PSA for those interested. Re: N95 masks.

[LuckyCharms]

I'm not going to post a link unless someone asks for it, because I know I'm going to get my ass chewed for posting an Amazon link.

However, it you are like me and have the following opinions/practices:

1) I still mask with an N95 mask in public places

2) I anticipate another pandemic where masks will be prudent and perhaps required (well maybe not required with this administration...more like required to keep yourself alive).

3) Upcoming demand for masks will be through the roof, while mask supplies will be limited. This will drive mask prices through the roof again.

3M makes an N95 mask called "3M Aura Particulate Respirator". If you buy 440 of them (not an unreasonable quantity for a household who changes masks frequently), you can currently get them off Amazon for $0.20/each. I remember when I first started buying these near the start of the pandemic, the price was close to $1.00 each.

So if you have the same mindset as me, now might be a perfect time to stock up on these quality masks.

Please don't yell at me for using Amazon. You might also be able to find them elsewhere now for a similar low price.

[John Ludi]

1. Those are the ones I use.

My favorite after trying dozens of them over the past few years.

[LuckyCharms]

3. I like them because:

1) They are comfortable

2) The part that goes under your chin is long and covers a lot of surface area.

[Old Crank]

63. Do they go around the head

or over the ears.

Hearing aids and glasses don't work or play well with over the ears.

[4dog]

67. Over the head nt

[Maru Kitteh]

110. An N95 mask is *always* fastened over the head, never around the ears

At least until RFK jr gets ahold of things, NIOSH certifies all N95 respirators, and all N95s have two straps that go over your head, one should rest on the back of your neck at the base of your head and the other at/around the ‘ponytail’ area of your head.

There is one company that makes an N95 with no straps that uses medical adhesive to fasten. I assume the company is still in business. It’s the only NIOSH certified N95 I know of that has this atypical configuration.

I’m an RN that was part of our management team for COVID response. Ask me anything.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

2. Thanks! I use Amazon and don't care what anyone thinks about it! If they don't like it don't use it!

Oh! I also have Prime!

[LuckyCharms]

4. My pleasure, Floyd.

[Walleye]

28. I use Amazon too. I don't have prime but I'm too cheap.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

64. 😁

[yellowdogintexas]

94. I save more than enough with shipping cost and the included video streaming to offset the annual fee.

I send a lot of stuff to my daughter in Arizona. Saves me a flat ton of money. And I do get some serious mark downs for having Prime, like surprise coupons which pop up (example: the $130 coupon which just appeared when I went to buy my new laptop after "window shopping" for a couple of days. I kept going back to this one brand (family owned businesss as it turned out) and the model I had looked at the most suddenly had the coupon.) I can't explain it but I bought the laptop!!! It is wonderful too.

[Walleye]

97. That sounds pretty good, I'll see how my budget settles down with my rent increase this year. I was pleased to be able

To get my grand niece a Christmas toy and have it sent to them. Amazon delivers in this neighborhood almost every day. So far I’ve just looked out for bargains and gotten free shipping. I’ll look into prime though, good advice

[usaf-vet]

47. We use Amazon. We live in a small town with limited stores. A Walmart that killed the little mom and pop business.

We fought hard to keep Walmart out, but they bought their way into town.

We are in our mid-seventies, and any trip out is now work. In the winter months with snow and ice, it's the precursor to a broken hip, which, in many cases, is itself a precursor to an end-of-life event.

We can order our necessities, which will arrive on our front porch in two to three days. We can send gifts to family members around the country and save shipping costs. We can both buy material that fosters our hobbies.

Finally, we don't have to fight to return something that just isn't right. We have no complaints, and now, within minutes of a UPS pickup and a scan, our money is back in our bank account.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

65. Some of the reasons we like Amazon.

[Walleye]

71. I agree it works very well for me. I order cat food, which is heavy to bring up the stairs.

I’m almost 76 and I’m getting used to the idea that even a walk to the store and be a life-threatening adventure

[yellowdogintexas]

92. I am with you Floyd. We all have to do what we have to in our individual lives.

I have long said that if you can't find it there, it does not exist.

I have Prime. I use Prime video. I buy E-books from Amazon (or mostly get them free) and I swear by my Kindle (s) It is my choice.

We will NEVER drown these empires but we can strike the tiniest of blows and at least splash them with water. Unfortunately, unlike the Wicked Witch of the West they will not melt. However I know full well that when we do avoid them, we do feel that individually we have aimed a very small dart.

I check the bottom of every paper product I purchase. If it says Georgia Pacific , I will get something else. (that is a KochRoach company) The Kochs will never know about my few pennies but I willl know I have thrown a dust mite sized blow at them. In the end, it really boils down to what each of us can accept within our own values and sometimes we do not have options. (deciding between Loew's and Home Depot is a literal nightmare for us. With the stupid DEI now is Lowes better/worse than the Depot?)

I will never set foot in a WalMart again unless there is no other choice. (it happens) I still have good Democratic friends who use Sam's and I always tell them to move to Costco. We will never drown the Walmart empire but it makes me feel better to avoid it.

We buy our gasoline at Costco wherever it is available, and I use my Costco card at the pump with other brands if I have to.

Same with Chick Fil A and Hobby Lobby. I buy a goodly amount of yarn but I won't go there to get it. (I have hated HL for years but for very personal reasons: the way my daughter was treated over a minor scheduling issue which she could never get resolved when she worked there)

I do make an effort to shop at or use Democratic supporting businesses wherever I find them. We have a list of Dem owned businesses here. I try to use local, family owned places when possible, and stick to the ones we know are Democrats whenever we find that out. (we also tell folks "Go There! )

We all have to do what we feel we can to make the tiniest difference.

[Polly Hennessey]

101. Me too, Floyd. I love both.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

112. 🤗

[Polly Hennessey]

102. I use Amazon and watch Prime. Like both.

[Polly Hennessey]

103. Good grief! I like them so much I answered twice. 🤓🙃

[Autumn]

5. I ordered 100 N95 masks from Amazon. I buy a lot from Amazon

I'm not going to three or four stores looking for an item when I can get it from there with no shipping.

[RandomNumbers]

11. Agreed. I used to be concerned about enviro impact of delivery. BUT

I see Amazon trucks in my neighborhood almost every day. It occurred to me that there is probably more impact from me driving to the store to get something - if I would need to make a special trip - than to get it from Amazon. Whenever possible (which is almost always) I avoid the overnight delivery in favor of a later delivery, partly so it can be combined with other deliveries in my neighborhood, and hopefully avoid extra pressure on the warehouse folks (by leveling demand).

And sometimes I can only find what I need from Amazon or Wal Mart. Not sure which is "worse" from a liberal viewpoint. My theory on Bezos has always been that he follows the law and isn't as active as some (e.g., Musk) at trying to massively pervert the law to hurt people in favor of his profits (although I think Amazon has gotten worse over the years - but Bezos doesn't actually run it anymore).

[Autumn]

16. Our Walmart is 30 minutes away. And half the time what I bought there

before they don't have and then I have to stop at Safeway or King Soopers. So whatever I like dry goods and stuff like that I buy from Amazon. Paper goods I have shipped from Costco. Meats fruits and veggies I go to Costco.

[RandomNumbers]

23. For me, Walmart is 5 mins away and Costco is at least 30mins away :(

But for produce I have a co-op nearby, and in season there are farmer's markets. But also I am lucky that my grocery store (5 mins away) has a solid produce section including some local (well, in state) options in season.

[RandomNumbers]

6. Thanks. What do the numbers "1870+"

or "9210+" mean?

[LuckyCharms]

8. I'm not sure. I get the 9205+ as recommended to me by my retinal surgeon...

who is meticulous about masking, and who has done a lot of research on masks.

[RandomNumbers]

19. Googled and found this - very similar with minor design differences

https://www.protectly.co/blogs/latest-ppe-news/key-differences-between-3m-aura-masks

These three masks are quite similar to each other but with some distinct differences. For example, the main difference between the 9205+ and 9210+ models is the material of headbands - rubber vs elastic braided cloth. And the main difference between the 1870+ and 9205/9210 models is that the 1870+ is cleared for surgical/healthcare use and features a higher fluid resistance.

[LuckyCharms]

21. Thank you. n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

44. Very helpful, thanks. I'm seeing quite a difference in costs. Some already over $1/ea; $2 in small packs. nt

[Kaleva]

7. Where do you see them listed for .20 each?

[LuckyCharms]

10. Here's a link:

Qty 440 at $89.95.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J1THV9G?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[Kaleva]

13. Thanks!

[LuckyCharms]

14. My pleasure. n/t

[TnDem]

9. Masks

No masks for me and I never got COVID nor the flu.

[LuckyCharms]

12. That's good. Congratulations.

[Kaleva]

17. Same with seatbelts

5 decades of driving and not once did I need one

[TnDem]

20. Seatbelts

Driving on Interstate 40 down Rockwood mountain is 10,000 times more dangerous than "covid"

[LuckyCharms]

22. Curious here: Why did you put quotes around the word Covid?

[TnDem]

29. quotes

To show where the real fear should lie... You are far more likely to get killed in an auto accident than to die from covid.

[LuckyCharms]

30. Tell that to my brother.

He would disagree with you, if he hadn't been killed by Covid pneumonia.

[Bitbit]

36. My sincere condolences. I lost 2 friends early on and I had it

I had it a second time, Covid pneumonia, Nov.2023. I was in the hospital, have no memory of most of that month and still have some problems.
It was bad for a lot of people and some people were untouched. The untouched should be thankful.
It was bad, it was real, it was a killer and it may come back.
TWO DOCTORS I SEE HAVE SIGNS UP AGAIN TO DISTANCE AND WEAR MASKS.

[LuckyCharms]

37. I'm very sorry, Bitbit.

[LuckyCharms]

35. About 45,000 deaths per year in the US from auto accidents.

Multiply that by 4 years to equalize with Covid deaths = 180,000 deaths over 4 years due to auto accidents.

Compare that to about 1,200,000 deaths in the US from Covid.

Now explain to me how you are more likely to die in an auto accident than from Covid.

Now, let's factor in non-deadly, but still debilitating long Covid.

I'm not seeing any validity in your statement.

[bluestarone]

45. Stupid is as Stupid does

Just saying.

[progressoid]

66. Uh. What kind of website gave you that tidbit?

[femmedem]

76. Fatality data for Covid-19 and auto accidents in the U.S.

2020: 384,536 covid fatalities; 38,824 traffic fatalities
2021: 462,193 covid fatalities; 43,230 traffic fatalities
2022: 244,986 covid fatalities; 42,514 traffic fatalities
2023: 76,446 covid fatalities; 40,990 traffic fatalities


https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382334/number-covid-deaths-us-by-year/
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/2020-traffic-crash-data-fatalities
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/covid-drops-10th-leading-cause-death-us
https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS/SafetyProblem#:~:text=In%202021%2C%2043%2C230%20people%20were,number%20of%20fatalities%20since%202005.&text=However%2C%20improvements%20began%20to%20show,through%202023%20and%20into%202024.

[LuckyCharms]

83. Good lord.

[MLAA]

84. Are you Kellyanne Conway?

[TnDem]

89. re: dissent

No, I am simply stating facts as shown to me.

Even in my life it has been hard for me to look beyond hype and search for truth...Monetary pressure makes greedy people greedier.

[RandomNumbers]

81. Not someone who commutes to work by mass transit but at work

is required to share open office space with lots of people, except for when 30 people are crammed into a conference room that should be rated for no more than 25, and that happens too often.

Not when that someone is 55+.

It may be that you are in a golden demographic that is indeed less at risk from COVID (not "covid" in quotes) than an automobile accident, but I can assure you that many here at DU do NOT share that golden demographic with you. (assuming such golden demographic even exists)

Your first post in this subthread seems a bit smug, actually. Either you want to dissuade mask use (in which case you are at the wrong website), or you might want to check your privilege in this area.

[Kaleva]

25. Have you ever been saved by wearing a seatbelt?

And how many years have you been driving?

[TnDem]

27. Driving

I have had my license 40 years this August....Class "A" CDL by the way.

[Kaleva]

31. So, how many times has wearing a seatbelt saved you from death ?

[TnDem]

33. seatbelt

Well, knock on wood, I haven't had an at fault accident in 36 years and I have driven several million miles since then, so I would say my opinion can be factored in, even if anecdotally.

I can think of one time a seat belt mattered in an accident that I was personally involved in... Again, my mother and I were on Interstate 40 and a car came across the median at the Oak Ridge/Lenoir City exit...The guy had a junky Toyota truck with bald tires and it had been raining...He lost control and flipped across the median into our path. Totalled my mom's car and the truck as well.

I had a seat belt on and only had some abrasions from the airbag...My mom was wearing no seat belt and she also suffered some abrasions from her sairbag, but she hit her head slightly on the rear view mirror. We both walked away.

[Kaleva]

48. So the risk is incredibly low

One could avoid wearing a mask and not catch covid. One can avoid wearing a seatbelt and not suffer serious injury or death because they weren't wearing on in an accident.

[TnDem]

53. comparison is flawed

Seatbelts are a rigid, frame mounted restraint, that are mainly designed to keep the human body inside of a rolling vehicle. Rollover deaths were very common before seatbelts, because the inertia of a violent wreck throws the body out of the vehicle and the car often rolls over the person, killing them.

A mask that is not literally molded and fitted to your personal body, (with no facial hair and not constantly touched buy the wearer), and filters .3 microns at best is simply what used to be called in the security alarm business as a "sticker plan".

That was to stick an ADT sign out front and hope it wards away thieves.

[Kaleva]

111. What percentage of drivers were killed in rollovers?

The percentage I bet is very, very small

[Lemons UK]

107. Could two?

[RainCaster]

46. Just yesterday

I had to hit the brakes hard to save a bunch of bozos who stepped right in front of my car without looking. Mrs RC and I needed our seatbelts to hold us in place.

There have been other close calls over our 50+ years of driving.

[Kaleva]

49. Same with wearing a mask

I never got it but my wearing of them might have saved me from some close calls.

[RainCaster]

51. I know that I got long covid last year

It was on a flight home from Beijing, and I wasn't wearing a mask after a week of wearing one everywhere. That was 14 months ago and I'm still dealing with issues from that.
Yes, I've had every round of vaccine.

[TnDem]

54. re: long covid

Yeah, no vaccines for me and I have never had it, nor has my wife.

I also worked in a prison during the 2020-2021 timeframe. I only saw one person that died from it, and that was a 75+ year old inmate with diabetes and congestive heart failure.

[walkingman]

60. That is some bad karma....

[Keepthesoulalive]

82. So everyone telling their stories

They Are either lying or delusional. COVID is real , some people have immunity but most of us do not.
It has had an impact on my family and friends including the death of wonderful woman who lived in New York . So what you didn’t get the vaccine or COVID, that has no bearing on the discussion. I would say more but I don’t want to get pizza.

[RandomNumbers]

88. Same for me, and I really get tired of s*heads saying

that it isn't real or some other bull shit.

I've also been in several auto accidents in my life (when I was younger, one was my fault, oops and yikes) and NEVER suffered as much from those as I did from covid. But then I was always wearing a seatbelt.

[MLAA]

77. Not wearing a seatbelt works well until it doesn't.

[defacto7]

38. It only takes once.

You're either wearing it or your not when that happens.

[Kaleva]

50. Same with masks

The time one doesn't wear one might be the time they catch covid.

[hunter]

34. I got COVID at a truck stop in California's Central Valley.

It was probably from some asymptomatic no masks for me person spewing the virus everywhere.

I didn't see anyone around who wasn't obviously sick but I did see a lot of people not wearing masks.

If I had a time machine, and I knew who it was, I would have peed on his truck instead of going inside to use the restroom.

[Littlered]

68. Don't waste your time.

I’m not knocking masks, not by a long shot. In a former life I was a safety officer that built and oversaw a national award winning safety program. I know a thing or two about PPE. Masks are only part of the PPE equation. The efficacy is dependent on a lot of contributing factors. Putting on a mask and believing you are protected, is a fools errand.

[LuckyCharms]

98. I have two questions for you then:

Are you MORE or LESS protected from COVID if you wear a mask?

I'm talking about viral load here.

Also, are you MORE or LESS likely to transmit COVID to another individual if you are wearing a mask?

[dpibel]

100. How very odd

You do understand, I trust, that "I'm not knocking masks" and "don't waste your time" are really not statements that can be reconciled.

You appear to be trying to have it both ways.

BTW: Congratulations on making it past 100 posts!!!

[Littlered]

106. Thank you.

Last edited Mon Feb 3, 2025, 03:53 AM - Edit history (1)

I was a bartcop pillar before there was a democratic underground. Rllnw #3… was where I met Bart. We helped put this place on the map, so to speak. If I’m not mistaken T.M. is still here, if memory serves, he joined the merry band around 3 years or so after bartcop.com got going and helped set up “the radio.”. Not sure if M.P. ever signed up or not. Anyway.

My point was, and is. Don’t waste your time trying to convince people that masks are no longer needed for the vast majority of us. I’m not gonna write a dissertation justifying my reasoning here in this thread. My credentials aren’t up for debate on the matter.

I absolutely, didn’t mean to denigrate anyone. Just stating scientific fact.

[JanMichael]

72. There is a theory that some people are immune to COVID.

That there is a protein in or around the sinuses that binds to COVID and basically eats it

While we both got vaccinated and wore masks during COVID neither of us got it. And we both have public jobs and we're constantly exposed.

So having someone say they never wore masks and never got isn't all that miraculous.

Edit: it's a gene.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/jun/immune-response-study-explains-why-some-people-dont-get-covid

[TnDem]

75. re: miraculous

I am not saying it's "miraculous"...We just didn't buy into the hype...

We took and still take vitamins, (D, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Centrum, Zinc, Potassium, Magnesium, CoQ10, Milk Thistle and more).

We got plenty of sunshine, Ate and slept well and wore a mask for maybe the first week...After that, we never looked back and still haven't.

[sir pball]

15. There's multiple 3M Aura N95s, which model number specifically?

I see 1870, 9205, 9210, 9211…it seems to be the name of an entire product line. Not that I really need them, I still have like 100 8210s in the closet, plus a full-blown half-face respirator with a dozen P100 filter packs for if the SRHTF…

[LuckyCharms]

18. Labeled as "9205+" Link below:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J1THV9G?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[sir pball]

24. TY! nt

[LuckyCharms]

26. You're welcome! n/t

[sir pball]

113. Just ordered them...

Even if I don't need them all, when we're in the middle of the most lethal pandemic since the Black Plague I'm sure they'll resell for an obscene profit…I never claimed to be a good person

I also found a cheap whitebox full-face respirator, like $25 cheap, that takes 3M filters…that's some Hot Zone level stuff but for the price of two beers, why not?

[Kaleva]

32. Bookmarked.

[multigraincracker]

39. I'm cheap.

At then end of the last outbreak I hit a yard sale that had about a half pallet of mask for $2 a box. I got 25. The guy said he’d give them to me for a buck a box.
KN95, 20 in a box. A lot of folks laughed at me. I’m still smiling.

[LuckyCharms]

40. Good job, multigraincracker!

[CrispyQ]

58. At the beginning of covid when you couldn't find a mask anywhere

I remembered a few years before when I was going to try to refinish my childhood bedroom set, I'd bought some masks. They were N95s. Three brand new ones.

[peacebuzzard]

41. this makes total sense to me.

I always mask on public transportation and usually am the only one.
But my stock is low, and I am going to order more today.
Thanks for the reminder.

[MLAA]

42. Thanks, I'm a card carrying member of the better safe than sorry club. My order is on the way!

[Hope22]

43. Thank you! Nt

[meow2u3]

52. I like those N95 masks because they don't fog my glasses

The mask seals very tightly without "leaking" air, causing glasses to fog.

[RandomNumbers]

86. I just ordered some for that reason

I have some KN95s (I know, not great but they were available at the time) and glasses fogging is a HUGE issue. That said we are in the high-risk period of the year for me - and I am in multiple high-risk groups - so I avoid going anywhere crowded without one. I had covid once - when I had dropped the masking habit - it was work and NO ONE was wearing masks anymore - anyway I was very, very ill and took months to recover. Once was more than enough for me.

[Silver Gaia]

55. Recommending Bona Fide Masks.

Just google that and you will find them.

I've been buying from them since the pandemic. They are family-owned and fully licensed. They offer a variety of N95 and KN95 masks and more. Specs, qualifications, licensing, etc.is listed for each style of mask.They also have KN95 masks in colors and in sizes for children. They offer discounts for bulk buying and there is always a coupon code (that they offer you on tbe main page) for anywhere from 10% to 30% off. (Right now, it's 25% off.) They ship fast and free, snd there are paid shipping options for even faster shipping.

They are really nice, too. I had an order get lost in the mail one time. I emailed them and got a personal reply immediately. They replaced my order for free. I eventually got the original order, too, and they said to just keep it. They are good people who sell quality products..

I highly recommend them. I trust them.

[Sogo]

74. That's where I get my masks, too.

They are great!

I use the Powecom KN95:

https://bonafidemasks.com/

[Silver Gaia]

104. Yes!

I use those masks, too. Same ones. We buy them in navy and grey. I just made a large order. You never know... I have skin allergies and can't use hand sanitizers, so I wear gloves, too, whenever I go out. I peel them off, and the mask, as soon as I get back to my car.

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR STRONG, COMFORTABLE GLOVES, JUST ASK.

[mountain grammy]

56. I still have a few from the CDC

But good idea to stock up on N95.

[Kaleva]

57. Ordered

[pandr32]

59. Your post is an important reminder to be prepared.

Shit is coming.
Smoke or pandemic protection calls for a mask.
We updated our vaccines in Dec.
Also, store extra things like maple syrup, dried or canned beans, and paper products in the pantry.

[BumRushDaShow]

61. Good reminder and I checked my box and they are even that model!

I keep one in the car and in my pocketbook.

Still have a bunch left but I did go on and get some 3M "cup" style that I like too that I had run out of. Given the wildfires, I was actually surprised that they are still reasonably priced at the moment.

I am STILL masking at the supermarket, pharmacy, post office, takeout places, and any other type of store. We have flu, RSV, and norovirus that has been running rampant here as well.

[EverHopeful]

62. Project N95 no longer sells masks but they do describe recommended masks with links to vendors carrying them

https://www.projectn95.org/

[aggiesal]

69. Last week I stocked up on ...

Paper towels and 🧻, which I didn't need, just for that reason.
I still have plenty of N95 masks.

[orangecrush]

70. K&R

[AncientOfDays]

73. Envo

I use Envo mask - lasts longer, is cheaper in long run

https://envomask.com

[LuckyCharms]

78. I have this one, and still use it occasionally.

Fantastic mask.

[Niagara]

85. Thank you for the PSA, Lucky!

"I shop at Amazon" seems to be a trigger phrase on DU for some people.


A few things that I like about Amazon:

1. I don't have to leave the house and go out in public

2. I don't have to waste fuel in my vehicle searching for stuff

3. I don't have to add extra mileage on my vehicle searching for stuff

4. I don't have to deal with bad drivers that are on the road while I'm searching for stuff

5. Amazon pretty much has everything available at one's fingertips

Currently, Amazon is committing $10 Million in relief efforts for the L.A. wildfires.
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/los-angeles-wildfires-california-amazon-disaster-relief


Apparently Target is now on a boycott list for civil rights activists due to rolling back DEI initiatives.

I need to replace items at times that include clothing, shoes and winter gear such as coats and gloves, shower treads and curtains, coffee makers, coffee tumblers, PC keyboards, household batteries, wool dryer balls, bed pillows, ink pens, notebooks and paper clips. At one time I needed to purchase cat food and cat litter on a regular basis.


I need places available to shop so that I can replace worn out and broken items. Amazon is pretty much my go to store. If other people don't like where I shop I don't know what to tell them except deal with it.

[LuckyCharms]

95. I agree with you, Niagara.

Any viable alternative to Amazon that may be available could probably also be criticized for one reason or another.

I was just looking through my Amazon orders.

I needed the following at one time:

Blum Nickel-Plated Metal 170-degree Clip-top Full Overlay Screw-on Self-Closing Cabinet Hinge (Pack of 10).

The above was among the hundreds of items needed during the process of remodeling my kitchen. This 170 degree hinge is not common. I was able to look it up and order it on Amazon in about three minutes.

Without Amazon? Probably HOURS wasted trying to find it. Additionally, as you stated, everything is at your fingertips on Amazon, including your past orders if you ever need to replicate them.

[Niagara]

99. I'm glad that you found your uncommon hinges for the kitchen remodel

Any viable alternative to Amazon that may be available could probably also be criticized for one reason or another.

You're exactly right.



I remember working at K-Mart way, way back in the day and the merchandise that comes off the trucks are heavily packaged for shipping. That's another point that some attempt to make against Amazon is the packaging. I'm sure that's true for all merch that's shipped to any store except that the consumers don't see all the wasted packaging.

[Mountainguy]

87. I haven't had a mask on in probably 3 or 4 years

and I find the odds of another level 4 or 5 pandemic in our lifetimes very low.

[dpibel]

108. Well, that totally settles it, then

I need seek no additional information!

[Mountainguy]

109. Not trying to "settle" it for you

if you want to become a doomsday prepper then go for it.

[Alliepoo]

90. Sometimes you have to use Amazon.

And I think it’s great that you’re buying the masks. We have been buying supplies too, like meds, Covid /flu tests and masks.

[Mosby]

93. I use Outdoor Research masks

https://www.outdoorresearch.com/products/3-layer-face-cover-300300

[Meowmee]

96. Thank you

I will recommend mine, kimberly n95 duckbill masks. They are much easier to breath in if you have asthma and the ear bands are very soft and do not hurt your ears even after long wear. Also purchased at Amazon. They also have four straps and can go only on your head if you don’t want them touching your ears.

Here is the description. I am trying regular this time because the price of small has gone up a lot. I hope they fit me.

Kimberly-Clark Professional N95 Pouch Respirator (53358), NIOSH-Approved, Made in U.S.A., Regular Size, 50 Respirators/Bag, White

[LetMyPeopleVote]

105. I still mask in public

I have a supply of masks but will keep this post in mind

[Raftergirl]

114. I buy the N95 Aura direct from 3M