Need N99 face masks for family in CA
November 17, 2018 6:58 AM   Subscribe

I'm traveling to Oakland to see family over Thanksgiving. I want to either bring or ship N99 face masks to distribute because the smoke is so bad.

So far, all the online outlets I can think of are on backorder. Retail only seems to stock the less effective N95 version. Does anyone have leads? I feel so helpless. Thanks in advance.
posted by Space Kitty to Shopping (13 answers total)
 
Best answer: Is this what you need?
posted by greermahoney at 7:07 AM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


The news outlets today stated the masks are counter productive, if not dangerous. They uave to be properly fitted, and if the air is that bad, they encouraged staying indoors.
posted by Oyéah at 8:51 AM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


N95/N99 masks are dangerous? I’m very interested in the science behind that claim. I don’t know the new you’re referring to but it sounds like typical local news scaremongering. Getting a proper fit is basic; there are many, many resources that can help. I live in Alameda, next to Oakland. My kids have been inside since Thursday. I feel like we’re incredibly privileged to be able to “just stay inside.” People need masks to live their lives.

You’re right to try and find them before you get here. I don’t know anywhere in the Bay Area that has masks. IANYAirQualityContolSpecialist but if you can get your hands on a N95, I would do it. 99s only filter 4% more particulate matter than 95s. That’s not insignificant but for my wife and I (who waited too long to buy masks and so we’re stuck with 95s) it’s acceptable for trips to the store, et

(Edited to add/fix link)
posted by not_the_water at 9:44 AM on November 17, 2018 [7 favorites]


From my understanding, the only real issues with the face masks are a false sense of security or issues with fit. Depending on when you are leaving, you can get N95s on amazon pretty quickly. I also live in Alameda, and have kept inside other than urgent errands this week, and masks are a smart choice if you have to be outside. If you aren’t intending (which would be wise) to be outside much, N95s should be fine for next week. We also are (fingers crossed) expecting rain next week, which should help significantly as well.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 9:49 AM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


I ordered n95 masks from staples.com for a friend yesterday. They will arrive to her on Tuesday. Check there.
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 9:51 AM on November 17, 2018


Some info from Sacramento County Public Health about why they don't recommend an n95 respirator that reduces oxygen (short version: may cause major issues for people with heart issues due to restricted oxygen availability, and of course, they encourage people to go outdoors with a false sense of security):

Link
posted by twoplussix at 10:11 AM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


Most Paint stores have them. Here in Berkeley all the local Kelly Moore and Benjamin Moores are out but they’re likely easily available wherever you are.
posted by bitdamaged at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2018


Yeah, a properly-fitted particulate mask reduces oxygen intake by about 30%. Most healthy adults (and kids) can handle that just fine (or better than smoke, anyway) but it can be a real problem for people with certain health conditions. If you work a job that requires a respirator, you're supposed to get checked out first to make sure that it's safe for you to do so.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:44 PM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


Oh, and if you have a beard then hello, false sense of security. It's impossible to correctly fit a mask on a bearded face, the hair prevents getting a good seal.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:45 PM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


Oh, and if you have a beard then hello, false sense of security. It's impossible to correctly fit a mask on a bearded face, the hair prevents getting a good seal.

That's certainly true for deadly materials like asbestos which you would like to have zero contact. But for smoke particulates, any filtering is better than no filtering. Even if you have 50% leakage, that is 50% less smoke you are inhaling. An AQI of 100 is better than an AQI of 200. So don't just give up if you don't have the perfect filter or perfect fit. It all helps.
posted by JackFlash at 4:06 PM on November 17, 2018 [2 favorites]


Kelly Moore and Dunn Edwards (both specialized paint stores) have masks for sale/give away here in the South Bay. So, maybe try a paint store near you?
posted by metahawk at 4:20 PM on November 17, 2018


Posting for Bay Area folks more than the original poster, sorry.

We just got some N95 masks from Coles here in Rockridge, Oakland.
Home Depot had no masks of any kind last night, and was mostly out of home AC filters too, since everyone is replacing/upgrading those too right now.
posted by w0mbat at 4:52 PM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Update! Backordered masks are shipping tomorrow (and a wonderful friend is shipping extras) for Oakland folks I also found @maskoakland on twitter.

Everyone please stay safe and thanks for all the help!
posted by Space Kitty at 6:01 PM on November 18, 2018


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