Recommendations on MASKS

[underpants]

Not really style but performance.
Yes K/N95’s are great but are they available?
So, suggestions?


The CDC says washable cotton masks are recommended
Dated April 13
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

[phylny]

1. Republicans in my area are attacking people on Facebook

saying there is no need for a mask. I respond that the CDC disagrees. You know, the Republican president's CDC.

My husband and I wear a mask when we need to go to the store.

[Skittles]

5. just tell them to STFU

seriously, what is wrong with people who think toting guns is fine but wearing a mask is not?

[phylny]

8. I don't give a damn about them.

I just say that part of being a citizen is not being a dick.

No, I really say that I want to be part of the people keeping others safe. And the guns, yes, lots of guns on the hip around here.

[Skittles]

9. I thought to myself yesterday

even if I didn't think the masks were effective I would wear one because it makes those workers who are constantly round many people feel safer

yes, I don't mind because I AM NOT A SELFISH ASSHOLE

[Iggo]

41. It's fucking facebook. Fuck 'em.

[WyattKansas]

46. I thought about actually writing "Trump & Republican Protection" on my mask.

Or other phrases to encourage blame for their failures and to send Trumpanzees into a frenzy... I have seen occasional looks from people when I go out, but they quickly look away once they make eye contact with me. I can have piercing eyes that look right through people that is intimidating when needed. Power perceived is power achieved.

It would be a good way to educate people everywhere that Trump and Republicans are horrible for the country if they are running a branch of government on masks across the country.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I made 2 with batik fabric, double layer, insert pocket for filter, and pocket for pipe cleaner

that fits mask to nose. I remove my filter and pipe cleaner, wash with soap and water, and throw in a low dryer for ten minutes after each wearing.

[Salviati]

4. What also works great for a DIY mask to shape around the nose...

... are the bendable strips that are used to re-seal coffee bags. Like twist-ties but a lot beefier. Very good at holding their shape.

[StarfishSaver]

26. Unbent paper clips wrapped in electrical tape also work well

[crickets]

10. Your masks sound really nice!

Did you use a pattern you can link online or did you wing it when you made them?

[sinkingfeeling]

14. I used this pattern. There are like 3 sets of instructions: a plain mask, one with insert pocket,

and one with the nose wire. So if you want everything, you need to jump around.

https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/

[crickets]

25. Thank so much for the link! nt

[NoRoadUntravelled]

40. I bought a cloth mask that sounds similar to the one you have but hadn't thought about pipe cleaners

I'll use your great idea next time I go out for groceries.

[jberryhill]

3. UNDERPANTS!

[MerryBlooms]

15. Haha, he should come up with a tightie-whitie version for

restaurant dining.

[underpants]

22. 😆😆😁😁

[Buzz cook]

6. There are several designs

That you can make at home.

However there is/was a shortage of 1/4" elastic so be aware of that.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

And of course there are plenty of people making them and selling them. The latte stand I requent sells them for ten bucks.

[MerryBlooms]

13. Medford, Oregon: Local Dollar Store had 4 full racks of the hair elastics as of Sunday.

Not sure if other Dollar Store locations will have them, but it's worth checking out. Our masks are two layer cotton with slot for filter. They are hair elastics around the ears... We got our masks from our doctor's office. Some of the folks who work in his office made them to hand out to patients. Three different styles, plus kid size, but all use the hair elastics.

[stillcool]

7. I use cotton fabric...

outside layer, and inside layer, interfacing both. Pocket for any extra protection, a little doo-hickey for the nose thing, ear elastics and good to go.
Lots of instructions, and a good video
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
everyone loves them.

[jmg257]

11. These bamboo ones are nice...

https://thenxtstop.com/products/travleisure-adjustable-reusable-washable-face-mask

[Buckeye_Democrat]

12. Some KN95 masks are in stock...

... on websites focused on allergies.

They're expensive, like over $10 for each disposable KN95 mask.

At least one of them pledges an equal number of those masks will be donated to healthcare workers with each purchase.

Edit: I have the reusable kind of N95, with replaceable filters. They have one-way valves to let my exhaled breath escape unhindered, however, so I also wear a neck gaiter that covers it.

[cally]

19. I bought KN95 much cheaper than that

Both my children are exposed in their work so I buy masks for them as presents

[LisaL]

20. Yea, lots of websites have them a lot cheaper than $10 a mask.

The issue with KN95 is that apparently there are a lot of masks that are actually not up to the N95 standards that are being sold under KN95.

[cally]

27. I know

But it’s better than the flimsy cloth ones for some activities. Also, can be discarded. I mostly use cotton masks but like to have a few of the others for medical appointments or shopping which I do rarely.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

21. Great!

Do they arrive quickly?

I forgot to mention to the OP that masks from overseas often have LONG delays, but that's also where many of them are manufactured. Many of the American companies have been pretty much devoted to our healthcare workers, and rightly so.

[helpisontheway]

16. I have several types of masks

We have N95 masks that my in-laws sent to us. They had them for my FIL’s home projects. I’m so thankful for those masks. I had to go to the hospital to get blood drawn yesterday and I felt much better with the N95 and a buff. Then I purchased some KN95’s from the military exchange online. I have seen those available on EBay. I believe they had some on Amazon too. My friend ask made us some masks. We will be wearing masks for a very long time so I will continue to buy backups.

[cally]

17. Takes 4 weeks after ordering

https://shopvida.com/products/protective-mask

But these are great!! Comfortable and with that filter which gives some protection, I think. More sturdy than a different one I ordered.

[Green Line]

28. You actually got them?

I ordered from Vida more than a month ago, they still haven't shipped.

[cally]

35. Yes

Love them

[LisaL]

18. KN95s are available.

They could very well be fake (not up to the standard) but they are available on several websites. Look on jet.com.
But like I said, I don't know if they are authentic.

[Chiyo-chichi]

23. Not an ad, but...

I've seen wyze.com mentioned here on DU. They do have KN95 masks. $30 for a box of 10 masks. I ordered a box, but haven't used them. Saving them for if I have to go back to the office.

My go-to is an Olson style mask. I can sew a little, so I've made several for me & my family. I use unscented Swiffer dry sweeping cloths as a filter.

I also use these frames made by a gardening company in my town. https://gardentowerproject.com/product/face-mask-frames-family-kit/. They hold any fabric mask tighter to your face & create something of a seal so that you're breathing through the fabric and not around the edges. You can even use them to improvise a mask out of just about any fabric or filter material.

[Nay]

24. Underpants, Joann's Fabrics is selling already-made masks for 3.99 to 5.99, depending on the size.

They are called Olsen masks and are very comfy, are cotton, and have a pocket for an insert. I'd just buy them there. Did you know that you can order them online, pay for them online, and pick them up by driving to the store and calling them? I've used this service and it works perfectly.

Go to their website and see how easy it is. You can't make these masks any cheaper, really, unless you already have fabric, elastic, nose piece, etc.

[underpants]

32. Excellent. Thanks.

The next time I’m released I will go over there.

Stupid telehealth call tomorrow morning. Gotta find an excuse to leave the compound - my wife is super freaked out about keeping us separated and safe.

[Nay]

44. Just remember, if you don't want to go IN the store, you should go to their website, joann.com, and

find the closest store to you. Then, follow that store's directions for doing an outside pickup (I go to the Westchester Commons store).

Essentially, you go on-line first and select and pay for the masks you want. I like the denim Olson mask, it fits better IMO.

Then, you wait for an email to tell you that your order is ready for pickup. That takes about a day -- they are very quick.

When you get the email and know it's waiting for you, THEN you go to the store, wait with the other cars in the pickup line, and call the store phone number (given in the email you got) to tell them you have arrived. Over the phone you'll give them your name, order #, and a description of your car. An employee will come out with your bag of stuff and put it in your trunk or your back seat.

It works like a charm!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

36. Thank you.

I just ordered one! Very inexpensive, and I like that they have a pocket for filters.

I have some other masks, but I'm experimenting with different designs.

[Arazi]

42. I didn't see a link for that. Can you post it? Thanks

[Nay]

43. Their website is: joann.com and when you are on the site, put "masks" into the search

box. Their assortment will come up. I like the denim one, medical folks call it the Olson mask, because it is comfy and fits on the face better.

You can order online from your local Joanns, just search on that website for your nearest store, go to their site, and follow the directions above that I gave to Underpants. It's easy and fast, and you don't have to go into the store.

[Flaleftist]

29. I bought some masks marketed as KN95 on Ebay.

I have worn real N95 masks and can tell they do not function as a real N95. They only loop around the ear and some air gets in from underneath. However, they are the only masks I have tried other than real N95 masks that do not fog up my glasses. They will occasionally fog and I need to adjust the wire around the nose.

[CountAllVotes]

31. I am waiting to get some

I don't know if I ever will get some though. Backordered it says.

[Flaleftist]

33. There are multiple sellers on Ebay right now that they they are in stock.

This seller delivered in a week.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KN95-Folding-Respiratory-Protective-Mask-10-Pack-FDA-Approved-MFG-as-of-5-20/153918937402?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[CountAllVotes]

37. No, I'm talking 3M N95 masks

Status is on backorder.

I hope I get them as I cannot go out!

It sucks!

If I had a few of these I could go out and do some shopping!

I'm triple high risk = not good!

I found them at a place I've bought stuff before online.

Most of the time they do come through, eventually that is!

[CountAllVotes]

30. Just wrap an old rag around your head

And shut the hell up!

Mask?

You want everything don't you?

[GulfCoast66]

34. A neighbor gave us several Level 3 surgical masks.

Last edited Wed May 20, 2020, 11:22 PM - Edit history (1)

One step down from a N95. Only they don’t seal around the edges. So I wear a buff over it which presses it into my face and nose and keeps out leaks around the edges. I feel pretty secure in it.

I may look silly wearing a buff with elastic of a face mask coming out of it around my ears but I could not care less.

Had one asshole at Lowe’s ask why I was wearing it. Which is odd because most people had them on. But I’m middle aged white and he saw me get out of my truck. Probably assumed I was an ally.

I told him I was raised to care about my fellow Americans and wear it to prevent getting anyone sick in case I had it and was unaware. He never said another word. Which is good because my next comment was going to be STFU.

[CountAllVotes]

38. Good for you!

Who is anyone out there to be asking questions abt. anything right now?

*sigh*

Hang-in there!!!

[GulfCoast66]

39. Yeah. It was odd. I think seeing a guy who by all appearances should be a trump supporter,

In this red area wearing a mask confused him. Most people I see without masks do indeed look like me. Healthy looking decent sized guy in a big truck. Wearing obvious offshore fishing swag.

But he shut his ass up after I politely answered his question.

I really hope it made him think. I doubt his news outlets have ever told him wearing a masks helps protect others. Just that it makes him a sheep.

[Meowmee]

45. I have some from amazon with replaceable filters that

I wore at home while in quarantine from my family with covid pneumonia. They are washable. I have surgical masks and kn95.. surgical masks I can wear and the filter ones. I tried to wear a kn95 to go to the er two weeks ago. I couldn’t breath so I switched to the filter mask. Any mask is still hard for me now with worse asthma recovering pneumonia.

[MineralMan]

47. We're using drug store "surgical" masks for going to the store, etc.

We have two N95 masks, brand new, but we're not using them. I have them on reserve, in case I have to fly to California in case of an emergency with my 95-year-old parents. I will use them on the plane and at the airport and car rental place. We had them before the CV-19 pandemic, for the same reason.

We wear those cheaper, less effective masks for everyday encounters. We had a sizable stock before the pandemic, because we wore them to protect my wife's mother while she was still alive. They remind us of the danger, keep our hands off our faces, and let others know that we are trying to minimize the risk. I've noticed that such masks are reappearing on store shelves, too. The pharmacy at my supermarket had a display of them on my last trip there.

The simpler masks are useful, especially in protecting others from any viruses you might be shedding, but they are more important in reminding us and others to keep our distance, which is even more important.