Masks for school - what to get

[wencit]

The research that I’ve read seems to indicate that surgical masks are more protective? Or maybe just that more testing has been done? I ordered pediatric surgical masks for my littles. Now I want to order some for me, DH and my big kids!

I'm curious, where are you buying surgical masks? None of the disposable masks I find say they are surgical. They seem to be 3-ply paper masks that are simply disposable, not necessarily as protective as a surgical mask.

Way before the pandemic started, I bought some anti-viral disposable face masks at Target. I vaguely remember reading on the box that they had some protective properties (they blocked such-and-such size particles), so perhaps they were the same kind of surgical masks that medical staff use? Of course, they're no longer available anywhere. Here is what the box looked like:

masks.jpg

I'm just wondering if people are using the terms "disposable" and "surgical" interchangeably? Or if I'm missing out, and people are really able to buy surgical masks?

[KrisM]

I'm re-reading Michigan's plan. It says "Facial coverings may be homemade or disposable level-one (basic) grade surgical masks."

I don't know how particular they are going to be. But, that means no store-bought cloth mask as well as no disposable without the ASTM Level 1 designation. That will be difficult, I would think.

[icunurse]

I'm re-reading Michigan's plan. It says "Facial coverings may be homemade or disposable level-one (basic) grade surgical masks."

I don't know how particular they are going to be. But, that means no store-bought cloth mask as well as no disposable without the ASTM Level 1 designation. That will be difficult, I would think.

I’d check with your school. I think if they accept homemade, they will accept store bought. Also, any cheap “surgical” mask typically has a Level 1 designation. That’s about all that is out there to purchase right now.

I have been stocking up on masks for the four of us. Hanes, Target has kids masks, Etsy. I just purchased some Bloch masks for Dd for dance, but haven’t received them yet. I wouldn’t depend on surgical masks, honestly. I wear a Level 2 at work and it’s a mess after one day. You’re going to be tossing them out every day after school.

[KrisM]

I’d check with your school. I think if they accept homemade, they will accept store bought. Also, any cheap “surgical” mask typically has a Level 1 designation. That’s about all that is out there to purchase right now.

I have been stocking up on masks for the four of us. Hanes, Target has kids masks, Etsy. I just purchased some Bloch masks for Dd for dance, but haven’t received them yet. I wouldn’t depend on surgical masks, honestly. I wear a Level 2 at work and it’s a mess after one day. You’re going to be tossing them out every day after school.

All we have are the state guidelines right now. I don't know when we'll get more info from our district.

The masks I have don't have a surgical designation at all.

[mom2binsd]

Well, yes, we store them and use them over and over, hospitals, nursing home etc. It's not what we usually did, but with probably wearing them for the next 6 months we will never have enough if we throw them out after each use. So yes, we all store them in a paper bag.

We just use the standard surgical mask, with the wire for the nose.

Old rules for use of PPE has gone out the window.

If folks want to fheie out after each use, that is up to them, but you will burn through then quickly, which is also why we try not to as there is still a shortage and delay in getting PPE, and with the spike, only going to get worse.

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[ett]

I'm re-reading Michigan's plan. It says "Facial coverings may be homemade or disposable level-one (basic) grade surgical masks."

I don't know how particular they are going to be. But, that means no store-bought cloth mask as well as no disposable without the ASTM Level 1 designation. That will be difficult, I would think.

If those are the exact words from the plan it says "may" not "must". I interpret this as homemade masks are fine and you don't need store bought ones, not that only homemade are allowed. And I would think any kind of disposable masks should be fine.

[ett]

I'm curious, where are you buying surgical masks? None of the disposable masks I find say they are surgical. They seem to be 3-ply paper masks that are simply disposable, not necessarily as protective as a surgical mask.

Way before the pandemic started, I bought some anti-viral disposable face masks at Target. I vaguely remember reading on the box that they had some protective properties (they blocked such-and-such size particles), so perhaps they were the same kind of surgical masks that medical staff use? Of course, they're no longer available anywhere. Here is what the box looked like:

masks.jpg

I'm just wondering if people are using the terms "disposable" and "surgical" interchangeably? Or if I'm missing out, and people are really able to buy surgical masks?

I've seen various descriptions online with terms "non-medical", "medical", and "surgical", and they all seem very similar to me. I was looking at 2 listings, 1 says non-medical and the other medical and they both pretty much have the same description for the different layers of the mask.

[wencit]

I've seen various descriptions online with terms "non-medical", "medical", and "surgical", and they all seem very similar to me. I was looking at 2 listings, 1 says non-medical and the other medical and they both pretty much have the same description for the different layers of the mask.

It's all so confusing and misleading, isn't it?

[boilermakermom]

Has anyone found a good tween size mask? DD (age 12) is petite, so teen sizes are too big for her. I am looking for both disposable and washable ones for her but I am not having any luck.

[Mommy_Mea]

I really love the mama seamstress masks, but they tend to run big (like I can wear the kids size, my 8 to can wear the toddler). I wonder if a kid size would be the right fit?

Has anyone found a good tween size mask? DD (age 12) is petite, so teen sizes are too big for her. I am looking for both disposable and washable ones for her but I am not having any luck.