Gina Helfrich, PhD

#Help me out, please. I have been using WellBefore KN95 masks in their small size, which fit my face well. But we moved to the UK and they don’t ship here. My supply is dwindling quickly.

Can anyone recommend a brand of masks available to ship to the UK that will fit a smaller face well and comfortably? Bonus if there are both behind the ears and behind the head options.

Thanks in advance!

#covid #WearAMask

Jul 12, 2023 at 8:46amWeb
Show threadFish/Meercat 😷 Jul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich Maybe @novid group can help?
Show threadKathy SeilerJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich Not sure if Project N95 suppliers can ship to the UK but it's an option to look at: https://www.projectn95.org
Project N95 | Home

Project N95 was the trusted nonprofit source for N95 masks, air quality products, and other respiratory protection. We donated over 5 million masks and other units of PPE to help keep people and communities safe through the COIVD-19 pandemic and beyond.

Project N95
Show threadOmega_Scribet (has moved)Jul 12, 2023

@ginahelfrich If you can't find any, you could write to #ReadiMask, they offer a N95 NIOSH approved with a medical adhesive. It may take a while before your mail gets answered, but they do ship outside the USA.
I use them for when I have to get an MRI. I got mine from Optimus Dental Supply, they are selling and shipping the same stuff, but their shell date was very short when I got the masks (which is nonsense according to Readimask).

https://readimask.com/collections/readimask-store/products/n95-small-petite-yellow-no-shield-10-pack-niosh-approved-n95-respirators-in-resealable-plastic-bag

#WearAMask #COVID19 #novid

N95 Small/Petite Yellow - No Shield - 10 Pack NIOSH Approved N95 Respirators in Resealable Plastic Bag

Show threadviqJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich 3M Aura? I don't exactly have small head, but they're generally considered to be among best, and fit me much better than any behind ears I've tried.
Show threadDale HennesseyJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich
You could use a reship company. You'd get a "virtual address" in the USA and, when your packages arrive there, they'd box them up and ship them on to the UK for a fee. I've previously used http://www.reship.com to get UK goods to Canada. They include the USA in their country list too. Be mindful of the import duty fees & taxes.
Reship - US, Canada, UK Forwarding & Shipping Solution

With Reship you can ship from any online store in Canada, USA, and UK that have shipping restrictions to your country.

Show threadTexan_ReverendJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich Depending on exactly what size "smaller" means, the Draeger 1920 FFP2 (1950 N95) is among the best disposable respirators available. It has one of the most stable seals available and fits smaller faces than a 3M Aura. The S & M/L have effectively the same facepiece, but the headband is 2 inches/50mm longer on the M/L. That slack can be taken up with a knot to make it into an S equivalent, if it's the only size available. Here's a UK shop with them in stock:
https://thefacemaskstore.co.uk/drager-x-plore-1920-ffp2-unvalved-respirator-mask/
Dräger X-plore 1920 FFP2 unvalved Respirator Mask

This Drager X-plore 1920 FFP2unvalved Respirator Mask featureadjustable VarioFlexâ„¢ Head Harnes with soft tear-proof (non latex) straps. Combining effective protection, high quality, extraordinary comfort

The Face Mask Store
Show threadGina Helfrich, PhDJul 12, 2023
@Texan_Reverend thanks for this!
Show threadTexan_ReverendJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich You're very welcome, fellow  expat.
Show threadTexan_ReverendJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich If the Draeger 1920/1950 facepiece is still too large, the 3M VFlex is available in a Small size which even fits some children. The model number in the UK is 9152s, and 9105s/1804s elsewhere. It's a bit more affordable, and while not quite superstar level like the Draeger, it's certainly high-quality and protective. (Besides, a respirator that doesn't actually fit and seal performs poorly regardless of its capabilities.) Just plan to re-tighten the nosepiece about every 30 minutes.
Show threadTexan_ReverendJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich Here's a UK purchase link for the 3M VFlex 9152s FFP2:
https://www.safety5000.com/respiratory-protection-c17/respirators-c80/3m-vflex-9152s-ffp2-unvalved-flat-fold-disposable-respirator-mask-p395
The VFlex's claim to fame is having pretty much the lowest breathing resistance among well-sealing, headbanded respirators.
Both the VFlex duckbill design and the Draeger 1920/1950 trifold design use folds which don't crimp the metal nosepiece and which allow the facepiece to flex well with jaw motion. Bifolds which open sideways across the face with a folded nosepiece leak more and handle motion poorly.
VFlex 9152s FFP2 unvalved flat-fold disposable respirator mask

9125s 3M 7000030046 3M 118003 ARCO

Show threadTexan_ReverendJul 12, 2023
@ginahelfrich I mentioned re-tightening the nosepiece on the VFlex, but that is not a problem exclusive to that model. Most respirators have their seal loosened over time by movement: scrunching your nose up while squinting causing it to lift, talking causing it to stretch, turning/tiliting your head causing it to shift, etc. So, its just a good habit to reach up and reseal/re-tighten the nose area every 15-30 minutes just like when you first put it on. That keeps its efficacy high over time.