While COVID-19 hospitalizations have plateaued and masking mandates are not currently in effect, the spread of a new Pirola variant is bringing up concerns about whether masking may be a safe option for the coming winter season. Even though the BA.2 .86 variant, nicknamed “Pirola”, has not yet even hit New York, the CDC said on August 23 that the past trends of Covid-19 variants show that it will likely end up in the U.S. as the year progresses. If you want to get ahead of the curve and prepare for the cold, flu, and Covid season to come, we’re reminding our readers once again that it might be a good time to invest in re-upping your home supply of face masks.
In Oregon and nationwide, the N95 and KN95 medical masks that experts have said offer the best protection from the virus are well-stocked and available to the general public in stores and online. With some theatres, venues, schools, businesses, and eateries considering whether to reinstate restrictions again due to the rise this variant that is already spreading across the UK, it’s a good idea to stock up on the kind of masks and top-rated Covid tests that will help best protect you and your family before event season is fully underway.
N95 vs. KN95 FACE MASK: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
While both masks are considered very effective in protecting wearers from the transfer of aerosol particulates, filtering out up to 95%, KN95 masks are simply considered the foreign equivalent of N95 masks. The difference between the two has to do with which regulating bodies oversee and test the effectiveness of these masks. N95 masks have been tested and approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Because KN95 masks aren’t overseen and vetted by NIOSH, they aren’t considered as effective as the U.S.-certified N95 masks.
Be wary of N95 masks with valves fixed to the outside. While these masks protect the wearer from inhaling particulates, they do not prevent transmission of the virus out of the mask by the wearer through the valve. It should be noted that most masks or respirators with valves are not recommended options for the general public unless they are certified by NIOSH and/or the FDA as a surgical grade mask. If you are wearing a mask with a valve like the 3M 8511 model respirator, you must cover the valve with tape or a secondary mask.
Another big difference between N95 and KN95 masks is the price point. Since KN95 aren’t actually certified by NIOSH, they usually come at a lower financial cost than high-grade N95 masks.
Whether you’re looking for packs of N95 masks, KN95 masks, or both to provide protection during the proected rise in Covid-19 Pirola cases, here are some great options for available masks that can be quickly delivered and are in stock now.
THE BEST N95 & KN95 FACE MASKS ON AMAZON
If you have an Amazon Prime account, this is one of the best ways to get masks as fast as possible with free two-day shipping. With various different brands of KN95 and N95 masks in stock online now, there are a couple of different options that combine good ratings, reasonable prices, and effective protection:
• Kimberly-Clark N95 pouch respirator masks are considered one of the better N95 mask options on Amazon right now. With a big “breathing chamber” and bendable front feature to add comfort and avoid that squished-nose feeling, their US made masks go for around $43 for a pack of 50 masks.
• If you’re concerned with mask size, shape, and color, these discreet and simple black AccuMed BNX N95 masks are made in the United States and come in packs of 10 NIOSH approved masks for $16.99 (that’s only $1.70 per mask) and have 5 layers of filter in each.
• MISSAA KN95 Face Masks for Kids, also available on Amazon, are a good way to help encourage children to wear masks at the grocery store, playdates, or at school—especially if they don’t want to. They come in kids’ sizes featuring exciting bright patterns like tie dye, starry nights, fish, donuts, and checkers to create some excitement about mask-wearing.
WHERE ELSE TO BUY N95 & KN95 FACE MASKS AT THE BEST PRICES
• If you are looking to sift through and find the best N95 or KN95 mask styles to fit your face, or just want a variety of price points to pick from, N95 Medical Supplies has a plethora of styles to choose from in small or large quantities. They are one of the top retailers of N95 masks, so they have a huge inventory and rarely sell out of the masks they carry.
• Well Before has a mix of N95 masks available and most cost under $5 each. The Makrite Sekura respirator folding masks are on sale for $1.99 each. N95 Medical Supplies sells a 20-box of N95 masks for $60 and these are NIOSH-certified and USA-made.
READ MORE ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS:
• Top-rated COVID-19 test kits on sale cheap with same day shipping during Amazon flash sale today
• FDA clears COVID booster shot for healthy kids ages 5 to 11
• You can now get more free COVID-19 tests from the government with the click of a button
• What suburban Portland school districts say about their ventilation rates
• Dire warning on COVID-19 issued by top White House official seeking more money for vaccines