Watchlords

Being in NYC, I'm obviously really diligent about mask wearing. I even drive with a mask on in my car since I don't want to fiddle with it.

My mask of choice are the KN95s by Powecomm available from http://www.bonafidemasks.com, which are the best price I've found on legit KN95s (and I think I owe this to someone here, who posted about them, so thanks). However, early on during the pandemic I was wearing some pretty good cloth masks I also picked up online, but I notice the inner filters with most masks are PM 2.5 filters, which are great for shutting out dust and such, but coronavirus microbes are much smaller than that.

Someone recently told me about Filti, which manufactures and sells U.S.-made masks and filter inserts that just blow away the PM 2.5s. I am a huge fan of the high efficiency inserts they sell, which filters up to 95% on sub-micron particles, including bacteria and viruses - and now make the cloth masks I own at least a little closer to the efficiency of the KN95s.

I like 'em, so I'm passing on the word about them. If interested: https://filti.com.

^^^ good link

We have my wife a full face mask with filters but have yet to use it as is so cumbersome.

Our entire RN/MD ICU staff has ordered and use Envo N95s. The wife's is inbound. Not inexpensive but proven on the job.

https://envomask.com/

^^^ Wow, a reusable N95!

Another good choice, to be sure.

What bothers me about this pandemic - other than of course, everything - is that virtually none of the masks or PPE is made in the U.S. From this point forward, we need more American companies manufacturing these type of goods right here at home. It's also time for big companies to manufacture more everything right here in this country. We've had a disaster, and we had to wait for supplies from another country? Only to be monetized before it all got to the people who really needed it?

Bring back manufacturing. When you think about it, virtually everything depends on it.

I just ordered some, thanks T.

svaglic wrote: ↑

December 14th 2020, 9:03pm

I just ordered some, thanks T.

Hope they work out for you.

TemerityB wrote: ↑

December 14th 2020, 6:38pm

^^^ Wow, a reusable N95!

So the envo mask is a disposable filter with a washable frame?

We are more inclined (everyday sheltered-in-place joes only going out for essentials) to wear a 100% disposable N95 and toss the entire contaminated thing in the trash.

The little lady agrees. YMMV

codguy wrote: ↑

December 15th 2020, 10:33am

TemerityB wrote: ↑

December 14th 2020, 6:38pm

^^^ Wow, a reusable N95!

So the envo mask is a disposable filter with a washable frame?

We are more inclined (everyday sheltered-in-place joes only going out for essentials) to wear a 100% disposable N95 and toss the entire contaminated thing in the trash.

The little lady agrees. YMMV

Oh, don't get me wrong: I have the blue three-ply "surgical" style masks, too. If I had to wear even the KN95s every day, I'd go broke. I mix and match the masks to what I'm going - the more people I know I'm going to be around, the better the mask. And when I go to the market, I practically wear a fucking hazmat suit, cuz people are stoopid.

TemerityB wrote: ↑

December 15th 2020, 12:19pm

...cuz people are stoopid.

That would be underplaying it

codguy wrote: ↑

December 15th 2020, 10:33am

TemerityB wrote: ↑

December 14th 2020, 6:38pm

^^^ Wow, a reusable N95!

So the envo mask is a disposable filter with a washable frame?

We are more inclined (everyday sheltered-in-place joes only going out for essentials) to wear a 100% disposable N95 and toss the entire contaminated thing in the trash.

The little lady agrees. YMMV

These are for work. RNs and MD are being forced to reuse try he same N95 for weeks on end. These actually seal better and can be cleaned, save for the filter itself.

https://www.theclearmask.com/product


https://www.theclearmask.com/faq/#distributors

Does the ClearMask™ transparent face mask provide as much protection as a traditional mask? Does it protect me against COVID-19?
Traditional masks are designed to block bodily fluids and particulate materials away from the wearer’s face. A ClearMask™ transparent face mask serves the same functions as traditional masks and provides a full, anti-fog plastic barrier, which helps prevent particles or droplets from getting through. A ClearMask™ transparent face mask is not airtight along the sides of the mask, where air circulation occurs, thus allowing for comfort and breathability. All traditional masks have gaps on the sides, so this design is not entirely unique to the ClearMask™ brand. A ClearMask™ transparent face mask is not an N95 respirator; only N95 respirators do not have gaps and are able to filter, with a full seal when fit-tested and properly worn.

For more information, please refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website regarding masks and respirators, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's comparison on surgical masks and respirators.


Do the masks filter?
The ClearMask™ brand is not the same as an N95 respirator. Only N95 respirators are designed to filter with a full seal when fit-tested and properly worn.

For more information, please refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website regarding masks and respirators, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's comparison on surgical masks and respirators.


Are the masks reusable?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the ClearMask™ brand for single-use only, and is not intended to be reused; thus, we cannot recommend or provide advice on cleaning methods.

The mask is designed for indoors settings and recommended for use at room temperature in ventilated, low-humidity environments, such as indoor offices or clinics.