The N95 Battle

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Everyone under the sun thinks they need a GD N95! 

"But Dr. Oz says....!" 

I have 60 in my possession, but they're absolute crap. The nose piece falls off instantly. They smell horrible, and it feels like you're breathing in fiberglass. I have better ones from another job where we're issued 2 per shift that I reuse in my FT school job. 

It doesn't help that other school districts in the area gave 2 to each teacher (because that's helpful... 2 for the entire year???) 

They don't get it and I am so sick of being asked for them, giving an explanation for why they aren't necessary, and the words just flying in one ear and out the other.

Not to mention THEY'RE TIGHT. I can almost guarantee that most teachers would take them off within a half-day and not put them back on. And if they do keep them on, they're likely not a good fit. Can we talk about how uncomfortable they are?!?!

OK, vent (haha) over.

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

I found an ancient box of them back in March in the depths of a cabinet - man-oh-man, the musty cabinet smell from the multiple decades they were probably in there was something else. 

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

My sister is a middle school teacher and told me that they were supplied with 1 large N95 a week.  A (non-medical) staff member was going around, as directed by the administration, trying to convince staff members to wear the same N95 all week instead of their usual cloth masks.  My sister didn't want to because when she tried the N95 on there were large gaps since it didn't fit her face, it was uncomfortable, and she didn't like the idea of wearing the same mask all week.  She's been wearing some great 3-layer, well-fitting cloth masks.  In the cold months she's had to change out her mask after being outside for door duty/recess.  She asked me for advice.  I sent her a whole essay to hand to her administration ?  Anyways, they've stopped pestering her about the N95.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

So. Much. Yes. Not one person in my building would tolerate an N95 all day. 

I actually don't wear an N95 that often at work, to be honest. Only when COVID test swabbing or accessing a student with possible COVID symptoms.

But, I got my school to invest in an awesome Envo mask for me and my nursing team. So much more comfortable, no fit testing needed. It is a reusable N95 with a replaceable filter. I layer a surgical mask over it due to the valve (which comes with a plug to insert into it as well). 

https://envomask.com/

[guest464345]

I bought myself a few n95s - our lead nurse kindly managed to finagle a few for us, but the brand/type didn't fit me at all.  But unless I'm working with a symptomatic student, I usually wear surgical masks with ear savers to fit them more tightly.

I've been showing teachers how they can layer a surgical mask and their cloth face covering, if they like - or buy the decent kn95's that are increasingly available at Costco, Office Depot, etc. 

I agree, there's no way most of them would deal with an n95 all day.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

I am in the same boat; I wear an N95 when working with symptomatic students only. It sounds like we are getting the envo masks for nursing staff as well. If that happens, I may feel more comfortable distributing the crummy disposable N95s I have.

I think what irks me the most is that the teachers feel they need them when they are sometimes purposefully staying more than 6ft away, all the kids are masked, and they have windows open or at the very least, an air scrubber going all day! I may still be in that "pandemic PPE shortage" mode but still. 

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

3 minutes ago, k1p1ssk said:

I think what irks me the most is that the teachers feel they need them when they are sometimes purposefully staying more than 6ft away, all the kids are masked, and they have windows open or at the very least, an air scrubber going all day! I may still be in that "pandemic PPE shortage" mode but still. 

I blame some of the crazy internet articles.  I had a teacher send me and the principal an article urging the public to wear N95s.  No scientific backing of course.