this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2025
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I’m getting to the point where I need to restock. I remember there was an uproar a couple months back when RFK Jr ended NIOSH? Did this change where anyone bought masks. I had been buying the 3m auras before, is this still considered the gold standard?

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[–] JoeByeThen@hexbear.net 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)

https://www.amazon.com/Aura-Particulate-Respirator-Mask-White/dp/B08J1THV9G

This is a link for the 440 count box from Amazon's liquidation seller Woot. It should be noted that they will be expired or almost expiring but that's more of a NIOSH standard thing or something rather an indication of their continued function. Most mask blocs are buying warehouse liquidations of expired masks. The electrostatic filtration aspect should still be healthy, what you need to watch out for is degradation of the elastic and nose foam.

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago

Yeah those are the ones I got. They are fine. Note they have rubber bands rather than elastic. I've had trouble in the past with the bands breaking, so I thought maybe these would break even more easily. But I haven't had trouble.

If the rubber band breaks it's usually at the very end, so you can fix the mask by prying out the staple that holds in that end of the band, and using an office stapler to reconnect the end of the band. This is a slightly time consuming procedure so you'll want to carry spare masks with you if you go somewhere with exposure. Then fix any broken ones when you get home.

[–] mononoke 2 points 1 month ago

These are also what I get. I pack extras in my purse in case the straps break or the foam is uncooperative; it has happened only once so far to my partner during an 8-hour shift at work.

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

My understanding is that 3M auras are still the gold standard, but I personally use real KN95's since they're cheaper while also being black. NBC has a best masks list that they updated this very month, with purchase links to independent non-Amazon websites, but it's all KN95's.

[–] rootsbreadandmakka@hexbear.net 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Unfortunately it seems I need that nose foam to be able to get the mask to fit around my nose. Or at least that’s how it seems, I’ve had a lot of trouble with kn95s in the past. Unless you know of one with nose foam?

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

nah, I don't think any have nose foam, sorry. they fit me quite well, luckily

[–] Ildsaye@hexbear.net 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

~~Remember 3M is on the BDS list.~~ I assume the cheap old stock isn't a source of meaningful profit for them, but if the old stock should run dry, I believe there are Chinese clones of the Aura, and they can even be obtained in black, which is nice.

Edit: I got confused. While 3M undoubtedly supplies the MIC and therefore the nazi entity, the BDS list makers correctly judged 3M's consumer goods arm is not a priority target for mass boycott.

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I can't find anything about 3M on the BDS movement website. Are they on some other list?

[–] Ildsaye@hexbear.net 2 points 1 month ago

I got things crossed in my mind. I will edit my post for the factual error.

[–] rootsbreadandmakka@hexbear.net 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Did not even realize they were on the bds list

[–] Ildsaye@hexbear.net 3 points 1 month ago

I was incorrect about them being on the list, though they are a military supplier.

[–] nognom@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

You could also contact a mask bloc in your area and ask them where they get theirs from. Find a mask bloc here: maskbloc.org

[–] Le_Wokisme@hexbear.net 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

a mask bloc in your area

we don't all live in top 25 largest cities

[–] nognom@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago

Our mask bloc mails masks and so do a lot of others.

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They don't seem to curate that list very well, a number of those links are dead. Cool where it works though.

[–] nognom@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

It's true, a lot of mask blocs come and go bc of member capacity. I'm in 3 mask blocs and one is struggling to get off the ground and another is having participation issues.

[–] Enjoyer_of_Games@hexbear.net 3 points 1 month ago

not guaranteed but I often see quantities of them in thrift shops

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 month ago

I got the huge box of aura from spamazon. Maybe they still have them? Unlikely but you could look.

Idk about "gold standard" but they are ok and conveniently packaged.