With infections surging due to the Omicron variant, physicians are now urging people to ditch cloth face masks and instead recommend pairing cloth masks with surgical models or moving on to stronger respirator masks https://t.co/Fy02Rbyz1zpic.twitter.com/vQNi8J8ftH
I switched to N95 over this past summer when I began to read more about Covid being airborne around that time work started requiring (and providing) them anyway.
these days it is either a KF94, a N95 ,cloth mask with a filter (I use masks with pockets), or double mask fashion surgical types. I carry a lighter version if I’m going with a N95 in case that gets too warm for me.
I have a draw full of cloth masks that I no longer wear, and have moved on to surgical masks. I have a good supply and they seem to be readily available. I have very few 95 masks, and they are harder to find and expensive when found. I may move to the cloth over surgical masks until the 95s are more readily available.
I’ve been wearing surgical for awhile, but am often in meetings (socially distanced, but same room) with people wearing cloth. Yikes. Definitely switching to N95 starting tomorrow.
Under Armor came out with a great mask a few months ago that I love for every day use walking around. When I go to the gym I use a Mossimo mask that ties behind my head (instead of my ears) and is more secure as I run around. Both are cloth though.
- thechampaignlife - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:20 pm:
Been wearing KN95 for about a year. Check out Bona Fide Masks. Nice looking, affordable, adaptable, and spacious.
I’ve been ordering foldable N95s from Aegle, a company that manufactures them in Texas. Been very happy with the product; great fit. That’s my standard mask now, whenever I go out.
I switched from cloth (two-layer with disposable filter inserts) to KN95s last month. It’s nicer not having the material right up against my mouth and nostrils.
I recently flew for the first time in two years. Wore an N95 the whole trip and through the airports and taxis. Tested negative when I returned.
I just assumed I would have gotten it while flying, but thankfully it missed me. Don’t know if it was the mask or luck, but chance favors the prepared, so I’ll keep wearing the good ones.
Cloth w/ insert. N95 if I’m going to be in a meeting longer than 30 minutes. Work installed UV scrubbers last year (right after I got it) so I’m comfortable in my own office au’ natural.
I’m using a cloth mask with a filter for fast trips in and out (less than 5 minutes indoors with other people) but I’ve switched to a KN95 for anything longer than that. I’d wear KN95s all the time if I could find some in a larger size - the ones I have make my ears bleed after about an hour.
I ditched using cloth masks a month ago after my first COVID scare and negative test.
Two scares/negative tests later, it’s only N95 for me.
Finding N95s is tough.
- thechampaignlife - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:09 pm:
=== I’d wear KN95s all the time if I could find some in a larger size - the ones I have make my ears bleed after about an hour.===
Check out the headband style masks. The straps go behind the head instead of behind the ears, so more comfortable and you can just take the top strap off once outside to get fresh air without having to hold onto it.
I have several kinds of protection (including KN95s and a face shield) but for most purposes I wear a Honeywell brand dual-layer mask that uses disposable filters. It’s comfortable and fits well. Honeywell claims BFE/PFE at 97 and I found a separate report that said 98.
I have been, in the last 7-8 months…. been in high infection areas, always wear KN95 masks, many times, one of a scarce few wearing masks.
I swear by those masks.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:17 pm:
Earlier this week, I tried a copper mask (FN94) that a coworker of my wife’s (in the health care field) gave her recently. However, the smell and fumes of that copper mask made me ill and dizzy, so I might have an allergy to that. Picked up some N95 work masks at the hardware store in hopes those might work. Still have a ton of cloth masks from ever since the pandemic began, many of which need to be retired anyway.
Thankfully disposal surgical masks are more common than back in April 2020.
Doubled layer cloth mask for me with a strap that keeps it snug. Reconsidering that approach based on this guidance.
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:53 pm:
Fav Human hit with the NBC type masks. There are real effective. They were designed for
Nuclear,Biological and Chemical Warfare. However if someone decides to go the military route do not purchase a Soviet Bloc set. Soviets used asbestos in thier filters as did most of the Warsaw Act Nations.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 5:14 pm:
Thanks Rich - this is excellent information.
I almost always wear an N95 mask - there’s a couple of places downstate and in rural Indiana I feel too self conscious and “just” wear a KN-95.
usually nothing. When required to, one of the blue surgical masks.
Having been through a lot of training in the military for chemical and biological agents and what those masks were and the protections we took, this all has been similar to TSA theater.
I wear better masks when painting, or sanding drywall.
Any experience with masks needing ‘ears’ when they are already being used by very expensive hearing aids?
For me, one aid flipped off inadvertently and unnoticed.
Ok.
About short of 2k.
I have bought N95 masks from Demetech in Miami, which cost $75 for 20 masks. Ironically, I read that systems were passing up USA-made masks due to cost, in favor of cheaper Asian product.
I switched to KN95s a few weeks ago from a cloth mask.
On a side note, to my knowledge KN95s should be properly worn with the straps behind each ear. Is there a reason people wear them sideways with the straps all the way around their head? To me it seems wrong (plus they look like a duck).
- Now I’m down in it. - Friday, Jan 7, 22 @ 8:34 am:
Surgical masks. I can’t tolerate N95’s. Though mostly I just stay away from people.
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:05 pm:
I switched to N95 over this past summer when I began to read more about Covid being airborne around that time work started requiring (and providing) them anyway.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:06 pm:
Voted. Nothing. Which is good. No one wants to spend more than 15 minutes with me anyway.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
these days it is either a KF94, a N95 ,cloth mask with a filter (I use masks with pockets), or double mask fashion surgical types. I carry a lighter version if I’m going with a N95 in case that gets too warm for me.
- Teacher Lady - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
I wear a KN95, with a cloth mask on top. Been double-masking for over a year.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
I am now wearing a surgical mask over my KN95 mask since returning to work in a public high school. I hope I’m safe.
- Montrose - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
Switched to KN95s when Omicron hit. I have seen this chart going around this week. Is it still accurate with Omnicron? It appears to predate Delta.
- Xeno - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:12 pm:
I have a draw full of cloth masks that I no longer wear, and have moved on to surgical masks. I have a good supply and they seem to be readily available. I have very few 95 masks, and they are harder to find and expensive when found. I may move to the cloth over surgical masks until the 95s are more readily available.
- Leslie K - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:14 pm:
I’ve been wearing surgical for awhile, but am often in meetings (socially distanced, but same room) with people wearing cloth. Yikes. Definitely switching to N95 starting tomorrow.
- Sangamo Girl - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:15 pm:
KN95 topped by a cloth mask. Just purchased a heap more KN95s to pass out to the Sangamo kids who are front facing.
- Mary - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:17 pm:
This has been known for a while. But improving ventilation is even better. https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/study-mask-type-really-matters-ventilation-may-matter-more/19844289/
- JS Mill - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:17 pm:
=There was a big uproar=
LOL. And how is JFK Jr.?
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:19 pm:
Under Armor came out with a great mask a few months ago that I love for every day use walking around. When I go to the gym I use a Mossimo mask that ties behind my head (instead of my ears) and is more secure as I run around. Both are cloth though.
- thechampaignlife - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:20 pm:
Been wearing KN95 for about a year. Check out Bona Fide Masks. Nice looking, affordable, adaptable, and spacious.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:34 pm:
I have a double cloth mask, with the ability to insert a filter, if I want.
But I would love to have a gas mask with a NBC filter cartridge!
- Vote Quimby - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:35 pm:
Cloth, but am being shamed into wearing at least surgical masks now.
- stateandlake - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:38 pm:
I’ve been ordering foldable N95s from Aegle, a company that manufactures them in Texas. Been very happy with the product; great fit. That’s my standard mask now, whenever I go out.
- Roadrager - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:39 pm:
I switched from cloth (two-layer with disposable filter inserts) to KN95s last month. It’s nicer not having the material right up against my mouth and nostrils.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:40 pm:
==But improving ventilation is even better==
The question was what type of mask do you wear? And your answer is . . . .?
I wear a surgical mask.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:40 pm:
I recently flew for the first time in two years. Wore an N95 the whole trip and through the airports and taxis. Tested negative when I returned.
I just assumed I would have gotten it while flying, but thankfully it missed me. Don’t know if it was the mask or luck, but chance favors the prepared, so I’ll keep wearing the good ones.
- OldSmoky2 - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:40 pm:
Was wearing cloth, but lately surgical.
- Lt Guv - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:42 pm:
N95
- Proud Sucker - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:45 pm:
Cloth w/ insert. N95 if I’m going to be in a meeting longer than 30 minutes. Work installed UV scrubbers last year (right after I got it) so I’m comfortable in my own office au’ natural.
- tea_and_honey - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:53 pm:
I’m using a cloth mask with a filter for fast trips in and out (less than 5 minutes indoors with other people) but I’ve switched to a KN95 for anything longer than that. I’d wear KN95s all the time if I could find some in a larger size - the ones I have make my ears bleed after about an hour.
- John Lopez - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:06 pm:
I ditched using cloth masks a month ago after my first COVID scare and negative test.
Two scares/negative tests later, it’s only N95 for me.
Finding N95s is tough.
- thechampaignlife - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:09 pm:
=== I’d wear KN95s all the time if I could find some in a larger size - the ones I have make my ears bleed after about an hour.===
Check out the headband style masks. The straps go behind the head instead of behind the ears, so more comfortable and you can just take the top strap off once outside to get fresh air without having to hold onto it.
- yinn - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:15 pm:
I have several kinds of protection (including KN95s and a face shield) but for most purposes I wear a Honeywell brand dual-layer mask that uses disposable filters. It’s comfortable and fits well. Honeywell claims BFE/PFE at 97 and I found a separate report that said 98.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:17 pm:
I have been, in the last 7-8 months…. been in high infection areas, always wear KN95 masks, many times, one of a scarce few wearing masks.
I swear by those masks.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:17 pm:
Earlier this week, I tried a copper mask (FN94) that a coworker of my wife’s (in the health care field) gave her recently. However, the smell and fumes of that copper mask made me ill and dizzy, so I might have an allergy to that. Picked up some N95 work masks at the hardware store in hopes those might work. Still have a ton of cloth masks from ever since the pandemic began, many of which need to be retired anyway.
Thankfully disposal surgical masks are more common than back in April 2020.
Planning to switch to N95 and or surgical masks.
- Hieronymus - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:22 pm:
Mrs. H & I used to wear cloth masks and surgical ones if the cloth ones were (or needed to be) in the wash.
Mostly surgical masks the last couple of weeks though.
With this information, I guess I’ll just have to lose the COVID beard and go with tightly-fitting (K)N-95 masks.
I do remember reading a good article about safe, effective ways to re-sanitize N-95 type masks in an Instant-Pot or other electric pressure cooker.
Here’s the link: https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/143865832
- Pundent - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:50 pm:
Doubled layer cloth mask for me with a strap that keeps it snug. Reconsidering that approach based on this guidance.
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:53 pm:
Fav Human hit with the NBC type masks. There are real effective. They were designed for
Nuclear,Biological and Chemical Warfare. However if someone decides to go the military route do not purchase a Soviet Bloc set. Soviets used asbestos in thier filters as did most of the Warsaw Act Nations.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 5:14 pm:
Thanks Rich - this is excellent information.
I almost always wear an N95 mask - there’s a couple of places downstate and in rural Indiana I feel too self conscious and “just” wear a KN-95.
- Todd - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 5:34 pm:
usually nothing. When required to, one of the blue surgical masks.
Having been through a lot of training in the military for chemical and biological agents and what those masks were and the protections we took, this all has been similar to TSA theater.
I wear better masks when painting, or sanding drywall.
- Freedom - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 8:08 pm:
I proudly wear no mask
- Conusone - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 8:10 pm:
Any experience with masks needing ‘ears’ when they are already being used by very expensive hearing aids?
For me, one aid flipped off inadvertently and unnoticed.
Ok.
About short of 2k.
- Ares - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 10:51 pm:
I have bought N95 masks from Demetech in Miami, which cost $75 for 20 masks. Ironically, I read that systems were passing up USA-made masks due to cost, in favor of cheaper Asian product.
- Zoomer - Friday, Jan 7, 22 @ 6:02 am:
N95, without exception, since day one of this pandemic.
Not easy nor fun teaching hybrid in a high school classroom while wearing an N95, but I don’t want to get sick, and I don’t want to get others sick.
It will feel odd when I’m in front of students again without wearing one.
- Nathan - Friday, Jan 7, 22 @ 7:22 am:
I switched to KN95s a few weeks ago from a cloth mask.
On a side note, to my knowledge KN95s should be properly worn with the straps behind each ear. Is there a reason people wear them sideways with the straps all the way around their head? To me it seems wrong (plus they look like a duck).
- Now I’m down in it. - Friday, Jan 7, 22 @ 8:34 am:
Surgical masks. I can’t tolerate N95’s. Though mostly I just stay away from people.