Can you help me buy masks

[Myshitisreal]

Hi there

I work in a very high risk environment in a concert hall. Our work supply us with disposable masks - a picture enclosed.

I would like to buy masks which will protect me as much as is possible (and others as well of course).

I know of FFP2, N95 and Cambridge masks. It just all gets a bit confused in my head - which is the highest level of protection.

My first choice isn't disposable, but i will go with that if its most viable.

Are there washable masks of the same grade? I'm able to practice very good mask hygiene. I just need a bit of help.

Please note, this isn't to discuss the merits of masks, and my choice to want to try to be as protected as possible.

I just need help picking the right /best types. Happy to look at links /specifics.

Very much appreciate any help

Easiest way to test it is using a smell of something strong that you know. If you can smell it then it's not fitting you well.

Oh this has never worked for me but I do have an extremely sensitive sense of smell. The mask was properly fitted but I could and still can smell absolutely everything

I just stick with a normal disposable mask. They never failed me when I was caring for many residents who had covid. Of course these were changed regularly.

Buy 3M branded FFP2 or FFP3 masks from an established medical supplier such as Medisave, so you can be confident they’re authentic. 3M are a very trusted brand, commonly worn in the NHS. Link:

www.medisave.co.uk/3m-9320-disposable-aura-respirator-mask-unvalved-ffp2.html

@Scottishskifun

The key aspect of FFP2/FFP3 is what FF stands for - face fit.... If it isn't tight around your face then it isn't working.

You may have to try several different ones depending on your face shape. Easiest way to test it is using a smell of something strong that you know. If you can smell it then it's not fitting you well.

I went into a cheese shop recently wearing an FFP2 mask (from Lloyds Pharmacy) but I was immediately able to smell stinky cheese!

I did think at the time I hope this Covid is bigger than cheese because the mask isn't keeping the smell out!!

Erm... Is that right? If the mask had been any good I wouldn't have been able to smell it?

@IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls

I also wouldnt say a concert hall is a very high risk area 🙄

For the area you work in disposable surgical masks are fine .

As a nurse it's what we wear and our jobs are more risky than working in a concert hall.

The masks you are talking about are for HCPs that carry out aerosol procedures.

Ok, can you drop the attitude because I really don't have time for it.

There's no need to sound so "superior" and roll your eyes at me.

I consider being in an enclosed space with 2000 people not wearing masks (singing and laughing) high risk TO ME, so please - go and find someone else to fucking patronise.

You know nothing about me, or my reasons. I'm free to make my own choices.

Please don’t buy valve masks they are not safe for others as particles are not filtered on expiration

The standard disposable masks that everyone lauds as best are actually crap! They filter effectively for approximately 14 minutes, once damp from exhaling they are no longer an adequate filter, I state this as a qualified theatre professional who dabbled in infection control

FFP3 is the best standard but not terribly practical financially, personally my family all wear fully fitted 3 layer cotton masks with a separate FFF2 filter that is changed daily

As others have said, it is important that the mask is fitted to the face so that inhalation and exhalation takes place through the barrier not gaps

Op has a right to choose the masks that op wants to wear and feel safe in. Working in a concert hall is very risky as people are lacking and being lazy and not caring so much anymore.

I recommend this company. The 3M 1863 (an FFP3) gives me a good fit, if I loop the top elastic around a high bun/ponytail. The valved versions are easier to breath in, but offer no extra protection to you. There’s also FFP2 versions which will be nearly as good, and a bit cheaper. These 3M ones are also slash resistant (that’s what the IIR means). thefacemaskstore.co.uk/3m-aura-1863-box-of-20-/

Cambridge masks can also offer a good, tight fit if you use the extra strap around the back of your head. They need to be washed, and aren’t splash resistant.

They need to be a very snug fit, so all the air you breath in is through the mask, not around the sides of your nose/chin. Otherwise they won’t offer much more protection than a surgical mask. My husband won’t wear a Cambridge mask, he finds it too difficult. I’ve got used to it - my stomach/diaphram used to get really tired at the end of the day because it’s harder work. Someone suggested breathing into my back/ribs, expanding all the way around, which I found a helpful thing to learn.

@manolantern

The Cambridge masks are nothing to do with Cambridge, they are made in China, and the guy has obviously made an absolute fortune selling masks that are prohibited in many countries because they do nothing to protect those around you. That company really makes my blood boil tbh! Seems really poor behaviour on their part to be selling masks that they know are not suitable for a pandemic (though might be good for, e.g., a plasterer or a cyclist).

You can seal the valve, just add a valve deactivated to order and it comes with a sticker too

Regardless I've had so many people tell me that as CEV I need to protect myself, that's what I'm doing by wearing a Cambridge one, valve or no valve. If anyone is worried by me wearing one then they can wear their own mask
It seems it was fine for people to say "well you need to protect yourself as you can't control other people and I'm not wearing a mask/staying in/distancing" but then they can't object to me wearing a Cambridge mask

@Tomnooktoldmeto

Please don’t buy valve masks they are not safe for others as particles are not filtered on expiration

The standard disposable masks that everyone lauds as best are actually crap! They filter effectively for approximately 14 minutes, once damp from exhaling they are no longer an adequate filter, I state this as a qualified theatre professional who dabbled in infection control

FFP3 is the best standard but not terribly practical financially, personally my family all wear fully fitted 3 layer cotton masks with a separate FFF2 filter that is changed daily

As others have said, it is important that the mask is fitted to the face so that inhalation and exhalation takes place through the barrier not gaps

Hi! I read research (this was last year, mind) suggesting that a valved mask would offer surrounding people a similar amount of protection from an infected mask wearer as a face covering (ie home made fabric sort of thing).

So, in healthcare a valved one is no good, I agree with you. (Oh! Bringing back memories of a valved FFP3 with a IIR over the top, when I couldn’t get anything else!).

But, in my opinion, I think for the OP’s purposes (protecting herself in a room full of non-mask wearers) a valved one would be fine

Mumsnet - I accidentally pressed a report post button!!! Oops. Could you please ignore it? I am a muppet.

FFP3 is the very best but the most expensive.

FFP2 is nearly as effective. It's the European equivalent to USA N95.

They're the same sort of mask that you'd wear for cleaning mould.

I don't think they're meant to be reused but I saw something earlier today on how to sterilise for reuse. I'm sorry, I only skimmed through and can't remember where I saw it.

We bought ours from Toolstation (had used before for the mould removal).

Personally I find them more comfortable to wear than the surgical one you posted in your OP.

@happylittlevegemites

I recommend this company. The 3M 1863 (an FFP3) gives me a good fit, if I loop the top elastic around a high bun/ponytail. The valved versions are easier to breath in, but offer no extra protection to you. There’s also FFP2 versions which will be nearly as good, and a bit cheaper. These 3M ones are also slash resistant (that’s what the IIR means). thefacemaskstore.co.uk/3m-aura-1863-box-of-20-/

Cambridge masks can also offer a good, tight fit if you use the extra strap around the back of your head. They need to be washed, and aren’t splash resistant.

They need to be a very snug fit, so all the air you breath in is through the mask, not around the sides of your nose/chin. Otherwise they won’t offer much more protection than a surgical mask. My husband won’t wear a Cambridge mask, he finds it too difficult. I’ve got used to it - my stomach/diaphram used to get really tired at the end of the day because it’s harder work. Someone suggested breathing into my back/ribs, expanding all the way around, which I found a helpful thing to learn.

I second the 3M 1863+, I have a box here, but I’d personally find them heavy going for a long shift. Some of the science I’ve read indicates a well fitted FFP2 can be nearly as good (or even better, if it’s a better fit than the FFP3s) and easier to handle over a long stint. Medisave are selling boxes of 20 3M 1862s for around £40.

Medisave are wanting £9 postage.

Ok I've got a couple of FFP2 coming which are Aura 3m. Ill see if I can get into boots as they have ffp2.

I was happy paying more to feel secure but £9 seems a little steep for post.

Thank you everyone who has responded, some really good explanations given of what the different letters mean and what they are for.

I understand the valve ones can be frowned upon (if the valve is open)

Can someone tell me, are cambridge masks actually good, or are they not what they claim to be?

OP, this is such a helpful post to read, thanks very much for putting it up.

FWIW, I've not had COVID but in October I managed to get a really horrible cold/virus which lingered for almost four weeks. My DP caught it too and it was miserable.

The reason I mention it is that we've been secluded the last couple of months. To protect a vulnerable family member (there's quite a lot going on right now) we haven't been out to see anyone or mixed anywhere. The only places I had been was the shops/supermarket. I always, always wear a mask and sanitise etc. I have been wearing a surgical mask. I have noticed that barely anyone is wearing a mask in shops now. The point is, the only place I could have caught this bastard of a cold was from the shop. While wearing a surgical mask. For this reason I don't blame you at all for wanting to ensure you are properly protected. A confined concert hall with that many people is infinitely higher risk than a shop, and I got infected with a cold virus while wearing a mask at a shop....

While I know that masks only provide a limited amount of protection, the fact that I was only popping into shops, not getting close to people, sanitising, and wearing my mask - I did think I'd be well-protected. I was lucky in that it wasn't COVID but it was another very unpleasant virus.

I've got two disabled DC and I could REALLY do without getting COVID or getting another bastard virus. I'm going to try that Amazon link a PP put up with the FFP3 masks.

Thanks to the folks who have shared their knowledge.

I bought some N95 at my local Costco. They fit really well on me (suck in and out when I breath) so ideal for when I need that level.
But it’s all about the fit and purpose. No need for me to speak much if at all.
I’d recommend you go and see if your local Costco carries them.

@Myshitisreal

Ok I've got a couple of FFP2 coming which are Aura 3m. Ill see if I can get into boots as they have ffp2.

I was happy paying more to feel secure but £9 seems a little steep for post.

Thank you everyone who has responded, some really good explanations given of what the different letters mean and what they are for.

I understand the valve ones can be frowned upon (if the valve is open)

Can someone tell me, are cambridge masks actually good, or are they not what they claim to be?

The Cambridge masks are “certified” (or whatever) as FFP2 or FFP3 (sorry, can’t remember which), so they have to be what they claim to be.

Get a size larger than you think you’d need (it’s hard to measure). Order the free valve deactivate whilst you are on the website.

Everyone finds the fit different, so it’s hard to say if it would work for you.

For PP re Cambridge masks have a deactivator valve if you wish to use it. Considering for the last few months hardly anyone around me in shops etc has been wearing masks I’ll keep wearing mine.

I have the valve deactivators on my Cambridge masks if I wear them anywhere more risky. My husband wears them for work without the valve deactivator as he finds them more comfortable and no one else in the office wears a mask so it is literally just to protect him. I’ve read several comprehensive reviews of them and they seem to do what they should but getting a good fit with them is essential. For medical appointments or an A and E trip I’ve worn the aura 3m FFP3s and they’ve worked so far.

@londonmummy1966

Probably better going with a double mask and having a layer fabric one underneath a surgical.

I was going to suggest this.

@Moonopoly

For PP re Cambridge masks have a deactivator valve if you wish to use it. Considering for the last few months hardly anyone around me in shops etc has been wearing masks I’ll keep wearing mine.

But again, the fact that the Cambridge masks have a sticker (that they charge extra for) that you can place over the valve, just furthers my belief that they are a deeply shady and disreputable company.

They have obviously got a warehouse of these valved masks that they got made in China and are selling off at massive profit. When a few countries came out and said that these masks were totally unsuitable for a pandemic because they do not filter exhalations, they could have done the honourable thing of putting their hands up and admitting that their masks were no good.

Instead they found a way to try to extract more money from people by making them pay extra for stickers over the valves!

I'm sorry I won't be convinced of this, I think this company is just terrible!!

They should make proper valves which do not have a valve, otherwise they are causing harm.

"proper masks"

@manolantern

"proper masks"

They do make ones without a valve. And the valve deactivation was free on purchase for the one with a valve I'm not affiliated with them but just pointing out the info as I've purchased three masks from them. Mine are all valve ones which I wear, and I deactivate the valve in hospitals/GP/dentist etc

The valves are 0.79p so hardly extortionate!
If we had a government that truly gave a shit we’d have mandatory and subsidised ffp2 masks but we don’t so I’m not sure having a go at a company that are very clear on what type of masks they sell is particularly fair.