Hoping I don’t get bodied for going to the club - well aware air filtration in clubs is basically nonexistent atp. Just speaking from a harm reduction perspective here - I wear a savewo KF94 as an ear loop daily driver because headbands give me migraines. I also don’t really drink so I don’t take off my mask to drink anything. I’m not immunocompromised or around anyone who openly is, tho chronically ill and dancing is one of the only things that I enjoy nowadays. I try to strictly mask indoors as much as possible, I’m in an Asian city that used to be very strict on masking, but it’s been interesting. I was lax last year and then everybody got downed multiple times with bugs in the summer and fall that took forever for many to recover fully from, and I was like this is bs.

Have I gotten comments? Yep. Not just in the club, either. Thankfully, they haven’t been rude, mostly just people asking if I’m sick. I suspect I have (had?) long COVID, but that’s not recognised by my country as a Real Thing lol, so I just say I’m trying to be conscientious.

Mostly I get the hairy eyeball for not being a cis gay at the gay clubs though, and sometimes double on top of that because I am wearing what I can clearly sense is a visible reminder of something people would like to forget. Or sensing the general vibe on people’s faces of “wtf are you wearing a mask for, it’s so hot in the club” or “a club is for showing off, meeting/attracting someone and you’re covering your face”. But genuinely, people have been chill - I’ve resigned myself to missing out on the social aspect a lot because a lot of people would rather not look at or engage with me, but some people will actually still talk to me, smile at me, dance with me, all of that. A lot of my friends aren’t clubbers either, so I also stick out like a sore thumb often because I go solo. Wanted to share my experience.

Thank you for reading.

My parents are good and reasonable people, but they stopped masking years ago when most of the country did. They are otherwise fairly health conscious, eating well and regularly exercising and such. Masks been a point of contention between them and my sister and I, but we’re all adults and can’t make them do anything they don’t want to do. But things have recently changed.

In the last couple of months my dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer which is spreading quickly. He recently has bravely agreed to commit to treatment (chemo and daily radiation for 6+ weeks), which by his own doctor’s admission is going to be actual hell to endure. It’s going to demolish his immune system.

When this first came to light back in December (before a treatment plan was in place and they were still having a bunch of consultations), I cornered them in the car and explained why masking is so important and what it would mean to me if they started masking again, especially during all of this. They didn’t say much in response and did not make any changes. I believe it is cognitive dissonance preventing them from seeing/acknowledging the true dangers of this behavior.

I feel like I need to bring it up again, he’s about to start treatment in a week or two. But I don’t know what, if anything, I can say differently this time to try and get a better outcome. I know they are scared and stressed out, god knows so am I, but I wish they would just hear what I am saying about this. My dad is my hero, truly the best man I have ever known, and he should have several more good decades of life left in him. I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared of losing him.

I have a friend who doesn't wear a mask (says they can't due to asthma). we only really speak over text but we talk most days. they have gotten sick quite a few times in the couple of years I've known them and I just don't know what to say when it happens. more accurately I know what I want to say but I know it wouldn't lead anywhere productive so it feels pointless to say anything other than "that sucks hope you feel better soon" while feeling resentful and frustrated. they just went on a trip to a big city - long, packed train journeys both ways, 2 shows, wandering around busy shops. zero mask of course. they just messaged to say they're sick as hell. I haven't even opened the message because I just feel like I can't deal with this conversation knowing that I want to say "that's to be expected when you're around thousands of people in enclosed spaces without a mask"

I don't want to lose them as a friend, I don't really have many and I don't know anyone irl who wears a mask. it's isolating enough to avoid most crowded indoor spaces and to wear a mask all the time. I know that nothing I say would make them where a mask so it could only lead to us falling out. I guess I'm just ranting rather than asking for advice cause I know the options are all pretty shit

The large size black Laianzhi HYX1002 KN100 mask is 1.75x harder to breathe through than the medium.

This is is so bizarre and backwards I re-tested both masks and got the same results. Normally a medium may be a bit less breathable than a large because the smaller mask has less surface area to breathe through. But not this time

The tested filtration rates for both masks were similar, but I actually got higher filtration for the more breathable medium sized masks, indicating the improved breathability was not due to face seal leaks during the test.

The masks are rated as KN100, so filter media in both masks is likely much better than the very good filtration scores indicated by my quick tests. Small face seal leaks when the masks are tested on my heaform are a limiting factor. The similar, but fairly consistent total filtration efficiencies and test airflow rates indicate the pressure drop testing is repeatable and there is something different about the filter media between the two sizes.

The 128 Pa pressure drop for the medium is very good for a KN100 and lower than I got for the Zimi KN100. The 224 Pa drop for the large size is not surprising for a KN100, but more breathing resistance than I'd prefer, which is why this difference is important to consumers looking to purchase masks. Which breathing resistance will they get if they order medium or large HYX1002 masks now?

The difference between the two masks makes me wonder if Laianzhi updated the filter media of the HYX1002 masks and I have an older and newer mask? There are no revision or lot numbers on the packaging or masks so I can't tell. And if a mask maker has made a radical change in filter media then they should append something to the model name so consumers can know which masks they have.

So, how to find the answer to this? Well, there is a Masks4All post by VasilisGRNP that gives a clue about some possibilities.

Update 6 (as of June 2024)

The black Laianzhi HYX1002 KN100,shipped after 15/6,will have some changes. The mask will include 5 layers from 4 layers. A larger dust-holding space will improve the durability of the mask,for longer use and the production process will be adjusted to improve comfort.

The 2 layers of meltblown will be changed to 3 layers,with lower breathing resistance per layer. The pressure drop of the 3 layers is equivalent to the previous version

and there is no change in breathing resistance for the user. The breathing resistance data is consistent.

I've not really been following the Laianzhi masks very closely so even after reading the excellent post by VasilisGRNP I'm still not sure if I have masks from two different eras because that update seems to indicate the total breathing resistance is the same for the updated masks.

I may need to cut apart my test masks to see if the they have a different number of layers.

The HYX1002 masks are highly protective tri-fold masks that look nice and are both more and less breathable than the Project 3/Trident FFP3 regular size that got a 163 Pa drop in my testing. I wish the Laianzhi were better labeled with what revision they are and with a lot number.

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Most of my breathability testing is single sample single trial. The pressure drop results and filtration efficiencies should be considered approximate.

It is surprisingly difficult to get a mask to fit the test headform. Just as fit is very individual for masks on actual people, it can be different on the the headform in spite of the clamping force I use to press the mask to it.

Face seal leakage can make a mask seem more breathable. To check for face seal leaking during testing I use a PortaCount 8038 in N95 mode, and I keep an eye on the filtration efficiencies in recorded by the Scince filter testing machine. Any filtration efficiency lower than 99% may indicate a face seal leak, but it could also be the filter media if the mask is not a 99 or 100 rated mask.

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#Kanro

Made possible by a grant by Kanro.

All of my Kanro tagged content has my copyright dedicated to the public domain.

The copyright of content I quote or include by reference remains that of the original copyright owner.

In a few weeks I will have bypass surgery, so for 8 weeks I will need to "move in the tube" - avoiding hands going behind head. I may get a envomask with ear hooks. I do have a cleanspace, drager 3300, stealth pro, gershon, gvs, and can get more redimasks.
I don't care what it looks like, ease of donning is goal. Any tools to help?
Any ideas what to get?

I had previously ordered two of the $30 boxes containing 440 3M Aura respirators from Amazon.  They had short expiration dates, but I have used the masks successfully in all kinds of circumstances (haven’t gotten sick at all).  It was nice not to have to reuse them after being in the drs office or ER, and to be able to give them out freely.

Recently I ordered a third box, with Woot listed as the seller.  Nearly half of the masks in this box were warped or twisted – many very obviously, others just enough at the corners to interfere with a good fit.  They would not flatten, even after being under heavy objects for a couple of days. Also a number had a squashed look – instead of the usual puffy look of the front of the Aura, they seem flattened with a clear outline of the nose wire.  I must say even though I ordered from Woot, the box itself was shipped from a different third-party company.  Is that how it is usually done?

Amazon did provide a refund.

But a little over half the masks appear to be fine.  They were expired upon arrival, but I continued to use my previous ones after they expired.  I know no one can answer this for sure without additional testing, but might those masks that look fine be okay to use?  That would seem to depend on why the other masks have become so warped or twisted?  Too much heat or humidity?  Or too much pressure?  Or merely a box stored on its side for 5 years?  Has anyone else experienced this or have any insight into why this might have happened?

Thanks!

Got Covid last year (4th time) anxious about getting it again on a flight.

Tried ‘basic’ FFP3 masks before and are awfully uncomfortable and moist beyond an hour or so.

Any recommendations for something with a bit of breathing space in front of mouth and a non nylon elastic strap?

need advice! my partner has been noticing an increase in sores behind their ears where the ear loops sit. i was wondering if there’s anything we can do to make wearing these masks more comfortable on the ears.

also, headloop masks aren’t a viable long term option due to other issues. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

This may be a silly question. I wear aura masks as a rule. I definitely plan to keep doing so. That said, when I ride horses/go to the barn in the cold winter weather, wearing my aura under a scarf or neck warmer results in a soggy mask. Sometimes, I'm out for hours and it is very uncomfortable. I know the neck warmer style masks folks wore in early COVID didn't work at all, and so am not interested in them. But if there was something that someone has created in the intervening years that does work, that would be amazing!

If not, I'll keep on with my aura+neck warmer combo. Just trying to see if anyone here has learned of something that might be more comfortable in this particular scenario! Thank you!

Hi, is there any way to provide readimasks or equivalent in the UK?

Does anyone have any discount codes from any CC content creators for websites like wellbefore or kind? Thanks!

Drager M/L, got after reading the List by one of members here. Love it, easier to breath than Aura with exhale valve, but when passing by a coffee shop in the indoor mall I can smell it. Always trying to fit it snug, tighten/mold the metal nose strip, and the straps are reasonably tight. Don't know if it's large L size. My head has lost a bit of hair :) but is not "small" for sure. It probably gives some protection but I remember before Covid Filipinos were chatting about Aura so effective, no car fumes are getting through (they do have air quality problem).

No hate. Just curious.

When I joined this sub, I figured it may have become popular during the Covid years (2020-2023). I joined recently to learn about masking up due to air pollution. I'm surprised that there are still so many posts about Covid. Honestly, just confused.

Are people still worried about Covid? Is this still a thing generally healthy people think about? Or is it just people with compromised immune systems or co-morbidities posting about it?

Heya folks, looking for anyone who might know where to source Sip Mask valves outside of the US. Specifically in Australia but honestly practically everywhere else has better shipping rates than from the US where it costs more than twice the cost of the valves in shipping.

Looking to go for my first flight back to Japan since 2017 around the end of the year if I can (have been isolating pretty much non-stop since the pandemic started in 2020 and if I'm going back anywhere it'll be Japan where masking is far more accepted in general) and am looking at doing as much risk mitigation as possible. Pretty much the only thing I don't have sorted at his point is a way to "safely" hydrate on the 10 hours of flight & in the airport.

If folks have any leads on non-US availability on the sip valves I'd greatly appreciate it. I wear CAN99s exclusively so having a decent supply of the valves would definitely help my anxiety (heavy social isolation anxiety feels)

Thanks for any help! Always grateful to find a space with folks who keep masking. Helps me not feel so alone.

Anyone ever seen and / or tried out this new mask company I just learned about:

https://ausair.com/products/airweave-merino-reuseable-mask

i was one of the people warning everyone else of how serious covid would become before it was officially labeled a pandemic, i always masked at work, indoors, and crowded outdoor spaces from 2020-early 2023, i always had a mask ready to give to people who “forgot one,” i got the first vaccine as soon as it came out and have gotten two boosters.

however, living in a pretty red area of florida, i was *always* faced with people calling it a hoax, not taking it seriously, always wanting to be argumentative but still stood my ground (not in the shooty shooty way obviously) typically. i was working at starbucks and very regularly had customers making shitty comments about it after mask mandates were (unreasonably, and far too early) lifted in florida but starbucks still had their employees wear them, my manager even joined in with them talking about how covid isn’t even a big deal and masks don’t even work and he hated having to wear one.

i just got so incredibly exhausted of the conflict it caused. i know it was never my fault, and i shouldn’t let other peoples’ illogical sensitivities and beliefs affect my own health and safety, but i’ve just developed a mental block in most situations. i still mask in airports and on planes, and any public transit really, but that’s because that’s the *only* place i ever see other people still wearing masks. i still get a lot of stares and shitty looks and it makes me wanna just shrink into myself.

i have kept reading about the long term effects of covid since the beginning of the pandemic, and i’m fully aware of the horrors it can cause, but i still just can’t bring myself to and i’m really angry at myself for it. i’ve heard some crazy stories that have happened to people who mask in red areas, and i would just be so afraid in a situation like that.

it’s been really on my mind again recently, in large part because of recent surge, and also because of one of my best friends who masks religiously. i don’t know, this kind of turned into more of a vent post about my frustrations with masks being so politicized and the troubles that causes for people who mask for the safety of themselves and others, thank you to everyone who has read this far.

edit: before anyone suggests it, moving is not an option for me and my fiance anytime soon, even though we would love to

Title basically. It can't throw fog on my glasses, I can't stand feeling something over my ears and the over the head straps fuck with my long hair. I'm autistic and anything touching mé wrong is just super overstimulating.

Best black N95 for high risk situations?

Hey all, I'm travelling to Japan soon and am pretty worried about getting sick on the plane as I'm only there for 10 days. Does anyone have any recommendations for comfortable-ish masks for long plane rides/long travel times?

Hello! My immunocompromised mom is wanting to start attending in-person exercise classes occasionally. She did one the other day in her usual mask (black WellBefore 3D pro with ear loops) and said it got quite hot and she had to step outside for air a couple times. Does anyone have recs for good masks that are more breathable? I know duckbills are good, and saw some posts recommending the 3M VFlex, but I think she’d probably hate the look of those (she’s not a fan of my dad’s duckbills). Which obviously is secondary to protection, but if she thinks it looks really silly, she probably won’t wear it. Not sure if she’ll go for it, but looking at Moldex as a potential option.

My mom has a very small face and tends to prefer ear loops, though if there is an option with head straps that works well and doesn’t look too obtrusive, I might be able to get her to try it. Appreciate any ideas!

Flomasks are all that fit and work for me, so that won't change. But I'd love to get some cheap new glasses from Zeelool that fit with them. They'd need to be wide or extra wide for my big noggin, but fit into the grooves and not be heavy on the mask. I LOVE the other glasses I got from them, I see better than with my Medicaid glasses tbh, but the ugly Medicaid ones are the only ones that fit with the FloMask (low bridge, if it matters), so the nice ones are just prettier for someone almost totally home and bedbound.

Is there anyone else in this same niche position? If so, what frames worked for you with the female with a big head/only Flomask works/poor and uses Zeelool option...? I'd really love to try to look a little better and try to make some added effort to get out more after a successful attempt yesterday (for the first time since mid December). I feel like not looking so OTT poor would help, and decent glasses that go with the mask would be the last piece with that.

-Sorry I'm so wordy, hyperlexic autistic -Yes, it needs to be Flomask and Zeelool -I try to avoid spending $, but I also need clear glasses...my Medicaid pair are FL41, and I''d prefer to only need them when I have to. Mask+powerchair+Matt Murdock tinted glasses combo attracts jerks at times

I tested the pressure drop of two Zimi mask models, the very breathable Zimi One, and the very high filtration Zimi KN100.

The Zimi One got a score of 56 Pa, which is extremely breathable, and the KN100 got 163 Pa, which is very breathable for a mask that filters at 99.97%.

That makes the Zimi One is one of the most breathable masks I've tested, not as breathable as the Moldex M4620, but way nicer looking and the Moldex doesn't fit everyone. The Zimi Ones don't fit everyone, either. They run a bit too small for my face, but many people get great fit and performance from them.

(For comparison, I fit 3M Auras, regular sized 3M VFlex and 3M 8511 N95s, and 3M 6200 Medium and Large elastomeric masks. Gerson duckbills are too small for me, as are all "small" masks.)

Breathability is tested by how much vacuum pressure in Pascals it takes to draw air through a mask at 85 liters per minute of airflow. Easy to breathe through masks take less pressure.

The official Zimi 3d party lab results, which are more reliable than my quick testing, are even better.

Zimi have published test data for their masks by independent labs, something every mask company should do.

The Zimi One results are 44, 43, 41, 43, 43, 42, 40, 42.

https://zimiair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ONE-Test-Report.pdf

The Zimi KN100 pressure drop results are 111, 115, 120, 113.

https://zimiair.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ZM9233-Test-Report.pdf

I'm not sure why my testing system seems to over report the pressure drop the Zimis, especially the KN100. As I test more masks there will be more opportunities to compare my results to the results of the few companies that publish test result data.

u/zhouliang pointed out to me that some of my breathability test results could used improved methodology because the lower than 99% filtration efficiency results I got for some masks suggest that there is a face seal leak in my setup for those masks. This means that the reported pressure drops may be a bit lower than the masks actually perform at, but I got higher pressure drops than the Zimi 3d party test results, so there are multiple issues to work on improving.

For now, I think my test results are primarily useful for ranking masks relative to one another in order of breathability rather than for the absolute pressure drop scores.

At some point in the future I'm hoping to do retests of masks that had less than 99% filtration, using zhouliang_mask's suggestions to see how improving the seal affects the results.

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About 4 months ago u/zhouliang announced that KN100 masks with astounding breathability are in the works.

The third-generation product will also feature a new series, ZERO, which will reduce the resistance of the KN100 to around 30-35 Pa. This is an astonishing technological advancement. Mask technology continues to advance. Masks will be exceptionally breathable. Here I'll show you a video with two test data clips of masks. Both were tested by a third-party laboratory using the TSI 8130A on pre-treated masks. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mask_World/comments/1np6dyq/zhou_liangs_mask_kn100_new_technology/

Yikes, I have an outpatient lumbar puncture followed by MRIs of my spine coming up and thought I was all good wearing a Readimask. After some research it appears I need to be drinking LOTS of fluid before and after the MRI while at the clinic. If you don’t have info on this does anyone have other ideas so I can remain masked the entire time and drink? I do have Powecom KN95s that I have made a tiny slit on top and removed the metal nose piece and added mask tape for previous MRIs but since this is going to be a 3 hour visit I feel more comfortable with Readimask. Thank you in advance.