Stock up on KN95s: These FDA-approved masks are just $1 a pop at Amazon
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As case numbers continue to spike, face masks are more important than ever. The good news is that masks work well to keep the virus from spreading. The bad news is that the most effective masks can be hard to get.
We’re not talking about the cute fabric masks emblazoned with the name of your favorite band. We’re talking about KN95 masks—the masks the FDA specifically recommends you wear in high-risk situations (say, on public transportation) to protect from possible transmission. Right now, KN95 masks are in stock on Amazon.
And if you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
Shop it: Powecom KN95 Masks (10-pack), $14 (was $23), amazon.com
“N95s?” you ask. Close, but not exactly. N95 masks are the next level up from KN95s and are meant to be reserved for healthcare workers. When the pandemic first hit and regular citizens were scrambling for masks, our hospitals were left short on this essential PPE. Now we know to leave them for the pros—and that’s why buying KN95 masks is the smart move.
The particular KN95 mask we’re talking about—the one singled out by the FDA for the rest of us—is the Powecom KN95 mask. It’s Amazon’s Choice product, and it’s on sale on Amazon at this very moment.
A pack of 10 is just $14 (was $23) right now—just $1.40 a mask!
Does the brand matter? Yes, according to the FDA, it does. Read more on this below.
Understanding the N95 / KN95 connection
KN95 masks are very similar to N-95 masks, Dr. William Schaffner, infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, tells Yahoo Life. In fact, during the early days of the pandemic when medical-grade masks were in particularly short supply, the FDA granted what’s known as ‘emergency use authorization’ for KN95 masks—meaning they could be used in hospitals.
But not all brands of KN95 masks are created equal. Recently, after researching effectiveness, the FDA removed its emergency use authorization for several manufacturers of KN95 masks. Powecom masks made it through the tests. They’re approved by the FDA and officially included on the FDA Emergency Use Authorization List. Like the others on the list, the Powecom KN95 mask is confirmed to filter out 95 percent of particles or more.
Shop it: Powecom KN95 Masks (10-pack), $14 (was $23), amazon.com
“If your source for a KN95 mask is reliable, you should be fine,” explains Dr. Schaffner. The good ones are “comparable to the N95 masks that we use,” he says.
“The basic difference [between N95 and KN95 masks] is regulatory,” says Dr. Kavita Patel, managing director of clinical transformation at The Brookings Institution’s Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform. “KN95 masks are approved by Chinese regulators, and in theory they are similar to N95 masks, which are approved by the FDA— but are also likely to be manufactured in China.”
Do you need to wear a Powecom KN95 mask all the time?
Our experts tell Yahoo Life that three-ply disposable masks or cloth masks should do the job when you’re keeping at least six feet away from others. But KN95 masks by Powecom offer more protection and are protective in riskier situations—if you’re flying, for example, or taking a bus or train.
These masks, as we said, filter out more than 95 percent of particles. The three-dimensional design makes it easier to breathe if you need to keep your mask on for long periods. The material is non-woven soft cotton. And of course there are elastic ear loops and a metal piece to help customize fit over the nose.
Keep in mind that wearing any mask doesn’t mean you should stop practicing known methods of prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing and frequent thorough hand-washing are critical. Explains Dr. Schaffner, “We do these things in combination, not in isolation.”
KN95 masks that are approved with the FDA’s emergency use authorization are actually hard to find these days. So stick with best practices—and secure some Powecom KN95 masks for higher-risk settings. You’ll be taking great care of yourself and others.
Shop it: Powecom KN95 Masks (10-pack), $14 (was $23), amazon.com
Want to check out your options? Here are other excellent KN95 masks available on Amazon:
SupplyAID KN95 Masks, 5-Pack
These three-dimensional versions are thick and durable, and you get five for just $16.
“I feel so much safer with this over a basic cloth face mask,” says a shopper. “My intended purpose was to wear these exclusively when I go grocery shopping and run other errands where I know I will be in close proximity to other people but have found myself just wearing it everywhere I go. Happy with this purchase.”
Shop it: SupplyAID KN95 Masks, 5-Pack, $16, amazon.com
N95 Mask Co. KN95 Face Mask, 50-Pack
Want to not buy in bulk an eliminate the stress of restocking? This 50-pack is for you. Each mask has a roomy breathing area, a metal nose bridge for a snug fit, and folds for easy storage.
“Tested masks in heavy smoke of CA fires — they do not let any smoke smell in, which is a great test, because smoke is the smallest particle and only N95 works for it. At the same time, they allow easy breathing,” says a satisfied shopper.
Shop it: N95 Mask Co. KN95 Face Mask, 50-Pack, $130 (was $150), n95maskco.com
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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