A year after the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in New York updated its guidance on face coverings to suggest that a higher grade of masks, such as KN95s, for people at greater risk, and pointed out that these groups include someone 65 years of age or older, an underlying medical condition, who cares for someone who is ill or frequently in ‘prolonged close contact with non-domestic members while indoors’. Some European countries such as Germany, France and Austria are even beginning to recommend that the general public wear medical – grade masks in public transport or in businesses.
Unlike a Louis Vuitton or Gucci bag with a label to distinguish whether it is fake or not, a fake KN95 mask may not look different than the real thing.
Jeremy Friese, Managing Director, President of Payer Market, Olive
Despite the guidance of the City of New York, The Centers for Disease Control Prevention currently provides no advice on who, if anyone, should wear KN95 masks or similar masks, although the CDC recommends double masking. But the increasing prevalence of coronavirus variants in the US is causing Americans to look for KN95 masks. To help help everyone who is doing the same and wondering where to find these face masks – or even what they are – we consulted our medical experts on the use of KN95 masks, how to buy them and who should wear them and when .
What is a KN95 mask?
Nina Shapiro, MD, professor of head and neck surgery at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and author of “HYPE: A Doctor’s Guide to Medical Myths”, said a KN95 mask is manufactured to provide 95 percent protection against particles , such as the N95 mask. In fact, KN95 masks are the Chinese equivalent of an N95 mask in the US. A governing body such as the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) sets the standard for KN95 masks in China.
And many different countries have different mask standards that result in different medical names on the face mask, explained Jeremy Friese, MD, a former doctor at the Mayo Clinic and president of the pay market at Olive, which builds healthcare solutions with artificial intelligence. South Korea, for example, maintains the KF94 because it is equivalent to the N95 face mask.
“KN95 masks have a similar protection profile as N95 masks,” Friese said. “Instead of being ruled by the United States, it is ruled only by China.”
How to buy a KN95 mask
Because KN95 masks are not approved by NIOSH and many are manufactured in China, it can be difficult to buy. One of the biggest problems is the supply of KN95 counterfeits to the market, says Anne Miller, executive director of Project N95, a non-profit organization that helps people obtain personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies. Miller has the best way to buy KN95 masks and similar respirators. However, large manufacturers often do not sell a single box of KN95 masks, and opt exclusively with large distributors. These distributors further complicate the shopping for a KN95 face mask: it is difficult to know exactly where they are coming from. If you want to buy a KN95 mask, it is important to first cross it with the FDA’s lists, Shapiro told us.
Using the FDA’s lists is’ probably the best – if not the only ‘way to see if a mask comes directly from an approved manufacturer,’ Friese said. Even if a mask advertises that it is manufactured by one of the FDA-approved manufacturers of the FDA, there is still a chance that it may be a counterfeit – unless, of course, you buy directly from the manufacturer.
Best KN95 masks for sale
If you are going to buy a KN95 face mask, we have found some highly regarded options made by FDA, EUA authorized manufacturers.
1. WWDOLL KN95 Face Masks
These black KN95 masks are Amazon top sellers and come in packs of 25. They are designed with five layers of material, including an outer layer of non-woven material that filters large particles and an inner, skin-friendly layer that is soft against your face . Each mask has elastic waistband and an adjustable nose bridge. WWDOLL also sells a 50-pack of black, white or multicolored KN95 masks, and a pack of 25 white KN95 masks.
2. Hotodeal KN95 masks
These white KN95 masks are also an Amazon top seller. There is a pack of 20. They have an adjustable nose clip, are made of five layers of material and have elastic loops. The KN95 masks also come in Gray and Multicolor.
3. Well For KN95 masks
WellBefore, a company that sells personal protective equipment such as face masks and face shields, has three types of KN95 masks available on its website: KN95 masks in 3D Style, KN95 masks for children and these white KN95 masks that are individually wrapped. I personally bought it to carry while flying and commuting by train and subway. Because they are wrapped separately, you can throw a few in your suitcase or suitcase without worrying about getting them dirty. The masks are made of five layers of material, have adjustable earmuffs and an adjustable nose bridge.
4. VIDA KN95 Face Mask
In addition to the reusable cloth face masks (a favorite among Shopping readers), VIDA sells KN95 masks in black, white and cyan. Masks come in packs of 10, 20, 30 or 50. They are made of five layers of material and have elastic loops as well as an adjustable nose clip. VIDA also sells Kids KN95 masks, filters and face mask accessories, such as headband adjusters and chains.
5. Hope Health Health Supply KN95 masks
Hope Health Supply, a brand that sells PPE and medical technology, offers KN95 masks in black and white. Masks come in packs of 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 or 500. They are made of five layers of material, have ruffles and an adjustable nose bridge. Every face mask order causes a gift mask to a hospital in need.
How protective are KN95 masks?
KN95 masks are usually more protective than cloth masks, gangas, bandanas and even surgical masks, Shapiro said. How protective the mask is in many ways, however, depends on how it fits on your face.
“It’s the pace that makes a big difference,” she remarked. “Many mask manufacturers make different sizes and shapes, so it’s important to have a mask with a good fit.”
Are KN95 masks allowed to be used?
There was an overwhelming need for N95 masks for health workers during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Friese, N95 masks are considered the ‘gold standard’ face mask, because they are NIOSH-approved respirators.
The increased demand led to a shortage of N95 masks early in the pandemic. To solve this problem, the Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for KN95 masks manufactured in China but not approved by NIOSH. According to Shapiro, the FDA documentation has revealed that KN95 masks manufactured by certain manufacturers in China are effectively considered as protection. The list is available on the FDA’s website: Authorized Imported, Non-NIOSH Approved Respirators Manufactured in China. It provides advice to the general public, healthcare professionals and businesses about which KN95 masks are used as legal and safe.
The FDA has also placed a list of respirator models that were previously on the list of authorized respirators, but which no longer meet the EUA admission requirements (they are now listed right below the above list on the FDA website). Masks on those lists are therefore no longer allowed and should not be purchased or used.
The acquisition of KN95 masks and other PBT
In addition to using the lists published by the FDA, services such as Project N95 are helping the public to purchase safe, effective personal protective equipment. Miller and a group of volunteers originally set up Project N95 to help distribute PPEs such as N95 masks (also often counterfeit) to frontline health workers. But a year into the pandemic, Project N95 is helping the general public buy masks and other items and provide resources on how to determine if the PV you want to buy is safe and effective.
“We tell doctors, practitioners and members of the public that we will stand in the middle of a deal for you and make sure the PV you buy is the right choice for you,” Miller said.
To take advantage of Project KN95’s services, buyers can visit the non – profit organization’s website, set up a free account and purchase the personal protective equipment available. If you also want to buy an N95 mask, KN95 mask or other PBT on Amazon and for example want to know if it is legal, you can send an email to Project N95 to ensure you buy a legal product: info @ projectn95 .org.
What to avoid when buying a KN95 mask
Friese said it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to spot the difference between a legal and a counterfeit KN95 mask by just looking at it.
“Honestly, there is no easy way to see if a KN95 mask is a fake,” Friese said. “Unlike a Louis Vuitton or Gucci bag with a label to tell you if it’s fake or not, a counterfeit KN95 mask might not look like the real thing.”
Miller said Project N95 research shows that most KN95 masks sell for between $ 2 and $ 3 apiece. If the masks you are considering are far out of range, she suggests you avoid them because they can be imitated – or it is a sign of price exhaustion.
Miller said KN95 masks are always made with ruffles, not with a headband. However, N95 masks are made with headbands. If you’re looking at a mask that’s advertised as a KN95 but has a headband, Miller said it’s incorrectly marked, or that it’s a fake, so she’s suggesting you do not buy it.
Do you need to double the mask with a KN95 mask?
If the KN95 or N95 mask you are wearing is NIOSH approved or on the FDA’s EUA list, and it fits well, it offers the wearer and those around him adequate protection. Friese said that a KN95 mask generally offers more protection than double masking, as long as it fits well. But if a KN95 mask has gaps on the sides or fits loosely, it could lead to possible aerosol leaks in and out of the mask. No matter what, Shapiro said, “if there are KNAPs, a second mask must be worn.” For outdoor activities or short interactions, it is an ‘excellent’ option to wear a surgical mask with an additional multi-layer cloth mask over it (double masking).
In addition, Shapiro said, if you work in a healthcare or nursing environment, KN95 and N95 masks are the best options. She said wearing eye protection is also crucial.
Who should wear KN95 masks?
The CDC advises the general public to wear N95 masks: ‘Do not use N95-approved N95 respirators. NIOSH-approved N95 breathing machines are critical supplies that should be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders to avoid stock shortages. ”
But Friese said there are situations where KN95 masks, which are more protective than rag, disposable or surgical masks, carry “a lot of sense” to be worn by everyone in the general public (and, for example, the city of New York looks agree):
- If you may have prolonged contact with someone who may be infected with Covid, or if you are caring for a sick family member.
- On planes and trains, or other spaces where you can sit next to people for a long time
- In public spaces such as the grocery store, offices or workplaces where you can have close contact with people for long periods of time
Read the latest NBC News Shopping guides and recommendations and download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.