Where to get N95 masks in Philadelphia

As the omicron variant continues to dominate case counts, the CDC has recommended that, if you can, you should wear N95 or KN95 masks, which offer more protection compared to cloth and surgical masks. While there’s good evidence on the protective value of these masks, locating them is easier said than done.

Using these masks is especially important now given how transmissible omicron is compared to previous versions of the virus, says Seth Welles, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health.

“They basically block 95% of particulates of a certain size, including droplets and breath,” which can carry the COVID-19 virus with them, Welles says. N95 masks are made from layers of polypropylene fibers, a high-filtration material that effectively keep out most bacteria. “[N95 masks] will keep you from infecting others, and it will keep you from being infected.”

Cloth masks, Welles notes, are woven too loosely to protect against the highly infectious omicron strain.

N95 and KN95 masks, the Associated Press reports, are currently more available than they have been throughout the pandemic — but they can still be hard to find, and are typically more costly than surgical or cloth masks (which are still better than nothing). There’s also a market of counterfeit N95 and KN95 masks that don’t achieve the promised protection of their real counterparts.

So where can you get real N95s right now, and how many times can you reuse them to get the best value? Here’s what you need to know:

If you’re looking to buy N95 or KN95 masks in person, Welles suggests going with big box stores and chain pharmacies, such as:

Big retailers, Welles says, usually work with mask manufacturers to get legitimate masks that are approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

You should call ahead to make sure your local store has masks in stock — there is high demand for N95 and KN95 masks, so they can be hard to find.

If you are having trouble finding masks in a physical store, you might also be able to find them online — but, Welles notes, it’s important to buy them from a trusted, reputable website, such as:

Unsure if an online mask is legitimate? The CDC keeps an extensive list of NIOSH-approved N95 mask makers and models, and also has information on how to spot fakes.

Also keep in mind that shipping times are very slow for many carriers, so place your mask order as soon as you can.

The White House recently announced that the Biden administration will give out more than 400 million N95 masks to U.S. residents, distrubted at local pharmacies and health centers, says Welles. As of Jan. 24, select pharmacies outside of the Philadelphia region reported that free masks were beginning to arrive to their stores. The nationwide rollout is expected to happen later in January.

For most people, N95s and other masks can be worn more than once. But how many times, or for how many days, isn’t exactly a set number — it mostly depends on factors like how often you wear it, where you wear it, and how long you wear it. In general, the CDC has recommended wearing an N95 mask no more than five times if you work in healthcare or wear it for “extended periods of a day,” Welles says.

If you are only periodically using your mask for shorter periods — like shopping or riding public transit — you can likely get much more use out of it. Welles suggests keeping an eye on the condition of the mask, and changing it out when it gets dirty, “funky,” or damaged.

“The only thing that tends to cut down on its effectiveness is if you poke holes in it, or you create rips, or it gets so loose that it’s not tight around your nose and mouth,” he says. “Look at the cleanliness of it. If it is getting kind of gross, or if you put it on and it smells, get rid of it and put on another mask.”

In its recent guidance, the CDC did not require that people wear N95 or KN95 masks, but noted that there are several situations in which you might consider “choosing a mask or respirator that offers greater protection,” including if you are:

If that sounds like most situations where you’d wear a mask anyway, you’re right. As Welles says, “You shouldn’t be wearing cloth anymore, or the blue surgical masks. You want something which really has shown the ability to reduce the particles that can cross over and possibly infect you.”

However, if you aren’t able to comfortably wear an N95 mask — or don’t have access to them — a surgical mask is a good option, as Martin Blaser, director of Rutgers University’s Center of Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, recently told the Inquirer.

“People should use the best mask that they can that they’re comfortable with that they will wear,” Blaser said. “If you have an N95 and it’s uncomfortable and you don’t wear it, it’s not helping you very much.”