Where to find N95 and KN95 masks without breaking the bank

CHARLOTTE — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its advice on masks and COVID-19.

[RELATED COVERAGE: CDC’s guidance on face masks will not change, director says]

The agency may end up recommending that people wear N95 or KN95 masks instead of cloth or surgical ones for better protection against the omicron variant.

Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke spent Friday looking for masks and how much they cost.

N95 masks meet U.S. standards, while KN95 masks meet requirements in China.

The two masks are very similar, with each blocking 95% of small particles, according to multiple sources.

Stoogenke found that several masks are available online in packs of 20 or 30 and cost between $1.60 to $4.50 per mask.

None were available to be delivered within 24 hours as of Jan. 14 but some mask distributors indicated shipments would arrive between Jan. 19 and 29.

There are also other options to buy masks.

Little Hardware in South End had masks that cost between $4 to $8 each.

Home Depot had packs of masks that came mostly in two or more.

[RELATED COVERAGE: Can you reuse KN95, N95 masks? CDC says yes, but follow steps to sanitize them]

Lowe’s also carries N95 and KN95 masks, if they are in stock.

Stoogenke searched for masks at area pharmacies and grocery stores but they didn’t have any.

Watch out for fake N95s and KN95s:

• The masks should say NIOSH on them, which stands for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
• If masks indicate they are OK for children or have spelling mistakes, think twice before buying them.

(Watch the video below: N95 masks: What you need to know)

N95 masks: What you need to know N95 masks: What you need to know (NCD)

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