@thumper1 I prefer the ear loops also. I have long, thick hair and can’t tolerate the head straps unless I am wearing a ponytail.
I don’t really go out much to any where that requires me keeping a mask on for long periods of time so using a mask with ear loops has not bothered me. I did wear a KN95 for a cross country 5 hr flight a few months ago, but the ear loops did not irritate my ears.
I thought I saved Aaron Collins spreadsheet, but can not find it at the moment. Can someone re post it; I don’t want to watch hours of his YouTube videos! Trying to find smaller KF94 for my mother.
Also, are the Vida KN94 rated well by Aaron Collins? They have colors available that mom would like.
I don’t know how Aaron Collins rates the KF94 VIDA mask. But I ordered them based on someone recommending on this thread. They fit me perfectly and I have a narrow face.
Also posted on the Travel thread, but wanted to share here: Never know where to post Covid info, but for those looking for home test, Costco in the last hour, shows the Flowflex test available. You can order 3 sets of 5 per account.
I wear N95 with head straps to the grocery store as I’m in there for a while. While numbers are superhigh (like now) I am wearing it anywhere in doors. In the past I used a KN95 with ear loops for quicker indoor errands or visiting clients.
We have been using these KN95 masks which we bought from Costco a few months back:
With the concern over fake masks,I thought Costco would be a safe bet as a reputable seller. I checked Aaron Collins spreadsheet but they are not listed as one of the ones he tested. However,I did try the blowing out a flame test and the mask holding water test and they passed. So hoping that means these are one of the good ones.
Any opinions?
Things we’d never, ever have thought we’d be discussing two years ago.
They’re probably fine. My concern with unknown masks and KN95s in particular is not how well they filter, but what fibers I’m inhaling off of them. The US and Korea heavily regulate that. The Chinese regulations are much more lax. That’s not to say I have any evidence that it is or even could be a problem. I just feel more comfortable with KF94 and N95 masks. YMMV.
D’s BIL is a hospitalist. He brought her some 3M Auras - they are nice!
The masks I ordered from Bonafide (Powecom KN95) on 1/6 should be delivered to me Wednesday or Thursday.
I hope they work for us. Both daughters should be wearing them and their employer (clinic) and field work locations don’t supply them.
Free N95 masks starting next week?
Amazon shows 3M Aura as being available for shipment in 2 weeks:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09FM2P1KF/
ETA: at the time of posting, the link was showing that the product is sold and fulfilled by Amazon. Make sure this is the case if you decide to order to ensure the masks are not fakes.
Looks like they are going to be available through pharmacies and community centers.
NPR Article
My first lutema order came promptly but the second one hasn’t been picked up by the PO yet and it’s been 5 days…
Edit: wrong link.
It could be a manufacturing issue; per their FAQ’s.
we are opening up new manufacturing lines to increase manufacturing capacity. Your order will be shipped as soon as we produce new masks—they’ll literally be hot off the press!
That is a great price for those 3M Aura masks. I paid $21.99 for #10 at Home Depot.
It was Norway, not Denmark. All attendees had to have a negative antigen test to get in. What I didn’t realize though was that there were other guests in the restaurant that night. It’s unclear if testing was a requirement to get into the restaurant or just the party.
I thought I read here (but it may have been elsewhere) to look for 3M masks on the Amazon 3M Store.
I ordered the 3M Aura 9210 and 9205 before Christmas. I thought I had confirmed that both were available in the Amazon 3M store, but after the 9210 order arrived, I am skeptical. It is no longer available on Amazon, so I think I am out the $30.
The 9205 order appeared more legit, and is still available via Amazon’s 3M Store. These are the ones I ordered, but they are now ten for $20 as opposed to twenty for $30. These also say return eligible whereas the 9210 (not sold in Amazon 3M store) are not return eligible. I am annoyed at myself as I thought I was purchasing from the Amazon store.
Editing to add that the ones you order are also eligible for return, so hopefully they are legit also.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B095DVPTCT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
This link should open to the Amazon 3M store.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/3MSafety/page/2E8094C9-60E7-4D93-87C2-674EAE50168E?ref_=ast_bln