INSIDER
Your questions answered about differences, effectiveness of N95, K95, surgical and cloth masks
Read full article: Your questions answered about differences, effectiveness of N95, K95, surgical and cloth masksUniversity Health Epidemiologist Dr. Jason Bowling answered some frequently asked questions about the effectiveness of different kinds of masks.
Free N95 masks are being distributed in the San Antonio area. Here’s where to get yours.
Read full article: Free N95 masks are being distributed in the San Antonio area. Here’s where to get yours.Free N95 masks are starting to be distributed in the San Antonio area this weekend, as part of the Biden Administration’s initiative to help combat the spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant.
You can wear your N95 mask more than once. Here’s how health experts say to do it safely.
Read full article: You can wear your N95 mask more than once. Here’s how health experts say to do it safely.The CDC has outlined some guidelines about reusing masks in emergency situations. It’s directed at medical professionals, but some of the advice can also be applied for home use.
Masks, at-home COVID-19 tests harder to find as omicron continues to surge
Read full article: Masks, at-home COVID-19 tests harder to find as omicron continues to surgeThe highly infectious omicron variant has COVID-19 cases on the rise. The increase has people looking for convenient at home tests and higher quality face masks, but they’re harder to find.
SwRI: Testing reveals ‘counterfeit’ KN95 masks
Read full article: SwRI: Testing reveals ‘counterfeit’ KN95 masksSAN ANTONIO – Southwest Research Institute has revealed that 8 of 11 different brands of counterfeit KN95 masks tested by the organization were manufactured in China, according to Dr. Imad Khalek, the program’s senior program manager. Khalek said KN95 is the Chinese version of the American-made N95 masks that are now hard to find. He said 73% of the counterfeit masks failed and were only 63% efficient, instead of 95% or higher that you get with real N95 masks. Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began, SwRI switched from testing engine emissions to testing emission of particles through masks. “Maybe hundreds of millions of dollars are spent by various healthcare systems in hospitals on counterfeit KN95 masks,” Khalek said.
Feds uncover an alleged scheme to fraudulently sell 39 million N95 respirator masks to US hospitals
Read full article: Feds uncover an alleged scheme to fraudulently sell 39 million N95 respirator masks to US hospitals(CNN) -- Federal law enforcement has disrupted a foreign criminal scheme to fraudulently sell 39 million N95 respirator masks to US health care workers, a Justice Department official said in an interview with CNN. In the past month, one group of alleged scammers attempted to bilk US health care companies by offering the sale of N95 masks and demanding upfront payment of 40% of the total bulk purchase price. Brady noted the SEIU and 3M -- which was reported to be the maker of the alleged N95 masks -- have also assisted authorities. N95 masks are currently among the most sought-after and scarce pieces of personal protective equipment for health care workers treating the thousands of US victims of the novel coronavirus. "The health care systems and first responders are so desperate they're willing to pay whatever it takes to keep their personnel safe," Brady noted.