Mask suggestions for future proofing.

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#2851827 17-Jan-2022 07:24

Geektastic: 3M Aura masks are excellent @timmmay

Thanks. They're probably much better than surgical masks open at the side, but they're mostly P1 / P2 and P3 / N95 is recommended.

jonathan18

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#2851847 17-Jan-2022 09:08

timmmay:
Geektastic: 3M Aura masks are excellent @timmmay

Thanks. They're probably much better than surgical masks open at the side, but they're mostly P1 / P2 and P3 / N95 is recommended.

While I get the difference in relation to straps (behind the head vs ears) and therefore a tighter seal, is it worth sticking to only N95s vs the others? [Edit] This article suggests not:

“Although N95 is recommended by the medical sector over P2, there is very little difference in their ability to protect – it is mainly that the P2 is traditionally an industrial respirator standard, where N95 is a medical one, so the medical profession are more familiar with them.

“For the general consumer on the street, P2 are much more readily available and can be purchased from most hardware & DIY stores at a fair price.”

Considering KN95 and KN94 masks opens up a much wider range of options, though noting the issue above re small sizing (that can be solved via those silicone straps).

The reality is this can be a costly affair, especially when looking to buy for the whole family; if requirements or even expectations move away from cloth masks, how are many going to be able to afford decent masks?

Speaking of which, has anyone got specific recommendations for (and ideally links to) decent quality masks that meet one of these standards, don’t cost an arm and a leg, breathe ok, and are readily available (even if shipped from o/s)?

Edit - these seem to be reasonably priced for P2 masks - $50 for 50, including free shipping at the moment: https://respaguard.co.nz/ - seem ok?

neb

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#2852451 17-Jan-2022 20:00

timmmay:
@neb where did you get yours from? Their website says US$71 delivery using DHL, which makes mask $191 inc delivery or about $235 including an overlay.

Ah, this was when they were at the crowdfunding stage and USPS still worked, the shipping was a couple of dollars from memory and it looks like the prices have gone up a bit too. At that price I'd give them a miss unless you really feel you need one, they were great at the Kickstarter pricing level but that's getting pretty steep.

timmmay

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#2852471 17-Jan-2022 20:38

neb:
timmmay:

@neb where did you get yours from? Their website says US$71 delivery using DHL, which makes mask $191 inc delivery or about $235 including an overlay.

Ah, this was when they were at the crowdfunding stage and USPS still worked, the shipping was a couple of dollars from memory and it looks like the prices have gone up a bit too. At that price I'd give them a miss unless you really feel you need one, they were great at the Kickstarter pricing level but that's getting pretty steep.

According to Facebook they do mail things if you ask specially, but they don't publish that. The price is a bit steep but ok for the mask, but if you need refills they would be expensive to get. I read that they want to increase volume and drop the price by half, but they really need to deal with shipping costs or worldwide distribution if they want to scale.

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#2852473 17-Jan-2022 20:41

timmmay:
they really need to deal with shipping costs or worldwide distribution if they want to scale.

The killer is that USPS won't ship to NZ any more, for most countries this isn't a problem since they're still served by USPS.

Oblivian

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#2852479 17-Jan-2022 20:54

We're still getting things via certain express for a bit more. Just not standard.

Actually looks like more has opened

Effective Friday, January 14, 2022, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of the following services destined
to New Zealand:
• First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS)
• Commercial ePacket (CeP)
• International Priority Airmail (IPA) Packets
• International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Packets

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#2852480 17-Jan-2022 20:59

Oblivian: We're still getting things via certain express for a bit more. Just not standard.

Actually looks like more has opened

Effective Friday, January 14, 2022, the Postal Service™ will resume acceptance of the following services destined
to New Zealand:
• First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS)
• Commercial ePacket (CeP)
• International Priority Airmail (IPA) Packets
• International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Packets

That's actually more or less everything. Their naming is really screwed up, there is no "standard" mail, First-Class Package International Service is their standard package service and First-Class Mail International, the only one missing from that list, is for flat envelopes. So once Breathe99 update their records you should be able to get it shipped USPS again instead of paying for DHL.

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#2852481 17-Jan-2022 21:06

timmmay:

Thanks. They're probably much better than surgical masks open at the side, but they're mostly P1 / P2 and P3 / N95 is recommended.

P2 masks are the equivalent standard to N95. A P3 mask is not disposable, and much better filtration than an N95/P2 - but not suitable in our setting as the filters would need changing every day. When buying you want either P2 or N95. KN95 are probably fine - the Chinese standard, but are their standard and unchecked..

openmedia

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#2852482 17-Jan-2022 21:08

itxtme:

timmmay:

Thanks. They're probably much better than surgical masks open at the side, but they're mostly P1 / P2 and P3 / N95 is recommended.

P2 masks are the equivalent standard to N95. A P3 mask is not disposable, and much better filtration than an N95/P2 - but not suitable in our setting as the filters would need changing every day. When buying you want either P2 or N95. KN95 are probably fine - the Chinese standard, but are their standard and unchecked..

My issue is KN95 masks are too small and a lot of N95 masks also won't fit around my head.

I don't want additions or modifications, I simply want a mask I can use when needed.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

jonathan18

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#2852484 17-Jan-2022 21:23

openmedia:
My issue is KN95 masks are too small and a lot of N95 masks also won't fit around my head.

I don't want additions or modifications, I simply want a mask I can use when needed.

What about the P2 masks I linked to above?

https://respaguard.co.nz/

timmmay

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#2852485 17-Jan-2022 21:23

itxtme:

P2 masks are the equivalent standard to N95. A P3 mask is not disposable, and much better filtration than an N95/P2 - but not suitable in our setting as the filters would need changing every day. When buying you want either P2 or N95. KN95 are probably fine - the Chinese standard, but are their standard and unchecked..

Ah yep, I was out by one :)

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jonathan18

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#2853943 20-Jan-2022 10:07

jonathan18: Speaking of which, has anyone got specific recommendations for (and ideally links to) decent quality masks that meet one of these standards, don’t cost an arm and a leg, breathe ok, and are readily available (even if shipped from o/s)?

Edit - these seem to be reasonably priced for P2 masks - $50 for 50, including free shipping at the moment: https://respaguard.co.nz/ - seem ok?

I went to buy some of these masks a couple of days ago and found they’d stopped shipping for a week due to demand. Will look to buy some next week if they do start selling again, but in the interim are there really no decent-value/quality masks that people can recommend?

I heard today that the US Govt is giving away 400 million N95 masks through pharmacies and health centres, along with RATs via mail (though the former is limited to four per household) - I sure hope something along these lines is planned for NZ to ensure access isn’t restricted by income…