Community Chat

[Thats Me]

CDC guidelines says they can be re-used in rotation up to 5 times if they're not soiled and the elastic straps haven't stretched out. they need to dry out completely and then be rotated a few days between each re-use to allow any viral particles to die off. 

[Twins Mom]

Dear MIL passed away and funeral coming up in a week.  Really want to have access to N95 masks for immediate family.  I do want accredited masks, preferably made in USA but I may have to accept other.  Any guidance  appreciated.  My second option would probably be doubling surgical mask but I can imagine DH will vehemently object.  I made cloth masks with polypropylene and/or 2 layers of Pelon and two layers of tightly woven cotton.  I have trusted these but now don't know.

[goldensrbest]

@Twins Mom  Check home depot.

[LTT1]

@gertrudecloset 

google search:

"A study published in found that at room temperature, COVID-19 was detectable on fabric for up to two days, compared to seven days for plastic and metal. However, when it was exposed to high heat, the virus became inactive within five minutes." Aug 27, 2020

[LTT1]

@sometimesQVCaddict 

I'm curious... and I will look it up, but why use acpaper bag?

And hanging on the rear view mirror would provide uv rays and possibly high heat? (to inactivate the virus)

[Mindy D]

@Meowingkitty @True N95 masks lose their effectiveness over time due to moisrpture build up inside the mask. The no reuse thing is not just because of  the presence of pathogens on the outside of the mask, though that is another major consideration given for the avoidance of reuse.There's a couple pages about them. Look up NIOSH. 

[Mindy D]

@catwhisperer @True 95 masks rated and certified by NIOSH are not designed to be used with any other mask. Maybe K95 or Kn954s can be, I don't know. I read everything and watch every video on N95 masks on the CDC NIOSH pages and linked videos. 

[Mindy D]

@Jordan2 N95 was originally made here by 3M. Then our government allowed companies to submit their masks to stringent testing by NIOSH. Currently, there are about 30 companies that are making NIOSH certified N 95 masks. Some of the companies are here in the U.S. AllN95 masks must have two bands that are worn around the hear. You can go to the CDC and check if the masks you are buying are the real thing and you can also see videos and read the pages about the way these masks are tested. Certified masks are tested for specific uses. Technically, they are called respirators and not masks. 

KF94 is the Korean certified version of our N 95 masks. The Koreans allow ear loops. They undergo testing. If you can get ones that are not counterfeit, they are effective if fitted tightly to your face.

Kn95 are usually Chinese and do not require certification with stringent testing by  NIOSH. 

There are many counterfeit, phony, masks stamped with these designations. Many have holes in them. 

[songbird]

@Thats Me   Thank you for that infomation.  I got these through Amazon.  I thought you only wear them once.  

[Thats Me]

@songbird @Sure, of course! I'd post the link but it would get poofed, If you go to the CDC website and search re-using you'll see full information.