Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

npr.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 232 posts

Re: Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

#41

Post by NDizzle »

04rob wrote: post #18
spicybright wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Beards and thick facial hair severely compromises the effectiveness of an N95. When I was an EMT we got fitted for them in case we had to transport patients with tuberculosis or other aliments. Firefighters and other emergency responders are generally required to shave for this reason.

This has been studied. A beard does compromise the seal, but to a lesser extent on n95s than in other masks: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34006963/

0 to 10mm!? Some study. That’s barely a beard. Loses 40% effectivenes at 10mm.

Re: Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

#42

Post by linsomniac »

colechristensen wrote: post #28

I really don’t see the point unless you’re immune compromised or at some other high risk. Omicron is the evolutionary result you wait for, better at spreading and less health impact so it significantly outcompetes other variants (it has, something like 95% of infections). Peak omicron is coming withina master of days or already passed across the US. It’s virulence is such that you can only delay not expect to forever…

Dude, honestly, going out shopping during the cold and flu season without a mask, seems a little gross. And, at least around here, it's super cold and flu and covid season right now...

Re: Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

#43

Post by nradov »

ebrewste wrote: post #38
colechristensen wrote: post #28

I really don’t see the point unless you’re immune compromised or at some other high risk. Omicron is the evolutionary result you wait for, better at spreading and less health impact so it significantly outcompetes other variants (it has, something like 95% of infections). Peak omicron is coming withina master of days or already passed across the US. It’s virulence is such that you can only delay not expect to forever…

There are no vaccines for those under five years old. It appears it’s too much effort for everyone wear a mask until we get a vaccine for all. I used to think that this was how most people thought and behaved, but now it is confirmed clearly for me.

Fortunately CDC data clearly shows that there is no significant risk for those under five years old. COVID-19 is less dangerous to them than other common viruses such as RSV.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/burd...

https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00443.asp

Re: Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

#46

Post by jorblumesea »

It's mind blowing how 3 years into a pandemic, we're just having the conversation about N95 and mask fit vs kn95 vs cloth mask. What a huge miss in public health. Should have been done summer 2020.

The most effective, cheapest solution was just to wear a properly fitted n95. Sure, vaccines good, retrovirals, yes, but this should have been done long ago. Given the airborne and aerosolized nature having a real mask would have gone a long way to reduce community spread. This was a known thing, not new science.

I think the issue is sadly political, once masks became a lightning rod, the idea of more mask guidance or more restrictive masks became a problem. Hard enough to get people wearing masks in the first place.

Re: Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

#47

Post by cjonas »

colechristensen wrote: post #28

I really don’t see the point unless you’re immune compromised or at some other high risk. Omicron is the evolutionary result you wait for, better at spreading and less health impact so it significantly outcompetes other variants (it has, something like 95% of infections). Peak omicron is coming withina master of days or already passed across the US. It’s virulence is such that you can only delay not expect to forever…

This is spot on. I'm really hoping omicron will be the wave that finally helps achieve some level of "herd immunity". It's sad that we had the opportunity to do so via vaccination but failed to capitalize. However a variant with high transmission and low chance of severe symptoms is the next best thing

Re: Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

#49

Post by TylerE »

hedgehog wrote: post #36
TylerE wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep, and they've gone up... they were about $1.20/ea when I bought my last batch. I've been buying them from ISP: https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/3m-9210-aura-n95-pa... (As a bonus, they have the 9210, which has better straps, retail you generally only see the 9205, which is ok too, but the straps are just rubber bands and they don't fit as securely.

The Auras are great to wear but the straps on the 9205s really are flimsy and often fail after only a couple uses. 9210 is worthwhile if you can get them.

Yeah, I dunno why 3M even makes the 9205 TBH, the 9210 is just so much better, and while the 9210 are harder to find, when you can there doesn't seem to be a meaningful price difference.

Re: Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well

#50

Post by robbrown451 »

colechristensen wrote: post #28

I really don’t see the point unless you’re immune compromised or at some other high risk. Omicron is the evolutionary result you wait for, better at spreading and less health impact so it significantly outcompetes other variants (it has, something like 95% of infections). Peak omicron is coming withina master of days or already passed across the US. It’s virulence is such that you can only delay not expect to forever…

I don't think we lost, we developed a vaccine which reduces your chance of death by a factor of 20. (probably more than that if you are reasonably healthy) That's a win in my book.

I am rapidly becoming in the "vaxxed and done" camp.... happy to get vaccinated and boosted as many times as necessary. But after two years, this is no longer an emergency situation for the vaccinated. It is simply not a big risk anymore. All kinds of things are bigger risks.

I'm willing to wear a mask for a few more weeks but after that (when they say the surge will be mostly over), there is no point anymore.

Post reply on HN