https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:07:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925923 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:52:04 +0000 Grace 2925923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My compromise is to wear cloth in low risk situations, like to go into a not-crowded store for 5 min or if I have to go into work and sit separated from others and KN95 for high-risk, like getting my hair cut. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925906 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 14:25:02 +0000 DesertDreams88 2925906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: @erinbaderin: yes, surgical masks are definitely better because of the middle layer being less porous than most cloth materials. </p> <p>Fit is an issue with all masks. Surgical masks are more adjustable, IMHO, at least compared to the floppy, ill-fitting cloth masks I see the majority of my students wearing (I don't see any adults wearing masks). Surgical masks are adjustable along the nose bridge and it's usually easier to tie the earloops to get a tighter fit. If you have well-fitting cloth masks, great, but they're no match for Omicron (neither were they for Delta.....)</p> <p>KN95s and KF94s are great, but expensive. I personally like the design of KF94s best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925904 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 21:04:34 +0000 meadow 2925904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: yes, the cnn article made it seem like those blue masks were superior......I've worn them a couple times since summer 2020 and have always felt LESS protected than w my cloth masks. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925903 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 20:35:46 +0000 erinbaderin 2925903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>By paper masks do you mean the blue surgical masks? I don’t think they’re really much better, from what I’m seeing, because they have so many gaps. I’ve read that you can basically wear the KN95 masks, though, until they wear out, I’ve seen a few people say that the elastic will wear out before the masks stop being effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925902 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:37:48 +0000 poppygirl15 2925902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought Happy Masks after hearing rave reviews about them. We are not impressed. They just don't seem to fit us very well. But, my son absolutely refuses to wear paper masks, so we'll probably buy him a second Happy Mask just because it's better than normal cloth. As for the rest of us, I'm glad to have *something* reusable for taking a quick walk, etc. Otherwise, we'll all be wearing N95/94s. Thanks for letting me know how long you can wear the same one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925901 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:27:22 +0000 meadow 2925901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great suggestions.....</p> <p>@JJ2626: omg, I had no idea you could wear them longer. That explains why I've seen some of my hs students show up with schmutz on their masks! Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925896 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 21:13:23 +0000 lady baltimore 2925896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My compromise since starting back to in-person teaching this fall has been to use disposable carbon filter inserts with my multi-layer fabric masks. I also balk at tossing out so many masks (and am honestly not sure that I could convince my kindergartener to switch), but am considering transitioning to KN95s until my maternity leave starts in February. I will hate to lose the option to switch between ear loop and behind-the-head styles throughout the week, though.</p> <p>Thanks for all of the recommendations on this thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925895 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:55:07 +0000 JJ2626 2925895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: @hitchhiker: Totally agree in general about Amazon. I looked into before I bought and these are legit: [20 Pack] Dr.Puri New Micro-Dust Protection Face Premium Mask (KF94) White Medium <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6721WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKJ4WDA66P0HJ07M0AVA?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6721WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QKJ4WDA66P0HJ07M0AVA?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1</a></p> <p>But, also agree that behealthy.net has lots of options. I think happy masks are great if you want better than cloth but it’s not a super high risk situation. Enro masks are another option for this. My kid wears happy masks bc no kn95 seems fit her right, but she’s barely ever inside (outdoor preschool) And for a kid, I think something imperfect is better than nothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925894 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:33:29 +0000 hitchhiker 2925894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: Yes, I would say significantly less effective out of the box than a KN95/KF94 (which have 95%+ filtration efficiency) and significantly worse than that after 5 washes. He posts all of his data on his youtube page. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925893 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:19:24 +0000 ineebee 2925893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hitchhiker: Thanks for the info. I don’t follow this guy and don’t understand the terminology of his test, but it sounds like after washing, some measure of effectiveness is compromised? Bummer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925892 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 13:25:18 +0000 ChitownRo 2925892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also feel guilty about the environment but have been wearing kf94 or 95 since delta </p> <p>Like these for kids Sheal 50PCS 4 Layer Colorful Face Masks Disposable Protection Breathable for Kids (3-5 Years) ,Individually Packaged <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W3BFSC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_349TWQTAHWA4VSP2ATK0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W3BFSC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_349TWQTAHWA4VSP2ATK0?_encoding=UTF8&#038;psc=1</a></p> <p>And for adults MISSAA KN95 Face Masks 30PCS,... <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD4X86Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD4X86Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share</a></p> <p>Make sure it’s a tight seal to really be effective </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925891 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 12:17:46 +0000 hitchhiker 2925891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: Just FYI - the Happy Masks didn't do very well in the Mask Nerd tests: <a href="https://twitter.com/masknerd/status/1445044628948914177/photo/1" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/masknerd/status/1445044628948914177/photo/1</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925890 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 12:16:13 +0000 hitchhiker 2925890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: I also wouldn't buy on Amazon--there's absolutely no quality control. I usually buy from behealthyusa.net (which was recommended by the Mask Nerd guy last year). They have an option to buy mix and match packages, which was great at the beginning when we didn't know which ones we would like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925889 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 12:04:12 +0000 hitchhiker 2925889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with @JJ2626; we wear our KF94 masks for 40 hours. For the kids (who wear theirs all day), we rotate through about 5 masks. We put them back in their packaging at the end of the day, write the date on the package, and then use it again about a week later. I WFH, so I just rotate through a few until they seem gross or lose their shape at the nose. (I wear glasses so I am often fiddling with the nose piece to get a better seal.) </p> <p>There's a guy that's quoted in a lot of press who is an aerosol scientist. That's how I found out you can re-wear the KF94s. he did some testing with higher quality reusable masks that might interest you. <a href="https://twitter.com/masknerd" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/masknerd</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925887 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 10:35:35 +0000 JJ2626 2925887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: You can re-wear the KN95/KF94. They estimate about 40 hours depending on what you are wearing then for. You definitely don’t need to throw away every time! I wear one for a few weeks (but I work from home so it’s just for shopping, etc) until it gets dirty.<br /> My current favorite is Dr. Puri KF94 from Amazon. The size medium fits my small face well and I find KF94 more comfy than KN95. Vida makes a popular KN95. Also like happy masks but they hard to get. Enro has good filtration too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925886 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 09:48:44 +0000 meadow 2925886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm having a bit of sticker shock.......if I estm $1 per mask....our family of 4 will spend nearly $30 per week on masks and $1500 in a year?</p> <p>I value our safety but..............</p> <p>Then some of these n95 are like $3 a pop!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925885 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 07:11:47 +0000 Lahela017 2925885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use Mask C KN95 masks. I like the better protection, but they still come in fun colors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925884 Sat, 25 Dec 2021 00:25:50 +0000 ineebee 2925884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you heard about Happy Masks? They’re reuseable/washable, and they have a really protective filter and nice shape so that there’s a pretty good seal. The only downsides are 1) they’re pretty expensive and 2) they’re in high demand. You can join the waitlist and you can probably order in the next week or two when you get the notification that it’s your turn. I have Happy Masks for the kids and for myself - really excellent! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paper-masks#post-2925883 Fri, 24 Dec 2021 20:51:08 +0000 meadow 2925883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So apparently we shouldnt be wearing cloth masks anymore? Ugh - I love my cloth masks and I dont love the part about how wasteful it feels to use disposable masks....</p> <p>Does anyone who wears disposable masks have any recs? I dont even know where to begin on amazon to find ones that are a) legit protective b) arent smelly (my initial searches found ones listed as super chemical smell......which doesn't seem healthy ...hah)</p> <p>Help! </p>