https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22...nsmission/index.html

Personally, I think everyone should be wearing N95 masks. Apparently, some experts agree with me.

"The biggest problem is lack of supply."
When I got my vaccination some of the health workers were wearing KN95 masks, others were wearing masks that did not appear to fit well.

We have a supply of KN95s. I always wear one under my BioShield mask when I go out.

Daniel thanks for posting that.

I wonder how the equation changes if you add mask tape to a surgical mask. That's what I'm doing when I teach (f2f) because otherwise, my mask has gaps.

Mark did you buy your KN95s before the pandemic started or after? Any advice on where to get them?

Also, are KN95s thought to be the same as N95 in terms of protection offered?

ETA:
Last question (maybe!) is a bioshield the clear plastic faceguard?

I wish the messaging would start to change on those, I think people need to keep hearing that a face shield alone is not an appropriate substitution for a mask and alone it does next to nothing for either the wearer or those around them.

I've seen a grocery store worker wearing one, and when I go to my classroom to teach, in the classroom next to mine, the prof wears one and he doesn't wear a cloth/surgical mask (although his students do).

If I had to teach in the same classroom after him, I would refuse. Fortunately, they have our classrooms scheduled so that each room is empty for one period, then has a class in it for the next period, then empty again...

We had a thread on masks last year, and Amanda posted this article:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.or...tm_source=01-05-2020


The products that mark buys are here, I think.

https://www.g95.com/?rfsn=3818730.72517b

Thanks for those links WTG, I just took a look.

I don't want to get a reusable mask for teaching though, I prefer the disposable kind.

https://smartairfilters.com/en...mission-coronavirus/

In this test (flu) N95 and surgical masks had the same result. They didn't specify which level of surgical mask - they come in levels 1-3, though the biggest difference seems to be protection from fluid spatters.

Fit is crucial for anything you choose to use - to make sure you are breathing through and not around the mask. Glasses wearers can easily see by fogging when air is escaping from the top edge.

Best I've found for glasses wearers:

https://primodentalproducts.co...s-made-in-usa-40-box

They have a thin foam edging along the top of the mask. They are easy to breathe through - some of the KN95s are more resistant...

A bonus is that they are a little thicker than the standard surgical mask and work better outside in the winter!

Be well!

Ron, thanks for the links and comments

quote:

In this test (flu) N95 and surgical masks had the same result

Unfortunately that article is from last March, but a lot of more recent articles are discussing masks in light of the higher transmission rates of the new variants...

Re the surgical masks you linked to, those are not unlike the ones I have. Notice the gaps along the sides (cheeks), that's where I add tape, and then depending on the fit, I may tape under my chin.

Re glasses, I find that as long as the metal insert is long enough, I can get it close against my face and my glasses don't fog up.

I actually bought some foam tape to try but had forgotten about that, thanks for the reminder!