Washington post article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/01/10/cdc-weighs-n95-kn95-masks-guidance-omicron/
"Agency is likely to say that people who can consistently wear N95 or KN95 masks, rather than cloth masks, should do so".
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering updating its mask guidance to recommend that people opt for the highly protective N95 or KN95 masks worn by health-care personnel, if they can do so consistently, said an official close to the deliberations who was not authorized to speak publicly."
"The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing to update its website to best reflect the mask options available to people and the different levels of protection they provide, a CDC official told CNN.
The agency continues to recommend that any mask is better than no mask, the official said. The update is expected later this week, according to the official.
The agency has not indicated if the updated masks page will say that if people can tolerate wearing a KN95 or N95 mask all day, they should. The Washington Post reported Monday that the agency is considering such an update.
What the guidance says now: The current guidance, last updated in October 2021, does not favor N95 or KN95 masks, which require a proper fit and may feel harder to breathe through than a cloth mask, according to the CDC. While the CDC still recommends three-ply cloth masks, many experts say they aren't adequate, especially given how easily the Omicron variant spreads."
From CNN live updating page here:
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-11-22/index.html
I was seeing this on the NBC Nightly News tonight. They mentioned this website:
https://www.projectn95.org/
https://twitter.com/projectn95
But I can't vouch for it, I don't know anything about it.
I was looking at info and saw this USA Today page about N95 and KN95:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/reviewed/2022/01/11/n-95-kn-95-masks-heres-where-you-can-buy-them-online/9158773002/
(the links to buy masks they earn a commission on, just posting for some of the info on the two at the top)
The news tonight seemed to indicate that they are more widely available now, not sure if that was the N95, KN95 or both, but from a bit of checking I see most places out of N95's. I didn't think anyone had them, I gave up possibly getting some a long time ago.
I was going to post that Home Depot had some available for delivery but by the time I typed this post they were out:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Aura-Particulate-Respirator-N95-Foldable-10-Pack-9205P-10-DC/316909322
Again, can't vouch for them but they seemed like they were being sold by them and they were on the CDC's list:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1.html
So if someone wants some, check that and other places occasionally.
I still haven't bought any. You have to make sure they fit properly and I don't know how easy that is to do. If I do buy some, I would probably wear a couple masks over it. (like one of the cheap surgical like masks and a cloth mask I have with a paper like filter) I'm not saying that's a good idea, haven't read anything about that, just something I might do if I were to ever get them.
CDC info on Types of Masks and Respirators:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html
Of note: "BE AWARE: About 60% KN95 respirators in the United States are counterfeit (fake) and DO NOT meet NIOSH requirements."
On another page:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
It still says:
"DO NOT choose masks that"
And under that a list that includes:
"Are specially labeled "surgical" N95 respirators, as those should be prioritized for healthcare personnel"
So that would be what might change soon. That was kind of why I was holding off too. We should be making enough masks by now, like tests.
I've seen KN95 masks around for awhile, but I would personally not trust any of them. I know there is a massive number of fake masks out there so make sure you don't get scammed on those. Not sure how you could tell. You can't trust everything you see on Amazon. |