Princess Now Providing Complimentary KN95 Masks On Board

[capertillar]

22 hours ago, Ellaleah said:

Maybe that’s why they have all those outbreaks in nursing  homes.

I work in public health in Australia

Fit tested N95 respirator masks are the gold standard in medical PPE. That is a machine is used to ascertain the best fit type/brand N95 on an individual basis.

There have been many research papers published from the very beginning on mask efficacy. Cloth masks have always come a long way behind surgical and N95's.

KN95's have same filtration rate, but are the Chinese standard. 

N95s are hard to come by and very expensive here for those not in the medical field. You guys are currently very lucky that they are going to be provided free by government, not to mention RAT availability, they are selling them here for $25+ each!!

While we wait downunder to see if we ever get cruising back, it is nice/comforting to read how Princess is stepping up and the general passenger vibe of cooperation with precautions.

Reading other lines, reports of masks under chins, unvaccinated passengers, rudeness to crew staff trying to maintain compliance etc.

Reaffirms to me that we are Princess People (oh and love HAL too).

Take care and stay safe fellow Princess People

[dickinson]

3 hours ago, dgc2861 said:

Did you order the Small/Child size? I didn't want  to place a big order and find that the elastic was too big on a regular pack. Most masks' elastic is too long for my face to ear. I got a small pack of 10 Small/Child to see how they fit. Haven't received them yet.

 

I ordered the adult.  Least amount you can order is 10 masks.  I did 20.  I have since placed another order for 50.  My dh and I will share these.  I think I read somewhere in some review that they run small.  Perfect for my face!  My dh has no problem.  I do find that the top just hits the bottom eyelid.  It bothered me a little at first but does not anymore.  I have a high nose bone but I am sure that people with lower bones wouldn't have the same problem.

[PurpleHays]

10 hours ago, dickinson said:

 

I have nothing to compare to.  My dh and I have no problem with the ear loops so breakage has not happened.  I assume it is doing the job it is supposed to do but have no way to know.  I have a small oval shaped face.  I had been using a 4 ply cloth mask but the top was not as flush to the face around the nose area as it should have been.  Over many washings it shrunk a little and just barely covered my chin.  The KN95 from Powecom fits me much better.  

 

I have read several articles online that say you can reuse them for up to 40 hours.  They say that you can tell they are no good anymore when you have trouble breathing or they are dirty looking inside..  We use them each day from 1-2 hours.  We threw out the first mask after 7 days even though they felt brand new to us.  I read that you can wear it one day, put it in a bag for 5 days and then wear again.  You can rotate several masks this way.  Might be a good idea to do.  

This is partially true. You can wear an N95 for about 40 hours, but they are difficult to breathe in *all the time* not just when they need to be discarded. N95s fit tightly with elastic bands around the head. KN95s have ear loops and don't fit as tightly. Store them in a paper bag when not wearing them.

[dickinson]

10 hours ago, PurpleHays said:

This is partially true. You can wear an N95 for about 40 hours, but they are difficult to breathe in *all the time* not just when they need to be discarded. N95s fit tightly with elastic bands around the head. KN95s have ear loops and don't fit as tightly. Store them in a paper bag when not wearing them.

 

Previously I said I had KN95 not N95.  That is why mine has ear loops (although I could have bought KN95 with the bands that go around the head).

[chamima]

11 hours ago, PurpleHays said:

This is partially true. You can wear an N95 for about 40 hours, but they are difficult to breathe in *all the time* not just when they need to be discarded. N95s fit tightly with elastic bands around the head. KN95s have ear loops and don't fit as tightly. Store them in a paper bag when not wearing them.

 

I hear this advice to store the masks in a paper bag all the time.

Does anyone know why it's better than, say, a plastic storage box, or a ziploc bag or just on an open shelf?

[Cruise Raider]

16 hours ago, dgc2861 said:

Did you order the Small/Child size? I didn't want  to place a big order and find that the elastic was too big on a regular pack. Most masks' elastic is too long for my face to ear. I got a small pack of 10 Small/Child to see how they fit. Haven't received them yet.

you can always just cross cross the elastic or tie a slip knot in the elastic to make them fit tighter.  There are also clips that you can use to secure the elastic behind your head so they never even go around the ears.  

[PacnGoNow]

21 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Just looked up the reviews for BYD mask.  They are only 3 ply...but more importantly, a quick google search found this:

 

"The N95 masks, which come from BYD Precision Manufacture Co., have been recalled due to not meeting the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's particle filtration efficiency standards, according to the state Department of Public Health.Jan 15, 2022"

 

The rest of that paragraph says,

Some of the masks were recalled. These are tested because they are approved by NIOSH.  

 

The model no was DE2322 and only some of the lots.  They make millions of masks in the US.  
 

Just wanted to clarify.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

[PacnGoNow]

21 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Just looked up the reviews for BYD mask.  They are only 3 ply...but more importantly, a quick google search found this:

 

"The N95 masks, which come from BYD Precision Manufacture Co., have been recalled due to not meeting the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's particle filtration efficiency standards, according to the state Department of Public Health.Jan 15, 2022"

 

Also, if you want to check the companies that are NIOSH approved, there is a complete list on the CDC website.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1-b.html

 

Okay, I’m done.

Stay safe.

[Coral]

1 hour ago, PacnGoNow said:

The rest of that paragraph says,

Some of the masks were recalled. These are tested because they are approved by NIOSH.  

 

The model no was DE2322 and only some of the lots.  They make millions of masks in the US.  
 

Just wanted to clarify.  
 

I noticed that also - it was just specific lots.

[ClassyApplePie]

4 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

The rest of that paragraph says,

Some of the masks were recalled. These are tested because they are approved by NIOSH.  

 

The model no was DE2322 and only some of the lots.  They make millions of masks in the US.  
 

Just wanted to clarify.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, just want to clarify. Looks like recall occurred July 2021. I had a box with Lot # on the recall. My recent purchase of BYD N95  thru Amazon were not on the recall list. N95 mask are not as comfortable to wear as KN95 or KF94. However, I found PoweCom has both KN95 with ear loops & head straps and use both style. I use the head straps style if I'm in a crowd (like on airplane, casino) & ear loops style on short trip to the market. I'm no expert on this & have read & follow recommendations from ProjectN95.org.

[PacnGoNow]

2 hours ago, ClassyApplePie said:

Also, just want to clarify. Looks like recall occurred July 2021. I had a box with Lot # on the recall. My recent purchase of BYD N95  thru Amazon were not on the recall list. N95 mask are not as comfortable to wear as KN95 or KF94. However, I found PoweCom has both KN95 with ear loops & head straps and use both style. I use the head straps style if I'm in a crowd (like on airplane, casino) & ear loops style on short trip to the market. I'm no expert on this & have read & follow recommendations from ProjectN95.org.

Yes, I was told this is a very good company to order from by health professionals, as they are approved by NIOSH and tested. 
I found the KN95 ones I just ordered from ProjectN95 

fit really snug, so we’re using those for our crowded areas. 

I think the most important thing is to find one that fits you really well and you can keep on for longer periods, if needed.

Take care.

[PurpleHays]

11 hours ago, chamima said:

 

I hear this advice to store the masks in a paper bag all the time.

Does anyone know why it's better than, say, a plastic storage box, or a ziploc bag or just on an open shelf?

I don't know the reasoning for the paper bag, but we've done it for as long as I can remember. I think I've had a paper bag with a size-appropriate N95 for nearly as long as I've been in the OR (33 years).

[VibeGuy]

Plastic can have a static charge that can neutralise the charge on the masks, reducing filter performance.  Trapped humidity can do the same. 

[chamima]

3 hours ago, VibeGuy said:

Plastic can have a static charge that can neutralise the charge on the masks, reducing filter performance.  Trapped humidity can do the same. 

Every single KF94 I’ve purchased has come in its own sealed plastic  bag. 
 

I’m not trying to be difficult. I really am just trying to find out why a paper bag specifically. 

Edited January 24, 2022 by chamima

[VibeGuy]

The type of plastic matters for the static issue.  
 

The retained humidity would be just as bad if it was sealed in a Tupperware, a lead box or a Faberge Egg. 

[caribill]

16 hours ago, chamima said:

 

I hear this advice to store the masks in a paper bag all the time.

Does anyone know why it's better than, say, a plastic storage box, or a ziploc bag or just on an open shelf?

 

 

The reason for keeping it in a paper bag for several days is to allow any possible virus particles on the mask to die. The paper bag is then easily disposed of. Keeping it on an open shelf might allow any particles to spread.

 

2 hours ago, chamima said:

Every single KF94 I’ve purchased has come in its own sealed plastic  bag. 
 

 

The key word here is that it comes in a "sealed" plastic bag. Any plastic bag you would use would not be sealed.

[caribill]

On 1/23/2022 at 8:18 AM, chamima said:

 

I hear this advice to store the masks in a paper bag all the time.

Does anyone know why it's better than, say, a plastic storage box, or a ziploc bag or just on an open shelf?

 

https://news.yahoo.com/omicron-survives-longer-plastic-skin-184539113.html?.tsrc=374

 

"The Omicron variant can survive longer than earlier versions of the coronavirus on plastic surfaces and human skin"

[floridababa]

My husband has a wide face and large head. Most masks are too tight on him. Not sure if N95 or Kn95 would fit. He also has issues with a mask blocking his breathing

[capriccio]

12 minutes ago, floridababa said:

My husband has a wide face and large head. Most masks are too tight on him. Not sure if N95 or Kn95 would fit. He also has issues with a mask blocking his breathing

Has he tried one yet?  I will say that I find that it is easier to breathe in a KN95 than the old cloth or even the 3 layer medical masks because the shape holds it off your mouth and nostrils. I hope he finds something that fits and doesn't impair his breathing.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

On 1/22/2022 at 4:02 AM, Coral said:

Costco has some N95 ones on their website:

 

https://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?dept=All&keyword=n95 

 

This one is one of the products that Protect95 sells off of their website but Costco is cheaper.

 

I did order some from Bonafide. One package has shipped, the other hasn't yet. They were ordered on January 11th. They are getting slammed.

 

Edited to say I just got an email the 2nd package shipped.

@CoralThank you, I just ordered some from Costco.

[Coral]

I did pick up some of the N95 ones that the government is giving out through pharmacies. They are really good but really tight. I can see why surgeons use them. I am not sure if I could wear them all day.

Edited January 26, 2022 by Coral

[Roberto256]

On 1/22/2022 at 1:46 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

Just looked up the reviews for BYD mask.  They are only 3 ply...but more importantly, a quick google search found this:

 

"The N95 masks, which come from BYD Precision Manufacture Co., have been recalled due to not meeting the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's particle filtration efficiency standards, according to the state Department of Public Health.Jan 15, 2022"

 

Their approval still shows here:

 

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-CEL/ApprovalDetails?schedule=84A&approvalNum=9221

 

But maybe the recall hasn't propogated everywhere.

 

 

 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

15 minutes ago, Coral said:

I did pick up some of the N95 ones that the government is giving out through pharmacies. They are really good but really tight. I can see why surgeons use them. I am not sure if I could wear them all day.

How do they keep track of when you pick them up?  What keeps people from pharmacy hopping?  

[Coral]

21 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

How do they keep track of when you pick them up?  What keeps people from pharmacy hopping?  

They can’t. They just asked if we wanted them. They were at a table at a grocery store. I asked for 3 (the maximum) and he put them in a bag. Honestly- these are difficult to wear. I think I would only wear them when flying. I am guessing Costco ones will be similar.

[Roberto256]

On 1/26/2022 at 4:16 PM, Coral said:

They can’t. They just asked if we wanted them. They were at a table at a grocery store. I asked for 3 (the maximum) and he put them in a bag. Honestly- these are difficult to wear. I think I would only wear them when flying. I am guessing Costco ones will be similar.

It was either 3 per person...

Or, 3 per person per day...

Or, 3 per person per visit...

 

...depending on which news story I read.

 

I thought the masks were being made by 3M and Honeywell, and I would have expected

them to be like other 3M masks.