I need some 3M N95’s

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
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As many of you know I am a cancer patient who uses a public transportation service ( the Ride) to get to Mass General for treatment. I have used & reused my tiny stock of N95’s & am reaching out to anyone who might have them. Prefer a size small for excellent fit if possible.

I can’t pay outrageous prices but will pay for them & for shipping. Going for treatment is scary enough, having a good mask makes it a little easier.

This is a big ask but I know many in this community stockpile and/ or have access to things others can’t get. Thanks for reading:)
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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Good luck. The 3M masks are nearly non-existent...a couple.of sites say September...maybe.
Can you get by with a lesser brand? Since you're a patient at MG, can they help you obtain them?
 

Geekbabe

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Good luck. The 3M masks are nearly non-existent...a couple.of sites say September...maybe.
Can you get by with a lesser brand? Since you're a patient at MG, can they help you obtain them?

They can’t even get them for their doctors! Heck hospitals here are using hand sanitizer made in booze companies.

I bought cloth masks that are double banded like the 3M’s, they have a pocket which I put pm 2.5 filters in. I wear those to take an occasional walk or to cover my good masks to protect from spills etc.
 

ponyo

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Feb 14, 2002
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I got you @Geekbabe. I have a box of small made in the USA 3M N95 masks my family probably won't use. I bought it back in January at Home Depot as cheap insurance when I feared this COVID-19 might blow up here in the US and the world. Unfortunately my worst fears came true and this virus has spread worldwide.

PM me your info, and I'll try to get this shipped out to you today if I can or Monday. There are 18 masks instead of 20 because I gave 2 to my nephews at the start of this virus pandemic.

And no need for payment.

UUEG0sTh.jpg
 

Viper GTS

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Oct 13, 1999
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If you are willing/able to use the valved variety I have a full/nearly full box you are welcome to. Sounds like ponyo has precisely what you need though.

Viper GTS
 
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Geekbabe

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If you are willing/able to use the valved variety I have a full/nearly full box you are welcome to. Sounds like ponyo has precisely what you need though.

Viper GTS

unfortunaley we can’t use the valvEd ones, they make us take them off & give us paper masks. What gets me is I spent $120 to get the valved ones ... I should have burned my money :)

btw, thank you:) you have no idea how grateful I am for the ability to use Amazon Fresh. I think of you everytime I buy groceries
 
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BoomerD

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unfortunaley we can’t use the valvEd ones, they make us take them off & give us paper masks. What gets me is I spent $120 to get the valved ones ... I should have burned my money :)

btw, thank you:) you have no idea how grateful I am for the ability to use Amazon Fresh. I think of you everytime I buy groceries

You could still use them for other things/places...
 

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
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unfortunaley we can’t use the valvEd ones, they make us take them off & give us paper masks. What gets me is I spent $120 to get the valved ones ... I should have burned my money :)
I have some of the valved ones. Since I learned about...
no, they exhale the air of the wearer, defeats the entire purpose of mask wearing. I wear my mask because I presume I am infected & want to protect others, the valved ones protect nobody
I stuffed a couple of cotton balls into the valve. One from each side. That seals it. And even if it didn't completely, your air would still be filtered through the cotton balls.
 
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Geekbabe

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I have some of the valved ones. Since I learned about...

I stuffed a couple of cotton balls into the valve. One from each side. That seals it. And even if it didn't completely, your air would still be filtered through the cotton balls.

Not a bad idea, but in a hospital you would still be asked to don a paper mask.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
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If I were in your situation and had a box of valved ones on hand I would have no issue at all using them to protect myself in situations where a mask would not otherwise be required (eg outside, socially distanced = your walks). No sense putting hours into the ones you need for high risk situations.

Viper GTS
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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If I were in your situation and had a box of valved ones on hand I would have no issue at all using them to protect myself in situations where a mask would not otherwise be required (eg outside, socially distanced = your walks). No sense putting hours into the ones you need for high risk situations.

Viper GTS

exactly my point when I suggested she could use them for other things/places.
 

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
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If I were in your situation and had a box of valved ones on hand I would have no issue at all using them to protect myself in situations where a mask would not otherwise be required (eg outside, socially distanced = your walks). No sense putting hours into the ones you need for high risk situations.

Viper GTS
You make a good point, brief, socially distanced walks are the only thing I do. Work & cancer treatment is risk enough.
 

PowerEngineer

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Oct 22, 2001
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no, they exhale the air of the wearer, defeats the entire purpose of mask wearing. I wear my mask because I presume I am infected & want to protect others, the valved ones protect nobody

You are certainly correct that the point of wearing a face mask in public is to protect others from the wearer, not the wearer from others. I'm thinking that protection of others doesn't really require a genuine N95 mask {but I could be wrong).

However, people like you who are at considerably higher risk of serious consequences from COVID-19 should focus more on protecting yourselves rather than worrying about the rest of us. It makes sense to me that you should receive priority access to N95 masks and not be concerned over whether or not they are valved.

My two cents...

And it is good to see ATOT members stepping up to help you! 👍👍
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
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I agree with this ^
Thanks for stepping up, everybody. I have a couple of used ones, large, not much help :p
I need them for cutting some toxic hardwood next week.
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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There's a chance I could use masks also. I won't ask yet, but there is a chance of wanting to take an international medical related flight that I am not because of the risk of the virus from flying. I'm not quite to the point of being for sure on the trip, and knowing how safe I'd be on the flight if I had the mask.