Quality Face Masks

I don’t have a recommendation for a mask, but I would caution everyone not to rely on cloth or surgical face masks to protect against dust, fumes or other respiratory hazards. I think a lot of people develop a false sense of security when they wear a “mask” to comply with COVID rules. Make sure you wear an appropriate mask or respirator to protect yourself from any hazards you are working with.

you can get NIOSH approved American made N95 masks from demetech
https://shop.demetech.us/collections/n95-respirator-masks
article in NYT mentions them as a small US company that doesn't have contracts w hospitals but has n95s available
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/10/health/covid-masks-china-united-states.html

Duct tape

Old Navy has decent cloth face masks.

Most stores carry them now. I've seen at Home Depot and sometimes use one from Target that I got 2 for $4.

No such thing as a "high quality cloth mask" unless you're looking for a fashionable piece. The Powecom's sold on bonafidemasks.com are pretty much the best KN95 you can get that is authorized by FDA. Real (emphasis on real) N95s are considerably better but I am still questioning legitimacy of any N95 sold until further notice.

Try Amazon. They have real masks

If you want locally made, try Goodland Masks. I can’t vouch for their quality, having never bought any, but they are made to order in Goleta. (For best results, wear an N95, KN95, or at least a surgical mask under your pretty cloth mask.)

Original poster here. I have N95 masks, but am looking for more comfortable, multi-layer cloth masks I can buy locally for lower-risk situations. Thank you all for you help!

Johnny Was makes comfortable cloth masks, shaped like a surgical mask, with pleats, made with three layers of tight-weave cotton fabric (or silk if you want to get fancy), and an inside pocket if you want to slip in an extra filter. Very reasonably priced too. https://www.johnnywas.com/masks.html

Texas is ending the mask mandate, lifts all COVID 19 restrictions, and allows 100% opening of all businesses. Check eBay since there will be surplus, and there might even be a lone star on it.

I have found the best masks at Target but they are not always in stock. They are double layer tightly woven 100% cotton with an opening to insert a filter between the layers. The ear loops are very comfortable and they have a wire in the top seam for better fit over the nose. In grocery stores or other indoor venues I wear the cotton mask on top of a surgical mask.

Chip and cs805 have it right. Essentially, there is no such thing as a “good” cloth mask. When properly fitted they excel at keeping blowing sand out of your mouth but only provide a dangerous sense of false security against fine dust etc. Legit n95 masks are very hard to find. I personally am using kn95 which are regulated by the Chinese government and nominally filter as well as an American n95 but they are a lot harder to inhale through (poor quality filtration media can be used). If I just can’t tolerate the breathing strain I use a cartridge respirator. For Covid19 restriction compliance I use whatever cheap face diapers I can get my hands on and it I find some that are comfortable and don’t fog my glasses then I get as many as I can and keep washing and reusing them. Cloth masks are not effective filters but for various technical reasons they still do help in reducing the likelihood of spreading a virus.

Remember when the Thomas fire was turning our skies to cement and the Government GAVE OUT real N95s for free to everyone to wear? Those were the days.

Lucky 777. It was proposed that the federal government ship out a 5 pack of good masks to all US Postal Service addresses last year. That idea was nixed by the Trump administration that felt it would not be consistent that the "flu" would go away on its own. Not 500,000 dead later we should know better.