I had to go to an urgent care to try to get a referral to an ENT for a flare I'm having. The doctor that saw me told me I could take my mask off (no?), was noticeably congested, and seemed really surprised when I asked him to put the N95 he had around his neck on ("you want ME to put my mask ON?").
How are we here in 2026? I will never not be baffled by this kind of behavior by medical professionals
My therapist is no longer practicing, so I’m hoping to find someone in MI who does telehealth and understands the need for Covid precautions. Thanks!
ReadiMasks are no longer NIOSH approved. And haven't been for over a year.
Voluntary Rescission of ReadiMask's NIOSH approval was granted March 25, 2025 at the request of Global Safety First, LLC.
This applies to both the small N1901S and the large N1901L models currently sold on ReadiMask dot com under the no longer valid TC-84A-8133 approval number.
Screen shot of the published NIOSH Voluntary Rescission notice for ReadiMasks.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/media/pdfs/2025/10/NIOSH-CA2025-1092-GSF-Final.pdf
ReadiMask continue to claim NIOSH approval on their website homepage and elsewhere. However, ReadiMask quietly memory holed their 2019 NIOSH approval letter that they used to link to on their website's disclaimer page. And their link to the NIOSH approval on the CDC website is now 404.
https://readimask.com/pages/disclaimer
It’s unknown at this time why GSF requested the voluntary rescission. It’s common for companies discontinuing a single model of respirator, or for companies getting out of the respirator market entirely to request a rescission. It's possible they are working on a replacement, such as the ReadiMask365 announced in 2022, but they haven't made any announcements about that mask since then.
The rescission does not necessarily mean the unapproved masks are bad, but they no longer qualify as OSHA compliant for workplace use.
I was writing a post wondering if we'd still be able to buy ReadiMasks in the aftermath of the closing of ReadiMask reseller Aliant Biotech. When I tried to look up the original NIOSH registration for ReadiMask I couldn't find it on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List search page. NIOSH just memory-holes rescinded approvals and you get no returns when you try to search the number or even the company on the CEL search page. But the rescission notice turned up in a Google search of the TC number.
The no longer approved masks are still offered on the Global Safety First (GSF) / ReadiMask website, along with 2 sizes of full face masks that were never approved and not subject to rescission.
Screen grab from the ReadiMask dot com home page.
People have had issues with the ReadiMask adhesive no longer sticking well enough to give a good seal. That has lead to speculation that GSF / ReadiMask hasn't made any new production runs in years, and has instead been selling off outdated stock. Given that the masks haven't been NIOSH approved for over a year, that seems like a safe bet.
Back in 2023 Aliant Biotech published a letter clarifying that they don't make ReadiMasks, there is no expiration date on them, NIOSH doesn't require one, but that Aliant Biotech would warrant them to be good for 3 years after date of purchase.
The GSF / ReadiMask home page says "GUARANTEED TO FIT" and "Warranted to last 3 years on shelf". But it also still says "NIOSH Approved" even though that hasn't been true for a year. Will they still honor that warranty?
Has anyone had luck with getting that warranty honored? And, if so, did Readimask offer a refund? Or a replacement that worked?
I'd love to know when the last production run of ReadiMasks was made.
GSF entered a new nano filter version of the ReadiMask mask, the ReadiMask 365, in the US government's BARDA Mask Innovation Challenge. And they won Phase 2 in 2022.
ReadiMask's prospects seemed very promising, and that they were succeeding at continued innovations that would keep their business vibrant and healthy going forward.
GSF described the new nanofilter mask as "a fantastic mask" that "exceeds the moonshot criteria". And they said they were going to make the masks even better before selling them.
https://readimask.com/pages/readimask-wins-barda-niosh-contest
It's been 4 years since they won but the ReadiMask 365 is nowhere to be seen, and hasn't even been so much as mentioned by GSF since then. 4 years of crickets.
That silence on the new product makes me wonder if GSF has made a single production run of original ReadiMasks since 2022. It feels like they have been coasting ever since that win, as the market for niche N95s radically diminished.
ReadMasks are a vital tool for respiratory protection that provide fit and functionality for people and situations where other respirators cannot be used. There is litterally nothing else like it.
It is extremely disappointing to find out more than a year after the fact that the ReadiMask NIOSH approval has been rescinded and that GSF may be leaving the market entirely, and doing so without notifying the public in a timely fashion..
Many mask companies have left the market as demand has tanked. This is likely especially the case for makers of niche masks such as the ReadiMask that are popular with people who need them, but are not necessarily successful in the general market for filtering facepiece respirators.
I still have some hope that maybe GSF / ReadiMask have something new and better in the works that they hope to get approved. But they haven't made any announcements about new masks in the last 4 years, so I don't have any confidence that is the case.
I should add that GSF / ReadiMask can legally make all the new masks they want, in any style or color even after the voluntary rescission. They just can't call them "NIOSH Approved" or "N95".
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The ReadiMask website says "average filtering efficiency of 99.7%" for their current mask.
Screen grab from the ReadiMask homepage.
But the nano ReadiMask365 tested at 98% filtration efficiency according to their blog page. The prototype mask was supposed to be better, and presumably more breathable at "<9.6mmH2O", but it doesn't filter nearly as well according to their own statements.
Screen grab from the ReadiMask blog on their BARDA win.
There may have been too many hurdles to cost effectively bring the ReadiMask 365 to market. Maybe they put too much hope into the 365 as the game changer that would finally make ReadiMasks mainstream.
I just saw on Tik tok that Justin Bieber and his wife were wearing masks at Disneyland today (outdoors, no less!). I'm not a Bieber fan ( I'm not not a fan, just don't know anything about him), but i love seeing people in the spotlight wearing masks! it makes me feel more "normal". just thought I'd share: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p4JDqr/
I recently finished 2 job interviews. Both interviewers mentioned my mask. One seemed okay after I explained why. The other mentioned that she does not want me wearing a mask while on the job. I live on a really small island. I am the only one on this island who wears a mask. And after these interviews, I just broke down. I was so afraid that my COVID precautions would be an issue, and they were. It's just so hard and lonely to be the only person masking on in my family, in my village, and on my island. I just feel so isolated from everyone. I used to look to my mom and sister for comfort, and I can't do that anymore. They both think I do too much in regard to COVID. My mom consistently tries to convince me to unmask. My sister has not said anything in particular, but I can just tell that she judges my decision. On top of that, I do not have an active social life. Admittedly, I am no social butterfly. Since I was a teen, I had accepted I was going to be alone in some capacity. I suck at making friends, and I do not mind my own company. I just thought that my solitude would be on my own terms. This is not that. I am so lonely.
I also feel sort of ungrateful for being lonely. I have online COVID-conscious friends. We meet regularly online. Yet, I still feel so alone. They all live in the US. I obviously do not lol. There’s no way we’d be able to meet in-person unless I moved. I am in my early 20s, and I feel like I am missing out on life. There are many things I am missing out on due to my precautions. And I think that these interviews just reminded me of that. I know that my health is worth this loneliness. I just wish it didn’t hurt this much.
I really need some words of encouragement
he had been starting to unmask in small ways (i.e. removing to take a sip of his coffee in cafes while we waited on the rest of our order) but finally voiced to me a few weeks ago that he “wants to start wearing it less”. last week we visited family out of state, and he didn’t mask AT ALL. we went to lots of shops, cafes, etc. plus gas stations and rest stops on the road trip there and back. I feel like there is no way for me to approach how uncomfortable I am with this without him viewing it as a personal attack. I’m not sure if I’m looking for advice (though I am open to it) so much as just to get this off of my chest, most of my family has been maskless since 2022 so I know talking to them about this would be pointless.
How effective is it currently? For what conditions have folks here been able to have it qualified for?
PHAN and Air Support Project will co-host a discussion on Sunday, May 24th at 5pm ET about clean indoor air in healthcare settings.
We'll talk about how to stay safe from airborne pathogens in healthcare settings, how to deal with unaware or hostile healthcare personnel, how patients can advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, and what some doctors' offices and hospitals are doing to ensure clean air for patients.
Our guest speakers will be Maria Walls, a nurse practitioner in St. Louis who sees Long COVID patients, and Donna Zelazny, a nurse with Long COVID. You'll need a free Zoom account in order to register, link in bio. See you there!
Link at the end of the video.
Hey there! I know gyms are not overly safe in general for Covid precautions because of volume and whether a location has good air filtration... What are people doing for workouts, strength building, etc. that feels safe for you? A friend of mine has gotten Covid twice by being at the gym, even masked, so I've been avoiding going to one.
I walk but I feel like I need more, and I don't feel comfortable bringing a portable air filter with how people may react. I mask anywhere and everywhere, but I know that's not 100%. Thoughts and advice?
There's a wonderful immuno-compromised and masking hair stylist and highly skilled colorist who is losing her studio mate and she is looking for someone to take over. This stylist is such a sweetheart and has served the CC community well in this area for years. She requires masks for everyone in the studio and prioritizes good ventilation and air filters.
If she can't find someone to share the studio with, she will have to leave the space. If you know anyone who is a hair stylist/colorist, who is still masking to avoid illness/would support a masks required space, and who would be interested in working in Olympia, WA, please DM me for details.
Olympia, WA has a pretty strong CC community. They have a MaskBloc, a Clean Air group, regular masks required events for all ages (movies, rollerskating, art classes, zinefest, free markets, etc.), and its generally a very welcoming area. It could be a great place to relocate to, if someone had the skills and interest!
I was exposed maskless to someone who tested positive the next morning—he was likely on day 3 since his exposure when i saw him.
We were unmasked in a car together and outside together for quite a while, so i am definitely exposed. I was last vaccinated exactly 2months ago. I did a xylitol and saline nasal irrigation last night after seeing him, once this morning, and again two hours later. Same with CPC mouthwash
What other preventative measures can i take to try to mitigate viral load? when should i take a metrix test? I have two tests right now.
Hey everyone. So I’m a post-vax long hauler. I’m still religiously wearing respirators, hanging with friends outside, etc. I used to be doing something extremely meaningful for work. After I got sick, I was forced to pivot into a remote job after I almost lost my job because I was unable to be on call 7 days a week doing something active when I did need to be there in person. I experienced a lot of ableism in my previous job. I was severe and really should not have been working at the time. So I’m currently working in tech in a non-technical role. I have health insurance again, have savings for health emergencies, and I’m remote and never need to go into the office.
On paper, my job is ideal for someone with PEM and lots of fatigue. But I’m embarrassed to say what I do for work because I really dislike tech and how it’s impacting the cost of living negatively for the people around me. I was thinking of learning video editing since it’s something I can do mostly remote after training. I’m concerned about job stability (no reliable paychecks, lowering my pay, potentially no health insurance, worried about AI).
What are some jobs that long haulers can do that don’t require a ton of exposure, and also can be done laying down if needed. I’m willing to lower my pay as long as I can earn more money over time. For reference, I’d consider myself mild at the moment.
First article about respiratory viruses going all year round. Of course Monica Ghandi seven years later attributes it to immunity debt. Big surprise /s. I think this will go the way of climate change. People will go from that couldn't possibly happen to oh, yeah, it's completely normal with no transition.
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/rsv-northern-california-22264981.php
Hi there,
I am currently evaluating if camping is something that might fit into my risk level (when I say camping, I mean at a festival or a larger camping grounds or something like that).
Here's what I have in mind in terms of precautions:
- Communal showers should work with my half mask as the filter should be protected from droplets (hair I could try with dry-shampoo I suppose)
- For food, toothbrushing and sleep I'd be unmasked in my tent
- If I come early enough, I should be able to set up my tent in a corner and out of the way as much as possible. Obviously there's still gonna be others next to me, but maybe just a few instead of a dozen
- Probably I can also bring some kind of portable HEPA filter and run that inside the tent
- Everywhere else I can mask as usual
In the end it all comes down to how save I am unmasked in my tent. Which I find incredibly hard to determine. Is the normal tent fabric realistically going to be any relevant protection? Are there any tents made for this purpose (that aren't straight up decon tents; that aesthetic is a bit too intense for me tbh)?
Obviously in the end I need to decide for myself if I am willing to take the risk, but yeah... I'd just be interested to hear any opinions or experiences on the topic.
Since 2021 I’ve been very consistent in getting vaccinated, no missed doses, and each one has left me pretty sick the next day. Fever, chills, nausea, headache, etc. 6mo ago I went and got my vaccine, took off work, etc. no reaction. Yesterday I went and got my vaccine again. No reaction.
What happened?
I am seeking a large air filter that can filter 600 sq ft but it cannot cause a blowing action. This is for a ceramics studio and blowing air around releases dangerous silica dust. Any suggestions?
So in July my immediate family which consist of my mom, dad, and brother are flying to Mexico. They already abandoned wearing masks for the longest time. When I tried to directly suggest to at least wear it at the airport all of them refused hostile like. Honestly idk how would anyone go about interpreting this as that they don’t care about me? Or themselves even. I live with them and I can’t move out by myself or with anyone I have no credit and spent irresponsibly (that is my fault no one else to blame but myself). Idk what to do it feels almost hard to keep fighting off getting sick because I have 0 people or loved ones who feel how I feel. I don’t know since 2020 how to view my own family anymore. But I know my bond to them is not the same and I have no one to talk to or depend on a personal level and I feel like I’m going crazy and I can barely find someone around my age in my mid 20s who feel how I feel and want to bond even if no one owes me a friendship or more. I know I did make myself stuck to live with them for being financially irresponsible that is something I have to deal with. But I really don’t know what to think about my family if they ever cared of love me. Also how would I go about isolating from them to at least reduce my chances of getting sick?
As the title states my 3 months in the VYD2311 trial are up. I am not sure if I was in the placebo or control and likely won’t for awhile. I had zero side effects.
To be a potential good control, I went maskless in most situations (was masking in virtually all indoor public locations since 2020). My only real exception was a huge meeting we do every week at work where I usually don’t have to talk.
I took a PlusLife about every 2 days or so, averaging roughly 3 times a week. I’ve stayed negative. This is despite having virtually no high quality antibodies according to a Attomarker test.
Hoping the trial is successful and it provides a good amount of protection.
Important disclosure, I’m a very small retail investor in the stock just because I like their board chairman
Edit: also should note my wife and brother are also in the trial, my wife works a normal office job 5x a week, has doubled up on my tests and has also stayed negative. She is behind me in the trial so still has some runway.
