These KN95 masks are authorized by the FDA — and on sale at Amazon right now
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There’s a lot of information to wade through when it comes to face masks. The short version is, KN95s are the best pick for non-medical folks (N95 masks should be reserved for medical personnel, per the Food and Drug Administration).
These masks look and fit like an N95 mask—the gold standard. But not all KN95’s are the same.
Certain KN95s have been granted emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA. These are the masks you want. Those with EUA authorization. It’s not the same as FDA approval (which involves a rigorous process of testing) but it’s the best we’ve got right now.
“KN95s are the Chinese version of the U.S. N95,” Dr. John Sellick, an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo/SUNY, tells Yahoo Life. “Since they are not normally made and sold in the U.S., they need emergency-use authorizations to be sold here. This was done when there was considerable shortage of N95s at the spring peak of COVID-19.”
Shop it: DecoPro KN95 Masks, 10-Pack, $52 with on-page coupon (was $70) amazon.com
KN95 masks look similar to N95 masks, with a tight fit across the nose and mouth, and a cone-style mouthpiece. But KN95s use ear loops where N95s use head straps, Sellick says. Some KN95 masks perform as well as N95 masks, with select KN95 masks filtering out up to 99.5 percent of particles in tests conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
The EUA is important, because not all KN95s available are up to snuff. This FDA authorization is a shortcut to a smart purchase. “If someone wants to use one, they should look at the ‘approved’ list...and stick to one of these brands,” Sellick says.
Shop it: DecoPro KN95 Masks, 10-Pack, $52 with on-page coupon (was $70) amazon.com
This 10-pack of DecoPro KN95 masks from the Zhejiang Lily Underwear Co. is on the EUA list, and is currently $55 (marked $15 off) on Amazon. Amazon is also offering a coupon that gets you an additional 6 percent off.
Like other KN95 masks, the DecoPro masks have an adjustable metal nose bridge to help provide the perfect fit. The mask’s filtration is at least 95 percent, per EUA standards.
Reviewers give these masks props for comfort. “It is very comfortable and easy to use,” one five-star reviewer said. “Fits my face with no problem. I personally like [these] better than the fabric ones because they have more space.” Another reviewer said they’ve tried several types of KN95 masks. “These fit the best, and feel like they provide a high level of protection,” they wrote.
KN95 masks on the EUA list don’t stay in stock long, so don’t hesitate. Click, purchase, then do your best to relax.
Shop it: DecoPro KN95 Masks, 10-Pack, $52 with on-page coupon (was $70) amazon.com
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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