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← Return to Double up your masks
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@sueinmn, I've been wearing double masks whenever out but hadn't bought any N95s because I am out so seldom and for very short periods.
Alas, living in another part of TX, I can vouchsafe that sadly many in my area continue to refuse to stop large group congregating and are rarely seen wearing masks even though now mandated by our mayor and gov.
While I've remained positive and upbeat during this long ordeal, I now find myself becoming more discouraged as more Covid mutations are reported and many persist in refusing to take minimum precautions. News reported yesterday that following both Covid vaccs, a man tested positive for the virus. Is the general public not hearing the same national and public health reports news reported coast to coast?
I've read that not all N95 masks are created equally. I can't buy them here locally so if you find a reputable ordering source would you please share the link here? Almost a fluke that I received my 1st Moderna shot and am scheduled for the second the first week in Feb. My inperson annual visit with my doc is Feb 2nd and I'm wishing I had an N95 on hand to wear for that visit and later lab.
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We are very fortunate to have had a supply of N95 masks on hand due to our lung conditions prior to Covid, and used them very sparingly when we traveled home & throughout the summer. Circumstances allowed us to get a few more, and we are carefully using them as needed. We have asked for a few more, and we shall see.
In the meantime, I will say that the double masks are very nearly as effective if you make sure there are no gaps around the edges.
That said, I am looking for an on-line source for certified masks, and will share once I find one.
Please remember, when you hear stories of Covid after vaccine, millions of doses have been distributed, and only a handful of post-vaccine infections have been reported. That is what 94-95% effective means - there will still be a few cases. Compared to the flu vaccine (40-60%) or Shingrix (80%) that's stellar. And remember, they never report the details, the person could have had a condition making it more difficult to make antibodies.
@merpreb - N95 masks vary in comfort for longer term wear - some are nearly suffocating, the 3M ones (rare as hens' teeth) are very tolerable to me. Certified KN95 masks (NIOSH or OSHA or EU) are better, but you have to be more careful fitting them to your face for effectiveness. A couple of clues for anyone looking at N95 masks - the elastic always goes over the head, never around the ears. And it is not stapled to the mask because that pierces the protective fiber, though it may be stapled to the flange around the very edge, where the seal is.
Sue