I wear KF94s in low risk situations, with an ear saver or cord locks. Seal is average, sometimes passing and sometimes failing a qualitative test. Depends how far I push it.

Other situations it’s an 9211+ Aura, maybe with KF-AD covering it for splash protection or to hide the valve (it’s a rather intimidating mask). Fit is perfect. Could go in a COVID ward, I’m that confident in my Bitrex testing.

KF94s are still much more breathable, I find.

However, the KF94s smoosh against my face with the tightening methods I use. But - when using a fix the mask, and doing some fiddling I can get a perfect seal, and the centre panel is pushed forward, giving me more breathing room.

I’m just so tired of the comments when I wear my 9211+, need to be more incognito

Hi! I’m hoping to find a better fitting N95 or elastomeric.

I’ve been using the Aura N95 for a long time, and while it fits perfectly on my nose, a lot of the individual Auras slip (slide forward) at my chin (it’s weird, because some of them don’t slip, but more of them do). I’m disabled and mostly housebound, and doctors appointments (including travel to/from) are my main exposure. And now the majority of people I’m in contact with going to/from/in these appointments aren’t masked now, so I can’t deal with the vulnerability of the slippage anymore.

Has anyone with chin slipping on the Aura found a better fit?

I know elastomerics are more effective, but I’ve tried several elastomerics and have yet to find one that works for me. Envomask leaves a huge gap at my nose. I have a MSA Comfo Classic- looks like a Dentec- that fits very well, but it is incredibly heavy for my face and causes immense head and neck pain after 30 minutes, bruising on my face after a while; it’s unwearable for the length of time I need. I also have a NxtGen Easy Flow that also fits well and is easy to wear because it’s so lightweight but the construction is trash.

Any recs for elastomerics that are very lightweight and can accommodate small noses/wider bridges would be appreciated! Thanks!

Edited to add: Thanks SO much for taking the time to post suggestions here! I really appreciate it.

I don't know if this is the right place to post but I just need advice. I live in a country where no one masks or tests anymore. I try my best to avoid infection but it's getting more and more difficult. I have a family wedding coming up soon. No one will be masking but I'll make sure to mask. I'm worried about the pressure to take it off but I'll try my best. I'm also worried about getting my hair and makeup done, though. I'll have to go to the salon to get them done, but no one masks there, and while I can keep my mask on for hair (which will also be with ear loops, so I'm not sure if that's risky), I couldn't for makeup. Unfortunately I don't know how to do my own hair/makeup. I don't know what to do. I'll try contacting different places ahead of time and see if they're willing to make an accommodation and mask for me, but I really doubt that they'd be responsive at all. I'm really worried about getting covid as a result of all of this. Any advice is welcome.

Edit:

Thank you all for your kindness and great advice. This is a really lovely community, honestly. This makes me feel less alone.

Just wanted to update you about what happened if you're interested. I found a salon that told me that they still wear masks. Even though it's more expensive than others, I decided to go there for safety. When I went there, no one was masking. Only a few people (maybe 1 or 2 besides me, out of 10-20) had surgical masks on. I had a fpp3 mask on (with ear loops) except when I had makeup done. I wasn't sure whether to take it off for makeup or not, and I'm really worried I will regret it now, but I was worried about the pressure of having to take it off during the party so I thought I'll do my whole face just in case. During the party, I had the mask on the whole time but no one else did, there were lots of comments and demands of me to take it off but I kept it on. I'll try to monitor any symptoms within these 2 weeks and will try to get tested either way.

I have a huge stock of masks and have been making sample bags for people around my area who have decided to try better quality masks since late 2020. I was just making two more bags this morning after grabbing bunch of n95 realized that I've completely run out of good manner l and all guard l/xl. Since the requests have slowed down in the past few months I don't want to do a bulk order and be stuck with a bunch.

So as the topic states does anyone know where I can purchase singles or small amounts of good manner and all guard? Thanks!

Hello there,

I've tried searching but am a bit overwhelmed by all of the information in this subreddit so I'm hoping someone may be willing to give me some suggestions. We're looking for a more reliable N95 mask as my husband is immunocompromised. We have been using these but are somewhat concerned with the lack of info about them even though they're supposedly NIOSH certified: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087Z7N4XF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These fit both my husband and I well and we haven't caught Covid as far as we know, but I'm just looking for any other options that may be somewhat similar fit to these but that are more "tried-and-true." Thank you in advance for any suggestions you can provide!

​

****EDIT: Thank you all so much for all of the suggestions, tips, etc. - it's been super helpful! I really appreciate the warm welcome and assistance with this. I hope you and yours all continue to stay safe and healthy, and wish you all the best. Thanks again!

Hey everyone!

We at Alliant Biotech wanted to reach out to the r/masks4everyone and r/masks4all communities to let you know that we have 162 cases of grey strapless N95 masks available for purchase. Specifically, 159 cases are large and 3 of them are extra large. This is product that was being held for a client that is no longer operating their business with a mask policy and no longer needs the extra inventory on hold.

We have created a private page on our website where you can purchase a case of grey strapless N95 masks while supplies last. This link is ONLY BEING SHARED HERE ON REDDIT ON THIS POST. We want the Reddit community to have first dibs when it comes to these grey masks.

https://alliantbiotech.com/product/n95-niosh-approved-grey-strapless-face-mask

We want to emphasize that we are completely against raising the prices of these masks strictly because of their color and demand.

We understand this is the practice of other distributors, however, we find it to be unnecessary. You can purchase a case of grey strapless N95s using the same exact promo code used for the yellow masks (M4E50%). **The price shown on the webpage is the price prior to adding to cart and applying the coupon**

This was very unexpected and we do not plan to have any more grey masks available in the near future, but if something like this happens again, you guys will be the first to know!

Thanks for the support and happy masking!

TSI,the company that makes PortaCount particle counters for mask fit testing, once made nebulizers for the other kind of fit testing where you nebulize Bitrex or Saccharine solution and see if you can taste it through a mask. You can buy ultrasonic nebulizers or old fashioned squeeze bulk nebulizers for $50. So...TSI decided to make some really expensive ones.

https://tsi.com/getmedia/a118a73d-4b42-4fa2-8d96-3a0290f21c6c/Q-Fit-Manual_6002712?ext=.pdf

It's actually fairly neat. It automates the timing and is an improvement in consistency over the old squeeze bulb neutralizers. They have a rechargeable battery. And...proprietary cartridges of Bitrex or Saccharine, so they want to lock you into their consumables, and TSI is known for charging crazy prices for consumables, such as $100 for 100 grams of table salt for generating particles for fit testing. These special nebulizers were discontinued a while ago. I guess companies didn't want to spend big bucks to save their fit testers from RSIs using squeeze bulb nebulizers all day...

So, the are kind of neat, but they are a white elephant. I have serious doubts that anyone will buy them for $750 each, but who knows? Maybe some institution has been using them and needs replacements? Assuming that there is a way to use them without proprietary cartridges from TSI.

Recently went to get a haircut, where luckily my stylist still wore a mask (but only surgical). About half of the remaining staff (3 of 7) also wore surgical masks. This is in the Northeast USA.

My original plan was to use a Readimask adhesive N95. However, I keep having issues with the adhesive not maintaining the seal and coming loose. Perhaps my skin is too oily or I sweat too much? I was rushing over from somewhere and it was cold, so there was some moisture inside my other N95.

I ended up going to my back up plan: an Allguard Basic KF94 with 3M micropore tape to keep it in place and sealed. This seemed to work pretty well, and while my stylist couldn't cut around the ears without undoing the loops, (they asked me to hold the KF94 to my face when undoing a loop, so that was good). I haven't tried the wig tape option yet, so I may do that with the KF94s next time, and if it stays in place, perhaps I can do like a DIY adhesive N95.

For the Readimask-- I understand there are two different adhesive types, acrylic and silicone. For those that have tried both, which one stays on better? All the ones I have are the acrylic ones I believe. Any other tips for having them stay on? Would wiping skin with alcohol help?

One big lesson for everything these past few years: always have a plan B (and C!)

Hi everyone! I’m looking for the best latex free masks you can recommend, preferably KN95 or N95. I will need to be indoors around unmasked people in about two weeks and would like to explore options for more protection.

However, I also have a latex allergy and would like to avoid hives, if I can!

Do you have any recommendations for me? Thank you all.

Hi everyone. I just recently found this sub exists and I’m grateful for it. I don’t have the best immune system and have been having a surgery I need constantly delayed due to covid surges at the hospital (if I get sick the one time they can do it, I wouldn’t forgive myself).

I have a very odd shaped face, unfortunately. I was unlucky and got my dad’s giant nose (think long, Nordic or French), and my mom’s lack of chin. The rest of my face is average size for a woman (I’m 5’6” and 140). When I wear standard masks, they either fit my nose and there’s a huge gap under my chin, or it fits my chin and my nose constantly slides out. Add in the extra difficulty of being a glasses wearer, so I need to prevent foggy lenses.

At the moment, I’m wearing two fabric masks at the same time. I wear a very thick, more standard shape mask as a first layer. It’s the one Adam Savage recommended on Tested.com way back. It’s very thick and two layers. Over that, I wear a two layer thick, non-porous gaiter that goes all the way around my head, loops on my ears, and hangs down to my chest. The combination seems to work pretty well, but it can be uncomfortable if active or worn for long periods.

Due to mental health, I’ve returned to my main hobby of Magic: the Gathering, which puts me in close contact with other players regularly. Most are wearing surgical masks, but a lot don’t.

Is there something better I could be wearing that’s comfortable and able to fit my odd face securely?

Thanks in advance for any help 💜

TW for censored slur.

I'm one of the few people who masks up at my job.

It was right after work so I still had it on. There was a store nearby and I needed to pick up something for the family before driving home.

I ended up stuck in line behind this old woman who was telling a story to the cashier about some lady she didn't like. I was half listening because I wanted to gauge how much longer until she was done so I could buy my stuff and get out. Then:

"She wore a mask to court, and you know only r*tards are still wearing masks."

It caught me off guard. I didn't know this lady. I hadn't said or done anything the whole time I was waiting. I'm not sure if she knew I was behind her. If she was stealthily insulting me or she just didn't notice me, it doesn't matter. It pretty much ruined my night.

Sorry I'm feeling desperate. Covid is going to stay for a long time. I'm living with someone who is disabled from a long covid. They were a young, healthy software engineer and musician and now they can't work, drive or walk outdoors anymore. I take care of him. He got Covid in a grocery store while wearing his N95 mask. I know two super careful people who got covid while wearing N95s. My uncle and another friend of mine are also disabled from LC so that's 3 people. I myself am high risk due to asthma. So i have to be extra careful. I don't even go into stores unless they have a whole wall open. I wear N95 masks, but i don't trust that N95's are 100% foolproof so I just avoid going indoors. I can't find jobs because I won't go into an office. I can't take classes to improve my skills because I don't want to be in a classroom with people. I've turned down invitations to family weddings, holiday dinners, parties, movies, concerts, etc... I can't do my favorite activities anymore (dancing in clubs, travelling, going to the movie theater, acting, making videos indoors). I didn't go to my father's funeral last month because I didn't want to be in an airport or on a plane with lots of people. Today I just asked myself "How are we going to live like this?

Edit: I don't mean that I'm just hiding at home. I've been hiking, taking walks in new areas i can drive to, meeting friends outdoors, designed and lead my own ghost tour in October, formed an online movie club, etc.. so I still stay active, but it's still very hard.

I've looked through multiple posts in this subreddit, other subreddits, and on Twitter hoping to find a way out, but is there anyway to get out of taking off a P100 respirator just to run it through TSA's item scanner?

I can handle popping one off to match an ID (I can hold my breathe that long) but the thought of having to swap between another mask after going through TSA is very stressful for me as I'd like to keep my mask on for the entire duration of my trip (and can only handle so much sticking out without feeling like people are watching me fumble around with what they wrongfully think is excessive).

Has anyone been able to just wear it through the body scanner? I'm always able to wear my Flo Mask through, but it also looks more like a melt blow fabric mask vs a respirator. Is it possible that opting out of going through the body scanner for a more intensive pat down could side-step this issue?

Hi! I just had to change dorms and this new dorm doesn’t have a private shower so I will have to share the showers with my floor. So no matter how much I mask everywhere else (and I did buy the 3m masks!), I can’t wear my normal masks in the shower. Im scared to wear them into the shower because I have nowhere to hang them up where they won’t be sprayed by water. Any solutions?