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These American-made KN95-style masks are $15 at Amazon
Annoyed that over two years since COVID came into our lives and you still need to wear a mask? Not entirely clear what kind of mask you should be wearing? Well, we can't help you with the former, but we can easily clarify the latter: Get yourself a KN95 mask. KN95s are made in China and certified by the Chinese government. Here in the U.S., we don’t manufacture KN95 masks, but we have American-made masks that are very similar, like the Breatheze mask.
Like the KN95, the Breatheze is multilayered and designed for an excellent fit. While mask mandates are lifting across the country, it's still a good idea to have a solid stash handy — especially if you or some of your loved ones are considered high risk for complications of COVID-19. And, if your mask inventory is running low, now is a great time to stock up for times when you'll want extra protection, like running to the grocery store or your local doctor's office. You can get a 10 pack for $15.
These four-layer masks are made of polypropylene to filter out 95 percent of airborne particles. They're also tested by a third-party lab to make sure you're getting a quality mask.
Like KN95 masks, the Breatheze masks have elastic ear loops and a metal nose bridge to help you get that just-right fit. The masks are specifically created for all-day wear, so you can use them for work, school or wherever your day takes you. Another nice perk of these masks: They easily fold flat, so you can stash them in your bag or pocket without any bulk.
These masks have plenty of loyal fans who swear they offer great protection with a comfortable feel. "I've been fortunate to have a supply of N95 masks for years, but over the past 18 months my supply has run low. I've tried a number of different N95 and KN95 masks to replace my supply, and I feel like I've found the best balance of safety, comfort and value with this Breatheze KN95 mask," one five-star reviewer says."I feel confident that these will protect me from biological (i.e. SARS-CoV-2) and other environmental pollutants (i.e. wildfire smoke). I'm surprised at how much easier to breath these masks are compared to the N95s I've been using. I also like the ear straps for easy on/off as opposed to the two back of the head/neck elastic straps on the N95s I was using."
Another gave Breatheze masks a thumbs up for breathability. "As the name suggests, Breatheze is extremely breathable. In fact, it's the most breathable mask I've worn. I can wear it for hours and even walk briskly for an extended time without feeling out of breath...Several months ago, due to a family emergency, I needed to fly much sooner than I had originally intended. I wore the Breatheze KN95 on both flights and throughout the nearly week-long trip to New Jersey and avoided Covid-19."
Just a heads up: Good masks don't stay in stock for long. Grab these while you still can!
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
