I had heard that the fake ones have earloops and the real ones have to bands that go around the back of one’s head, but wasn’t sure that is always true. I had to see a doctor yesterday and she had on a KN95 that had the two bands around the back of her head. I don’t know for sure that all KN95s do that and that none have earbands, though.
I found this company that seems like its masks might function well. Their site says this mask was 'tested at the Air Pollution Research and Innovation Laboratory at the University of Waterloo. Certified by Nelson Labs and found to filter 95% of particles smaller than 0.5 microns. 'They also say, ‘In testing at the Green Energy and Pollution Control Research Lab, we achieved filtration efficiency of 98.6% against PM2.5. The testing covered particle sizes ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 microns.’
They talk about N95 certification, which requires passing 3 tests. Their mask passed 2 of the three and wasn’t tested for the 3rd due to its size.
‘N95 is based on passing three tests looking at valve leakage, breathability, and a load test. O2 Curve has passed two of these tests at Nelson Labs, but due to the compact nature of our filter it is not compatible with the load testing procedure. The filter simply doesn’t have enough surface area to pass the test. The filter membrane has advanced specifications, and is a premium product providing premium protection as noted above.’
@“Youdon’tsay”
The other mask I found that I like is the Suay Sew Shop surgical mask. It makes a good seal and they use polypropylene for the material, which I understand is the same type of material used in N95 and real medical surgical masks. They use a lower grade of polypropylene in order to make it more breathable than an N95. I looked up the filtering ability of various grades of polypropylene and even at the lowest, which I believe is 100, I read it filters over 90% (as opposed to 95% for N95). I don’t know which grade they are using as their post on FB on this didn’t specify, but I think it has to be at least 100. If they used a higher level, then their mask material would filter more than 90 and less than 95%.
The mask has a metal piece at the nose and makes a very good seal on me. Both the one with the ties and the ear loops make a seal on my face. I don’t feel any air leak out and the material goes in and out when I breath. Might look silly but I feel safer in it than the Etsy masks I got. They are a bit pricey but I think they are worth it and they are likely what I will be wearing when I go back to work as a teacher.
If you are a doctor, then they may not be good enough protection compared to an N95 or KN95.
Anyone interested in these, the small earloop ones was way too small for any of us, even DS who has a smaller face.
Also, regarding N95 and KN95 and Chinese masks, I know there is a real problem with fake masks. I saw a video showing the inside of a Chinese mask factor. They took sanitation very seriously and people had to get disinfected to enter and wear full body protective gear to go into the part of the factory where masks are made. They were getting so many orders that they were not always taking the extra steps (paperwork) to get masks officially certified sometimes. So, the very same masks were sometimes being sent out as officially certified and sometimes not certified due to their feeling a rush to get orders out to customers who wanted them (including people who didn’t care if they were certified or not). So, while I’m sure there are fake masks out there, there are also real masks that are not officially certified.
The tests I have seen mentioned multiple times in multiple sources to tell a real from a fake mask are to take a surgical mask, tear it open, and see that it has 3 layers (or more??) and also to try to light it on fire. A real mask will melt a bit but not catch on fire.
Good luck!
Also, if you find a good source of masks please let me know. Thanks!
I don’t like the look of those Suay masks because I would definitely not want any synthetic fabric for my masks. Synthetics are hot and sticky. But, worse, synthetics stink. With cotton, I can wash the smell out, but with polypro, the stink remains.
And this is because there is no right answer that protects everyone physically and economically. We’ll only know toward the end if one way was better than another. It’s not obvious now.
A couple of weeks ago someone had economic data showing Sweden was doing as poorly or worse than other countries in Europe - mainly because people are distancing themselves even if not required.
Does anyone have current European economic updates now that May is done?
I haven’t worn it long enough to have it get smelly. So far so good. I just want to be as safe as I can. I work in a school (pretty high risk rating on that list that was just posted). That mask appears to be one of the safest I can find. I know it makes a good seal. I also know the company made an donated a few hundred thousand of their masks to hospitals and it appears the hospitals were happy to get them and used them (for what I don’t know). They claim they used the ones and washed it 30 times and it was ‘no worse for the wear’. No mention about being smelly. I hope it won’t start to smell but if it does and I can’t get the smell out, I’ll toss it and get more.
Suay makes other masks in the same patter (so should also make good seal) out of other materials that have pockets.
Wow. In my county, on Friday we open up in-store shopping, outdoor dining, outdoor ceremonies and religious gatherings under 25 people, camping, camps, house cleaning.
Looking forward to going camping. Also looking forward to my house cleaner cleaning my house; she is way better at the job than I am.
Some cities are opening up streets for restaurants.
Also, the Suay masks have stretchy material for the ties and the ear loops and that part is very comfortable. The material is OK for me. Not super soft/comfortable but not uncomfortable. I am aiming for safety.
Remember, masks are for you to protect others, not to protect you (although I do think it gives a minimal protection, if only to keep your hands away from your face). If you are not ill, the mask only has to be okay. If a KN95 is not as good as an N95, it should still be fine if YOU don’t go out while sick.
If you are interacting with others who are sick and aren’t wearing masks or aren’t wearing them correctly, that’s a problem for you.
Re Westchester County NY @runnersmom while I agree we have 100% mask wearing indoors, outside (in our part of the County at least), it’s another matter. Some people aren’t putting on their masks even when they get closer to six feet. Very few runners and bicyclists wear masks at all, most walkers carry them and just try to cross the street instead of passing people on sidewalks, but if they can’t usually put on the mask as they approach.
Personally, I don’t think there’s much valid science behind the six foot rule (listened to a podcast on the subject a while back), so I’d prefer more distance, but technically I think most people here are trying to follow the rules.
Some, like my immediate neighbor, aren’t following any rules at all as far as I can tell. It’s party central over there.
I voted yesterday. Mail-in voting is not allowed here. Both the firefighters (who had a sales tax question on the ballot) and the governor advised that if voters were uncomfortable with the idea of voting during a pandemic they should stay home and not vote. Singularly unhelpful.
In the event the poll workers did a good job. It was pretty much contactless. Everyone, voters and poll workers alike, wore masks. One still had to walk through the electioneering phalanx to get inside.
Good idea. This is for protesters and first responders. And free if no insurance.
“ “We can’t say definitively if you get tested on this day and your test is negative, your risk is gone,” she said. “We know that the incubation period is between two and 14 days. What I would make as a general recommendation is that those that have concerns related to being at a mass gathering this past weekend should be tested once this week and once next week. And in the interim, if you develop any symptoms, any mild symptoms — a cough, a sore throat, headache, et cetera — please make sure you get tested. Testing early is our best shot at controlling spikes.”
I have to protect myself. I have immune deficiency. I am told by my doctors to get the very best mask I can and use it. I do not feel I can count on the idea that everyone is going to always wear a mask who should. And when I teach, students will be eating in the classroom so not always even wearing a mask. I have to protect myself the best I can.
And I want to also protect others in the process, certainly!!
A mask that makes a better seal, that is made from a material that is a better filter, to me it seems logical it will filter a lot better than one that doesn’t make a good seal and isn’t made from a fabric that can filter well (and that it will also protect others much better as well).
Where I live you won’t get into a store without a mask.
You will get a freshly wiped basket/cart.
You will get the opportunity to disinfect your hands at the door.
You will have to observe one-way through grocery store isles.
You will have to stay apart while standing in line.
You will get nasty looks and a reprimand if you crowd too closely while shopping.
Where I live it’s widely recognized that social distancing has been and remains key to dealing with this pandemic.
I went to Home Depot for the first time in a while here in Palm Beach County. It was crowded. I have been wearing my grimy sleeve sort of mask in most stores lately, but when I entered I noticed that many people seemed to be maskless. I asked the greeter, who did have a little mask on, whether masks were still required. “No, actually we never required them. We recommend them for your own protection, but it’s always been up to the customer.”
I estimated that maybe 60-70% of the customers were wearing masks. Maybe half the employees.
Thank God I live where I live. You won’t get into Hope Depot without a mask. You won’t see an employee without one either. And everyone is OK with that.
Maybe some of the Florida thing is because there might be more elderly people who find it hard to wear a mask than in some other parts of the country.
My DH can’t breath well in any mask so far and so I’m on a quest to find the most breathable one I can for him. He has far worse asthma than I do. I suggested a shield to him but he didn’t like that idea. We will find something. He will bring an IQ air filter for his desk, too. But for now he thankfully can work from home.
Just finished FaceTime with my Copenhagen daughter. Denmark is allowing travel to three countries: Norway, Germany, and Iceland. She and her fiancé want to take a trip in August as a consolation prize for having to cancel their wedding. They chose Norway, because Norway is only allowing visits from Denmark
I’ve been away from the boards for a few months. Finally made a couple of appointments today for a mammogram tomorrow (which was due at the very end of April) and for a gyn/Pap exam in late June. Both those offices were not doing appts for awhile but now are limiting the number of patients who come in at a given time.
I was supposed to have a five-year recheck colonoscopy in late 2019, but that doctor moved away and by the time I was able to get my records from his office, the quarantine had hit. I’ll have to get a referral to a new doc before I can take care of that.
DS20 was supposed to have his teeth cleaned in mid-March, basically a week or so after the shelter-at-home orders started occurring here in Texas. The dentist office called to postpone it because they were only doing emergency procedures for the time being. Will need to get him rescheduled before he goes off to college in August.
Ditto where I live in LA County. Everyone in Home Depot has a mask on (employees and customers) and they only let in x numbers of customers at a time. Same with Target, Costco, our supermarkets, etc. Went to finally get a haircut on Sunday, all the hairstylists and customers wore masks. Everyone is doing their part and its great to see the community come together.
Trips to carwash, Home Depot and TJ’s. Everyone I saw had a mask where needed or required.
Coming out of the TJ’s parking lot I drove past about 20 homeless people, all sitting close together in groups of 3 to 6. No SD, no masks. One individual who has been relocated several times is back with his tent, garbage bags stretched onto the sidewalk and other large items he clearly considered essential. No mask, and hanging with a buddy.