OneEyedDiva
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I said this over a year ago. I got my first KN95 as a gift from the program that was delivering free meals to seniors in 2020. I was so happy with it that I ordered several boxes so now I have them in white, black, cranberry, navy and yellow. The yellow ones which I got from Ebay are similar in thickness to medical masks, so glad I only ordered 10. I only wear them for quick trips to the dumpster or mail box. Like the regular medical masks, when I wear the yellow masks I feel like I'm breathing in mask and can only tolerate that for a few minutes. I have custom made cloth masks too. My honorary daughter (HD) makes beautiful ones and they are made well. She adds extra protection by using 5 layers but with some of them, I also feel like I'm breathing in mask. The sturdy KN95s are the only masks I can wear comfortably for hours. I realize that some people can't tolerate them...my son being one. He pointed out that our difference in facial structure is why they don't fit as comfortably on him so he prefers HD's masks.
The KN95s hug my cheeks and there's no gaps which helps me feel safe. I feel they've contributed to me avoiding COVID infection for two years. What kind of masks do you wear (prefer)? This article says now is really not the time to be wearing cloth masks (I believe the ones my HD makes would be an exception). An article I read which for some odd reason I can't link here explained that if you can blow out a candle through your mask, it is not providing enough protection. A long time ago I read that masks should be stored in paper bags, not plastic, but this article says to reuse them, store them in ziplock bags. I have been spraying mine with peroxide and letting them dry before storing. Since the link doesn't work...here's the text:
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — With COVID-19 infection numbers jumping from the Omicron variant, it’s a good time to consider or maybe reconsider what mask you are wearing to protect yourself and those around you.
Sparkly masks, superhero masks — there are many choices, but experts say it’s not about fashion. We need the best protection when it comes to the super contagious Omicron strain.
“This is not the time to be wearing a cloth mask. I know it’s cold outside, but you do not want to use your scarf as your mask. They’re really not doing anything, both from a physical barrier standpoint,” said Dr. Geeta Nayyar, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami.
She says the gold standard for protection is an N95 face mask.
“The KN95 or N95, that 95 really stands for keeping out 95% of particles, so Omicron falls into that category,” she said.
Some New Yorkers who spoke to CBS2’s Thalia Perez are already making the switch.
“I used to have the cloth ones, and I just changed,” Queens resident Helaine Samuels said.
“I think it has a little bit more protection than the regular surgical mask, so I try to use them as much as I can,” Queens resident Sharrell Lee said.
But it’s so important, Nayyar says, to make sure it forms a seal against your face and nose, preventing any particle penetration around the edges.
She also says to use the N95 face masks without front valves or openings because they may actually propel germs further through the open valves.
Nayyar says if you choose to wear a 3-ply mask, double up because two surgical medical grade masks are better than one.
Another tip — reusing your mask is OK.
“When you take it off, put it in a Ziploc bag. Keep it in a room temperature room,” Nayyar said.
If you want to know how effective your mask is, some experts say there’s one simple test.
“You can do a very quick test by maybe taking a candle. Put your mask on. If you can blow out that candle through your mask, it’s probably letting aerosols through,” epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that proper mask wearing regardless of vaccination status is one way we can all stay safe.
Doctors say a cloth mask or any other face covering is better than wearing no mask at all.
CBS2’s Thalia Perez contributed to this report, which originally appeared on Dec. 30, 2021.
The KN95s hug my cheeks and there's no gaps which helps me feel safe. I feel they've contributed to me avoiding COVID infection for two years. What kind of masks do you wear (prefer)? This article says now is really not the time to be wearing cloth masks (I believe the ones my HD makes would be an exception). An article I read which for some odd reason I can't link here explained that if you can blow out a candle through your mask, it is not providing enough protection. A long time ago I read that masks should be stored in paper bags, not plastic, but this article says to reuse them, store them in ziplock bags. I have been spraying mine with peroxide and letting them dry before storing. Since the link doesn't work...here's the text:
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — With COVID-19 infection numbers jumping from the Omicron variant, it’s a good time to consider or maybe reconsider what mask you are wearing to protect yourself and those around you.
Sparkly masks, superhero masks — there are many choices, but experts say it’s not about fashion. We need the best protection when it comes to the super contagious Omicron strain.
“This is not the time to be wearing a cloth mask. I know it’s cold outside, but you do not want to use your scarf as your mask. They’re really not doing anything, both from a physical barrier standpoint,” said Dr. Geeta Nayyar, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami.
She says the gold standard for protection is an N95 face mask.
“The KN95 or N95, that 95 really stands for keeping out 95% of particles, so Omicron falls into that category,” she said.
Some New Yorkers who spoke to CBS2’s Thalia Perez are already making the switch.
“I used to have the cloth ones, and I just changed,” Queens resident Helaine Samuels said.
“I think it has a little bit more protection than the regular surgical mask, so I try to use them as much as I can,” Queens resident Sharrell Lee said.
But it’s so important, Nayyar says, to make sure it forms a seal against your face and nose, preventing any particle penetration around the edges.
She also says to use the N95 face masks without front valves or openings because they may actually propel germs further through the open valves.
Nayyar says if you choose to wear a 3-ply mask, double up because two surgical medical grade masks are better than one.
Another tip — reusing your mask is OK.
“When you take it off, put it in a Ziploc bag. Keep it in a room temperature room,” Nayyar said.
If you want to know how effective your mask is, some experts say there’s one simple test.
“You can do a very quick test by maybe taking a candle. Put your mask on. If you can blow out that candle through your mask, it’s probably letting aerosols through,” epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that proper mask wearing regardless of vaccination status is one way we can all stay safe.
Doctors say a cloth mask or any other face covering is better than wearing no mask at all.
CBS2’s Thalia Perez contributed to this report, which originally appeared on Dec. 30, 2021.
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