Double up your masks

Hi Merry -
I have always been skeptical of bandanas, gaiters and t-shirts as effective masks - now the science is catching up. Mine have always been 3 layers of tightly woven fabric, one soft, one firm poly, and one fun cotton.
Recently as the more contagious variants have arrived, we have been wearing N95 masks when we are going to have more than momentary contact outside our bubble (doctor appts, etc.) I just told my husband that if we travel, especially with news of more variants coming, we will be wearing N95 masks full time. Fortunately we have access to a limited supply of masks, and we're careful to hang them to decontaminate naturally between uses. But I am going to look into getting some more.
Today my good friend gave me the unwelcome news that many of my Texas neighbors, including some close friends, are not being at all careful - making me even more reluctant to head down there, even vaccinated.
Sue

Hi Sue- Am so glad that you didn't travel either. That's not good that your "southern" neighbors aren't being careful. I wish that I could get a hold of some N95's but as you say they are limited to mostly medical people. I hear that tye aren't very comfortable all day.

@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.

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

Hi Sue- I have been wearing Certified KN95 masks. And I ordered the sheets that Lori recommended. Thank you

Hi All: I've been doubled masking. I put on a disposable mask first and then cover that up with a thick cotton mask. I hope it works. In spite of a rather unusual reaction to my first COVID vaccination, my next one is scheduled for Feb. 9.

@ fiesty76.. When I had my in person visit with my new PCP earlier this month, they want me to take my mask off and wear a new disposable mask on that they provide or put their mask on top of mine. I had a Kn95 on and I don't want to take it off, so I put the disposable mask on top of mine.

@hopeful33250 what unusual reaction did you have after the first shot? Hope it goes smoothly for you at the 2nd shot.

@mayofeb2020
My reaction or side-effect was not one that was listed so it was probably unique to me. I had Shingles in September 2020 and had a lot of right-sided flank pain. A few days after my COVID vaccination I began to have discomfort similar, but not as bad, as the Shingles pain. There were pins and needles pain and the prickly feeling, but there were no lesions or rash to indicate a recurrence of Shingles. It was all on the right side (like it was in September). My neurologist suggested that since the virus that causes Shingles stays dormant in your body, the vaccination probably triggered the pain. The pain only lasted a few days and I took a Gabapentin one day which helped.

@merpreb My husband found these at a hardware store. It fits very tightly and I put a cloth mask over it.

Hello, all.
Several days ago, I began looking online for N95 masks. To no avail.

The 1st masks I purchased last year were Rhoback, black w/an American flag on the front corner. I like the way they look, vanity is an important component of this whole mask thing, eh? ........ but also got them because they are 3 layers.....one soft cotton on the inside against the skin, another that is a pocket in which you can add a filter - some recommended using a coffee filter if one didn't have a made to wear filter, and the outside is an antibacterial fabric. It's warm in hot weather and can be challenging to breath at times, but I'm thinking it's actually a pretty good mask.

I recently bought a couple from the Mayo online store that came w/filters if you chose to use one. I'm adding filters to my masks at this time due to the variants coming our way. Folks from Brazil and other South American, Central American, Mediterranian countries, regularly arrive in Miami Airport. So, I've been and am aware we may well have early exposure to variants. I'm personally concerned about the Amazon variants and the danger they may present to us. Which I also see as a real concern re our southern border, Texas, my fiesty76 friend.

So, whether this is logical or medically sound thinking or not, I have no idea, but I think adding this extra layer of precaution may be wise for me.

I welcome any advice or comments. Also, with this extra precaution, I do feel better. Dr. Fauci is right....wearing masks and now double masking is perhaps a good thing psychologically whether it actually helps medically or not.

This thread is so helpful. Thank you all for your thoughts and insights. You've helped me think it through and make my plans.

Stay safe. We will get through this. And we are now and will be much stronger for the experiences. There is actually something calming about this process of facing a pandemic and our mortality with support from so many others provided by these groups. Interesting.....

My best to you, be safe and stay well! Together we are strong!
Blessings.....
elizabeth