Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2020

We have taken the CDC and WHO position that N95 masks should be reserved for health professionals working with COVID-19 patients. Since our last communication, the CDC is now recommending that EVERYONE wear a mask/covering when in the public. Previously, their position was that these non-N95 masks would not protect the wearer but would reduce the likelihood of the wearer infecting others. Since non-N95 masks are considered only marginally effective, I suppose a FAKE n-95 mask would do no harm. Our industry should not be putting technicians in the face of an infected customer anyway. It makes sense that these masks may not be what they claim but are at least as good as a bandanna which is accepted at present. AMAZING that we are at this point. This article is intended to let you know that not all claims by N95 vendors are valid but that something is better than nothing. The question is, “ Is it wise to spend extra for a N95 mask that may be FAKE when a face mask is available at considerably less. One promotion offered the N95 at just under $4.00 and the face mask at less than a dollar. The lower price face mask would allow you to use a new mask each day for about the same cost as using one FAKE

FAKE

N95 Respirators

As if we don ’ t have enough to worry about, the Center for Disease Control and NIOSH, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, are warning about “ FAKE ” N95 respirators. Shouldn ’ t be a surprise. We are accustomed to “ FAKE ” contractors who work without a license, provide marginal service, and frequently do not deliver as promised. Kind of the same thing. You probably have received emails offering masks and other PPE in quantities at reasonable pricing. I have been a button push away from sending you links to consider but I don ’ t know the source or quality. It is a quandary in which I don ’ t know what to do. I did send a link to one company which I hope worked out. I am amazed that you and I can purchase quantities of so called N95 masks when Governors and hospitals are making appeals for product. Something is definitely wrong with this picture. Either our government and health officials are incompetent or these masks are not approved. I prefer to choose the latter.