Efforts to make protective medical gear in US falling flat
When the coronavirus pandemic first hit the U.S., sales of window coverings at Halcyon Shades quickly went dark. It still hasn't sold a single N95 mask because of struggles to get equipment, materials and regulatory approval. “So far, it has been a net drain of funds and resources and energy," Halcyon Shades owner Jim Schmersahl said.
news.yahoo.comHow to get free N95 masks: Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and more
Millions of protective N95 masks meant to limit the spread of COVID-19 are now available for free in lots of locations across the United States. Three free masks are available per person. RELATED: N95, KN95, disposable face masks: Where to find the best prices onlineWant to get your own allotment of free masks? $9.99Heypex Global Earloop Disposable Face Masks, 25ct.. $5.885Ply Black Disposable Face Mask 50cts. $19.99100PCS Black Disposable Face Mask 3 Ply Filter Protection Non Medical Face Masks.
mlive.comSpartanNash stores to distribute free N95 masks
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — SpartanNash says it will offer up to three, free N95 masks to customers at its corporate-owned grocery stores starting Monday, Feb. 7. The company, based in Byron Township, also said it will distribute “nearly 400,000 masks to support non-profit partners in high-transmission areas and socially vulnerable communities.”In a news release, SpartanNash said its 84 locations with pharmacies are participating in the free mask program. These mask distribution efforts are part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ program to curb the spread of COVID-19,” SpartanNash said in a news release. “We are also grateful for the role our SpartanNash Associates continue to play in serving our customers throughout COVID-19. SpartanNash said the 400,000 masks it’s providing to non profit partners in high-transmission areas and socially vulnerable communities are being supplied to the following nonprofits: Mary Free Bed, Special Olympics Michigan, Feeding America West Michigan, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and the Salvation Army.
mlive.comN95, KN95, disposable face masks: Where to find the best prices online
We’ve rounded up some of the lowest prices online here:N95 Medical Supply Co. (N95, K95)N95 NIOSH ALG SOFT SHELL MASKS (20 PACK) $49.99KN95 BLACK FACE MASK FDA/CDC APPENDIX A APPROVED (20 PACK) $24.9950 PACK - KN95 FACE MASK - PROTECTIVE RESPIRATOR $54.9925 PACK - KN95 FACE MASK - PROTECTIVE RESPIRATOR $29.99KN95 BLACK FACE MASK FDA/CDC APPENDIX A APPROVED (50 PACK) $54.99WALMART (Disposable)Black Disposable Face Mask Adults Mouth Cover 3Ply with Ear Loop 50 Pcs. $9.99Heypex Global Earloop Disposable Face Masks, 25ct.. $5.885Ply Black Disposable Face Mask 50cts. $42.99WeCare Disposable Face Mask, 3-Ply with Ear Loop (50 Individually Wrapped) - For KIDS - Assorted Snake Skin. $19.99100PCS Black Disposable Face Mask 3 Ply Filter Protection Non Medical Face Masks. $16.99Bigox Face Mask Disposable Earloop Blue 50Pcs.
mlive.comFree KN95 masks available at Muskegon area libraries
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – Free K95 masks are being distributed at several Muskegon area libraries. Related: Free N95 masks available at MeijerMasks are available at:Hackley Public Library, 316 W. Webster Avenue in downtown Muskegon. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Muskegon Township Branch Library, 1910 E. Apple Avenue. North Muskegon Branch Library, 1522 Ruddiman Drive, North Muskegon.
mlive.comHow many times can you wear an N95 mask and still be protected against COVID?
As health experts continue to recommend masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, people are turning to N95 respirators for extra protection. N95 respirators offer the highest level of protection, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. However, if you have an N95 mask, the Associated Press reported that they can be used a few times. Each breath adds particles to the mask, which could make it more difficult to breathe if they get trapped, according to AP. “CDC recommends limiting the number of donnings for an N95 FFR to no more than five per device,” the agency wrote.
mlive.comFree N95 respirator masks from the federal government soon to be available at pharmacy chains
Free non-surgical N95 respirator masks, promised last week by President Joe Biden and already at Meijer stores, will soon be available at many pharmacy chains. A representative for Michigan Kroger, based in Troy, said the masks, will be available in all 103 of its stores with pharmacies beginning Friday, Jan. 27. All masks provide some level of protection, but properly fitted National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirators provide the highest level, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Loosely woven cloth masks provide the least protection. Most publicly available respirators are disposable and should be discarded when they are dirty, damaged or cause breathing difficulties, according to the CDC.
mlive.comFree N95 masks available at Meijer
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Meijer announced it will provide free N95 masks to customers who request one upon entering one of its Midwest stores. The Walker-based retailer said in a news release that it’s participating in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ free mask program, and “has received an estimated 3 million masks, which have been made available for no charge to any customer who needs them.”“The N95 masks will be in boxes set on a table near the Meijer Greeter stand of the grocery entrance,” according to the news release. “The Greeter, who will be wearing gloves, will place the N95 masks in piles of three for the customers to take.”Masks are seen as an additional way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “The use of masks is one more simple tool that may help reduce the spread of the virus – especially from people who are infected and don’t know it yet,” according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Read more:These West Michigan schools are closed Tuesday, Jan. 25Muskegon County’s new Lake Michigan park gets $500K in donations to support visitor amenitiesSpring Lake High School principal placed on administrative leave amid investigation
mlive.comPharmacies, Health Centers Begin To Distribute Free N95 Masks
The first free N95 masks have started to arrive at US pharmacies, with more on the way in the coming days, as the Biden administration seeks to ramp up access to high-quality masks amid the spread of the highly-transmissible Omicron...
detroit.cbslocal.comRand Paul asks if YouTube will 'kiss my ....' and apologize after CDC revises mask guidance
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul hit back at YouTube "censors" on Saturday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged that cloth masks do not work as well against the coronavirus as N95 makes.
news.yahoo.comN95, KN95 and paper masks, where to find the best deals on Amazon as COVID spreads
We’ve rounded up some deals below from Amazon on N95, KN95, and 3-ply disposable face masks. While studies have shown the most effective masks for general use are the N95 and KN95 masks, the best mask for you is also the one you can wear comfortably for a long time, health experts say. So we’ve included some disposable paper mask deals below as well. Hotodeal KN95 face masks (Amazon)AMAZONN95/KN95For more N95/KN95 mask deals, check here. Comix Disposable Face-Masks with 3-Layer Adult Masks on Amazon.
mlive.com"It's getting worse here”: COVID surge pushes Montana hospitals closer to rationing care
A Montana hospital is running out of space as the number of COVID-19 patients continue to arrive at an unsustainable rate. Inside the ICU, 35-year-old Hillary Lee is fighting to survive, despite no underlying health conditions. Meg Oliver reports.
news.yahoo.comSome airlines are banning cloth face masks on flights
You may need to remember to bring the right kind, and leave those cloth masks at home. Several airlines, mostly European carriers, are banning cloth masks, according to The Washington Post. The carriers will insist travelers wear surgical masks, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve, or FFP2 masks. To this day, no U.S. aircraft carrier has banned cloth masks. “The filtration effectiveness of cloth masks is generally lower than that of medical masks and respirators; however, cloth masks may provide some protection if well designed and used correctly,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last year.
mlive.comFDA warns health care workers to stop using N95 masks made by a Chinese manufacturer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert to health care providers about certain N95 respirator face masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has revoked its approval of N95 respirator face masks manufactured by Shanghai Dashen Health Products Manufacturing Co. N95 and KN95 face masks have been in high demand since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA said there are “serious concerns with the quality” of the N95 respirator masks manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng. On its website, Shanghai Dasheng said the issue involves counterfeit masks using its company’s NIOSH approval numbers.
mlive.comMost effective masks to protect against Delta variant, N95, KN95, and more
The CDC recommends N95, KN95, multi-layered cloth, and disposable masks as the most effective face coverings. Now that N95 masks are more widely available, you can purchase this protection for yourself. Especially if you are currently in an area of substantial transmission, the N95 mask might be the right choice for you. KN95: Similar to the medical-grade N95, KN95 masks offer near-perfect protection against inhaled particles—although they are not authorized for healthcare workers. Cloth masks are not approved for medical use and cannot replace N95 face coverings in medical settings.
mlive.comDelta variant: Cloth masks or N95, KN95 masks to fight COVID?
“So if you can get your hands on a KN95 mask or an N95 mask, that’s going to afford you a lot more protection. “There’s plenty of N95 masks in the system. There are also KN95 masks available. RELATED: Where to find N95 and KN95 masks, best deals on face coveringsEarly in the pandemic, health officials advised the public against purchasing higher quality masks due to the need for them in medical settings. KN95 masks fit the same and can provide equal levels of protection but are regulated by the Chinese government.
mlive.comCOVID Delta variant surge: Which mask offers the most protection?
A former Food and Drug Administration official has advice for people as the delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread: Mask up. Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Scott Gottlieb said the delta variant isn’t more airborne than the original COVID virus and is “not more likely to be permeable to a mask.”“So a mask can still be helpful. I think, though, if you’re going to consider wearing a mask, the quality of the mask does matter,” Gottlieb said. “So I would encourage people to look at the quality of the mask and try and get their hands on a better quality of mask,” he said. RELATED: Where to find N95, KN95 masks as contagious Delta variant surges in U.S.
mlive.comCounterfeit N95 masks are flooding the market — here's how to tell if yours is fake
More than 11 million counterfeit 3M N95 masks have been seized by the Department of Homeland Security in recent weeks. While the Centers for Disease Control still recommends reserving N95 masks for frontline healthcare workers and medical first responders, at this point, much of the general public are buying N95 masks for personal use. N95 masks create a seal that filters 95% of airborne particles when properly fitted. With so many counterfeit N95 masks on the market, inadvertently using them could give healthcare workers and the public a dangerous false sense of security. Here's how to tell if your N95 respirator is fake:
cnbc.comCDC director defends N95 mask restrictions despite greater supply
"For reasons supported by science, comfort, costs, and practicality, the CDC does not recommend routine use of N95 respirators for protection against COVID-19 by the general public," said Dr. Walensky. Is there a shortage of N95 masks? N95 mask manufacturers say supply now exceeds U.S. demand. "We are not experiencing a shortage in N95s for current use," said David Gillan, senior vice president of sourcing for Vizient, a major health care purchasing organization. Updating federal guidelines to expand N95 availability to other categories of health care industry customers could mean more business for these suppliers.
cbsnews.comScientists push Biden administration to require N95 masks in high-risk workplaces
More than a dozen top scientists are pushing the Biden administration to require N95 air filtration masks for employees in risky workplaces like meat packing plants and prisons. The scientists said the CDC and OSHA should mandate the use of N95 masks in risky workplaces. Currently, they said, the CDC recommends less effective surgical masks for most health-care workers due to shortages of N95 masks. But the scientists said there's now increased supply of N95 masks and it's time for CDC and OSHA to mandate their use in risky settings where workers could be exposed to coronavirus aerosols. On his first full day in office, Biden directed OSHA to issue emergency standards for Covid-19, which would include rules around ventilation and masks, by March 15.
cnbc.comN95 masks sit in storage as hospitals still face shortages
Jim Mone / APInternal government emails obtained by The Associated Press show there were deliberate decisions to withhold vital information about new mask manufacturers and availability. Before the pandemic, medical providers followed guidelines that called for N95s to be discarded after each use. Used protective medical masks are prepared for disinfecting at the Battelle N95 decontamination site in Somerville, Massachusetts. Boxes of N95 masks in warehouse storage at North Richland Hills, Texas, outside of Fort Worth. He said some doctors tell him they get one N95 mask every five to seven days.
cbsnews.comN95 masks sit in storage as hospitals still face shortages
Jim Mone / APInternal government emails obtained by The Associated Press show there were deliberate decisions to withhold vital information about new mask manufacturers and availability. Before the pandemic, medical providers followed guidelines that called for N95s to be discarded after each use. Used protective medical masks are prepared for disinfecting at the Battelle N95 decontamination site in Somerville, Massachusetts. Boxes of N95 masks in warehouse storage at North Richland Hills, Texas, outside of Fort Worth. He said some doctors tell him they get one N95 mask every five to seven days.
cbsnews.comReport: Hospitals ration N95 masks despite growing stockpile
Report: Hospitals ration N95 masks despite growing stockpile A new report from The Associated Press details how hospital workers are still being forced to reuse medical N95 masks meant to be discarded after only one patient. AP investigative reporter Jason Dearen joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" host Elaine Quijano to discuss why health workers aren't getting more masks despite a growing supply.
cbsnews.comReport: Hospitals ration N95 masks despite growing stockpile
Report: Hospitals ration N95 masks despite growing stockpile A new report from the Associated Press details how hospital workers are still being forced to reuse medical N95 masks meant to be discarded after only one patient. AP investigative reporter Jason Dearen spoke to "Red and Blue" host Elaine Quijano about why health workers aren't getting more masks despite a growing supply.
cbsnews.comWashtenaw County Health Department holding free mask pick up events
Masks will be available for those who were able to reserve masks ahead of time for this date. The Washtenaw County Health Department will be giving away free KN95 adult masks and children’s masks at two upcoming events. Adult KN95 masks and single-use children’s mask packs will be available for pick up. Adult masks come in sealed packs of five and children’s masks come in sealed packs of 10. “Reduce your risk of being exposed to COVID-19 by wearing a mask when out in public.”The website to reserve masks has been disabled.
New decontamination device ready to sterilize N95 masks for reuse in Michigan
DETROIT – Michigan received an N95 mask decontamination device that will allow hospitals and medical centers to reuse masks up to 20 times each amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. May 3, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 43,754; Death toll now at 4,049N95 masks, or called N95 respirators, have been in short supply and high demand as the COVID-19 pandemic hit southeast Michigan and the rest of the country. The device uses concentrated, vapor phase hydrogen peroxide to cleanse the masks and prepare them for reuse, officials said. As of Friday hospitals and medical centers can send used N95 masks to Detroit’s TCF Center -- currently serving as a temporary field hospital -- where the decontamination device is located. Battelle has sent employees to operate the device, officials said.
DTE delivers another 80,000 N95 masks to Oakland County for medical professionals, first responders
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – This week, DTE Energy donated another 80,000 much-needed N95 masks to Oakland County’s Homeland Security Division to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. Oakland County Executive David Coulter was on hand to accept the donation. DTE has now given a total of 130,000 N95 masks. Oakland County is accepting donations at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, in Waterford from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Homeland Security Division will pick up donations for those unable to deliver them.
Eastern Michigan University donates more than 100,000 pieces of cleaning and protective supplies to hospitals
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Eastern Michigan University has donated over 100,000 gloves, standard masks, N95 masks, gowns, transparency sheets to make face shields, bleach, wipes, googles among other supplies to hospitals struggling to treat patients during the coronavirus pandemic. Donations can be dropped off at EMU’s Department of Public Safety located at 1200 Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti. Various items are being collected for local hospitals. (Eastern Michigan University)