04-13-2020, 03:52 AM
A person in the know told me that the expiration date of the N95 masks was based on the expected lifespan of the elastic and had little to do with the ability of the medium in the mask to filter. If the elastic loses it's ability to pull tightly the mask is ineffective. After the elastic weakens it will eventually become brittle and could break. If using an expired mask if the elastic is weak it can be tied off to make it shorter and restore effectiveness so long as it doesn't break. It's not as good as an unexpired mask but it's better than nothing.
ETA: As for re-using masks, I've been setting mine on the dashboard of my truck. The virus has a lifespan of only a few days or weeks depending on who you believe but degrades more quickly in high temperatures and my truck is basically an oven when the sun hits it. When I've exhausted my supply of masks I'll grab the oldest one from the truck oven and cycle through them again.
ETA: As for re-using masks, I've been setting mine on the dashboard of my truck. The virus has a lifespan of only a few days or weeks depending on who you believe but degrades more quickly in high temperatures and my truck is basically an oven when the sun hits it. When I've exhausted my supply of masks I'll grab the oldest one from the truck oven and cycle through them again.