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I've had no trouble buying N95 masks for at least six months. I had about 50 3M N95 masks in my garage before Covid hit, and I haven't even worked my way through those. I now must have at least 150, which I won't use up if this continues for ten years.
Precisely because N95 masks are so widely available, one of my pet peeves is the fact that 97% of the people around me are wearing "designer" masks and DIY masks that are nowhere near as effective as an N95 mask. Walmart and other stores sell these designer versions, which clearly state that they aren't medical grade and won't protect you against anything smaller than a mosquito. United Healthcare even sent me one!
All of which reinforces my conviction that Covid is far more hype than reality.
Actually the triple-ply masks are pretty effective. There have been plenty of mask studies now to show this.
Not sure where you get the "hype" part from.
Here in Germany, cloth masks, bandanas or other non-medical grade masks have been banned if you want to go inside any store (the few that are open like grocery or drug stores) or service (also the few that are open like medical care or vehicle repair). You must wear a FFP2 (Euro version of KN95 or N95) or a surgical medical grade mask. They are available with no problem at almost any drug store, pharmacy or many supermarkets.
I went to the local Lidl grocery store this morning, and I saw a bin of FFP2 masks for 88 Euro cents each (a bit more than $1 USD). I always keep a few with me in my winter jacket pockets. These are certified to the Euro standards for FFP2 masks, and seem to work well. I make sure they fit snug, and I can breathe OK with these for their intended use. I use these all the time when I am at any store or for example at a doctor's office. The same applies if I get on a train, which I only use occasionally at times of day (such as mid-day) when there are very few other passengers for relatively short trips (less than 30 minutes).
Some parts of some cities have outdoor mask zones, such as downtown Chemnitz. Also, must be medical grade masks, not bandanas or cloth masks. All the lockdowns and mask requirements here are having a good impact on the Covid infection trend. Currently, this city has about 50 new Covid infections per week per 100,000 residents. Much better than many other cities in the US, especially compared to Arizona where I was living up until October.
That's brilliant. Germany is doing so much better than rest of Europe and the US. California needs to work towards better masks and less shutdowns of religious institutions.
Here in Germany, cloth masks, bandanas or other non-medical grade masks have been banned if you want to go inside any store (the few that are open like grocery or drug stores) or service (also the few that are open like medical care or vehicle repair). You must wear a FFP2 (Euro version of KN95 or N95) or a surgical medical grade mask. They are available with no problem at almost any drug store, pharmacy or many supermarkets.
I went to the local Lidl grocery store this morning, and I saw a bin of FFP2 masks for 88 Euro cents each (a bit more than $1 USD). I always keep a few with me in my winter jacket pockets. These are certified to the Euro standards for FFP2 masks, and seem to work well. I make sure they fit snug, and I can breathe OK with these for their intended use. I use these all the time when I am at any store or for example at a doctor's office. The same applies if I get on a train, which I only use occasionally at times of day (such as mid-day) when there are very few other passengers for relatively short trips (less than 30 minutes).
Some parts of some cities have outdoor mask zones, such as downtown Chemnitz. Also, must be medical grade masks, not bandanas or cloth masks. All the lockdowns and mask requirements here are having a good impact on the Covid infection trend. Currently, this city has about 50 new Covid infections per week per 100,000 residents. Much better than many other cities in the US, especially compared to Arizona where I was living up until October.
Interesting. I think it's a good idea, wish we had that here in the US. There's so much nonsense bickering here about masks though--became a political issue.
What I want to know is why have they not invented a mask with some sort of shape-fitting strip that auto-seals around the edges to stop air leakage, in a manner similar to the way rubber gadgets can seal a metal tube?
I bought a bunch of N95s before COVID hit to do some staining work. I still have a few left. I typically wear one when I'm out, covered by a regular surgical mask. I still see people wearing neck gators and cloth masks with their nose hanging out. Then people wonder why the numbers aren't going down.
What I want to know is why have they not invented a mask with some sort of shape-fitting strip that auto-seals around the edges to stop air leakage, in a manner similar to the way rubber gadgets can seal a metal tube?
Because it would cost to much, especially with significant numbers of people willing to go no further than pulling a neck gaiter up
I don't find the N95's to be comfortable at all. I am good with the triple layer cotton masks that I make at home. Glad to see that they are available for those that want them.
Oops - looks like everyone sold out!
I find the KN95's don't make my glasses fog up.
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