This is what I’ll do!
Useful, if disturbing, article featuring Aaron Collins:
Counterfeit Covid Masks Are Still Sold Everywhere - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Fun fact: The chief difference between the N95 and KN95 face masks are the straps. The N95s use top and bottom head straps; the KN95s use ear straps.
Many procedure and surgical masks are 3 or even 4 ply and filter as well as N95s. They don’t seal as well though. You can read about better ways to seal in the link below. They make a strap, but they also talk about how to DIY one too.
In many cases, gaps at the sides reduce effectiveness of surgical type masks. The usual hacks* to increase effectiveness are based on closing those gaps.
*Rubber band method described above, flipping or knotting the ear loops for a tighter fit, or wearing a fitted cloth mask on top are examples.
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Thanks for the link!
The chief difference in the standard as each country has written them, including Korean (KF94) is how the secure. The filtering is essentially the same. There is a lot more variability in designs of N95s though than there is among KN95s and KF94s.
My approach to avoiding counterfeits is to only buy from authorized distributors for N95s and from long time Korean importers if I’m buying KF94s. I don’t wear KN95s anymore. Too many fakes.
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A fitted cloth mask over a surgical type mask may improve the surgical type mask by pressing the sides of the surgical type mask onto your face to close the gaps that are often there. Most cloth masks do not add much filtering.
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Can anyone recommend a kf94 or KN95/n95 from a reputable seller that’s actually availalbe? thank you!
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i am a doctor in nyc, demetech is a real company that has fda approved masks. vida is a more commercial company but their kf94 and kn95 masks are excellent quality
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Yes, the biggest issue with surgical masks is that they fail to seal properly along their edges. They’re useful for blocking viral particles that are hitting your face directly, but with Omicron, I suspect many such particles float in air for longer periods of time, and when you inhale, most of the air will bypass the surgical mask entirely (the path of least resistance).
This was the company recommended by NYT Wirecutter
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For everyone looking for masks as I posted above demetech is an American company licensed by the fda to make N95 masks. They are hospital quality and available to anyone. The masks are excellent and come in small size that are good for large kids or small adults. I use their surgical masks in my office (I am a doctor in NYC and have some of their N95s that I use when needed. The vida masks that I suggested above are excellent for everyday since they fit well under my glasses and are high quality and much more comfortable than an N95
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THANK YOU so much!
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I haven’t read about Blue yet, but BOTN is one of Aaron Collins favorites.
I use the Powercom too. They’re offered in either black or white. Besides the website you linked to, you can also buy them from Office Depot/Office Max.
how are the colored d95s that they sell? thx.
which company?
If you’re going to buy a KF94 style mask, I’d strongly suggest ones with adjustable ear loops like the BOTN, LG Airwasher, Evergreen Cleantop, or Bluna. You can see what I’m talking about in the link to the Airwasher below. Kollecte is also a good source.
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these look great but are sold out!
Note, those are D95. I’ve never heard of that standard and in a quick Google search, can’t find anything either.