Fashion
How To Get An N95 Mask
After nearly two years of hectoring its subjects over the need to wear cloth masks in any and all public spaces, the U.S. government now says that cloth masks are basically worthless. I wouldn’t through out your cloth masks just yet—who knows when the guidance will change again—but you do need to procure other types of masks just to be safe. Airlines already banned gaiter and bandana masks, your cloth one may be next.
With that in mind, Biden administration announced that it will be sending N95 masks to pharmacies across the country. In theory, each person will be eligible to obtain three free masks. As we saw with the pre-Christmas at-home Covid test rush, it is very possible they will be out of stock when you try to claim yours. You should probably be making other arrangements.
Previously at We Know Products, we took a look at KF94 masks to see if they were more effective than KN95s. The verdict? Both types of masks are perfectly cromulent—less comfortable but more effective than cloth masks, less effective but more readily available than NIOSH-approved N95 masks.
Check out that post for some of the top KF94 options. As far as N95s are concerned, your Amazon options are few and far between. The bestsellers are pricey and not eligible for Amazon Prime delivery:
Unfortunately, Amazon pretty much only lets the Chinese sell “NIOSH-approved N95 masks,” so there is always an inherent risk in purchasing them. We will let our readers know if and when they ever let American companies sell U.S.-made N95 masks. I wouldn’t hold my breath.