 8210 N95 respirators are currently $17.85/20 on Amazon

The really good ones with the rigid cup, not the folded blown-fabirc ones.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MCUZZS/

[BigmanPigman]

21. Yup, that's exactly what I ordered and received.

The exact same ones I got from my sister almost 2 years ago when this all started. It is OK to recycle them a lot. A recycled one is better than any cloth mask and most surgical masks.

[sir pball]

23. I picked up 4...

I change mine once a week since I'm not out and about too much, it's definitely less than 8 hours usage. So I should be invincible for another 18 months, bring it on!

[BigmanPigman]

24. I can spot the Real McCoy on someone else

and I know right away who to stand 6' away from. A crappy mask or incorrectly worn one is a red flag for me.

[sir pball]

33. But with a really good N95 and full shots, why worry about standing 6' away?

Of course I'll avoid blatant plague rats, but a big part of wearing a proper protective respirator for me is the ability to not worry about being close to the maskless fat White trash wearing a MAGA hat while coughing freely...I trust in 3M as my "fortress walls" and Moderna as my "wall-mounted archers" - at some point we need to accept we have good defenses and move freely.

Then again, I live in a grossly Blue area so I meet very few plague rats.

[JCMach1]

46. I have accidentally washed a few and it's not a thing to reuse them

For awhile

[halfulglas]

35. Thanks so much for the link.

I have plenty of KN95 masks from months ago and plenty of those pleated procedure masks, not to mention plenty of crappy cloth masks (some actually pretty good with multiple layers but not a good seal that my DIL bought for me) but in the last couple weeks every time I went on Amazon and just typed in N95 they would display a row of fairly pricey N95s and then display a lot of KN95 that were surprisingly expensive considering many were in the same range as the N95, but they would not show all the N95s. It's nice to get a recommendation AND a link, so I went immediately and ordered them for myself. They are an excellent price and like I said I'm so glad to get a recommendation of their quality. Now let's hope there are plenty in supply now for all who will need them.

If I can help it, I'm not going to get COVID again. Grocery shopping here in Maryland today I was surprised about the number of people not wearing masks indoors in the stores, even though the health department sent out messages on the land lines about the COVID surge and recommending masks and care. On the other hand I was encouraged by so many of them who wearing them were wearing them correctly tightly around the cheeks so as to prevent air leak.

[wishstar]

67. I got these this week, but they are too small for some people and very tight straps

Even though they are not marked as being small, these masks were too small for my spouse and friend's larger heads and faces and the straps are extremely tight.

One important thing for me to be able to use them more comfortably is that I had to stretch the straps before trying to put on the mask. Due to smaller size and tighter straps these are not as comfortable or easy to put on as some older N95's I had bought several years ago for hobby work, so the couple I had left of those will be used by spouse, while I use these new ones. .

[MiniMe]

28. I got about 20 also

I'm happy they are back in stock.

[Ms. Toad]

3. Bothers me that they are still recommending surgical masks/procedure masks -

over well-fitted multiple layer, tight weave cloth ones.

I have yet to meet a surgical/procedure mask that is anything close to leak-free.

One of the two sets of doctor's visits coming up requires me to wear a procedure mask. I stick it on underneath my cloth one so that I can take advantage of the good seal my cloth mask has.

That said, I just ordered KN94 masks that test at 98-99% filtration. I've been comfortable with the cloth one through Delta (plus full vaccine, booster, social distancing, and a HEPA air purifier good to .3 microns in my office. Not with Omicron.

[sir pball]

34. Their recommendations are better than nothing, but not as good as respirators.

By "respirator" I mean any face mask that's actually rated as a respirator, be it KN/N95, KF94, FPP2/3, etc etc...assuming they aren't fraudulent, the $20/50 KN95s are waaaaay better than any cloth or procedure mask, and the $17/20 3M N95s are unspeakably good.

BTW - "procedure mask" means "mask that keeps YOU from spitting crap onto ME."

[Ms. Toad]

41. All well-fitted, multi-layer masks worn consistently

are very effective at protecting both the wearer and those around them.

The difference is between 70+% and 90+% filtration. So the difference is not as great as most people believe, and they protect the wearer nearly as well as those around the wearer.

When masks don't fit well (and I've never seen a surgical or procedure mask that fits well), air circulates through the path of least resistance - the unfitered gaps at the cheeks and above the nose . Because of this, when they don't fit well they are predominantly spit crap catchers. Because the KN/N95, KF94, FPP2/3 fit significantly better, filtration difference aside, they are more idiot-proof as to proper fit.

So the range is completely unfiltered air (escaping regardless of mask type when there is not a conformable nose clip and there are gaps at the side) to masks which filter nearly all air (close-fitting masks worn consistently - regardless of what they are made from). Once you get into the latter group, the difference is just quantity of filtration level through the multiple filters (ranging from 70+% to 95+% assuming at least a close weave, multiple layer mask).

For Delta, I am comfortable with a multiple layer, well-fitted mask worn consistently (in addition to full vaccination + booster). My masks all fit that criteria, or I don't wear them. For Omicron, I'm not comfortable wtih that level of protection. My KN94 masks (tested by an independent 3d party to filter to 98%) are arriving tomorrow.

[sir pball]

64. They are better than nothing by a long shot for sure

But, a lap belt is also way better than no belt...while still lacking compared to a 3-point belt.

Course, you're talking to a guy who has a P100 respirator and has had cars with harnesses and roll cages...when I geek out about safety I go pretty hard.

[Ms. Toad]

65. I base my decision on data.

Most of the tests on masks have been garbage because they don't distinguish between mask composition, fit, and consistency of wearing masks.

The ones which do suggest that gap-free multi-layer masks (especially different weave), consistently worn are roughly as effective as the J&J vaccine. So on top of pfizer x 3, as to Delta, I'm pretty comfortable with my level of protection.

Now that Omicron as joined the mix, I'm bumping up my mask protection to KN94. It is so much more transmissible - largely because it requries less of it to infect you - that I need to filter out more of it.

[Throck]

8. Goodbye bogus fashion masks.

Goodbye bandanas and neck gaiters.

Goodbye half mast half assed virtue signaling phoneys.

CDC should have put this out last year.

[SheltieLover]

10. Absolutely!

[hamsterjill]

11. I double mask.

I use a medical mask under a KN95 mask. I hope that’s sufficient.

It’s all confusing and they need to stop that. I watched the CDC director a few minutes ago with John Berman on CNN and she never gave a full and straight answer to even one of his questions.

We should be beyond that now.

[sir pball]

18. You should NEVER wear anything under a KN/N95.

Anything between your face and a rated (K/N95, KF94, FFP2, etc) respirator will comprimise the seal and render the respirator ineffective.

If you're wearing something with a proper rating, you don't need anything more on top either - a cloth cover doesn't extend the lifespan of a respirator as it doesn't filter out the tiny particles. If you want to wear something over the top for aesthetic reasons that's fine, but there's no actual benefit to it.

[Celerity]

36. +1

[sir pball]

37. ...

[Celerity]

38. ...

[ProudMNDemocrat]

12. I will make new ones with light Pellon interfacing.

For me and my husband.

[Budi]

13. 👍 Thanks SheltieLover

[SheltieLover]

14. Yw, Budi!

[MustLoveBeagles]

22. Bookmarked

I'm looking into a mask upgrade.

[BigmanPigman]

25. As mentioned above, these are the best ones

AND are in stock now so I suggest ordering them while they still are. Less than $1 each and are recyclable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MCUZZS/

[MustLoveBeagles]

26. Thanks

[appalachiablue]

27. Amazon search: 'ASTM protective, medical masks'

Many of the ones I noticed were the blue surgical type- noting 'ASTM Level 3' like these.

I didn't know to include that, and just today ordered more 'N-95 NIOSH' marked masks...



> Box of 50 4-Ply ASTM Level 3 Face Masks, Disposable (Blue) by PlastCare USA
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,656
$17.99 ($0.36/Count)
Save more with Subscribe & Save
FREE Delivery for Prime members

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ASTM+protective%2C+medical+masks&crid=SY378MM7OXUD&sprefix=astm+protective%2C+medical+masks%2Caps%2C48&ref=nb_sb_noss

[Ms. Toad]

42. Here's the formal place to check to make sure what you are ordering is not a fake

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/default.html (there are lots of fakes out there).

Those masks will almost certainly gap at the cheeks and around the nose, rendering them almost useless for filtration. Most of the nose pieces don't conform closely enoug to the top of the nose, and the tall, flat construction makes them gap at the sides. Air will always will go through the path of least resistance - through gaps between the mask and the face.

[appalachiablue]

48. I missed that section on the CDC link, very helpful, tx..

So far I've found one mask brand model I've been ordering on the CDC list- the BNX N-95 model H95W. I have to search for the other two models I've been using.

The 3M respirators- I ordered plenty and they are very well constructed and close fitting. There was only one minor issue, one of the straps broke several times after only 2-3 hours of use. But I may reorder 3M's on the approved list esp. given the mfg.'s quality and rating.

Last year I wore the blue surgical masks, like the ones I posted, ONLY WITH a well fitting cloth mask on top. And in the last 8+ mos. I only use them on Top of a solid N-95 respirator for added protection and knowing the gaps, etc.

I posted them here quicky as an example of masks with notation for the newer standard- 'ASTM' (level 3) on the Amazon website.

Thanks again and stay safe!

[Ms. Toad]

49. I spent some time a few days ago looking for a trustworthy mask.

My cloth masks are sufficient for delta, but not Omicron. I quickly found there were a lot that called themselves KN95 or KN94 - but since I knew there were fakes I started looking for ways to sort the fakes from the real ones.

The problem with the ASTM F3502 is more fit than filtration. That seems to be the standard for surgical/procedure masks - and the problem with them is the construction. In order to be tall enough to cover nose to chin, none (or at least none I've found) are short enough at the outer edges to avoid cheek gaps.

[GoCubsGo]

55. Just an FYI about that brand...

While they are called PlastCare USA, the masks are manufactured in China. They are, however, tested in a US lab. It's a little bit misleading, but that doesn't necessarily reflect on the quality of the product. If one is concerned about Chinese-made PPEs, there a plenty of US-made options, including at least a couple of them noted in this htread.

[Wounded Bear]

29. Been wearing KN95s for several months now...nt

[cilla4progress]

30. I just bought a couple different styles of

ASTM Level 3 masks from Armbrust, American made.

Gray and denim colored.

https://www.armbrustusa.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAk4aOBhCTARIsAFWFP9EQmA5d4UBh5zWwQgy6xVkMmuzEvG8kmxNv5Q6yiBG4TihMOY5d3oMaAvDAEALw_wcB

[Ms. Toad]

43. Just glance at the pictures of people wearing those masks.

Virtually every one has gaps at the cheeks. Air always follows the path of least resistance - in to your nose through the cheek gap; out to others through the cheek gap.

[cilla4progress]

45. Other than the kids, not seeing it?

But yeah, fit is critical.

[Ms. Toad]

47. Home page - left side of image (right cheek) - gap at cheek.

Any mask that doesn't lie flat against the cheek has a gap.

You may or may not land on the same images I am seeing. The second time I visited, different (lots fewer) images were shown.
But if you happen to land on the same page I got the first time: Black guy - right side of the first row - the mask lifts up toward the camera at the face left/camera right. Scroll down - the picture of the couple the woman's mask clearly lifts out from her face at the cheeks. The man's, because of the coloring, is a bit harder to see - but the third fold lifts away from his face. Scroll down farther - right side man working on the machines - the second fold isn't snug against his cheek. Under latest updates - "Is your mask safe," right side of his face, left in picture, the third tuck pulls away from his cheek. It's also happening on his left/right picture - but because of the angle it's harder to see.

The children's gaps are more obvious - because they actually hang loose on the face.

All of the surgical/procedure style masks I've ever seen have gaps at the cheeks and nose. (It's harder to tell about gaps at the nose from an image, since the best test for that is whether your glasses fog.)

What to look for is whether the height at the side of the mask is greater than the distance between the top and bottom of where your ears attach to your head. Anytime it is, it will create a gap because the strings pull straight across. That means when the top of the mask is higher than the top of where your ear attaches it will pull the top of the mask down. When the bottom of the mask is lower, the strings will pull the bottom of the mask up. This forces the middle of the mask out from the cheeks. It's just basic physics/sewing construction (both of which are my areas of expertise). If you look at the one under the shield on the dummy, you can see the dynamic I'm talking about. All of the masks I make and/or wear are shorter than the distance between the top and bottom of the ear so that the strings pull the top/bottom up/down and tight against the face.

[GoCubsGo]

54. I just recently purchased a box from Baylabs, also USA made.

https://baylabusa.com/ Also available on Amazon for the same price as direct, but with free shipping for Prime members.

They have some color choices, as well as a "winter edition" with a snowman. They also make kid's size masks. Mine arrived yesterday. They're very well-made, and should fit most faces.

On edit: They also make ASTM 3 with ties, rather than ear loops. Some might prefer that.

[lamp_shade]

39. Thank you. Bookmarked. Informative threads like this are priceless.

[Celerity]

40. we use these, they are FFP2 (the EU equivalent of N95) and made in Modena, Italy

They cost only around 1 USD a piece as you can find varying prices here in Sweden, and they come in many colourways too, we bought 200 of them awhile ago, still have a lot left


https://www.medicinadellavoro.com/it/mascherine-ffp2/132-ffp2-made-in-italy-maschera-facciale-protettiva-pfe-superiore-al-94-20-pz-mix-mascherine-ffp2.html

FFP2 Made In Italy Protective Facial Mask, PFE higher than 94% - 20 pcs Mix
€ 19.99
Taxes included
· EU CERTIFICATION: Entire Made In Italy process, Certification Body CE 0477 EUROFINS - Turin, Test Report: Fonderia dei Mestieri - Turin, Production - Modena.

· CONTENTS: Package containing 20 individually wrapped pieces with ear protection accessory.

REGULATIONS: Compliant with the essential safety requirements and the prescriptions of the European regulation 425/2016 with reference to the EU regulation 2016/425, personal protective equipment and the following harmonized standards UNI EN 149: 2001 + A1: 2009, protective devices respiratory tract anti-dust filtering semi-masks.

4 colours mix: Black 5x, Night Blue 5x, Avio Blue 5x, White 5x.

[MineralMan]

44. Well, for a long time, experts were saying that the other masks, made of

cloth, etc. were adequate. So, people got creative with masks, and got away with it for a long time. Then, along came new variants and those methods were no longer effective enough to fully protect people.

Now, they're revising the standards, to match the new threats.

Like you, I've been using proper masks all along, but that was simply my own sense of caution. We must have a year's supply of them in a dresser drawer here.

[appalachiablue]

50. Thanks a bunch for this Sheltie, ASTM is new to me,

I know what to standard to look for now from the Prevention article and several of the posts here.

Merci and stay well!

[msfiddlestix]

51. Thanks, so I just now purchased a purchase from Aries, listed on CDC

looks like only two manufacturers are making the highest protection level. 3m being the highest rating, checking most the boxes, I still went with Aries though for aesthetic appeal.

I know that's not the point, but this one is good enough for my exposure.

Thanks again for the heads up!

[CousinIT]

52. So these vs N95/KN95?

Which is best?

[Ms. Toad]

57. N95/KN95.

The ASTM certification is generally attached to surgical masks (generally poorer fit & less filtration)

Here's the description:

1.1 This specification is primarily intended to help ensure barrier face coverings meeting the stated requirements provide (1) a means of source control for individual wearers by reducing the number of expelled droplets and aerosols from the wearer’s nose and mouth into the air; and (2) to potentially offer a degree of particulate filtration to reduce the amount of inhaled particulate matter by the wearer.

The goal for this recommendation is to move folks from things like gaitors, etc. to surgical or procedure masks.

As to KN95/N95:

KN95 masks are subject to similar regulations as N95 masks, meaning they must also prove in a laboratory setting that they prevent 95% of objects 0.3 microns across from passing through

https://www.sfgate.com/shopping/article/guide-to-purchasing-KN95-and-NIOSH-approved-masks-15550519.php#:~:text=KN95%20masks%20are%20subject%20to,instead%20of%20the%20United%20States.

[CousinIT]

60. Tx. Like others here just got these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MCUZZS/

I have some Kn95s (FDA tested and not always 95% filtration according to their testing), but with Omicron...not taking the chance.

[CTyankee]

69. I ordered them just now!

Hope this will be enough!

[AntivaxHunters]

53. A word on masks...

If you have a Home Depot near you (yes I know, they're a horrible company) they're one of the only retailers with brick & mortar locations who sell N95 masks in store. These aren't any regular N95 masks though but are the 3M NIOSH (National Institute of Health & Safety) approved N95 masks that many hospitals use and workers wear in Covid units. These are the best of the best when it comes to N95 masks & there's beginning to be a run on N95's across the country now. If you are unable to find N95 masks, please consider purchasing a P100 masks which is a step above but more costly.

DO NOT BUY MASKS ON AMAZON.
This can't be stressed enough. The majority of masks available on Amazon are counterfeit & do not work.


Looked around but didn't see any forum for introducing yourself so a thread about Covid seems very appropriate.

Hello Democratic Underground!
We are AntivaxHunters ( @AntivaxHunters on Twitter ), a group of over 30 doctor's, front line healthcare workers (nurses who work in Covid ICU units), epidemiologists, scientific vaccine & virus researchers, and people who's lives have been directly impacted by Covid (in my case, the loss of my mother). Our mission is to fight back against Covid misinformation by any means possible. Covid misinformation kills and we closely align with the beliefs of the group No License For Disinformation @NLFD_org on Twitter.

We come from all political backgrounds; Democrats, Socialists, Republicans, Greens, & Independents, who have come together with the sole mission to counter Covid misinformation. Misinformation is literally killing people and it impacts everyone from every political affiliation you can imagine. And sadly, that includes Democrats too who have fallen to the grift of far right antivax doctor's like Dr. Robert Malone & others.

We don't plan on engaging in any posts that aren't Covid related and we seek your help in our fight against Covid misinformation. We joined here in hopes of raising awareness of how bad Covid misinformation on social media, specifically on sites like Twitter, who isn't doing enough to fight against it. We're aware many of use Twitter and we'll be sharing posts of examples of tweets we feel are Covid misinformation that need to be reported & removed off Twitter. And yes, knowing that Democratic voters are overwhelming pro-vaccine & pro-mandate as we all are is a huge reason why we decided to join. We seek your solidarity with us.

We're in this fight together. And we need your help. Badly.

[Ms. Toad]

56. As to masks on Amazon -

Rather than not buying them, do your research.

Not everyone has access to nearby stores which have masks in stock.

YES - there are many masks on Amazon that are fakes (claiming NIOSH certification when they don't have it) - or which imply that they are high quality masks when they are not by slaping a label N95/KN95/KF94 on the product. Doing so means nothing when slapped on by the party trying to sell it to you.

However, reputable manufacturers and distributors also sell on Amazon - AND -there are also tools for avoiding buying fakes.

Look for the NIOSH certification number and confirm it matches the product you are buying.

Confirm the manufacturer makes what is being sold on Amazon - and that it is NIOSH certified.

[BumRushDaShow]

58. Plus to add to what you wrote

Amazon has some type of corporate program that sells bulk certified N95s to medical facilities (vs the general public).

And Home Depot's "N95" respirators are not "medical grade", they are for those working in certain conditions that produce fine particulates and other types of respiratory hazards (e.g., at construction and/or demolition sites) but are obviously still a better solution for those who want more than a bandana, neck gaiter, or 3-ply paper mask for protection.

FDA (who regulates them as medical devices in consultation with NIOSH and CDC) has some info here - https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-face-masks-and-barrier-face-coverings

[Ms. Toad]

59. Thanks! n/t

[appalachiablue]

61. This, I've ordered masks from places other than Amazon

in the past and will consider doing so again, esp. with Omicron. Researching models on the CDC approved list is a real must now as said above.

Like others, I'm opposed to Amazon over many issues but I've found that ordering Covid masks and other supplies by mail from them is convenient. It cuts down on trips to Big Box stores which aren't nearby and wading through aisles of products and people. For those who prefer using stores, fine by me.

[AntivaxHunters]

62. Online resources

One of the places we highly recommend to purchase masks from online is ProjectN95.org which is a clearinghouse for PPE. Several of us purchase our masks from here. The prices are very good & there's several options for N95 masks.
They too are on Twitter & their account is filled with very good information about masks & Covid. They're located here @ProjectN95

The problem with Amazon is the way it's incredibly deceptive and very difficult to tell who's legit & who's not. And with counterfeit masks, certification is meaningless because everything is an exact knock off the actual product.

There's a fantastic article here about it from NYT -- "Counterfeit Covid Masks Are Still Sold Everywhere, Despite Misleading Claims
Rising Covid cases have spurred a return to mask-wearing in the U.S. and overseas, at a time when flawed KN95s from China continue to dominate e-commerce sites." https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/health/covid-masks-counterfeit-fake.html That link however sadly is paywalled. There is a non-paywalled link here where the article was piggybacked on Yahoo News https://news.yahoo.com/counterfeit-covid-masks-still-sold-125613197.html

Be safe out there folks, these are very scary and dangerous times.
Much love

[Eliot Rosewater]

63. Welcome, I have followed your twitter account, thanks for doing this, let me know

what I can do to help.

[MustLoveBeagles]

66. Thank you SheltieLover & BigmanPigman

Your right on top of this. I appreciate that you care enough about your fellow DU'res to provide these helpful links. My friend has an Amazon account. When she comes over tomorrow (she's vaxxed & boosted) I'll be placing an order for a couple sets of the N95's that BigmanPigman suggested.

[Silver Gaia]

68. Best place to buy authentic Powecom KN95 masks!

I noticed that Bona Fide Masks is the source for Powecom (the best brand) KN95s listed for sale on the Project95 site linked in this thread. Not to undercut them, but in the spirit of the more resources we have, the better, you can buy directly from Bona Fide Masks here: https://bonafidemasks.com/

I've been buying from them for several months now, and in fact just placed an order a couple of days ago. They are the real deal. They are low cost, they accept PayPal, and they ship fast and free via USPS, but offer many additional shipping options, some paid.

We wear Powecom KN95s exclusively. They are comfortable, easy to breathe through, and don't steam up our glasses. You can put another mask OVER it if you want, but it's not necessary. As has been mentioned here, please do not put anything underneath a KN95 because it would compromise the seal.

As others have done, I also want to stress to be VERY, VERY careful when buying masks on Amazon. There are many counterfeits! I had bought some supposed Powecom KN95s on Amazon before I found Bona Fide Masks.

I had been buying authentic Powecom masks from Office Depot, but they were out of stock there. The ones on Amazon LOOKED legit, but the ones I received were not the ones in the pictures. They were fakes and were ill-fitting and steamed up my glasses (a dead giveaway).

ALWAYS READ THE REVIEWS! And beware of third-party sellers. Some are legit, but many are not. To be on the safe side, look for things that say they are shipped and sold by Amazon itself.

I hope this helps someone!