MASK ISSUES

Trigger,

I haven't done business with the site you posted, perhaps someone else has.

Masks for children is a HUGE issue.  I can only suggest you Google "N95 Child Mask"  it pulls up stuff, don't know what you are aiming at so I will just leave it at that.

Quantity is dependant on your outside exposure or exposure to someone who is coming in from outside.  Are you going to be employed well into the pandemic?  Many of us won't be so our mask needs would be less than someone who will be out and about on a regular basis.

Sorry, no help, only more questions.

Fortuitous timing...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=560&Obj ectID=10364914

Masks at frontline of defence

23.01.06

Face masks are expected to form a key defence against the spread of a bird flu pandemic, although uncertainties remain about their use.

* Human influenza is spread from person to person mainly by large droplets, containing virus, sneezed and coughed out by an infected person.

* Washing hands with soap, alcohol-based or antiseptic cleanser - and drying them - are considered the most important ways of reducing the risk of spreading any infectious organisms between people.

* Various disposable masks are available from pharmacies, hardware stores and medical goods suppliers.

* The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends use of N95 respiratory masks or well-fitted standard surgical masks.

* N95 masks filter out smaller particles than surgical masks do and can be used for longer, but are harder to breathe through. N95 masks with a exhalation vent are easier to breathe through than those without, but are considered unsuitable for people who have flu.

* One supplier sells surgical masks for just over 20c each ($10.13 for a pack of 50). N95 prices quoted to the Herald range from $1.88 each ($37.75 for a box of 20) at a pharmacy to $5.48 each ($10.95 for a pack of two) at a hardware store.

* The Health Ministry says that in a flu pandemic people with flu symptoms, such as fever, headache and coughing, should consider using a disposable surgical mask to avoid exposing others to flu virus.

* Masks must be appropriately disposed of once wet and hands then washed and dried.

* The ministry recommends increasing levels of protection depending on the risks: from disposable surgical masks for "first responders" like ambulance officers, health workers or support people in the community, to higher-level masks, goggles, gloves and gown for hospital staff performing invasive procedures on flu patients, such as putting them on a ventilator.

* Senior public health adviser Dr Andrea Forde says the role of masks will not be fully known until a pandemic occurs, when the virus' characteristics will be clearer. Sick people will be urged to wear a mask in public but it is unknown if they should do so at home. People with breathing difficulty cannot be left wearing a mask.

* The WHO says mask-wearing by the general population is not expected to have much impact on flu transmission, "but should be permitted, as this is likely to occur spontaneously".

* Cough "etiquette". During a pandemic people should keep a distance of 1m from others, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, use disposable tissues over their mouth and nose, put used tissues in a rubbish bin and wash and dry their hands immediately.

* Large public gatherings should be avoided and any social contact with infected people should be avoided if possible.

* Windows should be opened for ventilation or a good air-conditioning system used.

* Employers are urged to put up glass or perspex barriers to protect the likes of supermarket check-out staff and bus drivers.

What is the difference between an N95 mask with a valve and without a valve?

ps,

I moved your post because I thought it might provide greater benefit here.  Hope you don't mind.

Debi

look around in this site and read some info..

http://www.bird-flu-influenza.com/how-to-survive-bird-flu.ht m

I have purchased swimming goggles from the dollar store..inexpensive and all the articals I have read so far say they are ok...masks best are n-95..I am using painters masks and will be making coves for our noses and faces...

I have 4 and 6 year old children as well.  I bought the small sized CFR-1 mask for them from here:

http://store.internationalsafetyusa.com/disposable.html

They are N95 masks that seal around a childs face like a nano mask does.

The mask is on the lower left and the replacement filters are 2nd down on the right.  They are very reasonably priced and they came quickly. 

DO NOT purchase nano masks from Oregon Digital.  I've seen too many posts about people asking why they havent gotten their masks.  They are so backlogged as to be unreliable.   Apparently refunds are harder to get than your order.  I got my nano masks from www.2Hdistributors.com.  I went with the 2 mask combo deal and I think you get more filters in the order anyway.  They also came pretty quickly.

Here is where you can get Nano masks cheap with free shipping I ordered from them and they are great! Any mask that has a paper or cloth seal cannot completely seal around your face.  The silicone seal around the Nano mask is by far superior to any other mask!  Military approved gas masks do not have a cloth seal!!! they are silicone THINK about it people! I have worn $300 swat team/ Military gas masks they are silicone.  Ask swankyc about what he wore in the Marines for NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) masks! Buy what you want use what you want just remember don't save a buck to loose your life!

http://www.turiyagateway.com/