Since COVID is really popping again, I'm going back to masking. I would wear KN95/N95s but those stink after a while and you can't wash it. Cloth masks aren't as effective but has to be better than nothing, right?
Is there any special type of mask which can be reused and washed while having ok protection against COVID?
Cloth masks are better than nothing in the same way putting anything over your mouth will be better than nothing. Really, you’re not getting a lot of protection
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QH1xiOZFGxo&t=3s
This lack of protection is fine outside, where the virus doesn’t spread too much, or in spaces with low amounts of virus particles, but as the concentration of virus particles go up, you’re gonna want something with more protection.
Surgical masks are better, but surgical masks are mostly meant for fluid protection. This is fine if a virus is being spread by droplets, but one of the things we’ve learned throughout the whole Covid pandemic is respiratory viruses are really mostly exchanged through aerosol.
To deal with aerosols, you want a “resporator” - an n95 (or kn95 or kn94). This is filtering at least 95% of particles in the air, usually more.
A surgical mask and a cloth mask is not designed for air filtration, which makes them poor protection against Covid. They are also not designed for being tightly fitted, leaving a number of gaps which is not what you want when dealing with aerosols. You’re right that they are “better than nothing,” but they are not “good” and if you want real, robust protection, you need a respirator.
I use benehal n95s that I buy off Amazon. Also a lot of people recommend 3m auras.
kn-95s. they are cheap and just as effective as the expensive n95.
i have a band that attaches the two ear lops around the back of my head instead of using the ear loops to ensure i have a seal
(just make sure you're not getting counterfeit ones, like most of what's on amazon)
3M Aura N95s that I stole from work. If you don't mind getting weird looks, you can wear a half-mask respirator with P100 filters (this is also assuming you're only doing it to protect yourself, since exhaust is usually completely unfiltered).
Cloth masks are basically worthless, especially when it comes to protecting yourself.
I like the KN94 masks that have three horizontal sections so that the top lines up with my nose better.
No effective covid mask is washable.
The valve style n95s last a long time, although they only protect the wearer and the vents release particles, but if you always wear one then you won't be able to catch and spread covid in the first place.
The vent style n95s last a long time, although they only protect the wearer and the vents release particles,
from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsource3healthcare.html quote
Are respirators with an exhalation valve acceptable in healthcare settings?
It depends on the type of respirator and the setting. Healthcare personnel (HCP) can use an FFR with an exhalation valve for source control. However, when it is important to maintain a sterile field, HCP cannot use an FFR with an exhalation valve. Source control refers to the ability to prevent disease transmission to others via the spread of respiratory secretions. A NIOSH technical report summarizes research on filtering facepiece respirators with an exhalation valve. Findings suggest FFRs with exhalation valves provide the same or better source control than surgical masks or procedure masks. This finding is the same even without covering the valve.
However, FFRs with exhalation valves are not fluid resistant. HCP should not use these types of respirators in situations requiring a sterile field. For example, during an invasive procedure in an operating or procedure room. The exhalation valve may allow unfiltered exhaled air to escape into the sterile field. In situations requiring a fluid resistant respirator (e.g., in surgical settings), HCP should wear a Surgical N95.
HCP should not use elastomeric respirators with unfiltered exhalation valves as source control in surgical and other healthcare settings. This is due to concerns that air coming out of the exhalation valve may contaminate the sterile field. The NIOSH Certified Equipment List identifies the elastomeric respirators without exhalation valves or with filtered exhalation valves. HCP can use both types in surgical settings.
they should provide good enough source control even with a vent
Yes, the valve N95s are designed to keep pollutants and particles out, so they should not be used if you have or may have covid or to protect anyone but the wearer. Definitely not for surgery, but surgeons know that.
I only brought them up because people were talking about resorting to cloth masks which are not good enough to rely on 1000 mutations after the pandemic began.
I buy a bunch of aura 9205+ off Amazon when I see them on sale. Prolly got enough for another 2 months.
Thinking about trying the 9210+ after my current stock runs out. They've got the fabric elastic that should last a bit longer.
If you're using kn95 they're reasonably cheap in bulk. But I find they don't seal as well for me and I prefer the off the ear elastic of the auras.
I'm running down my supply of Auro 9205+ as well, and will probably switch to 9210+ after.
But if we're talking about what we do when we leave the house, other than masking, I also use the Covixyl nasal spray, which cuts down viral load/chance of infection by roughly 60% (but offers even more protection against long COVID, since COVID infecting a nerve from the nasal cavity like the nervus terminalis or olfactory nerve is the cause of long COVID).
Even though Covixyl is what my immediate family and I use, I've had an easier time getting extended family to use Betadine nasal spray (80% risk reduction, active ingredient iota-carrageenan). Other might choose another nasal spray (like xylitol, 62% risk reduction) depending on allergies. A comparison of different nasal sprays: https://nitter.net/Clean_Air_Club_/status/1685790242681331713
Yeah, As I said in the other thread I covixyl as well. A pleasant surprise was finding out my sister uses it when she's going to volunteer at her kid's school... but her kid and her, husband who is a teacher, don't take any precautions... So I'm not sure what the heck is going on in her head. Maybe she's just trying to avoid getting sick and dealing with downtime, I guess.
I’m not aware of any washable respirators. We use N95s/KN94s and https://flomask.com/
I usually wear a disposable N95 mask for a day or two before replacing, but I also have one of these because Naomi Wu recommended it: https://dentecsafety.com/usa/products/respiratory-protection/comfort-air-nx-nxmd-series/
I like the comfort and the lack of leaks, but it does make me harder to hear.
Is it just me or does the site you linked refuse to give any info about how much fucking money these cost?
It's not just you; they don't sell them retail. I got mine from Summit Racing for like $30.
I wear KN95s, but you should consider KF94s since I found them way easier to breathe through than KN95s.
These are the ones I’ve been using
Hotodeal KN95 Face Mask 40 PCs, Black KN95, 5 Layers Cup Dust Mask, for Men, Women, Healthcare/Essential Workers https://a.co/d/4MoH6Du
Can’t be washed but I’ll wear one for a few days then swap for a new one
These are identical to the ones I use. I don't know if it's the same brand and everything but they are identical. I do the same "wear for a few days and swap to a new one" also.
I cam get free 3M N95-1860 masks at work so that's what I use. Seem to make a pretty tight seal.
There's no washable mask I know of that offers decent protection against covid. I think part of the problem is that some of the efficacy of protective masks is due to the electrostatically charged filter media which is screwed up by getting wet. Closest you'll probably find is a semi-stylish elastomeric mask with small replaceable filters.
My family and I mainly use Evergreen Cleantops . They're great, authentic KF94's. They have a version with adjustable earloops for a couple bucks more but I prefer to just feed the loops of any mask through little 10g o-rings to adjust. Here's the Armbrust review. 99.8%, good breathability.
Been using some Savewo masks recently too. The colors aren't as protective but they're still over 90% with good breathability.
Savewo 3D mask in sakura pink: https://www.family-masks.com/products/savewo-3dmasks-hana-r-pink
If I’m honest, I have gotten sick twice wearing this mask, it could be the fact I’m not as cautious as I was before (I used to wear the aura and goggles to work), I don’t think it’s good enough that it hasn’t protected me as effectively as it should have. It’s a very thin mask it feels like paper but that’s a good thing because breathability is great and my voice isn’t muffled. I am compromising my health for style, it’s still a mask and it’s better than other types but if I was going off safety alone I would always pick the aura, never ever caught an illness with the aura and I live in a very populated city.
Here's the pink hana tested on the same machine NIOSH uses to certify n95's. . >95%, so aside from being mislabeled they're still pretty darn good albeit there are definitely more protective masks out there. He tested the Kuro lineup of colors in another video and they only hit 90%. Have you seen the masklab masks? They're pretty neat but a lot of em are out of stock right now.
I use Honeywell N95's, DF300N95BX, they seem to fit my face better than 3M aura's i'e tried.
You can usually find them pretty cheap. I've been stocking up when there's deals so they've cost me about 25 cents each for the past year.
"No mask? No mask!"
Just kidding I wear an n95 and switch them twice daily.
