Some experts say it's time to upgrade our face masks - CBS News
There was a shortage of N-95 masks for health care workers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. But now that high-filtration masks are in stock, it may be time to upgrade from a cloth mask. Mechanical engineer and self-described "mask nerd" Aaron Collins joins CBSN anchor Lana Zak to break down which masks are best.
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I initially got KN95 masks and now N95 masks from my local gas station! That's where I first saw masks for sale and so I got mine there - and gave some to family and friends. Back in the beginning, I spoke with my friend in Vermont about masks and she said they were told to save the N95 masks for medical workers, but I doubt they'd be getting theirs at the gas station. It's run by a local Indian couple who I've become friendly with and he's gotten in other masks, "pretty ones" as he called them and suggested those instead, but I've stuck with the KN95s and N95s. I don't know where he got them from, but I'm not complaining. 
Last edited Sun Dec 12, 2021, 02:10 AM - Edit history (1)
on the side are in the top class, so I read some time ago. I've ordered them from Amazon and need more.
She was actually the very first person, in the beginning, who I saw wearing a mask. And since they've (finally!) reinstated the mask mandate here in New York, I'd probably better stock up. I'm just wondering if there are going to be challenges in stores and businesses since they rescinded it for so long. Since July, the signs said they were using "the honor system" and only the unvaccinated were required to be masked. Good luck with that! I know that they're available to be ordered, but I was extremely fortunate and the first masks I saw for sale were KN95s, and now N95s, at my local gas station! 
3M.
They've since gotten in others and asked if I wouldn't rather have "pretty ones," but I've stuck with the KN95s and now they have N95s there. The gas station is run by a local Indian couple who I've become friendly with and I don't know where he got them right off, but I'm not complaining.
I got mine online, ahead of the rush last year & again before Delta took off here this year.
It seems our country is so slow to respond to this pandemic (eg booster shots, masks, etc.).
Since my local gas station has carried them from the beginning, I should ask the friendly Indian proprietor where he got them. But I've used them since the beginning, the very first place I saw masks for sale - now they have masks everywhere, but now they have N95s, so I'm sticking with the gas station. 
Paint section.
When I got my booster on Thursday, I chose the closest pharmacy which turned out to be a CVS in Target! I had no idea that there was a pharmacy there! When I got my initial 2 vaccine shots, I had to drive south to the closest CVS that was offering the vaccine - all appointments closer were immediately completely booked!
But when I went on Thursday, I was the only one. And though the instructions said "face covering" was mandatory, waiting in the store for the required 15 minutes - the only people wearing masks were the pharmacist and me! I'm wondering how reinstating the mask mandate here in New York is going to go over. There were rarely problems for the year-plus it was initially in place, but they rescinded it in July (just in time for "tourist season!" ) so these days most people I see (except many employees) rarely bother. 
