N95 Mask Co. Review: A Company That Makes Masks Available to Everyone

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• The CDC does not recommend medical-grade masks for the general public because they are in high demand by healthcare workers.
• But N95 Mask Co. has a production model that keeps them in stock for the healthcare industry and the general public.
• When I ordered three different masks from the company, the process was straightforward and shipping was extremely fast.
• This article has been medically reviewed by Aimee Desrosiers, PA-C, MS, MPH, an infectious disease physician in Washington, DC.

The United States – along with many other countries around the world – has been battling a pandemic since early 2020, and the battle continues as we head into 2021. As we wait for vaccination rates to rise and Infection rates are declining, we are taking the distance Wearing a mask in public remains two of the most important ways to reduce the spread of the virus.

By now we all know we should wear a mask, but let’s talk about the specific types of masks and Why they are recommended. The CDC recommends that everyone wear a cloth face mask in public, and its advice also advises against wearing medical-grade equipment like N95 respirators.

While these tips may seem counterintuitive, there’s a reason for it. Sheet masks can act as a barrier against respiratory droplets that travel through the air when you speak or sneeze, and are scientifically proven to reduce the risk of transmitting larger particles. N95 respirators, on the other hand, are medical grade masks that filter out 95% of small particles (0.3 microns) and are much more effective. Ordinary people are advised not to wear them in order to keep them for medical professionals who, knowingly or not, come into contact with positive cases on a daily basis at work.

But now a company called the N95 Mask Co. is making N95 respirators available to the public, and rather than pulling out the supplies that healthcare workers desperately need, their awesome production model is actually helping keep them in stock. .

Almost any textile company can produce sheet masks, but N95 masks are designed to meet exact specifications and regulations. This means that they cannot be made by your favorite t-shirt or jeans company using excess materials. Demand must be met by factories approved to produce them in accordance with guidelines from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), FDA and CDC.

However, factories that are licensed to produce them cannot simply increase production on a whim and slow it down when demand decreases. In order to consistently produce masks in high volume, companies like N95 Mask Co. need to ensure that a number of items are shipped out of factories daily, whether or not they are needed to fulfill existing orders. If products are not shipped, factors such as unpaid production costs and limited inventory space prevent factories from producing more.

Typically, factories produce smaller quantities to meet wholesale orders placed by hospitals (which comes with a lead time), but with a stable high volume production method, N95 Mask Co. can keep them readily available to the healthcare sector. and sell excess inventory to average consumers.

Instead of trying to get your second cousin’s wife’s sister, who happens to be a nurse, to grab masks from you in the supplies room, which keeps them away from the people who need them most, you can get them in good conscience at fair prices at N95 Mask Co. And when medical institutes run out of supplies, they won’t have much waiting time for restocking.

What is the difference between the N95 and KN95 masks?

The most notable difference is that the N95 is the US standard and the KN95 is the Chinese standard.

While the N95 and KN95 masks are both designed to filter out 95% of small particles (0.3 microns), the N95s are NIOSH approved. On the other hand, KN95 are not approved by NIOSH because they are regulated by the Chinese government. The FDA has granted emergency use authorization for certain KN95 masks as an alternative when N95s were not available, only if they met certain criteria. There is a considerable problem with counterfeit KN95s, so it is important to ensure that they are on the list of approved KN95 masks by the FDA. The biggest gift that a mask advertised as a KN95 is counterfeit is if it has a breathing valve.

Comparing the N95 and KN95, they perform very similarly, but there are a few minor differences in their standards, such as air leakage and breathability. These differences are minor and shouldn’t affect the average person who wears them in public places.

Another thing to note is that N95s are more expensive than KN95s because the latter cannot be worn by medical professionals in the United States as medical grade personal protective equipment (PPE).

Shopping at N95 Mask Co. is easy. The brand offers two styles of N95, as well as KN95, surgical masks and cloth masks. Whichever style you choose, you can buy in small packages or in bulk. For the purpose of this review, I ordered a few of the Respokare NIOSH N95, NIOSH Cup Style N95, and KN95. One day after placing my order, it has already arrived at my door, which was a pleasant surprise. Sure, it shipped from New York to New Jersey, but the super-fast shipping proves the company’s production model works. There was no long delay to process my order.

Shop all Coronavirus related masks and supplies now at N95 Mask Co.

Amir Ismael / initiate

The Respokare NIOSH N95 is the premium respiratory protection mask available from N95 Mask Co. viruses that penetrate through. The added technology brings its filtration rate to 99.9%.

At $ 49.99 for a four-pack, it’s also the more expensive option. This comes down to about $ 12.50 each.

Amir Ismael / initiate

The NIOSH Cup Style N95 closely mimics the design of 3M’s Cup Style N95s. The design allows for a comfortable fit for most adults. You won’t feel like the mask is directly against your nose, mouth, and face like other mask styles.

At $ 179.99 for a pack of 20, the smallest pack possible, they cost around $ 9 each.

Amir Ismael / initiate

If you don’t like the head and neck straps of both N95 models or are on a tighter budget, the KN95 goggle might be the best choice for you. It features elastic ear straps and an adjustable nose bridge.

You can get a 20 KN95 pack for $ 59.99, which comes to around $ 3 each. Buying in large quantities lowers the unit price even more.

Healthcare workers are likely to wear N95 up to five times, according to the CDC, if the manufacturer has not provided a specific recommendation. As an ordinary person, however, it’s safe to assume that your day-to-day interactions are far less risky than most healthcare workers. You shouldn’t feel like you have to throw away your N95 after a few low-risk actions like running into your apartment building lobby to check mail, opening your front door to pick up a food delivery, or walking into a nearly place. empty. grocery.

That said, you should definitely discard your mask if it becomes visibly dirty, if the head straps and nose bridge are worn or broken and no longer provide a secure fit, or if you have worn it in direct contact with someone. one who tested positive for COVID-19. You’ll also want to wash your hands thoroughly before removing your mask and storing it separately from other masks.

If you are concerned about preserving your N95 or KN95, I would recommend saving them for high risk situations like going to a doctor’s appointment in a hospital, flying on planes, or taking public transportation.

Although I have worn each style of the masks above, my personal thoughts shouldn’t affect which style (s) you decide to purchase.

I obviously can’t speak to their effectiveness with more authority than the NIOSH, FDA, and CDC, but they seem to be as good quality as other N95 masks I’ve worn. What I can say is how easy it was to shop and how quickly the items arrived. There is nothing worse than ordering something you really need and waiting weeks or months for it to be delivered, but with N95 Mask Co., you can expect your items on time. timely.

I contacted several hospitals who purchased masks from N95MaskCo. for comment on their experiences, but have not heard back in time for publication. I will update this story if and when I have any answers.