N95

N95s are the gold standard face masks for protection from the virus. It can filter up to 95% of particles in the air and it’s made to fit properly around your cheeks, over your nose, and under your chin. These have been tested and approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). N95s are disposable and, according to the CDC, shouldn’t be worn when they get dirty and are difficult to breathe through.

At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a shortage of N95 masks in the Philippines but two years later, we’ve got so many options online. However, don’t consider buying N95 masks with valves. Those might protect the wearer from inhaling particles but they don’t protect the people around the wearer.

 

KN95

KN95 masks are the equivalent of N95s but are made in China. They provide the same filtration efficiency and come with the same design and features. The main difference is that N95s are NIOSH-approved while KN95s aren’t. When the pandemic started, N95s were mostly reserved for healthcare workers, so many chose to wear KN95. Now that we have ample supply, some still prefer the latter since they’re a bit more breathable than the sealed N95 masks.

 

KF94

The KF94 mask is the Korean version of the N95 and KN95. “KF” stands for “Korean Filter” and 94 is the filtration efficiency percentage. Experts and doctors have listed KF94 as one of the best masks to protect yourself against viruses. They’re made in a “boat shape” or “fish shape” design with a nose wire for a proper fit and flaps on the sides for a tight seal. This is also a disposable face mask that cannot be washed.

KF94 manufacturers get approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (식약처) or KFDA. Those approved should be able to show their KFDA certifications (식약처허가/인증완료); see samples below. In Korea, sellers always include them in the product listing. 5/ pic.twitter.com/kf4ogvgAiG

— Cherry Ronao #LeniKiko2022 #ChelDioknoSaSenado (@CherryRonao) January 4, 2022

Just like the others, there are tons of KF94 sellers online but you have to be careful in purchasing. There are a lot of counterfeit products at affordable prices parading as legit masks but these might jeopardize your safety. Look for those that are actually made in Korea since those are made with standards implemented by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

 

Where to buy N95/KN95/KF94 masks

Online e-commerce apps like Shopee and Lazada have a wide selection of choices for face masks. But like we said before, exercise caution so you don’t purchase fake face masks. N95s, KN95s, and KF94 masks should be around P20-P30 per piece, it could be lower when bought in bulk. Better think twice if you think you snagged a deal with a P5 N95 mask.

Air Queen Philippines stores in Lazada and Shopee distribute Good Manner (P318/10 pcs), EG Guard (P179/10 pcs), and Cleanwell (P208/5 pcs) KF94 masks. The SM Store on Shopee has KN95 face masks (P99/10 pcs). You can also get Indoplas KN95 masks by bulk, P799 for 50 pcs.

 

But N95/KN95/KF94 masks are too expensive, are they really disposable?

[1/2]Do not clean your N95/KF94/KN95/FFP2. Especially do not spray them with hand sanitizer. If you want to make sure they are not contaminated, just leave them sitting for 5-7 days in a paper bag and they will self “sanitize”.

If you clean you will reduce filter efficiency!

— Aaron Collins (@masknerd) December 23, 2021

Now that we can’t live without face masks, we try to make room for it on our budgets. But legit masks could be pricey. Especially if you compute how much a person would spend if they used face masks every day for a year (on a P20 price, that’s P7,300 annually). So could we actually reuse these disposable masks? The CDC shares that there is a way for the general public to reuse their disposable masks and it’s by using them on rotation.

The mask you used can be stored in a paper bag for a minimum of five days so the bacteria can “die off.” While it rests, use another mask which you will then store in another bag. You can number your masks 1 through 5 so you won’t get confused. The CDC recommends that each mask should be used up to five times only. And please, don’t spray alcohol on your mask to “kill the germs” since it’ll probably reduce your mask’s effectivity.

 

How to spot fake N95/KN95/KF94 masks

First, check the seller if you’re getting your masks online. Is the store name just a random string of numbers and letters? Do the product photos have grammatical errors, typos, or indecipherable writing? Check reviews under the product to get perspective from those who already bought it.

For N95 masks, one good indication is that it has a NIOSH-approval mark on them along with an approval number, like the CDC guideline above. For KF94 masks, those should have “KF94” on the mask itself or on the packaging plus a guarantee that it was made in South Korea.

Beware of fakes. Watch out for:
1. Korean version
2. Korean style, Korean fish style
3. No brand
4. Too cheap
5. Any KF94 not made in Korea
6. No “KF94” on the packaging

Ask for:
1. Copy of KFDA certification
2. Picture of the mask pack, front and back
3. Where they are made
9/

— Cherry Ronao #LeniKiko2022 #ChelDioknoSaSenado (@CherryRonao) January 4, 2022

Lastly, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. But if you want to really be sure that you’re getting only the best, you can visit drug stores to purchase your masks.

 

Other things to keep in mind when looking for a good face mask

Face masks come in all shapes and sizes since we all have different facial structures. Make sure you check if the one you are about to purchase is in your size. Some KF94 masks have options for S, M, and L variations to make them more comfortable to wear. Aside from masks with multiple filtration layers, always look for ones with a sealed fit on the face. And if you’re not sure about a mask, try purchasing a small quantity first to test if you can use it properly.

 

Double masking

If you don’t have access to N95s, KN95s, or KF94 masks, the combination of a disposable surgical mask and a form-fitting cloth mask is still a good option. It provides dual layers of protection. The disposable mask effectively filters from droplets in the air but when used alone, it creates gaps around the cheeks. Putting a cloth face mask over it seals these gaps and makes sure the disposable mask is snug on your face. However, double masking is only recommended for surgical and cloth mask pairing. You don’t need to do it if you’ve got N95s or KN95s.

With Cases Rising, Is It Time For You to Double Mask?

With Cases Rising, Is It Time For You to Double Mask?
Kyzia Maramara | Mar 24, 2021

 

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