How Often Can You Safely Reuse KN95, N95 Masks? *Biden Plan, Hi Qual Masks Avail, Free: WaPo

[appalachiablue]

Washington Post Jan. 13, 2022. -Ed. * FREE ACCESS Article

Surging coronavirus cases in the United States, driven by the highly contagious omicron variant, have prompted renewed recommendations from health experts that the public should consider wearing more protective face coverings, such as N95 or KN95 masks.

President Biden also said his administration is working on making such higher-quality masks more widely available. “Next week, we’ll announce how we are making high-quality masks available to the American people for free,” Biden said Thursday. “I know we all wish that we could finally be done with wearing masks. I get it. But they are a really important tool to stop the spread, especially of the highly transmittable omicron variant.”

The administration noted this week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “recommends Americans wear a well-fitting mask.” Biden acknowledged Thursday that “for some Americans, the mask is not always affordable or convenient to get.”
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* Health experts say while there are no hard and fast rules, there are best practices for safely getting multiple uses out of N95s or KN95s.
- Masks and covid-19: Explaining the latest guidance -
- WHAT TO KNOW
How many times can I reuse my mask?
What are some best practices for safely reusing my mask?
Where should I store masks between uses?
How do I know when it’s time to throw out my mask?
Coronavirus: What you need to read
Coronavirus maps: Cases and deaths in the U.S. | Cases and deaths worldwide...

Read More, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/01/13/kn95-n95-mask-reuse-omicron/

- Biden Plans To Make 'High-Quality Masks' Widely Available & Free For Americans, Jan. 13, 2022. President Biden announced that his administration would be announcing plans to help make "high-quality masks" available to the public for free in the coming days & urged Americans to continue to wear masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

[lark]

1. Thank you for posting this so timely and relevant information.

I was just thinking about going to see my friend and was wondering if I needed a new mask and now I know the criteria.

I am down to just surgical masks, so hope the KN95's I ordered get here today.

[appalachiablue]

3. Good deal. I just ordered more masks & noticed

how low the stock is getting for proper ones I've purchased previously.

You know to wear a tight weave cloth mask over the surgical one for a better fit, if KN95s, N95s aren't available.

Have a nice visit!

[lark]

4. Wearing double surgical today if KN95 masks don't arrive, don't have good cloth one.

thanks!

[left-of-center2012]

7. Can you link the source where you bought them?

Thanks

[samnsara]

2. our local station said they can be reused if you put them in a paper bag for 4-5 days

...i ordered 100 of the KN95 masks in multicolors for 22$ including shipping. I wont get them for a month but i usually go into town one time a week. Right now triple vaxxed hubby is experiencing break thru so we are isolating together for 10 days.

[appalachiablue]

5. Wow, easy & practical, paper bags. I envy your

colorful masks, enjoy and stay well! All the best for your hubby- triple vaxxed, !?@ that shouldn't be happening.

[appalachiablue]

6. To Note, from The Article: Careful with those germs!

> Knight has stressed that people should wash and sanitize their hands after taking off a mask and recommended removing the mask from the ear loops or elastic bands to avoid touching the outside of the mask that may be contaminated.