Time to double or upgrade masks as coronavirus variants emerge, experts say

[brooklynite]

Source: Washington Post

Wear your mask is becoming wear your masks.

The discovery of highly transmissible coronavirus variants in the United States has public health experts urging Americans to upgrade the simple cloth masks that have become a staple shield during the pandemic.

The change can be as simple as slapping a second mask over the one you already wear, or better yet, donning a fabric mask on top of a surgical mask. Some experts say it is time to buy the highest-quality KN95 or N95 masks that officials hoping to reserve supplies for health-care workers have long discouraged Americans from purchasing.

What you need to know about the coronavirus variants

As with other parts of the pandemic response, the United States lags behind other parts of the world when it comes to masks. Several Asian countries, including Singapore and South Korea, have mass-produced high-quality masks to send directly to residents. In recent weeks, European countries have begun mandating medical-grade masks in public settings as the virus strain first identified in the United Kingdom threatens to ravage communities. British scientists estimate it could be as much as 70 percent more transmissible.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/27/double-mask-variants-guidance/

[electric_blue68]

1. A relative gave m a heads-up up last week...

so I've gotten my extra, extras. 👍

Every 6 -9 lweeks I've hit the wall of frustration!!!!!
I'm in a minor right now.

But it doesn't stop me from doing what I should be doing!

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Hell, we can't even get our hands on N95s

[HUAJIAO]

4. ULINE has them, for starters.

Here ya go-
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-9632-S1

And other suppliers have CDC approved N-95s. Check the list on the CED website. there are many of them...

I don't know what the issue is.... I have about 150 N95s, some of which I bought back in Feb last year from 3M.

Plus I have many NIOSH 'recommended' KN95s from approved manufacturers in China. But be careful, not all CHinese KN95 masks with Niosh stamped on them are real. In fact most are fake.
For another example, the MACRITE SAKURA masks are the real deal and approved by the CDC.

mask up.

[kimbutgar]

17. I would never buy from ULINE it's a major MF45 supporter company

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/23/liz-uihlein-trump-donor-wisconsin-stay-at-home-order-coronavirus

[Chrysanthemum]

19. Thanks for the tip!

I really appreciate the link. I ordered two packages from them tonight (20 masks each). They are set to arrive on Monday. They're pricey, but worth it.

It wouldn't surprise me if there is a new run on N95 masks from the general public, just like with hand sanitizer last spring. Once it starts sinking in that there are new, more contagious mutations of COVID, folks who aren't the right-wing crazies will want to protect themselves. Just like me!

[HUAJIAO]

22. I would agree pricy compared to non-N-95 but about the cheapest ones I have found.

Glad to be of help.

[Marie Marie]

3. I've been double masking ever since I've seen my dental hygienist do it.

[HUAJIAO]

5. What do you do at the dentist, keep your mouth closed?

[Marie Marie]

12. I try but she gets out a crowbar and pries it open. I get her back.

As soon as she puts that little mirror in my mouth, I breathe on it to fog it up.

[kimbutgar]

18. +1

[HUAJIAO]

23. LOLOL

[WHITT]

6. The Standard Surgical Mask

already has three layers. They're likely referencing gator masks and other thin cloth masks.

[HUAJIAO]

9. Surgical masks will not protect you as much as protect others.

And they will not protect you as much as real N95 and KN95 masks... which are available, (see my post above.)

[WHITT]

25. Obviuosly

the N95s are superior, but we're supposed to be saving those for the frontline folks. There's also a lot of fraudulent N95s coming out of the Asian region. There were just some from South Korea that were fraudulent, and the Cleveland Clinic just discovered a big batch of N95s they've been using SINCE DECEMBER are fraudulent.

[HUAJIAO]

26. yes I know about the fake N95s and KN95s. I even mistakenly bought some in spring last

year before I had done enough research...

The CDC has a list of approved manufacturers on their website.

And N95s are much more available now than before... that advice was given almost a year ago. Things have changed.....

[Rebl2]

11. I have

child size medical masks because I am a small adult and they are four layers. I rarely go out, so hopefully it will be good for now.

[HUAJIAO]

24. I'm no expert, but I have become of necessity as much of an expert as I can be.

That said----

It depends what the layers are made of and how they are woven. Plus, the N-95 masks I am aware have 5 layers of specially blown or woven layers.

Surgical masks will do more to protect others than you.
it's the aerosols that are still the problem.

[SoCalNative]

7. I have been double masking for a few months

any time I go out, which isn't very often. KN95 with a surgical mask on top.

[Grokenstein]

14. Likewise

Although it's not as thorough as your get-up; gaiter (with ear loops) under a cloth mask. Unless I'm having lunch at work, it stays on from before I go out the door until after I get home.

We've lost a few people in my workplace to COVID-19 and yet there are still assholes who think they're impressing everyone with their refusal to mask. There's various mandates in place, from state level to the business itself, but like most such urgent safety concerns enforcement falls to zero after a couple of weeks.

Some workplace maskholes wait until they know no supervisors are around--or at least only supervisors who are spineless wimps who just "want to be everyone's friend." Others look for gimmicks. One fool came stomping up to me a few weeks ago with his mask off; when I told him to stay the fuck back he held up his bag of Doritos. Because the mask rules say "unless you're eating or drinking," this shitweasel thought talking with a mouthful of junk food let him off the hook. I explained the concept of "social distancing" to him and told him again to keep the hell away from me unless he had his mask on.

I've had to tell a lot of smirking idiots to step the hell back, but that's what one has to do if one wants to survive this. FFS, I've run into far fewer problems on public transportation than I have with my co-workers.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. I've noticed more and more doing that

(my sisters do it but they have to be out and about more too)

I was watching the daily WH Presser today and most of the reporters in there either had on KN95s on or were double masked with both a cloth mask over a surgical mask or over a KN95. Anybody that has to be in a space like that for an extended time should definitely do that.

[Cryptoad]

10. I guess thats what allus Po Folks will get

[birdographer]

13. Major problem with this

I have lung issues. I can't breathe in any kind of cloth mask unless I am not moving (I wear them when I know I won't have to walk anywhere--vet visits where they take the dog from the car, etc.). I can get around in a paper mask, and I bought a plastic shield to put over it since I know paper masks are not of much use at all. We very, very rarely go anywhere. Groceries are curbside pickup and we open the car windows as we drive away, hopefully to flush out anything on the bags (while masked) (and, brrr). Hubs is fine with cloth mask and could probably breathe through two. But I can't. So this is a problem. On the semi-plus side, first vaccination is next Tuesday, second on 3/2. I worry about this breathing problem I have. Not the best time for it.

[Nitram]

16. Birdographer, it sounds like your best bet is to avoid other people as much as possible.

You are in a very high risk category, and highly tramsmissible variant are on their way. I suggest you lay very low until you are vaccinated.

[Nitram]

15. Let's base our behavior on the latest scientific advice.

[roamer65]

20. I've been doubling up surgical masks for last couple of months.

Or wearing my specially prepared automotive painting gas mask. I use that one in areas where there higher numbers of covidiots.

[murielm99]

21. I started wearing two masks just today.

I seldom go out. But it will be months before we are vaccinated here. Two masks are a good idea.

[IronLionZion]

27. Filters are cheap and easily available online

So I got a bunch of the large size that fit in my cloth masks covering my whole face. Then I throw away the filters and wash the masks to limit waste.

Double masking is probably more important if using thin cloth masks without a filter. The filter is key.