PoP NB Layperson’s Guide to Finding and Choosing a Better Mask
by Kathleen Gadd
This is a fairly long post about more effective masks and where to obtain them. In this post you’ll find out
why it’s important to upgrade our masks as SARS-CoV-2 changes,
links to mainstream media articles discussing upgrading masks,
discussion of considerations such as shopping locally vs. online,
mask accessories that help,
Canadian suppliers,
a link to the Red Cross program for free masks for community organizations (program extended until June 30, 2022), and
a brief discussion of elastomeric respirators.
Why Do Different Masks Matter?
The omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is more easily transmissible than previous strains. COVID is an airborne disease, and as infected individuals become more infectious with more transmissible strains, having a mask or respirator that is more effective against airborne transmission will help keep you safe.
The key to not catching COVID is to reduce the amount of virus you inhale. Being vaccinated will help your immune system respond better and more quickly to the virus once it enters your body, and wearing the best mask or respirator that you can will prevent more viral particles from ever being inhaled into your lungs, nose, airways, etc.
Since late fall, the Public Health Agency of Canada has been communicating with Canadians about wearing a well-fitting, multi-layer mask. Surgical masks typically leave gaps near the nose and cheeks, which allow air to enter your body unfiltered since some of it has bypassed the filtration offered by the mask. Cloth masks also fail to filter out enough pathogens to be effective against current strains of COVID. However, any mask is better than no mask and may reduce your inhaled dose of virus enough to make a difference depending on the situation.
You can alter a surgical mask to make it fit better, by using the knot and tuck method or by using a mask brace.
However, the mask that offers superior protection is known as a respirator or an xN95. I use the term xN95 because there are different types and names depending on the country where they are made and the standards to which they are made. An actual N95 is certified by NIOSH and uses straps that go fully behind the head. A CA-N95, KF94, or KN95 usually has ear loop straps. While the mask material and shape provides better protection, it’s still possible that the ear loop straps do not allow the mask to seal fully around your mouth and nose, a limitation to be aware of. Using an “ear saver” strap behind the head, attaching the ear loop straps to that, and possibly adjusting them with knots may help.
Respirators offer protection that is many times more effective than surgical masks, even without fit testing. This is due to the superior fit of xN95s, which conform more closely to the contours of the face and should have no gaps. xN95s have a nose piece you can mold to the shape of your nose and cheeks. Better performance is also due to the layers and materials of the xN95, which are specifically constructed to attract and trap particles. xN95 masks are made out of special materials that are designed to be both breathable and provide high filtration of particles. They can also be reused which can reduce the cost of using the best quality masks.
Mainstream Media on Better Masks
Mainstream media outlets such as CBC have written several articles about upgrading your mask.
For a good overview, see this CBC’s Canada's mask guidance has changed. Here's why you might need an upgrade.
Consumer Reports write up, Use a Better Mask for COVID-19 | Delta Variant from October 2021 which contains a good overview of what N95 means, and an explanation of N95 vs K95 vs KF94.
Dr. David Fisman on CBC Shift: Your baggy mask isn't going to cut it against Omicron, epidemiologist warns from December 19, 2021.
Macleans It's time to switch to an N95 mask in the battle against Omicron from January 2022.
NPR on masks and omicron: With omicron, you need a mask that means business from December 2021.
Choosing Better Masks
Many people have questions about where they can obtain good-quality N-95 type masks (or better), and particularly in smaller sizes for kids.
Below are some resources that can help you find and choose a better mask or respirator.
Masks4Canada resource on upgrading your mask with a list of Canadian suppliers. (The entire Masks4Canada site is great and has tips to keep you safe - make sure you explore after you read about masks)
Dr. Prussin (Microbiologist) and Dr. Marr’s (PhD, Engineer) document of results from testing kids masks (you can find Dr. Marr on twitter. CBC has often interviewed her for videos and articles about COVID and masks).
Aaron Collins (Mask Nerd): document of results from testing kids masks - KF/KN style (you can find Aaron Collins on twitter as well).
Nicolas Smit, a Canadian engineer, has a table of different types of masks comparing features (you can find Nicolas Smit on twitter):
CBC Marketplace mask testing from April 2021: Is your N95-style mask failing you? Lab tests show some falling way short of filtration standards
And recent guidance from Public Health Agency of Canada:
Bonus: Dr. Trisha Greenhalgh, one of the founders of evidence-based medicine, explaining the basics of masks and indoor air quality. You will learn something if you read this!
Purchasing Better Masks
Now that you have learned all about masks, where can you obtain different sized xN95s?
Like with many products these days, you can look for xN95s in person in a brick and mortar store, or you can order online. Physical locations that are likely to stock xN95s include pharmacies, hardware stores, and industrial supply or safety stores. Generally, masks available in NB on store shelves will be adult sizes. The pharmacy may be most likely to have the soft-fold style rather than the hard cup. In NB, I use the #NBN95 hashtag on twitter to note when a local brick and mortar store has xN95s in stock.
I have only heard of kids’ sized xN95s being available in NB stores in larger areas like Fredericton, and Quispamsis/Saint John. For child and teen sizes, it may be easiest to order online. One advantage of shopping in person is that you don’t have to pay for shipping, and you are able to buy typically 1 box of 10 masks at a time in order to see if they fit well before committing to buying more.
In late 2021 and early 2022, N95s often sold out online as people were preparing for omicron surges. In spring 2022, I expect online stock of N95s to be generally available. Just in case, note that on the Canada Strong Masks page, you can sign up for an in-stock alert for any products you want to buy and you’ll get an e-mail when they’re back in stock. Canada Strong Masks sell a variety of different brands and sizes of CA-N95s.
To get an N95 more quickly, you could try asking on social media if anyone has any extra - some people do and we like to share!
You could also ask your local store to stock some, and you can give them the contact information for the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers. I was able to convince my local grocery store to order some Vitacore CA-N95s. Here’s the link to the CAPPEM Purchasing Directory. You can send the CAPPEM site to any store that might like to order masks in bulk to sell.
CA-N95, KN95, KF954 vs. N95
CA-N95 is a new Canadian standard that includes breathability. These new “soft fold” respirators are much more comfortable and breathable than the old “cup style” N95. A true N95 mask uses straps that go all around your head. CA-N95, KN95, and KF94 tend to use ear loop straps instead of straps that go behind the head. Straps that go around your head are more secure and result in a tighter fit than those that just go behind your ears. Ultimately, if the straps go behind your head, the mask is likely forming a better seal to your face and is more protective. With a CA-N95, particularly for kids’ sizes, you may achieve a better seal and tighter fit by using an “ear saver” strap that has notches or buttons - the strap goes behind your head and you can attach the ear loop straps to it instead of your ears.
Ear saver strap can also help achieve a better fit
For my younger kids, the “ear saver” strap is an essential part of an effective mask strategy. Even the smaller CA-N95s that are meant for kids have some gaps if I don’t use the ear saver strap. I have seen them at the Great Canadian Dollar Store, and have bought some on Etsy and Amazon.
Online stores you can browse for masks:
Canada Strong Masks has lots of CA-N95s in stock in different sizes, including kids’.
Vitacore has a variety of CA-N95s and CA-N99s.
Prescientx has innovative, reusable respirators - one that is $20, extremely comfortable, and reusable for 1-6 months depending on frequency of wear, and one that is $50 with filters to replace every 1-6 months (or daily if in healthcare). Note that the NanoMask (the $20 one) is sold out right now but it will be available again soon as more are in production. Prescientx is also developing a kids’ NanoMask they plan to have ready for the new school year.
Good Manner has KF94 masks.
There are also some general safety stores online that stock respirators.
FREE masks and rapid tests for community organizations and non-profits are available from the Canadian Red Cross.
The program has been extended until June 30, 2022. Community organizations and non-profits should apply here. Please do share this link and program with any community organizations or non-profits that you know of!
Masks I have personally purchased
I’ve been buying most of our masks from Canada Strong Masks since upgrading from cloth. I have also ordered a couple of times from Vitacore. I like the CA-N99 on me. I’ve yet to compare the Vitacore kids mask fit with the CanadaMasq CA-N95 from Canada Strong.
I have made my Prescientx NanoMask my go-to mask (I only need one for grocery store and pharmacy or other essential outings - I work from home). A $20 mask from them lasts 1 month with daily 8 hour wear, or 6 months with occasional wear such as in my situation. It is unbelievably comfortable and easy to breathe through. I would be interested in trying their Breathe respirator next. I would absolutely recommend the NanoMask to anyone to try if you have $20 plus shipping to spare on trying a ridiculously comfortable mask. (Spring 2022 - note they are sold out at the moment but producing more NanoMasks. The Breathe respirator is available.)
Elastomeric Respirators
There is another option for respiratory PPE that has not received much mainstream attention - reusable elastomeric respirators. There are some sleeker ones like the Prescientx Breathe or NanoMask, and there are also the more typical P100 masks that you would picture someone using while spray painting. The filters on reusable elastomeric respirators usually last for quite a long time, although this varies, and the cost is usually quite reasonable. A well-fitting elastomeric respirator that is comfortable to you will keep you quite protected and will be cheaper over time compared to single-use disposable masks (if you don’t re-use them), but they may not be allowed in every situation.
I have not personally tried the GVS Elipse, but many people do like it and you can look up reviews online. It’s available from amazon.ca, usually for under $40. It is available both with and without an exhalation valve.
I obtained Flo Masks for my kids - they do like them although they find it’s harder to open their mouths than with the CA-N95s. One of my kids has slippery hair so she would need a ponytail to help the head strap stay on. (Note there is now a “halo” strap you can buy for $13 that will help it stay on better.)
Flo Masks are now available from amazon.ca which would be the cheaper and faster option for Canadians. I also ordered the condensation foam part which apparently helps a lot (this seems to come standard now). Note that when you exhale into a respirator, condensation will build up over time without an exhalation valve since the warm air from your lungs is meeting the colder surroundings. Hence the need for either something to absorb the condensation (foam ring or insert) or an exhalation valve on an elastomeric respirator. The Flo Mask fits my 4 and 6 year olds, but it is too small for my 8-year-old. I ordered a different elastomeric respirator for her, but the company seems to have gone out of business so I can’t recommend that one. Prescientx (a Canadian company) is planning to have a kids’ sized NanoMask ready for the next school year, so I will likely get that mask for her.
I personally like having a reusable elastomeric respirator as I feel they provide a good seal, excellent filtration, and I have been able to experiment with different models until I have found ones that fit our faces well. However, it is expensive to try out different reusable elastomerics if you end up with one that does not fit your face well. I do like the reusable aspect - I had enjoyed my cloth masks during the first part of the pandemic as I’d rather avoid generating more waste (though I understand at this time the wastefulness of masks is unfortunately necessary), and the other aspect I like is that I don’t have to worry about running out of masks when we use reusable elastomerics (as long as we have enough filters!). There are some elastomeric respirator enthusiasts on twitter who can answer your questions, and you can find them at https://twitter.com/elasto_league.
Disclosure: I am not involved in any way in the PPE industry. I have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. I would like to save lives and reduce COVID transmissions.
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