Looking for authentic N95 or KN95 masks? Here’s where to find them in Charlotte and online
With the omicron variant leading to a spike in COVID-19 cases across North Carolina, some health experts are encouraging folks to consider using other types of masks to reduce infection risk.
The face coverings of choice — primarily N95 or KN95 masks — are advertised to provide more protection against the highly contagious variant more so than cloth or surgical masks.
And the federal government is making some N95 masks available for free.
Here’s what to know about N95 masks, KN95 masks and where to find them in the Charlotte area and elsewhere.\.
How N95 masks protect against COVID-19
N95 masks are actually respirators that are specifically “designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles,” according to the Food and Drug Administration.
They can “filter up to 95% of particles in the air,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, as opposed to cloth and surgical masks, which are “designed to contain your respiratory droplets and particles” and only “provide you some protection from particles expelled by others.”
N95 masks are regulated by the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Because of their tight fit, N95 masks can make it harder to breathe for people who have respiratory issues, the CDC cautions, so those in that situation should be careful.
How to get free N95 masks
The Biden administration announced Jan. 19 a plan to make some N95 masks available for free.
About 400 million N95 masks from the National Strategic Stockpile — a reserve collection of medications, medical supplies and more — will be distributed, the White House said on social media.
The masks “will be available for the public to pick up at tens of thousands of local pharmacies and health centers,” the White House said in its statement.
Where to find N95 masks in Charlotte, online
You can still find N95 masks via major retailers at locations.
The Home Depot website, for example, shows multiple NIOSH-approved N95 masks for sale in multi-packs at Charlotte-area locations. Most of the packs range in price from about $10 to $30, depending on how many masks they include.
Online retailers such as Amazon also have NIOSH-approved N95 masks for sale for similar prices.
And organizations such as Project N95, a nonprofit organization established amid the pandemic, also sell NIOSH-approved N95 masks with prices ranging from about $10 to more than $100, depending on the number of masks in a pack.
Before buying, check the CDC’s list of NIOSH-approved N95 masks and look for the NIOSH seal on the packaging. And remember, experts advise against using masks with valves to protect against COVID-19.
What’s the difference between N95 and KN95 masks?
The key difference between N95 and KN95 masks is whose standards they meet.
N95 masks are regulated by the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and “are evaluated by NIOSH against a specific US standard that includes a quality requirement,” the agency says.
KN95 masks are regulated by “international standards,” the CDC explains, that “do not often have quality requirements.” As such, you should spend some extra time evaluating a KN95 mask before you buy it, the CDC explains.
How to spot fake N95, KN95 masks
The CDC has cautioned throughout the pandemic to watch out for counterfeit N95 and KN95 masks.
When shopping for N95 masks, always look for the NIOSH marking and make sure “NIOSH” is spelled correctly, the agency advises. Real N95 masks won’t have any decorations or add-ons, they add and will have a headband rather than ear loops.
Buyers should also be careful when shopping for KN95 masks, according to the CDC, which says as many as 60% of KN95 masks in the United States are likely counterfeit and don’t meet the standard you should be looking for.
You should check out any KN95 masks for the same issues as N95 masks and also do research on the manufacturer of the masks you’re looking at, the CDC recommends. If possible, the CDC advises, get a sample before purchasing KN95 masks.
Can kids wear N95, KN95 masks?
Children can wear N95 and KN95 masks, and for some, it’s recommended.
“Children with weakened immune systems or who have health conditions that put them at high risk for infections are encouraged to wear an N95 mask for protection,” the American Academy of Pediatrics advises.
However, there are caveats.
It can be difficult, experts caution, to find respirators that will fit a child’s face snugly, and you want a tight fit with N95 and KN95 masks. That tight fit can also be uncomfortable for kids, leading to them fidgeting more with the mask and trying to take it off.
And like with adults, the American Academy of Pediatrics says, children with respiratory issues may find it harder to breathe when wearing a tight-fitting mask.
This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 1:15 PM.
