Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

American Manufacturers Fight Back in a Red Sea of Masks

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Respirators, Occupational safety and health, N95 respirator, Clothing, Surgical mask, Medicine, N95, Equipment, Mask, FFP standards, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

With the hot topic to double mask, multilayer masks including surgical, KN95 and N95 Respirators are coming back into the forefront.

Key Points: 
  • With the hot topic to double mask, multilayer masks including surgical, KN95 and N95 Respirators are coming back into the forefront.
  • While American manufacturers have rallied across the country to produce Surgical Masks under an EUA and N95 masks, certification from NIOSH takes time.
  • There are strict rules to promote non-NIOSH masks in the U.S., especially for manufacturers with pending submissions.
  • U.S. respiratory face masks are available, and if we support American manufacturers we can help create jobs, and spur the economy in a way not seen since the public works programs implemented under Roosevelt.

While 77% of US Residents Surveyed Wear a Mask Daily, Fewer than 38% Primarily Wear High-Filtration Masks

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 5, 2021
Respirators, N95 respirator, Clothing, Cloth face mask, Mask, N95, Equipment, Manufactured goods, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mechanical filter

The survey revealed that the number one most used mask by respondents is a cloth mask by 42% of respondents.

Key Points: 
  • The survey revealed that the number one most used mask by respondents is a cloth mask by 42% of respondents.
  • Only close to 14% of respondents wear masks that meet the five-attribute criteria off the shelf: 8.1% Elastomeric Mask; 5.7% N95 Mask.
  • They write, "N95 masks with suboptimal fit still had comparable filtration efficiency of more than 90%.
  • Homemade masks or double masks do not undergo any kind of testing and present risks from a quality control standpoint.

Employer failed to provide medical masks to workers in long term care home in outbreak

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Occupational safety and health, Articles, Environmental social science, Industrial hygiene, Personal protective equipment, Safety engineering, Human activities, Work, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

They trust that the employer will have proper personal protective equipment to keep them safe."

Key Points: 
  • They trust that the employer will have proper personal protective equipment to keep them safe."
  • The Ministry mandates that all employees must wear, at a minimum, medical masks when at work.
  • Unifor has called attention to the staffing crisis in long term care in the province.
  • Attracting workers, and in particular personal support workers, has been next to impossible over the last few years.

Vitacore Launches Canada's First Recycling Program for Single-Use Masks and Respirators

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Respirators, N95 respirator, Recycling, Articles, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

This program provides front-line workers with the opportunity to recycle their single-use face masks and CAN95 respirators and will be expanded nationally to include bins across the country.

Key Points: 
  • This program provides front-line workers with the opportunity to recycle their single-use face masks and CAN95 respirators and will be expanded nationally to include bins across the country.
  • Once collected, the single-use masks and respirators will be sterilized by Vitacore before being sent to McMaster University to be broken down and repelletized.
  • In August 2020, Vitacore became the first Canadian company to receive Health Canada authorization to produce N95 equivalent respirators, CAN95s, on home soil.
  • For more information on Vitacore and the PPE recycling program visit vitacore.ca .

The Mask That Could End the Pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Mask, Presidency of Donald Trump, COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Surgical mask, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

Boston Medical Center physicians state that in just four weeks these masks could end the pandemic in the US if worn widely by the general public.

Key Points: 
  • Boston Medical Center physicians state that in just four weeks these masks could end the pandemic in the US if worn widely by the general public.
  • A former FDA commissioner argues that higher quality masks are a simple step that could make a big difference.
  • The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) says a well fitted N95 is the best you can do.
  • One year into the pandemic hospitals and the public still struggle to find enough N95s.

SOFTSEAL N95 MASKS-Gold Standard Protection

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 1, 2021
Respirators, N95 respirator, Clothing, N95, Mask, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Surgical mask

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --In response to current recommendations for Americans to upgrade their mask protection, SoftSeal Respirators announces availability of their gold standard N95 masks on their website https://www.SoftSealMask.com .SoftSeal N95 masks were just featured in The Boston Globe , and have been a trusted source for N95 mask protection since their introduction.

Key Points: 
  • LAS VEGAS, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --In response to current recommendations for Americans to upgrade their mask protection, SoftSeal Respirators announces availability of their gold standard N95 masks on their website https://www.SoftSealMask.com .SoftSeal N95 masks were just featured in The Boston Globe , and have been a trusted source for N95 mask protection since their introduction.
  • SoftSeal N95 masks were designed to address the simple fact that the facial seal of a mask is the most important factor in protecting your lungs.
  • "The Difference is the Seal" is what makes SoftSeal masks different from other N95 masks.
  • "N95 masks have been the gold standard for protection from day one," says Ross.

Medicom Canadian Mask Facility Begins Producing New Pediatric Procedure and Tie-On Surgical Masks

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Surgery, Mask, Health, Operating theater, Medicine, Medical equipment, Occupational safety and health, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

This will allow the company to service government contracts and meet future local needs, starting with a new pediatric and surgical tie-on mask lines.

Key Points: 
  • This will allow the company to service government contracts and meet future local needs, starting with a new pediatric and surgical tie-on mask lines.
  • The new pediatric earloop masks, SafeMask Architect Junior, will provide young patients with ASTM Level 1 barrier protection.
  • The surgical tie-on masks, SafeMask Architect Acute, are designed for use in the sterile environment of operating rooms.
  • The first production lines produced surgical earloop masks under the Medicom SafeMask Architect brand, with initial volumes dedicated to fulfilling long-term contracts with the Canadian and Quebec governments.

Major Scientific Report Cites Favorable Analysis of SteraMist ionized Hydrogen Peroxide Technology in the Sterilization of N95 Respirators and Other PPE

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Respirators, Occupational safety and health, Articles, Headgear, Safety, N95 respirator, Academic disciplines, Personal protective equipment, Sterilization, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mechanical filter

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE) for clinicians and first responders.

Key Points: 
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE) for clinicians and first responders.
  • Five N95 masks from three separate manufacturers were included in the study, and their ability to form an airtight seal and filter aerosolized particles were observed after SteraMist application.
  • Results indicated that N95 masks sterilized with SteraMist technology retained filtration up to ten cycles the largest number tested to date.
  • Notably, this study demonstrated that the use of SteraMist in PPE sterilization proved to be twice as effective as using other similarly formulated alternatives.

American Mask Company Releases Range of 100% American-Made PPE to Combat National Shortage

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Respirators, Clothing, N95, Mask, Occupational safety and health, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Headgear, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory

Additionally, American Mask Company's Half Mask Respirator is currently undergoing precertification testing ahead of submission to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to receive N95 classification.

Key Points: 
  • Additionally, American Mask Company's Half Mask Respirator is currently undergoing precertification testing ahead of submission to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to receive N95 classification.
  • American Mask Company gives organizations affordable and high-quality PPE options to offer their employees and stakeholders.
  • Global Guardian brings years of sales and marketing expertise ensure customer demand for American Mask Company's PPE is met.
  • American Mask Company is manufacturing masks at plants in Michigan, California, and Indiana, and the face shields are produced in Kentucky.

Survey: COVID-19 Pandemic Is Advancing Healthcare Technology

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 25, 2021
Articles, Assistive technology, Telehealth, World Health Organization, COVID-19 pandemic, World Health Organization's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

64% think that COVID-19 has advanced healthcare technology.

Key Points: 
  • 64% think that COVID-19 has advanced healthcare technology.
  • In a health pandemic, 83% are more aware of their health and the health of those around them because of COVID-19.
  • 64%think that COVID-19 has advanced healthcare technology and they are embracing it.
  • 81% of those who have used telemedicine during the pandemic, said they will continue doing so once the pandemic is over.