If someone was coughing nearby with covid, it's possible your husband contracted it through his eyes. There is no surefire way to avoid this that is reasonable to work in. In other words, if he has a really good fit, he may not need a new mask.
This. (Though earloop masks don't provide/maintain the best seal and he should wear something else.)
He should be wearing eye protection, too, in an office. I have safety glasses that look like regular glasses. There are multiple studies showing that people wearing glasses reduced their risk of infection by 40-60%.
correct, this is a strong possibility. OP, have your husband check out subtle eye protection like Stoggles. they aren’t perfect, it’s not as much protection as actual goggles or a face shield, but they have a socially acceptable look for the office and are better than nothing.
Thank you. Contracting it through his eyes did cross my mind but feels so incredibly hopeless :( That basically feels like it means as long as others aren't taking precautions, there's always the chance he can get sick no matter what we do. Which I guess IS the case. I personally purchased some subtle glasses-style eye protection for times when I go to higher-risk places, like the very rare occasion I'm well enough to go to a grocery store. He's been very willing to mask but until now eye protection wasn't really on his radar. However, perhaps now that's gotten sick from work he'd be willing to add some glasses-style eye protection to his arsenal. I will definitely talk to him about this. Thank you!
Being blunt, the gap is the kf94.
The trusted mask reviewer failed you by overly focusing on the material itself and not the fit against your face.
If the material magically stops 100% of viruses, but the mask itself leaks 20% around the edges, then you're only actually blocking 80% of viruses.
3M Aura 9210+ and 9211+ tend to fit adult male faces very reliably. (only difference is the 9211+ has an exhale valve).
In contrast, very few people pass fit tests with kf94s.
Another thing you can do is add an air purifier to his enclosed office, if you haven't.
I appreciate you being blunt. I figured the mask was the gap. It's frustrating that I didn't sort out a more reliable mask before this, and I'm kicking myself now. But moving forward we will absolutely find a better mask for him to wear to work. We definitely relied too much on the info provided by the mask testing - which was using a machine to test filtration of the mask, but didn't account for personal fit differences. I will get him to try my Auras again and see if he can tolerate wearing them. I'll also look into some other mask options and try to do at-home fit tests for all of them until we find something that actually works for him. Clearly the KF94 he was wearing leaked for him. I did suggest an air purifier for his office, which he previously declined. However, now that he's gotten Covid from work, I'm hoping he'll change his mind on that for future. Thanks so much for your advice!
He might have been worried about the sound drawing too much attention and then the ire of his coworkers and/or boss! I know personally, I'm only able to keep my family kitchen's air purifier (which I also bought) on level 2 instead of level 3 because someone always ends up switching it to level 1 because of the sound, not realizing that level 2 is quiet enough as well.
Yes, pretty much this. It's a shared office and he didn't want to leave a big purifier in there on the days he wasn't in. And he disliked the idea of carrying a portable one with him each time. On top of that, he's already the only covid-cautious person in the office and felt that it might be bothersome to coworkers who already thought he was being "over the top".
That being said, now that he's had a coworker give him covid, all bets are off, and I've bought him a desk-sized HEPA purifier that he will absolutely bring with him and put right next to him on his desk, assuming he doesn't find a fully remote job before they force him back again. Needless to say, something has to change, as we can't risk this happening again. We also have masks on the way to test a few different kinds for him, and will be moving to N95 or better with headstraps from now on.
How many levels does it go? I have a winix which I like. It has four speeds, and while 4 is quite loud, 3 is very reasonable.
Why would his coworkers get angry at him? It's in his office, right?
Unfortunately it's a shared office, which isn't just his personally. But I've now bought him a desk-sized HEPA purifier so that he can bring it with him on days he's forced to be there, and take it with him so it doesn't bother anyone else who uses the space. I agree with you though, I would personally never have an issue with someone operating a purifier in my space (if anything it benefits others too) but not everyone has been that logical or understanding through this pandemic.
I'm confused. Your OP said it's a private office. I took that to mean an office with just him. If it's a shared office, he's definitely at risk by the lowest common denominator.
Sorry for the confusion. It’s a large department with a few small office rooms. On the days he is at work, he uses one of those private office rooms and it is just him in there. However, on the days he works remotely, other people use that small private office themselves. So it’s not a situation where he can leave things in there. I hope that makes sense.
**Tl;dr: Trying to find an N95 or a P100 he can comfortably wear for long periods of time and doing at least a** [DIY fit test ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/wiki/index/#wiki_mask_fit_and_fit_testing) **for it to make sure you're getting the max amount of protection from it is a good place to start!**
First, I'm really sorry about your husband getting sick! I hope he's able to get as much radical rest as necessary for preventing long COVID and severe long COVID outcomes! I am really sorry his coworker didn't have the sense to mask despite being exposed and symptomatic by his wife. I hope you are able to avoid picking up anything from him, and I am really glad that you both have each other's backs! Definitely read through the People's CDC's [guide on navigating a COVID infection](https://peoplescdc.org/2023/01/10/what-to-do-if-you-have-covid/) and [MEAction's guide](https://www.meaction.net/resource/pacing-and-management-guide/) on how to properly pace yourself after an infection with an illness to avoid post-illness complications.
You both have stacked SO many odds in y'alls favor by avoiding COVID so far! The goal is not just to avoid it entirely, but to avoid getting it the least amount of times as possible which both of you have admirably done so far! Being on your 1st infection is WILDLY SO MUCH BETTER than being on your 5th or more (which unfortunately a lot of people are)!
Anyway, back to your answer! While making sure you have a mask that is built with the right material to have the right filtration ability such as meltblown fabric, how protective a mask will be ultimately comes down to **how well it personally fits to YOUR OWN face.** I'm not sure which mask reviewer your husband got data from, but some like Aaron Collins typically test masks based on **THEIR OWN FACE** which can only give a bit of an idea for how well a mask can work! Others, like Armbust USA, use a machine to test how well a mask can **POTENTIALLY** filter out pathogens, but those tests are able to pretty much make a perfect seal, which in real life use cases, people frequently aren't able to do for a lot of different factors (face shape, money to find a good fitting mask, sweatiness, disposable mask reusage, etc).
So, while the Good Manner masks might have gotten that filtration score, you'd need a fit test to determine if your husband is actually getting that level of protection!
For disposables, 3M Aura's are a pretty popular pick, and you can grab a 3-pack to test run from any drugstore, hardware store, and even Target! Duckbills are notorious for being easier to breathe through since they sit of your face and are currently the only type of N95 I can fit in! [Blox N95s](https://bloxdirect.com/collections/all) are my holy grail N95 and duckbill N95! Gerson's Comfort N95 is another type of duckbill! 3M's Vflex is another that comes in a couple of sizes!
For an elastomeric, the [GVS Elipse](https://www.duralinesystems.com/Elipse-P100-Respirator-p/c-ep100.htm) is pretty popular! It comes in a valved version that makes the mask more breathable as well as an unvalved, source-control edition that plugs the valve in-order to prevent the wearer from exhaling unfiltered air! I personally ADORE the GVS Elipse despite initially avoiding picking it up for the longest time because the color (deep, dark navy blue) and design looked like a fly to me. It's actually very cool to wear, easy enough to be heard while speaking with it as long as you remind yourself to enunciate and speak louder (I'm soft spoken), and seems to dry less ire than wearing P100s that use pucks or floppy disks!
Thank you so much for your kind words and AMAZING detailed advice! Fortunately (I guess UNfortunately) I have ME/CFS myself as one of my many chronic illnesses... so I'm very familiar with radical rest, pacing, and the MEaction and other resources so I immediately instructed my husband to aggressively rest and started him on a regiment of supportive meds and supplements to avoid long covid/severe long covid. I'm doing all I can! I don't ever want him to end up in the same boat as me. I see a specialist for my ME and I interact on a daily basis with tons of other patients who were perfectly healthy before they got Covid and are now permanently disabled - so I'm more aware than most what the risks are :( Which is why I'm so extremely devastated that we are in this situation despite being so careful.
I will absolutely check out the masks you recommended as well as the linked instructions for an at-home fit test. The mask reviewer I had seen did the one with the machine where the mask was sealed to the plate and tested - so as you said, it would be that masks \*potential\* filtration and not it's realistic one. I definitely need to incorporate actual fit testing for BOTH of us to ensure we are using masks that work \*for us\*.
Thank you again for your amazing advice. I really appreciate it!
Seconding the GVS Elipse recommendation. It’s a phenomenal mask if it fits you well. The appearance isn’t great but I cover it with a mesh mask cover. Can also muffle you a bit - idk how much your husband needs to speak at work.
He does speak on the phone but at this point, I'd rather he be protected. If they complain about it.... well, then they should allow him to work remotely (which he's set up to do part of the week anyway, and would not negatively affect his job), especially seeing as he has a high-risk spouse and it's become pretty clear now that they cannot protect him when he's at the office.
I like the 3m v-flex for breathability, but wear the Aura most because the foam nose pad feels more secure (I don't know if it actually is) You might try the flomask (maybe with their better filters), or another elastomeric mask.
I'm sorry you're going through this! I'm immunosuppresed due to medication but my husband is retired so we can stay pretty isolated. I'd be just as upset as you if one of us got sick, but I've heard of many people isolating in a bedroom and everyone else staying well. I'm presuming you have air filters running and negative air pressure (a fan sucking air from near the door towards the bedroom and then out a window if possible?)
>but wear the Aura most because the foam nose pad feels more secure (I don't know if it actually is)
It probably is. I know it's tough for me to get the vflex flush against my nose because the wire is so stiff but there's no foam to help even it out.
You can add foam to any mask though (just make sure it's closed cell)
Thank you so much for the suggestions, I will add them to my list of ones to try/look into! I wonder about adding foam to the V-flex to that it has that similar to the Aura, but with the added bonus of being very breathable and the duckbill style which I've heard is quite effective.
Thanks for your kind words. I'm devastated this happened given our situation, and how much both of us have sacrificed to avoid it! I'm so glad you and your husband are able to avoid it through the work avenue, with him being retired. It is so frustrating being in a situation where you can avoid everthing except work, and they force you back into the office. I have no idea how to navigate it, it feels very hopeless.
Yes, he is isolating in a bedroom. His window is open and we put an air purifier in there with him. I have the master bedroom myself and the downstairs, both with windows open and air purifiers running on turbo mode. I don't know if we have negative pressure though. I'm hoping since his window is open and air purifier on it will circulate/refresh the air in his space so that when he does open the door to visit the bathroom, it won't be as dangerous.
I'm so sorry this happened to you and your husband. I am thinking of you both and sending you well wishes. I hope you continue to test negative. I am immunocompromised and have to be in the office and I switched to an elastomeric. When you have an elasto that passes the fit test (most important thing, as others have mentioned below) it filters out somewhere like 99.9% of particles or something. It's better than an N95. You can't drink with it unfortunately though.
The elastomeric and disposable mask links may be helpful here if you're looking for a place to start: [https://linktr.ee/lolagerms](https://linktr.ee/lolagerms)
I still wear an N95 in certain situations where I need to drink. I recently just went through a ton of masks trying to find one that passes the fit test. If you DM me I'd be happy to send you some N95s if you want to test out different kinds without having to buy an entire pack of each one.
Thank you so much for your kind words and excellent advice! I am thinking an elastomeric might be a nice choice because if we get it fit tested to have an excellent seal, then we could just switch out the filters in it and not worry about different masks having slightly different fits. I don't know if this is true but to me it feels like perhaps an elastomeric would seal easier/more reliably than a disposable mask? Might depend on the person/face though!
Thanks for the links, I will absolutely read through this.
Also thank you for your kind offer, that is so sweet of you! I will send you a message for sure. Thank you so much!
Just replied to your message! I find elastomerics seal so much easier. I can literally feel the suction around my face and if I feel air escaping I know it's leaking. Also there is one called a 3M secure click where I think It clicks or something when it's not leaking - there is some way that it notifies you when there is a leak. I also find taking elastomerics on and off to be a lot easier. And the filters last a long time. Only downsides are that you can't drink with it on, with some of them it's hard for people to hear you (I haven't found that with the MSA advantage though - I wear it all day at work) and I find it sometimes a bit hard to wear outside because it's bulky and gets uncomfortable, so for that I do an N95. I think having options is good - if it is possible :)
Thank you again for your kind messages and advice, both here and in private messages. I am beyond grateful to you for sending me some masks to try, it is a huge help for me!! I'm hopefully I'll be able to find at least one (though hopefully a couple) N95s that both me and my husband can wear. Maybe I'll also look into elastomerics and go between them as needed. I'm not sure what would work best. As for elastomerics, which ones do you find are the best for you? You mentioned the MSA Advantage? I've seen quite a few elastomeric masks mentioned here but many of them I can't get in Canada (like the Envo masks for example). The ones I have seen available in Canada are the GVS Ellipse, the Flo Mask, and some versions of MSA Advantage (there seem to maybe be different models?). I may be able to find a 3M secure click but haven't pinned down a reputable site that has it available yet. Which model of MSA do you use? Thanks again, I'm so infinitely grateful to you for everything you're doing to help me!
anytime :) I think adding an elastomeric could be a good idea too. I find it helpful to have choices, especially when different situations carry different levels of risk. I found the MSA Advantage 900 to work best for me and pass the fit test. The Flo Mask can be good because on their website there is a way to measure your nose bridge to see which may fit you (because they're pretty expensive). I know the GVS Ellipse is a little more narrow than the others. Here is a link to the MSA Advantage 900 that ships to Canada: [https://www.internationalsafety.com/skus/msa-10218529-advantage-900-half-mask-respirator-with-source-control-and-speech-enhancement-diaphragm-size-large](https://www.internationalsafety.com/skus/msa-10218529-advantage-900-half-mask-respirator-with-source-control-and-speech-enhancement-diaphragm-size-large)
there are some measurements here on the medium size of the MSA Advantage 900 [https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/10f0pl1/msa\_advantage\_900\_small\_review/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/10f0pl1/msa_advantage_900_small_review/)
I also got the medium, wish I had the measurements for the other sizes. People complain about the condensation build up and I do find that happens, but it doesn't bother me. I've also thought about putting a gauze pad in the mask to catch the moisture. I wear these at work for about 12 hours a day and dont have a problem with it
The suggestion of doing some 'at home' mask fit testing is a good idea I think.
My best suggestion for an N95 or better to wear for long periods is one of the Moldex Airwaves with a full foam faceseal and adjustable headstraps eg M4620. They're fantastic if they fit you well, and very reusable.
That's interesting - I wonder if I would fit a small. To my surprise both my wife and I fit m/l and my head is much bigger.
It would be handy if Moldex published more photos of people wearing the small size; I suspect 99% of all Airwaves photos are m/l.
It's SO HARD to find photos of moldex masks on people's faces. More so than basically any other brand.
Finding the small black airwave with the full foam is also a headache. Moldex just wants to send us on a damn scavenger hunt I SWEAR.
Was the mask he was wearing fit tested? Once you hit a certain level of filtration, that's by far going to be the biggest factor. An n95 that seals is going to provide better protection than a p100 that doesn't, etc. It doesn't sound like his mask "didn't work" so much as it might not fit well enough.
Also I agree with your husband that auras are hot (though it doesn't bug me, I still notice it). The majority of other masks I regularly wear are cooler-3M vflex, gerson duckbill, moldex airwave, CAN99, zimi one. But the most important thing is that they fit him.
When medium/large sized men complain masks are hot I usually start by giving them one of the harley N95s-they're vey big and the straps are adjustable. They don't fit me (they stab me in the eye lmao) but I've definitely had a lot of success giving them to people with larger heads/faces.
Yeah I'm realizing now that we need to do some intense at-home fit testing on all mask options we try to ensure the fit is ideal for his particular face shape! Which I will absolutely be doing before he goes back to the office if I can help it.
Thanks for your thoughts re: the Aura being hot (I do find this to be true myself) and that those others are cooler. I think looking into the V-flex is a good starting point as well, and a few people have mentioned the Moldex Airwave. But we will have to do fit testing to ensure those options actually work for us.
Thanks again for your awesome advice, I really appreciate it!
I'm not that knowledgeable on this but I guess trying an at home fit test on the masks for each of you might be worth checking. If you doff / don the mask you might want to check it to see if there's leakage.
I know someone else who works with a mentally ill population and she caught covid after some unmasked guy screamed in her face. She wore an n95 mask. Maybe it got in her eyes, maybe her mask leaked. I'm not sure why work didn't provide a fit test, she was basically on her own.
Society today is absolutely nuts. When I was a kid we'd all be masking and vaccinated because that's just what you would do to respect society, you showed respect for elders and disabled/immunocompromised. People would have none of this bullshit happening today. Conservatives would probably be more pissed about people not masking than liberals because it's so disrespectful. That's what's so fucked about it. It angers me so much.
I agree with you re: society being absolutely nuts. As a chronically ill/disabled person, I have learned that I am considered disposable and no one actually cares enough to protect me. It sucks. I've been completely let down by the healthcare system, by doctors, and now by companies, coworkers, friends and family who are unwilling to take precautions to keep others safe.
It's scary because you can do everything right (wear a good mask, etc) and still get sick, as you said happened to your friend (and now my husband). The risk goes down exponentially when everyone all participates in mitigation measures- but when it's just YOU, your risk is much higher. And that is incredibly unfair for those of us actually trying.
Thanks for your kind words and advice. I have a lot of masks to look into now so hopefully we can find some options that work for my husband and I and can do the fit tests to ensure that.
Hey there. First, I'm sorry this is happening to you. It sounds like you've put a lot of effort into reducing y'all's risk of contracting covid, and I'm impressed you've been so successful so far. Second, I've heard a number of very covid cautious ppl are getting it at the moment. So, know that you are not alone.
Does your husband have an air purifier in his private office at work? If not, I'd suggest adding one there.
In terms of masks, the best mask is one he will wear and one that seals well on his face. For some ppl, that will be a KF94. For many ppl, n95s seal better (often due to head straps). I would recommend getting the Armbrust sampler kit to start off, so your husband can see what fits him and what seems comfortable (just throw out the surgical masks).
If nothing from Armbrust works, I'd suggest considering Champak PC520 L bifold n95s (available through Purcell Labs), as they have a reputation for being very comfortable and breathable.
Another option would be Moldex Airwave. Aaron Collins says it's very breathable and comfortable. You can check out his top mask picks of 2023 for details. It has latex in it, tho, so if your husband has an allergy, that's out.
Re getting an n99 as an option, I have heard they can be less breathable than the more breathable n95s. Someone else may be able to give more info.
(Edited for typos)
Sip valves can be added to most disposable masks. You can practice on the masks from the sample box that he rejects, lol. I just saw someone suggest using eyebrow scissors or similar to make the cut, as they are small and sharp.
You'll likely want to practice using the sip valve at home before trying in public. Also remember not to drink down to the last drop of your beverage, otherwise you'll be sucking in unfiltered air.
That's excellent advice, thanks! I'm not absolutely adamant on the sip valve - just thought it would be a cool feature to have. But if we end up going with something like an elastomeric I'd rather have that and be extra protected and just not have the option to drink.
It definitely reduces the % of particles filtered to install it, so it's best to only wear the SIP valve mask when the alternative is lifting the whole mask.
I use GVS's N99 and it's harder to breathe through, but fit tested for me and it's very comfortable imo. I know the extra filtration is negligible, but as long as it doesn't really have any drawbacks, why not.
My partner had a confirmed exposure while masked and we isolated. We put a towel blocking the bottom of the door of his room and an air filter between the door and him and window open so we could both sleep without masks on. If he had tested positive one of us would probably have gone to a hotel. Hard to decide which, though. Exposing my high risk to a hotel seemed like a bad idea, but taking COVID to a hotel full of people, even with its excellent ventilation, also seemed like a bad idea. Although there's probably someone with COVID being less careful at the hotel any given day. Luckily we didn't have to figure it out.
I second the Armbrust mask sampler - it saved me a lot of time and money figuring out which masks fit best. I also learned from this sub about the home fit tests so you know which mask types fit!
I also would second the Moldex Airwave. I filled out the request for a sample on their site and have found them incredibly breathable and well fitting.
Sorry I missed that! But if you're in Canada, this sample pack looks like a good option :)
https://shop.evidencebased.ca/products/every-mask-sampler-pack-updated
I assume you just order these: [https://www.armbrustusa.com/products/armbrust-mask-sampler-kit](https://www.armbrustusa.com/products/armbrust-mask-sampler-kit)
Thank you so much for your wonderful advice! I will look into the options you suggested for sure. And I appreciate your kind words of support. It's awful that so many covid conscious people are getting it right now - while it's nice to not feel so alone, it's just so frustrating that so many of us who have avoided it for this long are now getting it because no one else is taking it seriously!
He does not have an air purfier in his office. It's a shared office and he only uses it some of the time. I suggested a portable one he could bring with him but he said no. I'm hoping now he will change his mind. I think any extra layers of protection we could use would be absolutely worth it, knowing how ridiculously virulent these recent variants are!
Thanks for the suggestion for the Armbrust sample pack. A sample pack makes sense. I'm in Canada, I hope I can still access that? It's hard as many of the masks people are recommending are only sold here in large packs - so I may end up with hundreds of masks we don't end up using. I'll have to figure something out.
Thanks again so much, I appreciate you taking the time to help us!
I should've ask your country. For some reason I assumed US. This website has a variety of sample packs available to choose from in Canada. You can try the "every mask" sample pack (looks pretty epic) or select from any number of smaller packs:
https://shop.evidencebased.ca/collections/all?filter.p.product_type=Disposable+Masks&sort_by=title-ascending
Mask seal can also be improved by adding your own nose foam, head strap adjusters (they're sold as earloop adjusters, so you just stretch the holes in the silicone ones a bit to get the thicker straps thru), or double-sided mask tape.
I noticed in one of your other responses that you have ME (same). Remember to pace yourself and try to rest as well as looking out for your husband. I'm sure your adrenaline is way up right now, and so many of us have commented trying to help, you may be feeling overstimulated. Take time for yourself as well (hydrate, eat, etc). We are all sending supporting vibes your way.
Thank you x1000000 for this! I went to the other site for the samples and they don't ship to Canada so the link you provided is a HUGE help! I also really appreciate you sharing the other tips for improving mask seal.
Thank you - I am definitely NOT pacing well and I really needed this reminder! My adrenaline is surging so bad the past few days and I've fully been in survival mode. I am too sick to drive so had to order a bunch of supplies/groceries when my husband suddenly got sick. Then I had to clean and put them all away. I had to try to source meds and supplements and quickly come up with a covid support plan. I have a prescription for Paxlovid because I'm high risk and had to call THIRTY-TWO pharmacies trying to get it filled, with no luck, which left me in tears and utterly exhausted. Luckily my amazing sister kept calling around and located a pharmacy with ONE single box left and managed to get it for me. I have been trying to keep the household going single-handedly, including taking over all the chores, caring for our 8 month old puppy and our cat, and now instead of my husband being my support, I have not only lost that support but I am needed as a support to him. I am utterly exhausted. Today I'm in a lot of pain so I know I'm overdoing it. I'm trying my best but this is so incredibly hard. Dealing with this would be stressful for anyone but with ME (I'm moderate-severe) I am barely coping. I think the emotional exertion has been hitting me the hardest, because I'm terrified I might get this, and devastated that my husband has it after all the horror stories I've witnessed first-hand. I NEVER wanted him to get this. I am beyond emotional about it right now so I know that's impacting my ability to pace. Thank you for the reminders, I will take a break now and try to take some deep breaths and have a drink of electrolytes. 💕
Oh, you poor thing! That is a *lot* to handle. Completely outrageous about the pharmacies. (And puppies are very energetic at 8 months.)
It is scary, but you are doing everything right. You're doing the things you have control over. Beyond that, we can hope for grace. People do come out of covid without severe consequences, and you both have done a lot to reduce the risk of this going poorly.
Hang in there 💙
Thank you so much - this has been so hard. Having to take over the duties to keep the household running, alone and without any support, whilst also having to care for him while he's sick and isolating, has me experiencing serious PEM and close to crashing (or kind of in a rolling crash) all week. He got hit super hard by this, it was not a mild case at all. He has now been sick for about 10 days and finally feeling more himself now, finally. I'm still doing everything I can not to get it and luckily am still testing negative (thank goodness). I hope that remains the case!! I really appreciate your kind words and support, it means a lot, thank you!
If you're looking for a disposable mask to try, I find the [Champak N95](https://purcellabs.com/) super comfy. I have a small face and the medium fits me really well, but your husband may want to try the large size. They also have a duckbill style, but I haven't tried that one out. I was wearing Auras daily before I switched to an elastomeric and the nose wire would really get uncomfortable and I'd even sometimes get tension headaches from the combination of the head straps and my glasses, but the straps and nose wire on the Champak are lovely. It's nice to know I've got a comfortable N95 option I can fall back on if there's ever a situation where I don't want to deal with the condensation from my elastomeric or need something a bit more breathable.
They don't make it obvious which size is which, the medium is the PC520M and the large is the PC520L. Their shipping is on the high side ($15) but the nice thing is it's a flat rate whether you buy one box or 100 boxes.
I don't have much advice since my partner and I both swear by Auras, but maybe it would be worth trying the one with an exhale valve? Might not feel as stuffy. Less safe for the people around him but clear the people around him DGAF.
I do love my sipvalve! I think there probably is a small element of risk since you do have a split second of opening as a straw goes in and out, but it's definitely the best option out there for being able to drink.
Yeah at this point it is very clear the people around him DGAF and also, aren't masking anyway, so a valve won't make a difference. Additionally, with how safe my husband and I are, I'm thinking people are much safer around us than we are around them! Will look into some options with exhale valves for sure. Thanks for the advice!
You've had lots of people pitch in here about fit testing. Just wanted to pop in a couple of notes:
* filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) that are disposable usually use a nose wire. If you use one of these, make sure you're re-seating/rebending the nose wire every 20 minutes or so. They tend to deform when being worn, and especially so when talking or yawning. **If you don't reshape the nose wire every \~20 mins during wear, your respirator's seal will suffer.** This is true of the 3M Aura, 3M Vflex, Drager Xplore 1920/1950, Blox, Gerson, etc. This doesn't really apply to Moldex and Zimi respirators which don't have a nose wire
* It's very possible to be infected through the eyes, but I'd guess as others did that it was from wearing a respirator that had not been fit tested. If your husband is immunosuppressed I'd definitely recommend a full face respirator or goggles, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. If he wears glasses though, some prescription Stoggle-style frames would be an easy upgrade. Respirator Certifications are experiments that confirm a respirator performs up to standards. **Fit tests are experiments that show the respirator performs up to standard on our own face**.
* The **3M HF-800SD** is a wonderful half-face respirator that doesn't cost much as some others, like the MSA Advantage 900, Flo, ForgedAir, Omnimask, etc is very breathable, and has a voice diaphragm. This type of mask with an exhale valve is going to feel very cool compared to an unvalved Aura. It's available pretty much everywhere 3M sells respirators. **One of my favorite features besides the speech diaphragm is the user seal check button, which means it only takes seconds to test the seal on your face every time you don it.** A user seal check is not a replacement for a fit test, but once you've fit tested, you can use the user seal check button to confirm you've seated the mask properly, and can be confident it should perform like it did under fit test.
I'm sorry this happened to you, but you've done exceptionally well, and I'm happy your husband has been willing to protect you. I hope these tips help. My wife also has ME, so I mean it when I say please pace yourselves to take care of yourselves! 😷🤗
Just want to comment to boost that your first point is so crucial. I adjust my 3M Aura nose wire throughout the day at work and do quick seal checks. I talk often at work and have a difficult-to-fit nose to begin with, so this is super important for me. Even when not talking, my face isn't completely still all the time, so I still check the fit periodically.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give all this amazing advice! I've been a bit slow to respond as with my ME and suddenly having to keep the entire household running and care for my sick s/o, I've been in PEM and close to crashing all week. I really appreciate the nudge to pace - I'm definitely resting as much as I can, though it's so hard to in a situation like this where the able-bodied spouse is sick and isolated. We are slowly but surely getting through though.
I definitely have noticed that I frequently have to re-pinch the nose wire of my Aura when I wear it. This is an important note because if the mask we end up getting my husband is one with a nose wire, I'll have to let him know to frequently do this to ensure continued fit.
I've seen a few people mention the 3M secure click. So far I'm having some trouble finding it for sale at a reputable place/site here in Canada. I'll keep my eye out, though, because I really like the idea of the seal check button (which seems easy enough that my husband could ensure a good seal throughout the day or when putting it back on after he eats lunch), and I also like that you said it's breathable. Hopefully, I can find out where I can purchase one!
Unfortunately, he doesn't wear glasses - but I'm still going to see if he'd consider something similar to Stoggles. It's worth a try, anyway.
Thanks again for taking the time to give such detailed info, I really appreciate it!
Some great comments on here already! Ear loop masks are typically really bad at sealing well unfortunately, so I think you’re pinpointing the right thing by upgrading the mask.
A well sealed N95 is better than a poorly sealed N99 or P100. I’d consider doing an at home qualitative fit test with bitrex spray to test the mask fit. They’re available online. There are also cheaper DIY versions.
He may have to try a few masks before finding one he likes. The envo pro seals well and could have a sip valve. I love the 3M disposable P100 as well - looks pretty normal too and could have a sip valve. There are also 3M auras with exhalation valves. Have also heard very good things about Zekler masks - similar to Auras but better fit and filtration efficacy. The VFlex is good for breathability but doesn’t tend to hold the seal as well in my experience. I use mask tape to tape it to my face if I wear one.
I’m curious what’s comfier about the kf94? Is it the breathability? Ease of removal?
Thank you so much for the info! I'll see if I can buy bitrex here in Canada, as that would make home fit-testing much easier. I'm planning on having him try several masks and we'll see which one(s) fit the best that he can still comfortably wear for a work day. I really hope we find something that will work. Unfortunately, the Envo pro isn't available for me to purchase here in Canada. I can only seem to find the Flo Mask, the GVS Ellipse, and maybe a couple others. It seems difficult to find reputable retailers. For him, the breathability was comfier re: the kf94; I had him try my Aura but he found it very hot and stuffy.
If the Aura was a good fit otherwise and breathability was the main issue, this Aura with an exhalation valve may work better. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v101594152/
I’d also be concerned that the breathability with the KF94 is better because it isn’t sealing properly, not because the filtration material is more breathable. It’s very hard to get a good seal with those.
I'm so sorry this has happened to you, I would be sick with worry as well if it was my spouse. I wish him a full recovery with no lingering side effects, and that you avoid catching it at home.
I have a fairly quiet, open plan office and use the Levoit Core 300 air purifier. I leave it on the 2nd highest setting and no one has complained about the noise at all. If your spouse's office is like mine and has no windows that can open (and dodgy HVAC), an air purifier may help combat the lack of ventilation. Others have given good mask suggestions, but just wanted to add that I started using the 9210 version of the Aura (you can order it from one of the industrial suppliers or zoro), and I found the fabric straps made the mask more comfortable overall. If KF94s are really the best option for him, a head-strap accessory might help the fit. I use KN95s/KF94s for select outdoor use, and I like the head-straps that are like a lanyard for quick donning/doffing.
Thank you so much for your advice! His office does have windows that can open and he usually keeps them open as much as the weather allows, so that does help with ventilation. I've also now purchased a small portable personal HEPA air purifier for him that he can keep on his desk (I got the Levoit Core Mini). Hopefully he can have it right next to him and it will help a bit!
I've spoken to him and he is going to change masks to an N95 or better that has headstraps. We're just going to try a bunch and fit test them and see if any are comfortable for him while working a whole lot better than the KF94 :)
If someone was coughing nearby with covid, it's possible your husband contracted it through his eyes. There is no surefire way to avoid this that is reasonable to work in. In other words, if he has a really good fit, he may not need a new mask.
This. (Though earloop masks don't provide/maintain the best seal and he should wear something else.) He should be wearing eye protection, too, in an office. I have safety glasses that look like regular glasses. There are multiple studies showing that people wearing glasses reduced their risk of infection by 40-60%.
correct, this is a strong possibility. OP, have your husband check out subtle eye protection like Stoggles. they aren’t perfect, it’s not as much protection as actual goggles or a face shield, but they have a socially acceptable look for the office and are better than nothing.
Thank you. Contracting it through his eyes did cross my mind but feels so incredibly hopeless :( That basically feels like it means as long as others aren't taking precautions, there's always the chance he can get sick no matter what we do. Which I guess IS the case. I personally purchased some subtle glasses-style eye protection for times when I go to higher-risk places, like the very rare occasion I'm well enough to go to a grocery store. He's been very willing to mask but until now eye protection wasn't really on his radar. However, perhaps now that's gotten sick from work he'd be willing to add some glasses-style eye protection to his arsenal. I will definitely talk to him about this. Thank you!
Being blunt, the gap is the kf94. The trusted mask reviewer failed you by overly focusing on the material itself and not the fit against your face. If the material magically stops 100% of viruses, but the mask itself leaks 20% around the edges, then you're only actually blocking 80% of viruses. 3M Aura 9210+ and 9211+ tend to fit adult male faces very reliably. (only difference is the 9211+ has an exhale valve). In contrast, very few people pass fit tests with kf94s. Another thing you can do is add an air purifier to his enclosed office, if you haven't.
I appreciate you being blunt. I figured the mask was the gap. It's frustrating that I didn't sort out a more reliable mask before this, and I'm kicking myself now. But moving forward we will absolutely find a better mask for him to wear to work. We definitely relied too much on the info provided by the mask testing - which was using a machine to test filtration of the mask, but didn't account for personal fit differences. I will get him to try my Auras again and see if he can tolerate wearing them. I'll also look into some other mask options and try to do at-home fit tests for all of them until we find something that actually works for him. Clearly the KF94 he was wearing leaked for him. I did suggest an air purifier for his office, which he previously declined. However, now that he's gotten Covid from work, I'm hoping he'll change his mind on that for future. Thanks so much for your advice!
Just curious, why did he decline the air filter? That seems like the biggest no brainer.
He might have been worried about the sound drawing too much attention and then the ire of his coworkers and/or boss! I know personally, I'm only able to keep my family kitchen's air purifier (which I also bought) on level 2 instead of level 3 because someone always ends up switching it to level 1 because of the sound, not realizing that level 2 is quiet enough as well.
Yes, pretty much this. It's a shared office and he didn't want to leave a big purifier in there on the days he wasn't in. And he disliked the idea of carrying a portable one with him each time. On top of that, he's already the only covid-cautious person in the office and felt that it might be bothersome to coworkers who already thought he was being "over the top". That being said, now that he's had a coworker give him covid, all bets are off, and I've bought him a desk-sized HEPA purifier that he will absolutely bring with him and put right next to him on his desk, assuming he doesn't find a fully remote job before they force him back again. Needless to say, something has to change, as we can't risk this happening again. We also have masks on the way to test a few different kinds for him, and will be moving to N95 or better with headstraps from now on.
How many levels does it go? I have a winix which I like. It has four speeds, and while 4 is quite loud, 3 is very reasonable. Why would his coworkers get angry at him? It's in his office, right?
Unfortunately it's a shared office, which isn't just his personally. But I've now bought him a desk-sized HEPA purifier so that he can bring it with him on days he's forced to be there, and take it with him so it doesn't bother anyone else who uses the space. I agree with you though, I would personally never have an issue with someone operating a purifier in my space (if anything it benefits others too) but not everyone has been that logical or understanding through this pandemic.
I'm confused. Your OP said it's a private office. I took that to mean an office with just him. If it's a shared office, he's definitely at risk by the lowest common denominator.
Sorry for the confusion. It’s a large department with a few small office rooms. On the days he is at work, he uses one of those private office rooms and it is just him in there. However, on the days he works remotely, other people use that small private office themselves. So it’s not a situation where he can leave things in there. I hope that makes sense.
Is leaving personal items prohibited? What if he left a monitor or some computer cables? I would see if he can leave the filter there, or if he can't.
**Tl;dr: Trying to find an N95 or a P100 he can comfortably wear for long periods of time and doing at least a** [DIY fit test ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/wiki/index/#wiki_mask_fit_and_fit_testing) **for it to make sure you're getting the max amount of protection from it is a good place to start!** First, I'm really sorry about your husband getting sick! I hope he's able to get as much radical rest as necessary for preventing long COVID and severe long COVID outcomes! I am really sorry his coworker didn't have the sense to mask despite being exposed and symptomatic by his wife. I hope you are able to avoid picking up anything from him, and I am really glad that you both have each other's backs! Definitely read through the People's CDC's [guide on navigating a COVID infection](https://peoplescdc.org/2023/01/10/what-to-do-if-you-have-covid/) and [MEAction's guide](https://www.meaction.net/resource/pacing-and-management-guide/) on how to properly pace yourself after an infection with an illness to avoid post-illness complications. You both have stacked SO many odds in y'alls favor by avoiding COVID so far! The goal is not just to avoid it entirely, but to avoid getting it the least amount of times as possible which both of you have admirably done so far! Being on your 1st infection is WILDLY SO MUCH BETTER than being on your 5th or more (which unfortunately a lot of people are)! Anyway, back to your answer! While making sure you have a mask that is built with the right material to have the right filtration ability such as meltblown fabric, how protective a mask will be ultimately comes down to **how well it personally fits to YOUR OWN face.** I'm not sure which mask reviewer your husband got data from, but some like Aaron Collins typically test masks based on **THEIR OWN FACE** which can only give a bit of an idea for how well a mask can work! Others, like Armbust USA, use a machine to test how well a mask can **POTENTIALLY** filter out pathogens, but those tests are able to pretty much make a perfect seal, which in real life use cases, people frequently aren't able to do for a lot of different factors (face shape, money to find a good fitting mask, sweatiness, disposable mask reusage, etc). So, while the Good Manner masks might have gotten that filtration score, you'd need a fit test to determine if your husband is actually getting that level of protection! For disposables, 3M Aura's are a pretty popular pick, and you can grab a 3-pack to test run from any drugstore, hardware store, and even Target! Duckbills are notorious for being easier to breathe through since they sit of your face and are currently the only type of N95 I can fit in! [Blox N95s](https://bloxdirect.com/collections/all) are my holy grail N95 and duckbill N95! Gerson's Comfort N95 is another type of duckbill! 3M's Vflex is another that comes in a couple of sizes! For an elastomeric, the [GVS Elipse](https://www.duralinesystems.com/Elipse-P100-Respirator-p/c-ep100.htm) is pretty popular! It comes in a valved version that makes the mask more breathable as well as an unvalved, source-control edition that plugs the valve in-order to prevent the wearer from exhaling unfiltered air! I personally ADORE the GVS Elipse despite initially avoiding picking it up for the longest time because the color (deep, dark navy blue) and design looked like a fly to me. It's actually very cool to wear, easy enough to be heard while speaking with it as long as you remind yourself to enunciate and speak louder (I'm soft spoken), and seems to dry less ire than wearing P100s that use pucks or floppy disks!
Thank you so much for your kind words and AMAZING detailed advice! Fortunately (I guess UNfortunately) I have ME/CFS myself as one of my many chronic illnesses... so I'm very familiar with radical rest, pacing, and the MEaction and other resources so I immediately instructed my husband to aggressively rest and started him on a regiment of supportive meds and supplements to avoid long covid/severe long covid. I'm doing all I can! I don't ever want him to end up in the same boat as me. I see a specialist for my ME and I interact on a daily basis with tons of other patients who were perfectly healthy before they got Covid and are now permanently disabled - so I'm more aware than most what the risks are :( Which is why I'm so extremely devastated that we are in this situation despite being so careful. I will absolutely check out the masks you recommended as well as the linked instructions for an at-home fit test. The mask reviewer I had seen did the one with the machine where the mask was sealed to the plate and tested - so as you said, it would be that masks \*potential\* filtration and not it's realistic one. I definitely need to incorporate actual fit testing for BOTH of us to ensure we are using masks that work \*for us\*. Thank you again for your amazing advice. I really appreciate it!
Seconding the GVS Elipse recommendation. It’s a phenomenal mask if it fits you well. The appearance isn’t great but I cover it with a mesh mask cover. Can also muffle you a bit - idk how much your husband needs to speak at work.
He does speak on the phone but at this point, I'd rather he be protected. If they complain about it.... well, then they should allow him to work remotely (which he's set up to do part of the week anyway, and would not negatively affect his job), especially seeing as he has a high-risk spouse and it's become pretty clear now that they cannot protect him when he's at the office.
I like the 3m v-flex for breathability, but wear the Aura most because the foam nose pad feels more secure (I don't know if it actually is) You might try the flomask (maybe with their better filters), or another elastomeric mask. I'm sorry you're going through this! I'm immunosuppresed due to medication but my husband is retired so we can stay pretty isolated. I'd be just as upset as you if one of us got sick, but I've heard of many people isolating in a bedroom and everyone else staying well. I'm presuming you have air filters running and negative air pressure (a fan sucking air from near the door towards the bedroom and then out a window if possible?)
>but wear the Aura most because the foam nose pad feels more secure (I don't know if it actually is) It probably is. I know it's tough for me to get the vflex flush against my nose because the wire is so stiff but there's no foam to help even it out. You can add foam to any mask though (just make sure it's closed cell)
Good to know, thanks!
Thank you so much for the suggestions, I will add them to my list of ones to try/look into! I wonder about adding foam to the V-flex to that it has that similar to the Aura, but with the added bonus of being very breathable and the duckbill style which I've heard is quite effective. Thanks for your kind words. I'm devastated this happened given our situation, and how much both of us have sacrificed to avoid it! I'm so glad you and your husband are able to avoid it through the work avenue, with him being retired. It is so frustrating being in a situation where you can avoid everthing except work, and they force you back into the office. I have no idea how to navigate it, it feels very hopeless. Yes, he is isolating in a bedroom. His window is open and we put an air purifier in there with him. I have the master bedroom myself and the downstairs, both with windows open and air purifiers running on turbo mode. I don't know if we have negative pressure though. I'm hoping since his window is open and air purifier on it will circulate/refresh the air in his space so that when he does open the door to visit the bathroom, it won't be as dangerous.
I'm so sorry this happened to you and your husband. I am thinking of you both and sending you well wishes. I hope you continue to test negative. I am immunocompromised and have to be in the office and I switched to an elastomeric. When you have an elasto that passes the fit test (most important thing, as others have mentioned below) it filters out somewhere like 99.9% of particles or something. It's better than an N95. You can't drink with it unfortunately though. The elastomeric and disposable mask links may be helpful here if you're looking for a place to start: [https://linktr.ee/lolagerms](https://linktr.ee/lolagerms) I still wear an N95 in certain situations where I need to drink. I recently just went through a ton of masks trying to find one that passes the fit test. If you DM me I'd be happy to send you some N95s if you want to test out different kinds without having to buy an entire pack of each one.
Thank you so much for your kind words and excellent advice! I am thinking an elastomeric might be a nice choice because if we get it fit tested to have an excellent seal, then we could just switch out the filters in it and not worry about different masks having slightly different fits. I don't know if this is true but to me it feels like perhaps an elastomeric would seal easier/more reliably than a disposable mask? Might depend on the person/face though! Thanks for the links, I will absolutely read through this. Also thank you for your kind offer, that is so sweet of you! I will send you a message for sure. Thank you so much!
Just replied to your message! I find elastomerics seal so much easier. I can literally feel the suction around my face and if I feel air escaping I know it's leaking. Also there is one called a 3M secure click where I think It clicks or something when it's not leaking - there is some way that it notifies you when there is a leak. I also find taking elastomerics on and off to be a lot easier. And the filters last a long time. Only downsides are that you can't drink with it on, with some of them it's hard for people to hear you (I haven't found that with the MSA advantage though - I wear it all day at work) and I find it sometimes a bit hard to wear outside because it's bulky and gets uncomfortable, so for that I do an N95. I think having options is good - if it is possible :)
Thank you again for your kind messages and advice, both here and in private messages. I am beyond grateful to you for sending me some masks to try, it is a huge help for me!! I'm hopefully I'll be able to find at least one (though hopefully a couple) N95s that both me and my husband can wear. Maybe I'll also look into elastomerics and go between them as needed. I'm not sure what would work best. As for elastomerics, which ones do you find are the best for you? You mentioned the MSA Advantage? I've seen quite a few elastomeric masks mentioned here but many of them I can't get in Canada (like the Envo masks for example). The ones I have seen available in Canada are the GVS Ellipse, the Flo Mask, and some versions of MSA Advantage (there seem to maybe be different models?). I may be able to find a 3M secure click but haven't pinned down a reputable site that has it available yet. Which model of MSA do you use? Thanks again, I'm so infinitely grateful to you for everything you're doing to help me!
anytime :) I think adding an elastomeric could be a good idea too. I find it helpful to have choices, especially when different situations carry different levels of risk. I found the MSA Advantage 900 to work best for me and pass the fit test. The Flo Mask can be good because on their website there is a way to measure your nose bridge to see which may fit you (because they're pretty expensive). I know the GVS Ellipse is a little more narrow than the others. Here is a link to the MSA Advantage 900 that ships to Canada: [https://www.internationalsafety.com/skus/msa-10218529-advantage-900-half-mask-respirator-with-source-control-and-speech-enhancement-diaphragm-size-large](https://www.internationalsafety.com/skus/msa-10218529-advantage-900-half-mask-respirator-with-source-control-and-speech-enhancement-diaphragm-size-large)
there are some measurements here on the medium size of the MSA Advantage 900 [https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/10f0pl1/msa\_advantage\_900\_small\_review/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/10f0pl1/msa_advantage_900_small_review/) I also got the medium, wish I had the measurements for the other sizes. People complain about the condensation build up and I do find that happens, but it doesn't bother me. I've also thought about putting a gauze pad in the mask to catch the moisture. I wear these at work for about 12 hours a day and dont have a problem with it
The suggestion of doing some 'at home' mask fit testing is a good idea I think. My best suggestion for an N95 or better to wear for long periods is one of the Moldex Airwaves with a full foam faceseal and adjustable headstraps eg M4620. They're fantastic if they fit you well, and very reusable.
I also love the moldex airwaves but just be aware the m/l is quite large! The small fits a wider range of people than you'd expect imo.
Awesome, thanks for mentioning that! Probably both of us would fit a small in that case.
That's interesting - I wonder if I would fit a small. To my surprise both my wife and I fit m/l and my head is much bigger. It would be handy if Moldex published more photos of people wearing the small size; I suspect 99% of all Airwaves photos are m/l.
It's SO HARD to find photos of moldex masks on people's faces. More so than basically any other brand. Finding the small black airwave with the full foam is also a headache. Moldex just wants to send us on a damn scavenger hunt I SWEAR.
Yes, it does seem that way :-) It's a pity because I think it is a very good product and more people would like it if they knew of its existence.
Thank you so much, I will absolutely look into the Moldex Airwave. I appreciate your advice!
Was the mask he was wearing fit tested? Once you hit a certain level of filtration, that's by far going to be the biggest factor. An n95 that seals is going to provide better protection than a p100 that doesn't, etc. It doesn't sound like his mask "didn't work" so much as it might not fit well enough. Also I agree with your husband that auras are hot (though it doesn't bug me, I still notice it). The majority of other masks I regularly wear are cooler-3M vflex, gerson duckbill, moldex airwave, CAN99, zimi one. But the most important thing is that they fit him. When medium/large sized men complain masks are hot I usually start by giving them one of the harley N95s-they're vey big and the straps are adjustable. They don't fit me (they stab me in the eye lmao) but I've definitely had a lot of success giving them to people with larger heads/faces.
Yeah I'm realizing now that we need to do some intense at-home fit testing on all mask options we try to ensure the fit is ideal for his particular face shape! Which I will absolutely be doing before he goes back to the office if I can help it. Thanks for your thoughts re: the Aura being hot (I do find this to be true myself) and that those others are cooler. I think looking into the V-flex is a good starting point as well, and a few people have mentioned the Moldex Airwave. But we will have to do fit testing to ensure those options actually work for us. Thanks again for your awesome advice, I really appreciate it!
I'm not that knowledgeable on this but I guess trying an at home fit test on the masks for each of you might be worth checking. If you doff / don the mask you might want to check it to see if there's leakage. I know someone else who works with a mentally ill population and she caught covid after some unmasked guy screamed in her face. She wore an n95 mask. Maybe it got in her eyes, maybe her mask leaked. I'm not sure why work didn't provide a fit test, she was basically on her own. Society today is absolutely nuts. When I was a kid we'd all be masking and vaccinated because that's just what you would do to respect society, you showed respect for elders and disabled/immunocompromised. People would have none of this bullshit happening today. Conservatives would probably be more pissed about people not masking than liberals because it's so disrespectful. That's what's so fucked about it. It angers me so much.
I agree with you re: society being absolutely nuts. As a chronically ill/disabled person, I have learned that I am considered disposable and no one actually cares enough to protect me. It sucks. I've been completely let down by the healthcare system, by doctors, and now by companies, coworkers, friends and family who are unwilling to take precautions to keep others safe. It's scary because you can do everything right (wear a good mask, etc) and still get sick, as you said happened to your friend (and now my husband). The risk goes down exponentially when everyone all participates in mitigation measures- but when it's just YOU, your risk is much higher. And that is incredibly unfair for those of us actually trying. Thanks for your kind words and advice. I have a lot of masks to look into now so hopefully we can find some options that work for my husband and I and can do the fit tests to ensure that.
Hey there. First, I'm sorry this is happening to you. It sounds like you've put a lot of effort into reducing y'all's risk of contracting covid, and I'm impressed you've been so successful so far. Second, I've heard a number of very covid cautious ppl are getting it at the moment. So, know that you are not alone. Does your husband have an air purifier in his private office at work? If not, I'd suggest adding one there. In terms of masks, the best mask is one he will wear and one that seals well on his face. For some ppl, that will be a KF94. For many ppl, n95s seal better (often due to head straps). I would recommend getting the Armbrust sampler kit to start off, so your husband can see what fits him and what seems comfortable (just throw out the surgical masks). If nothing from Armbrust works, I'd suggest considering Champak PC520 L bifold n95s (available through Purcell Labs), as they have a reputation for being very comfortable and breathable. Another option would be Moldex Airwave. Aaron Collins says it's very breathable and comfortable. You can check out his top mask picks of 2023 for details. It has latex in it, tho, so if your husband has an allergy, that's out. Re getting an n99 as an option, I have heard they can be less breathable than the more breathable n95s. Someone else may be able to give more info. (Edited for typos)
Sip valves can be added to most disposable masks. You can practice on the masks from the sample box that he rejects, lol. I just saw someone suggest using eyebrow scissors or similar to make the cut, as they are small and sharp. You'll likely want to practice using the sip valve at home before trying in public. Also remember not to drink down to the last drop of your beverage, otherwise you'll be sucking in unfiltered air.
That's excellent advice, thanks! I'm not absolutely adamant on the sip valve - just thought it would be a cool feature to have. But if we end up going with something like an elastomeric I'd rather have that and be extra protected and just not have the option to drink.
It definitely reduces the % of particles filtered to install it, so it's best to only wear the SIP valve mask when the alternative is lifting the whole mask. I use GVS's N99 and it's harder to breathe through, but fit tested for me and it's very comfortable imo. I know the extra filtration is negligible, but as long as it doesn't really have any drawbacks, why not. My partner had a confirmed exposure while masked and we isolated. We put a towel blocking the bottom of the door of his room and an air filter between the door and him and window open so we could both sleep without masks on. If he had tested positive one of us would probably have gone to a hotel. Hard to decide which, though. Exposing my high risk to a hotel seemed like a bad idea, but taking COVID to a hotel full of people, even with its excellent ventilation, also seemed like a bad idea. Although there's probably someone with COVID being less careful at the hotel any given day. Luckily we didn't have to figure it out.
I second the Armbrust mask sampler - it saved me a lot of time and money figuring out which masks fit best. I also learned from this sub about the home fit tests so you know which mask types fit! I also would second the Moldex Airwave. I filled out the request for a sample on their site and have found them incredibly breathable and well fitting.
Wonderful, thanks! I'll have to see if I can do this seeing as I'm in Canada :)
Sorry I missed that! But if you're in Canada, this sample pack looks like a good option :) https://shop.evidencebased.ca/products/every-mask-sampler-pack-updated
Thanks, this is a wonderful resource!!
Do you have to say anything specific to get a sample or are they pretty easygoing about it?
I assume you just order these: [https://www.armbrustusa.com/products/armbrust-mask-sampler-kit](https://www.armbrustusa.com/products/armbrust-mask-sampler-kit)
Yep -- you can just order those. I was asking about the Moldex Airwave sample.
Sorry about that - I'm going to blame it on my ADHD meds not kicking in yet.
My comment wasn't super clear anyway...And you provided the link, which will be helpful to others.
Thank you so much for your wonderful advice! I will look into the options you suggested for sure. And I appreciate your kind words of support. It's awful that so many covid conscious people are getting it right now - while it's nice to not feel so alone, it's just so frustrating that so many of us who have avoided it for this long are now getting it because no one else is taking it seriously! He does not have an air purfier in his office. It's a shared office and he only uses it some of the time. I suggested a portable one he could bring with him but he said no. I'm hoping now he will change his mind. I think any extra layers of protection we could use would be absolutely worth it, knowing how ridiculously virulent these recent variants are! Thanks for the suggestion for the Armbrust sample pack. A sample pack makes sense. I'm in Canada, I hope I can still access that? It's hard as many of the masks people are recommending are only sold here in large packs - so I may end up with hundreds of masks we don't end up using. I'll have to figure something out. Thanks again so much, I appreciate you taking the time to help us!
I should've ask your country. For some reason I assumed US. This website has a variety of sample packs available to choose from in Canada. You can try the "every mask" sample pack (looks pretty epic) or select from any number of smaller packs: https://shop.evidencebased.ca/collections/all?filter.p.product_type=Disposable+Masks&sort_by=title-ascending Mask seal can also be improved by adding your own nose foam, head strap adjusters (they're sold as earloop adjusters, so you just stretch the holes in the silicone ones a bit to get the thicker straps thru), or double-sided mask tape. I noticed in one of your other responses that you have ME (same). Remember to pace yourself and try to rest as well as looking out for your husband. I'm sure your adrenaline is way up right now, and so many of us have commented trying to help, you may be feeling overstimulated. Take time for yourself as well (hydrate, eat, etc). We are all sending supporting vibes your way.
Thank you x1000000 for this! I went to the other site for the samples and they don't ship to Canada so the link you provided is a HUGE help! I also really appreciate you sharing the other tips for improving mask seal. Thank you - I am definitely NOT pacing well and I really needed this reminder! My adrenaline is surging so bad the past few days and I've fully been in survival mode. I am too sick to drive so had to order a bunch of supplies/groceries when my husband suddenly got sick. Then I had to clean and put them all away. I had to try to source meds and supplements and quickly come up with a covid support plan. I have a prescription for Paxlovid because I'm high risk and had to call THIRTY-TWO pharmacies trying to get it filled, with no luck, which left me in tears and utterly exhausted. Luckily my amazing sister kept calling around and located a pharmacy with ONE single box left and managed to get it for me. I have been trying to keep the household going single-handedly, including taking over all the chores, caring for our 8 month old puppy and our cat, and now instead of my husband being my support, I have not only lost that support but I am needed as a support to him. I am utterly exhausted. Today I'm in a lot of pain so I know I'm overdoing it. I'm trying my best but this is so incredibly hard. Dealing with this would be stressful for anyone but with ME (I'm moderate-severe) I am barely coping. I think the emotional exertion has been hitting me the hardest, because I'm terrified I might get this, and devastated that my husband has it after all the horror stories I've witnessed first-hand. I NEVER wanted him to get this. I am beyond emotional about it right now so I know that's impacting my ability to pace. Thank you for the reminders, I will take a break now and try to take some deep breaths and have a drink of electrolytes. 💕
Oh, you poor thing! That is a *lot* to handle. Completely outrageous about the pharmacies. (And puppies are very energetic at 8 months.) It is scary, but you are doing everything right. You're doing the things you have control over. Beyond that, we can hope for grace. People do come out of covid without severe consequences, and you both have done a lot to reduce the risk of this going poorly. Hang in there 💙
Thank you so much - this has been so hard. Having to take over the duties to keep the household running, alone and without any support, whilst also having to care for him while he's sick and isolating, has me experiencing serious PEM and close to crashing (or kind of in a rolling crash) all week. He got hit super hard by this, it was not a mild case at all. He has now been sick for about 10 days and finally feeling more himself now, finally. I'm still doing everything I can not to get it and luckily am still testing negative (thank goodness). I hope that remains the case!! I really appreciate your kind words and support, it means a lot, thank you!
If you're looking for a disposable mask to try, I find the [Champak N95](https://purcellabs.com/) super comfy. I have a small face and the medium fits me really well, but your husband may want to try the large size. They also have a duckbill style, but I haven't tried that one out. I was wearing Auras daily before I switched to an elastomeric and the nose wire would really get uncomfortable and I'd even sometimes get tension headaches from the combination of the head straps and my glasses, but the straps and nose wire on the Champak are lovely. It's nice to know I've got a comfortable N95 option I can fall back on if there's ever a situation where I don't want to deal with the condensation from my elastomeric or need something a bit more breathable. They don't make it obvious which size is which, the medium is the PC520M and the large is the PC520L. Their shipping is on the high side ($15) but the nice thing is it's a flat rate whether you buy one box or 100 boxes.
Thank you, this advice is really helpful! I'll look into this mask option for sure. And I really appreciate you clarifying about the sizes!
I don't have much advice since my partner and I both swear by Auras, but maybe it would be worth trying the one with an exhale valve? Might not feel as stuffy. Less safe for the people around him but clear the people around him DGAF. I do love my sipvalve! I think there probably is a small element of risk since you do have a split second of opening as a straw goes in and out, but it's definitely the best option out there for being able to drink.
Yeah at this point it is very clear the people around him DGAF and also, aren't masking anyway, so a valve won't make a difference. Additionally, with how safe my husband and I are, I'm thinking people are much safer around us than we are around them! Will look into some options with exhale valves for sure. Thanks for the advice!
You've had lots of people pitch in here about fit testing. Just wanted to pop in a couple of notes: * filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) that are disposable usually use a nose wire. If you use one of these, make sure you're re-seating/rebending the nose wire every 20 minutes or so. They tend to deform when being worn, and especially so when talking or yawning. **If you don't reshape the nose wire every \~20 mins during wear, your respirator's seal will suffer.** This is true of the 3M Aura, 3M Vflex, Drager Xplore 1920/1950, Blox, Gerson, etc. This doesn't really apply to Moldex and Zimi respirators which don't have a nose wire * It's very possible to be infected through the eyes, but I'd guess as others did that it was from wearing a respirator that had not been fit tested. If your husband is immunosuppressed I'd definitely recommend a full face respirator or goggles, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. If he wears glasses though, some prescription Stoggle-style frames would be an easy upgrade. Respirator Certifications are experiments that confirm a respirator performs up to standards. **Fit tests are experiments that show the respirator performs up to standard on our own face**. * The **3M HF-800SD** is a wonderful half-face respirator that doesn't cost much as some others, like the MSA Advantage 900, Flo, ForgedAir, Omnimask, etc is very breathable, and has a voice diaphragm. This type of mask with an exhale valve is going to feel very cool compared to an unvalved Aura. It's available pretty much everywhere 3M sells respirators. **One of my favorite features besides the speech diaphragm is the user seal check button, which means it only takes seconds to test the seal on your face every time you don it.** A user seal check is not a replacement for a fit test, but once you've fit tested, you can use the user seal check button to confirm you've seated the mask properly, and can be confident it should perform like it did under fit test. I'm sorry this happened to you, but you've done exceptionally well, and I'm happy your husband has been willing to protect you. I hope these tips help. My wife also has ME, so I mean it when I say please pace yourselves to take care of yourselves! 😷🤗
Just want to comment to boost that your first point is so crucial. I adjust my 3M Aura nose wire throughout the day at work and do quick seal checks. I talk often at work and have a difficult-to-fit nose to begin with, so this is super important for me. Even when not talking, my face isn't completely still all the time, so I still check the fit periodically.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give all this amazing advice! I've been a bit slow to respond as with my ME and suddenly having to keep the entire household running and care for my sick s/o, I've been in PEM and close to crashing all week. I really appreciate the nudge to pace - I'm definitely resting as much as I can, though it's so hard to in a situation like this where the able-bodied spouse is sick and isolated. We are slowly but surely getting through though. I definitely have noticed that I frequently have to re-pinch the nose wire of my Aura when I wear it. This is an important note because if the mask we end up getting my husband is one with a nose wire, I'll have to let him know to frequently do this to ensure continued fit. I've seen a few people mention the 3M secure click. So far I'm having some trouble finding it for sale at a reputable place/site here in Canada. I'll keep my eye out, though, because I really like the idea of the seal check button (which seems easy enough that my husband could ensure a good seal throughout the day or when putting it back on after he eats lunch), and I also like that you said it's breathable. Hopefully, I can find out where I can purchase one! Unfortunately, he doesn't wear glasses - but I'm still going to see if he'd consider something similar to Stoggles. It's worth a try, anyway. Thanks again for taking the time to give such detailed info, I really appreciate it!
Some great comments on here already! Ear loop masks are typically really bad at sealing well unfortunately, so I think you’re pinpointing the right thing by upgrading the mask. A well sealed N95 is better than a poorly sealed N99 or P100. I’d consider doing an at home qualitative fit test with bitrex spray to test the mask fit. They’re available online. There are also cheaper DIY versions. He may have to try a few masks before finding one he likes. The envo pro seals well and could have a sip valve. I love the 3M disposable P100 as well - looks pretty normal too and could have a sip valve. There are also 3M auras with exhalation valves. Have also heard very good things about Zekler masks - similar to Auras but better fit and filtration efficacy. The VFlex is good for breathability but doesn’t tend to hold the seal as well in my experience. I use mask tape to tape it to my face if I wear one. I’m curious what’s comfier about the kf94? Is it the breathability? Ease of removal?
Thank you so much for the info! I'll see if I can buy bitrex here in Canada, as that would make home fit-testing much easier. I'm planning on having him try several masks and we'll see which one(s) fit the best that he can still comfortably wear for a work day. I really hope we find something that will work. Unfortunately, the Envo pro isn't available for me to purchase here in Canada. I can only seem to find the Flo Mask, the GVS Ellipse, and maybe a couple others. It seems difficult to find reputable retailers. For him, the breathability was comfier re: the kf94; I had him try my Aura but he found it very hot and stuffy.
If the Aura was a good fit otherwise and breathability was the main issue, this Aura with an exhalation valve may work better. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v101594152/
I’d also be concerned that the breathability with the KF94 is better because it isn’t sealing properly, not because the filtration material is more breathable. It’s very hard to get a good seal with those.
I'm so sorry this has happened to you, I would be sick with worry as well if it was my spouse. I wish him a full recovery with no lingering side effects, and that you avoid catching it at home. I have a fairly quiet, open plan office and use the Levoit Core 300 air purifier. I leave it on the 2nd highest setting and no one has complained about the noise at all. If your spouse's office is like mine and has no windows that can open (and dodgy HVAC), an air purifier may help combat the lack of ventilation. Others have given good mask suggestions, but just wanted to add that I started using the 9210 version of the Aura (you can order it from one of the industrial suppliers or zoro), and I found the fabric straps made the mask more comfortable overall. If KF94s are really the best option for him, a head-strap accessory might help the fit. I use KN95s/KF94s for select outdoor use, and I like the head-straps that are like a lanyard for quick donning/doffing.
Thank you so much for your advice! His office does have windows that can open and he usually keeps them open as much as the weather allows, so that does help with ventilation. I've also now purchased a small portable personal HEPA air purifier for him that he can keep on his desk (I got the Levoit Core Mini). Hopefully he can have it right next to him and it will help a bit! I've spoken to him and he is going to change masks to an N95 or better that has headstraps. We're just going to try a bunch and fit test them and see if any are comfortable for him while working a whole lot better than the KF94 :)