I’m getting to the point where I need to restock. I remember there was an uproar a couple months back when RFK Jr ended NIOSH? Did this change where anyone bought masks. I had been buying the 3m auras before, is this still considered the gold standard?
My understanding is that 3M auras are still the gold standard, but I personally use real KN95’s since they’re cheaper while also being black. NBC has a best masks list that they updated this very month, with purchase links to independent non-Amazon websites, but it’s all KN95’s.
Unfortunately it seems I need that nose foam to be able to get the mask to fit around my nose. Or at least that’s how it seems, I’ve had a lot of trouble with kn95s in the past. Unless you know of one with nose foam?
I love these kn95s - with nose foam and adjustable ear loops: https://wellbefore.com/products/3d-kf94-style-kn95-pro-mask-with-adjustable-ear-loops
nah, I don’t think any have nose foam, sorry. they fit me quite well, luckily
https://www.amazon.com/Aura-Particulate-Respirator-Mask-White/dp/B08J1THV9G
This is a link for the 440 count box from Amazon’s liquidation seller Woot. It should be noted that they will be expired or almost expiring but that’s more of a NIOSH standard thing or something rather an indication of their continued function. Most mask blocs are buying warehouse liquidations of expired masks. The electrostatic filtration aspect should still be healthy, what you need to watch out for is degradation of the elastic and nose foam.
These are also what I get. I pack extras in my purse in case the straps break or the foam is uncooperative; it has happened only once so far to my partner during an 8-hour shift at work.
Yeah those are the ones I got. They are fine. Note they have rubber bands rather than elastic. I’ve had trouble in the past with the bands breaking, so I thought maybe these would break even more easily. But I haven’t had trouble.
If the rubber band breaks it’s usually at the very end, so you can fix the mask by prying out the staple that holds in that end of the band, and using an office stapler to reconnect the end of the band. This is a slightly time consuming procedure so you’ll want to carry spare masks with you if you go somewhere with exposure. Then fix any broken ones when you get home.
Remember 3M is on the BDS list.I assume the cheap old stock isn’t a source of meaningful profit for them, but if the old stock should run dry, I believe there are Chinese clones of the Aura, and they can even be obtained in black, which is nice.Edit: I got confused. While 3M undoubtedly supplies the MIC and therefore the nazi entity, the BDS list makers correctly judged 3M’s consumer goods arm is not a priority target for mass boycott.
I can’t find anything about 3M on the BDS movement website. Are they on some other list?
I got things crossed in my mind. I will edit my post for the factual error.
Did not even realize they were on the bds list
I was incorrect about them being on the list, though they are a military supplier.
not guaranteed but I often see quantities of them in thrift shops
You could also contact a mask bloc in your area and ask them where they get theirs from. Find a mask bloc here: maskbloc.org
a mask bloc in your area
we don’t all live in top 25 largest cities
They don’t seem to curate that list very well, a number of those links are dead. Cool where it works though.
I got the huge box of aura from spamazon. Maybe they still have them? Unlikely but you could look.
Idk about “gold standard” but they are ok and conveniently packaged.
