Inside the Launch Window

Happy News Years Eve to all of my teacher-pals near and far!

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s time to toss those cloth masks you were wearing in 2021. Those cheap-y disposable masks are probably no good, either.

I know… this hurts! While cloth masks were useful in a time when there was limited supply of surgical masks and N95 respirators, their usefulness is questionable amid the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant.

I’m not sure where you are in the nation, but here in New York, K-12 students and staff are required to mask up indoors regardless of vaccination status. I know that this is not the case everywhere. For this reason (and for reasons noted here and here and here), I recommend that you ditch any remaining cloth masks and upgrade to higher-quality face coverings NOW.

Why bold and all caps? Remember back in 2020 when it was hard to get paper products and cleaning supplies unless you knew a guy who knew a guy? We now know it’s because everyone realized how much they needed them all at once, and we panic-bought as many supplies as we could. You can probably recall how disruptive and borderline traumatizing this was.

Here’s the kicker, though. At that point the US did not have the same supply chain issues that exist now. In fact, the supply chain was working just fine back then. The lack of availability of these products was all about supply-and-demand. Today’s supply chain issues are mostly blamed on critical workforce issues due, in part, to the so-called “Great Resignation.”

I’m not clairvoyant, but it seems as if the urgency of this latest surge is starting to sink in. Those of us who are vaccinated and boosted are vulnerable. Those who recovered from previous infection are vulnerable. We’re all vulnerable. Given this, I sense a possibility that high-quality masks may once again be hard to find, despite the fact that they are in good supply now. Yes, I can log into Home Depot’s website and pre-order an 80 pack of 3M’s N95 masks to pick up later today if I want to. Two weeks ago we were all able to get at-home Covid test kits from CVS. Today? Good luck with that.

See where I’m going with this?

I hope I’m wrong, but I’m also not willing to take that risk. While my husband and I appear to have dodged the Omicron this holiday season, we don’t know for sure because we don’t have tests on hand to know for sure. We understand that those testing positive with this latest variant run the gamut of having mild to moderate cold or flu-like symptoms, but others have no symptoms. It’s not beyond the scope of reason that there will be lots of COVID-positive folks walking around without knowing it.

And let’s not forget that there’s still a fair number of folks who refuse to wear masks at all, with inconsistent (if not inadequate) consequences for those who challenge and defy mask mandates.

I’ve read enough dystopian novels to know that those who emerge victorious at the end had the resources and common sense to keep themselves safe along the way. So, for those who intent to emerge victorious in 2022, here are some tips on how to arm yourselves with better-quality masks. I am not an authority on this matter. What I present here comes from actual research, not social media ding dongs.

TIP 1: Educate Yourself on Mask Ratings and Quality

Apparently the N95 is well-regarded as the “gold standard” for mask quality in the United States, but actual NIOSH-rated N95 masks do not come with the ear loop option. That’s because ear loops make it harder for a wearer to achieve a tight seal around the nose and chin, which is necessary in order for a mask to be effective. I didn’t know that until recently when a friend who is a nurse supervisor explained it to me, and it makes perfect sense. From my own experience of wearing masks with ear loops and masks with headbands, the masks with the headbands even feel more secure.

That being said, if you purchased an N95 mask from Amazon, and it has ear loops instead of a headband, it is not NIOSH rated. That does not mean that the mask is ineffective, it means that you need to make extra-sure that it fits you well. Also, it’s important to be careful when purchasing masks from Amazon unless you are 100% sure that the vendor is selling you authentic products. Read this for more information.

KN95 masks are also said to be very effective. The KN95 rating is issued for masks made in China. Given that, may the buyer beware. While KN95 masks may be sold by US suppliers, they are created in China and “regulated” by the Chinese government.

You may have heard of KF94 masks as another option. These are from South Korea, and they are similar in quality to N95 and KN95 masks (this is explained in more detail here).

Any of these three options, assuming the masks are legitimate and authentic, will give the user more solid protection than a disposable surgical-style mask or a cloth mask.

TIP 2: Use Trusted Vendors

Up until recently, I used VIDA to shop for KN95 masks. Though the company has been positively featured in news stories and appears to be legitimate, I was not happy when I received an order of M95i masks from a brand called Lutema instead of the KN95 masks I actually ordered. Though the masks were made by a US company, the “M95i” rating is not recognized nationally and is instead a Lutema marketing trick. Lutema’s website will tell you all about how their “independent tests” show these masks to be effective, but a few paragraphs down in small print, you’ll see the disclaimer. I don’t want to take any chances with that, so I don’t wear these masks in higher-risk situations. On a second VITA order, I received BK Dokkaebi masks from Korea that may or may not be KF94 masks. I have not been able to find any reputable news articles or studies about the legitimacy of these masks. I’m done with VIDA.

I’ve used WellBefore in the past, but I was a bit sketched out when I received 3M N95 masks in what seemed to be a plastic ziplock bag and not authentic 3M packaging. According to what I found here, this is a red flag. WellBefore’s customer service response was that they purchase masks in bulk and have no choice but to send the masks out in different packaging. I’d love to take their word for it, but I will no longer buy 3M products from vendors who are not listed as “authorized resellers.” This is not to say that WellBefore is no good. Use caution.

I recently learned about Project N95. Check them out!

TIP 3: When Possible, Buy Directly From The Source

I know that the CDC has been the butt of some unfortunate jokes lately due to this 10-day-5-day isolation thing, but they do have a helpful resource on their website that can serve as a guide for purchasing PPE to keep you safe.

A few months back, I started buying masks directly from Honeywell. Yes, they sell NIOSH-approved N95 masks, and I have them and like them, but wearing masks with headbands is neither necessary nor convenient for me on a day-to-day basis. If you’re in an environment like I am when the mask comes on and off pretty frequently (ie: on when I’m outside of my office or have a guest, off when I’m alone in my office), a wearing a NIOSH-approved mask well can be annoying. Again, you can’t purchase a NIOSH-approved N95 mask with more convenient ear loops. However, Honeywell does sell a product that I like, and I’m willing to accept the risk that comes with it because I trust the brand. Honeywell makes and sells a washable poly-blend face cover with adjustable ear loops that comes with single-use filter inserts. With this comes with a wordy disclaimer that the mask is intended for “source control.” So let’s say that a member of your household tests positive for COVID-19 and isolating that individual is difficult. This is a mask that they can comfortably wear around the house to avoid infecting others. This is a mask that I will wear in situations where social distancing is possible and when others around me are wearing masks.

This product runs a bit large. I initially purchased the face cover for adults. It was huge, and I couldn’t get a secure fit without the top of the mask digging into my under-eye area. I found that the light gray youth/extra small size is much better for me. I also like that the mask comes with replaceable inserts that cover far more ground than the PM2.5 filters I had been inserting into my homemade cloth masks.

TIP 4: Assess Your Risk, and Adjust Accordingly

I know there are a ton of people out there that like to make fun of people driving around in their vehicles alone while wearing masks. True, I don’t really get it myself, but I can mind my own business.

That being said: don’t waste expensive high-quality masks on situations where you don’t really need them. If you are in crowded spaces where social distancing is difficult, wear a good mask. If you’re in an office most of the day with limited interaction with others, a surgical-style disposable mask with a cloth cover on top is probably more than enough. Until this Omicron surge passes, I’ll probably rock my Honeywell face covering on most days.

Good quality masks are not inexpensive, and I won’t know whether or not all of the masks I purchased in 2021 can be written off on my income taxes for at least another month. Whether they are or are not, I do intend to use these masks in higher-risk situations. If there comes a point when my supply becomes low, or if there is a “run” in masks that leads to price-gouging of any kind, I will re-use them if I need to.

Last year I used paper sandwich bags to “quarantine” and then re-use my good masks as long as I didn’t have to wear them for a prolonged period of time (ie: a 10-hour cheerleading competition) and they didn’t become soiled. I actually learned this trick from friends & family who work in hospitals. It’s a contingency plan for when supply is low, so you still need to consider the risks associated with this and decide if it is worth it for you. I have seen articles about how masks can be “disinfected” with an Instant Pot, but that’s far too complicated of a process for me to attempt. I know that there’s something science-y about the material of high quality masks that can break down over time, so I never re-use a mask after three wears. Remember, these are intended to be disposable.

I Swear I’m Not an Alarmist!

Friends sometimes joke that the pandemic has turned me into a “doomsday prepper” of sorts. While I appreciate the humor in the idea, I’m of the mindset that its better to proactively prepare for trouble than struggle to react. If you take nothing else away from this post, leave with this: regardless of what mask you wear, it’s better than NOT wearing one. It should fit well, and it should cover your nose and your mouth. You can be a mask-wearing all star. Let’s do this!

PS: If disaster strikes, don’t come to my house. Contrary to the lore among friends, my husband and I did NOT build a bunker in our 110-year-old haunted basement.

Despite the setbacks of Omicron, I am optimistic that we are past the worst of this pandemic and will someday soon be able to “get back to normal.” For some, the gut instinct may be to retreat into the hidey-holes we created for ourselves in the spring of 2020; however, we can’t hide forever. I am so happy to be back in school this year doing what I love, which is being present to offer in-person support to students and teachers. We have the tools to do this safely, so let’s use them! Be well in 2022, friends! Happy New Year!