mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999
@scstool wrote:No, I don't think they would have any liability, but I am also not a lawyer. It is the risk of getting sued even if it a frivolous lawsuit. Or even just complaints vs lawsuits. Also the cost of policing the listings, I saw someone mention Ebay was restricting sales of cloth to make N95 masks.
And what exactly is an N95 mask? I know what it is as far as NIOSH certification and FDA "clearance". If you advertised elastic cord for use to construct a face mask is it okay as long as you don't say N95? Can you list fabric as having a 95% particulate filtering efficiency? I wonder if just the number "95" will activate the bots. It seems very easy for Ebay management types to get bogged down in all these details and just issue broad draconian guidelines which sort of fixes the problem for them, but may be cutting people off from needed masks.
I think you should be able to sell home-made masks, but just not claim they are NIOSH N95 masks.
edit: thanks for the links
I think you are over thinking this.
A N95 mask is not made of fabric like a home made mask. Quite different. Elastic over the ears is NOT a unique option to only N95 masks.
N95 masks have the ability to filter out virus from reaching the person wearing the mask. A fabric mask can't do that.
From the CDC:
An N95 FFR is a type of respirator which removes particles from the air that are breathed through it. These respirators filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles. N95 FFRs are capable of filtering out all types of particles, including bacteria and viruses.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-use-faq.html
@xroads67 wrote:So...the problem is that sellers are making exorbitant amounts of money on something worth a few dollars, and people are paying this because of irrational fear and panic. (4 cans of Lysol sold for $3400.. ridiculous when bleach and water is just as effective) The reality is that a cloth mask is NOT going to prevent you from getting covid-19. You are more at risk from high touch surfaces and touching your face than you are from breathing it in. The cloth masks are better suited over an N95 for healthcare workers to extend the use of the N95 (and need I mention that an n95 and cloth masks are still not available to all healthcare workers partly because of a forum like this). If you really want to cover your face and feel that that protects you, you can use a bandana, a scarf, a balaclava etc. It's about as effective as a cloth mask. And yes, I do take this seriously. I'm a RN
FIRST and foremost THANK YOU for your service. THANK YOU for caring for our family, friends and loved ones when we can not. THANK YOU for being so selfless that you are willing to put yourself in harms way to help others. THANK YOU!!!
No that isn't it. Sellers do that all the time as do retail stores. But when we are in a National state of emergency, price gouging laws kick in. What some are doing is illegal as well as immoral. Banking money off the fears and needs of others in a crisis is a horrible thing to do on so many levels. But because some people don't have the ability to recognize this laws had to be passed to protect us all.
