3 ms·

I ordered three 3M half mask respirators and 10 P100 cartridges for my family off Amazon a few weeks ago for less than $90 shipped - which is no more than 2x no

I ordered three 3M half mask respirators and 10 P100 cartridges for my family off Amazon a few weeks ago for less than $90 shipped - which is no more than 2x normal pricing IIRC. They're the kind used by construction workers and since I don't use them to put up drywall, each pair of cartridges lasts 3-12 months and the mask can be easily disinfected by unscrewing the cartridges and dunking the mask in alcohol. I've been recommending this path for anyone in a vulnerable group since March and not one person has had trouble acquiring non-disposable respirators or cartridges. My only concern in recommending this widely is that 3M doesn't really sell the masks to consumers - construction companies buy them by the box and they come in ziplock bags with instruction booklets that you'd hand out to everyone on a worksite to follow OSHA regulations. Since the masks are reusable and construction companies have lots of stock unused due to the economic slowdown, they're much more practical for non-healthcare workers who can afford to disinfect it each trip out without impacting supply for healthcare workers. They're also much easier for a novice to fit correctly, form a better seal thanks to all rubber (silicone?) interface, and breathe easier. Get a half mask respirator! Do not buy disposable N95/N100/P95/P100 - leave those for healthcare workers!

BoorishBears 6y ago
I have a half mask respirator from before COVID for working with chemicals. It doesn't protect anyone but you unless you add an additional filter over the vent (affecting breathability), and the recommended lifetimes for cartridges aren't just based on it filling up with drywall. The electrostatic charge expires even as plain air and moisture go through the cartridge. I don't have the packaging for mine, but I don't remember the recommended lifetime being anywhere near 12 months. (Edit: Checking 3M's site, 6 months from the moment it's unsealed even if not used at all. Lifetime goes down from there with use, and when not used it should be in an air-tight container) - Additionally, those were sold out for a very long time from most common sources. There are people who need those to do their jobs just like any other mask, and I have no idea where you're getting the idea they're not hard to come by. Home Depot for example, no longer ships them here in the Northeast, and in-store stock is heavily limited. Actually it looks like Amazon has them back in stock, but every style I see will exhaust what you exhale (so it makes sense there's plenty to go around) If you're in a vulnerable population and cannot in any way avoid coming into contact with others I guess a respirator is better than nothing for your personal safety? But going out of your way to get respirators that people need to safely do their jobs just like the healthcare workers do if you don't actually need to is ill-advised.

BoorishBears 6y ago

I have a half mask respirator from before COVID for working with chemicals. It doesn't protect anyone but you unless you add an additional filter over the vent (affecting breathability), and the recommended lifetimes for cartridges aren't just based on it filling up with drywall. The electrostatic charge expires even as plain air and moisture go through the cartridge. I don't have the packaging for mine, but I don't remember the recommended lifetime being anywhere near 12 months. (Edit: Checking 3M's site, 6 months from the moment it's unsealed even if not used at all. Lifetime goes down from there with use, and when not used it should be in an air-tight container) - Additionally, those were sold out for a very long time from most common sources. There are people who need those to do their jobs just like any other mask, and I have no idea where you're getting the idea they're not hard to come by. Home Depot for example, no longer ships them here in the Northeast, and in-store stock is heavily limited. Actually it looks like Amazon has them back in stock, but every style I see will exhaust what you exhale (so it makes sense there's plenty to go around) If you're in a vulnerable population and cannot in any way avoid coming into contact with others I guess a respirator is better than nothing for your personal safety? But going out of your way to get respirators that people need to safely do their jobs just like the healthcare workers do if you don't actually need to is ill-advised.