Face Mask recommendations?

[missy]

Just got ours today. Comes with an extra filter. Seems comfortable but I haven't worn it yet for any length of time. It does make me look like a badass when I'm wearing it.

Looks good @Starfacet! Haha badass indeed.
Let us know your thoughts after wearing it for a while. How is breathing through it compared to other masks and it is relatively cool for you or do you find it warm? I know it is all relative of course and one's experience doesn't necessarily correlate with another's but I am interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[stepcutnut]

@Rockdiamond that looks purrrr-fect!

 

[Rockdiamond]

@Rockdiamond that looks purrrr-fect!

I know- I scared our pet Parrolet wearing gone earlier

 

[Nikki1415]

Just got ours today. Comes with an extra filter. Seems comfortable but I haven't worn it yet for any length of time. It does make me look like a badass when I'm wearing it.

I finally got mine! I tried it on and it seems easier to breathe in, I'll wear it outside tomorrow.

 

[Starfacet]

I finally got mine! I tried it on and it seems easier to breathe in, I'll wear it outside tomorrow.

So are the vents that say open/close on the inside operational?

 

[whitewave]

I’m still waiting for my Etsy ones and still haven’t gotten any updates from Vita on those.

 

[Nikki1415]

So are the vents that say open/close on the inside operational?

The vents are meant to hold the filter in place, you screw them open to take off the filter and put in a new one.

 

[Starfacet]

The vents are meant to hold the filter in place, you screw them open to take off the filter and put in a new one.

Thanks! I wasn't sure if it controlled air flow.

 

[MamaBee]

I’m still waiting for my Etsy ones and still haven’t gotten any updates from Vita on those.

I’m also waiting for my Etsy masks. They are from a different seller. She emailed me to say she can’t get it to me by the promised date. I wrote back and asked for an idea of when I can expect them. I don’t have any masks...not that I’m going out. My mom is 94 so in case of an emergency I want to know I have them...

 

[Nikki1415]

Thanks! I wasn't sure if it controlled air flow.

No problem! Family friends wanted to order some too but they are now sold out.

 

[Nikki1415]

I’m also waiting for my Etsy masks. They are from a different seller. She emailed me to say she can’t get it to me by the promised date. I wrote back and asked for an idea of when I can expect them. I don’t have any masks...not that I’m going out. My mom is 94 so in case of an emergency I want to know I have them...

Maybe you can try on ebay? A lot of people are making masks and selling them using single listings so that they can keep up with demand.

 

[MamaBee]

Maybe you can try on ebay? A lot of people are making masks and selling them using single listings so that they can keep up with demand.

Thank you @Nikki1415 I wrote the seller and told her I understood but we don’t have any masks..and my concern about my mom being 94....She emailed me back to say she’s shipping ours out tomorrow...I’ve been waiting quite a while so I’m relieved..

 

[xsouzie]

After 3+ weeks, I finally received my first batch of cotton masks from Etsy...I ordered from multiple sellers. Also have a few N95 masks from before the pandemic and some KN95 masks but I can't breathe in them. The cotton masks have a pocket for inserting filters and I like these so much more..

 

[GreenPapaya]

Do these masks still fog glasses? I have to wear them to see close and far. The surgical masks and bandana ones fogged them up pretty badly. I've been moving them up higher on my nose but still doesn't help. I've resorting to breathing shallowly and not as frequent when in the supermarket. So far I've avoided walking into people/ things. But last week I saw some lady went completely bonkers when someone accidentally touched her briefly. I don't want to be murdered because my glasses fogged up and I inadvertently touch someone.

 

[missy]

Do these masks still fog glasses? I have to wear them to see close and far. The surgical masks and bandana ones fogged them up pretty badly. I've been moving them up higher on my nose but still doesn't help. I've resorting to breathing shallowly and not as frequent when in the supermarket. So far I've avoided walking into people/ things. But last week I saw some lady went completely bonkers when someone accidentally touched her briefly. I don't want to be murdered because my glasses fogged up and I inadvertently touch someone.

Most masks make my glasses fog too. The best way to minimize this is to get as snug a fit as you can tolerate and if you can find a mask with an exhalation valve as the one posted above by me and by @Nikki1415 (and some other PSers got it too and maybe they can chime in with their experience) it will minimize or eliminate the fogging. The only issue with the inhalation valve that I just read about last night is some of your breath gets out and could potentially infect others if you are ill. But it is minimal and still leaps and bounds above to not wearing a mask at all.

 

[GreenPapaya]

Thanks @missy I will look for those masks. I could wear contacts but my eyes are so dry right now that it's painful

 

[missy]

Thanks @missy I will look for those masks. I could wear contacts but my eyes are so dry right now that it's painful

You should make sure your eyes are protected too so wearing glasses is better than wearing contact lenses unless you are wearing safety glasses or something over your eyes when wearing the contact lenses.

 

[GreenPapaya]

That's another good point! Glasses it is then!

 

[missy]

That's another good point! Glasses it is then!

Closeup of the glasses over my mask. It's easier when the mask fits snugly so the glasses can lay relatively flat against your face.




@dizzyakira continued healing vibes and good thoughts being sent to your dad. Praying he makes a full recovery. (((Hugs))).

 

[GreenPapaya]

Thank you missy. You're such a kind person. I appreciate and won't take for granted any kindness. After all, we're here only by luck and the kindness/ generosity of everyone else. My dad has survived so much, and my family has been incredibly lucky to survive work camps, land mines and then winning the lottery to come to the usa.

 

[GreenPapaya]

And that is a great outfit! Love the leather jacket, you're kind and beautiful!

 

[Arcadian]

In my masks I use a flat metal piece for the nose area, much like 3M masks. It helps a lot, but there's a little light fogging (these are cotton masks however) The only time I don't get any of that is if I use a double sided tape and an internal filter. Using that, nothing gets through. I did the sugar/bitter test for a personal fit test and got absolutely nothing. Could not even smell perfume. (these are the fabric OLSEN Masks I've made) I'm careful with even the skin safe tape because I have some weird allergies (most people would be fine, on me, I get what looks like burn marks on my skin for a few days)

 

[Babyblue033]

Read this article this morning about masks with valves and wanted to share with the group.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90496717/what-is-a-mask-valve-and-why-are-cities-banning-them

 

[missy]

Read this article this morning about masks with valves and wanted to share with the group.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90496717/what-is-a-mask-valve-and-why-are-cities-banning-them

We read the same article lol. I just saw this last night. It’s concerning.

 

[missy]

In my masks I use a flat metal piece for the nose area, much like 3M masks. It helps a lot, but there's a little light fogging (these are cotton masks however) The only time I don't get any of that is if I use a double sided tape and an internal filter. Using that, nothing gets through. I did the sugar/bitter test for a personal fit test and got absolutely nothing. Could not even smell perfume. (these are the fabric OLSEN Masks I've made) I'm careful with even the skin safe tape because I have some weird allergies (most people would be fine, on me, I get what looks like burn marks on my skin for a few days)

Yeah same here. I tried skin safe double sided tape and got a rash that lasted for two days.

 

[missy]

@dizzyakira thank you for your kind words. A mask does wonders for ones appearance lol.

So funny. DH ordered the same masks some of you did. He got two of them a few weeks ago. I didn’t realize til today when he wore it. His conclusion is he needs to alter it. It pulls down in the back on him and isn’t comfortable. But he’ll try to alter it. It’s challenging finding a mask that fits well and is protective and one where you can breathe. I find myself breathing hard after just a short walk. But my lung capacity is not great due to asthma.

 

[GreenPapaya]

I can't do tape or band aid on my skin. The glue causes a rash. You guys are so talented! I tried sewing a button on my jacket once, poked my finger and never picked up a needle again. I tried folding the bandana and using hair ties to secure it to my ears. But it was cumbersome, flimsy and it hurts my ears! Maybe I need thinner ties. Then it gets all tangled in my glasses. I don't have asthma but do occasionally get shortness of breath (leftover chemo gift?) and I'm breathing hard after a few minutes of walking with the masks. The surgical masks are the easiest to breathe in but not sure how effective it is.

 

[SparklieBug]

Hah! Finished a couple "cover" masks for wearing over basic surgical-style store-bought masks. The idea is to be able to use the surgical-style masks for several times. Now that I've made a mask cover, and also did a double-layered mask that can fit a filter, I think I'll make another double-layer one for if/when we run out of the disposable ones.

I used some pipe cleaner for shaping over the nose, and even pressed it, LOL!

The other mask pattern is a bit smaller so it fits under the chin better/more closely, so I think I'll use that for the "regular" mask.



ETA: Please excuse the wild hair—I just trimmed it this morning and the curls are liberated! LOL!

 

[missy]

Hah! Finished a couple "cover" masks for wearing over basic surgical-style store-bought masks. The idea is to be able to use the surgical-style masks for several times. Now that I've made a mask cover, and also did a double-layered mask that can fit a filter, I think I'll make another double-layer one for if/when we run out of the disposable ones.

I used some pipe cleaner for shaping over the nose, and even pressed it, LOL!

The other mask pattern is a bit smaller so it fits under the chin better/more closely, so I think I'll use that for the "regular" mask.



ETA: Please excuse the wild hair—I just trimmed it this morning and the curls are liberated! LOL!

Looks great! And I LOVE your hair.

 

[missy]

I can't do tape or band aid on my skin. The glue causes a rash. You guys are so talented! I tried sewing a button on my jacket once, poked my finger and never picked up a needle again. I tried folding the bandana and using hair ties to secure it to my ears. But it was cumbersome, flimsy and it hurts my ears! Maybe I need thinner ties. Then it gets all tangled in my glasses. I don't have asthma but do occasionally get shortness of breath (leftover chemo gift?) and I'm breathing hard after a few minutes of walking with the masks. The surgical masks are the easiest to breathe in but not sure how effective it is.

The surgical masks are not very effective at blocking the virus. Have you tried going to your local drugstores? They are selling KN 95s here which healthcare professionals won't use (here at least) and so it is OK to purchase. They supposedly are 95% effective at blocking the virus if you make sure it fits properly. And it's easy to wear glasses over them. My face is small so nothing fits me right but my DH is handy and is able to make masks for me. But we can retrofit the store bought masks to some degree and perhaps you can do that as well. Try your local drugstore.

I'm like you. Bandaids cause a huge reaction on me so much so that I cannot wear any bandaids at all anymore. Even the ones I used to be able to wear like Curad and Coverlet.