Those n95 masks.....

Are those N95 masks better than N99 masks?

No. N99 are better but they're hard to find. They have to be worn and fitted correctly or you may as well go naked

There are a ton of fake mask on the market.

Better for what purpose?

Never seen the N99 but our ambulance crew were all fitted with the N95 back in May. Not one person on our crew passed the smell/taste test. Not one. Needless to say we dont wear them or any other mask. The cloth masks people are wearing are for looks only.

Might be a good idea to stock up on those as I imagine the Harris administration will require 24/7 masks while locked down for the next four years.

Most people have never taken the test. I have many times and aside from a full face mask I've never been able to pass. I can taste that crap just thinking about it!

What's the smell taste test all about?

Not to ask a stupid question but why dont you wear them as an ambulance crew?

The smell of coconut is frequently lost I read.

Basically, a smoke is used to see if your mask is sealing around your face. If you can smell or taste it it ain't working.

Banana oil is another common test. Uncle Sam used CS gas on us vets. LOL

I just got a box of 3M ..N95 masks.....for my work. They have an exhaust button on the front...not Covid friendly

Hard to get most are going to hospitals and first responders hard to understand how the first Sherman tanks were coming off the assembly lines 3 months after WW 2 got going and we could build an aircraft carrier in a month but we cant get enough masks.

I always smile a bit when I see people wearing N-95’s in public. Beards and all they’re virtually worthless. I couldn’t pass the fit test (where they check the seal) with even a 5 o clock shadow. Have to shave every day for it to be effective for me.

Because they dont work. Read my post. We were all fitted, but none of us passed the smell taste test....that means the masks failed..

We used to manufacture our own stuff.

When mask dont fit properly they actually put you at increased risk.

wearing any of the masks put you at increased risks. especially if you're reusing a mask and not cleaning it. you cant properly clean it with your home washer and dryer.

And don't gain or lose any weight, either. That can screw up your fit.

I remember that.

NO !

I conduct fit testing with the N95 and they do need to fit properly to work. Just to clarify, the N95 does not prevent you from smelling anything. If you taste the solution then the mask does not fit properly, either the nasal bridge needs to be better fitted around the nose, it's the wrong size, or you're just SOL and need a PAPR.

Personally, I failed with the hospital grade N95, but brought some in from home and passed with that 3M model. It is also recommended to be fit tested annually or after weight gain/loss of more than 10 lbs, as that may change how the mask fits.

Like it or not, masks and social distancing do work.