A comfortable mask exists for everyone but not so easy to find. What I look for....

1-comfort

2-nose guard/wire

3-best fabric to up your percentage prevention

4-filter pocket...out and about outside, for comfort, no filter needed, but inside shopping a filter would be a good extra precaution.

(I realize it is not September yet, but the Fall season is almost here)

This was a concern last month...

"Two weeks after Israel fully reopened schools, a COVID-19 outbreak sweeping through classrooms — including at least 130 cases at a single school — has led officials to close dozens of schools where students and staff were infected. A new policy orders any school where a virus case emerges to close."

Some of the recent studies do not impress. This one went viral.

One good thing from this test shows the surgicals are really good, especially as a filter. With a thousand masks available, they tested 14. Too many fabrics available and some are moisture wicking. Cottons can hold sweats.

The candle test. You can breath easily but cannot blow out a candle 4-6 inches easily.

Why it took 6 months to show America the nose bridge needs to be bent to fit and secure to prevent fog on glasses.

Test one 'gator' and say they are not good. Many have filter pockets.

Why discard bandanas when they can be fitted with filters. And washed a few times the fabric is much more tight due to shrinkage.

My neighbors kids, especially the younger boys, like the bandanas. (maybe influenced by social media since teen boys like them?)

They don't like the surgicals much and they don't fit children that well.

I suggested making a few stitch runs to fit a removable nose bridge and a filter pocket. (She used a couple safety pins to secure the surgical inside the fold securing the nose bridge)

These boys chose their own bandanas so she has a dozen for each. Nose bridge and filtered. Mothers like them since they fit snug and stay around their necks and will not be lost on and off.

Caraa, Buck Mason look good. I also like LAAparel

These are cheap and available, nose bridge, 200 for under 10$, for those sewing.

Anything is better than nothing. But increasing your percentages is key. Especially for such a short time inside be it a grocery or visiting outside with family.

A concern. DH and recently my Dad. Dad has been taking long walks. Turning 92. The absent minded professor. A scientist. Mom and Dad have both had bad trips and falls recently. Dad's mile walk to the trail-head. He does not take a mask. What if he falls and need assistance? They bought that darn fridge with an upper freezer so she, compulsive fresh veg organizer, puts her on her knees and cannot get up. In the hospital a few weeks ago and Dad could not go in or visit. (she has early alshiemer symptoms)

DH is on board now. Off to a no-contact pick-up a few months ago. "why do I need a mask?". What if you get in a fender-bender? A situation where someone needs communication or an idiot?

We have Cigna Medigap insurance on DH. He had a package of disposable masks but had trouble breathing thru them. Cigna sent him a wonderful mask, fits well, easy to breathe through. I'm thankful, because he is the one who does all our grocery shopping. I wear my mask when I have a doctor's appointment. That's the only time I go out.

DH is back at work. NYC. They tested one week before that really means nothing since anyone tested can be infected an hour later. Or minutes. But it did give a general view about a possible shut down. 75 people tested negative. Masks with replaceable filter pockets, Face shields that are so lightweight barely noticeable. Tested three times now and no positives. Serious distancing. Zoom meetings. Even within the building.

Still is stressful

Bragu, lol, a bra for those that need one, is way more uncomfortable than a simple mask, 😂

Happy dog day!

Wear your masks! This sounds like a remarkably uncomfortable way to go.

This is our system at this time. We donated our n95's with the valves but one collector for first responders did not want them but I convinced, eventually, to get the local fire dept, EMT's to accept. (they did not understand the exhale valve,🙄. ). If they are transporting a very sick covid patient, they are protecting themselves. They can fit;ter the valve. With a surgical.

We held onto a half box. For home emergencies. This fabric is soft and wicks moisture. Face shields are just another percentage of protection.

A lot of analysis has been around regarding what material makes a face mask effective. I have not come across much discussion about another equally important characteristic contributes to face mask effectiveness to block viruses.

It seems to me that structural geometry of a face mask is equally if not more important than the nature of the material for making a face mask.

A typical face mask has about 25 square inches. The problem with most home made face masks is that they lack structural stiffness, So when you exhale, you lung pushes out air thru 25 sq. in. of fabric, but when you inhale, you suck the fabric so closely attached to your face, and you are only filtering incoming air thru about 4 sq. in. of fabric. As a result, air will be forced thru the fabric at much higher pressure and speed, and more virus will be forced thru the fabric.

dcarch

Most masks are designed to have airspace where the fabric is not touching the mouth. It is the nose that is most often vulnerable if exposed. Or not fitted properly.

One design has a zip-tie fitted into the seam running nose to chin hold ing the fabric out like a rib in an umbrella.

Then their is mask brackets...

For washable ones......they need washing after each use. I see some horrid, dirty looking ones! And people touching them.....and wearing them under their nose....., taking them off and putting them on a table or in their pocket,......i think that's my big bugbear! There's a lot more to masks than what they're made of.

I'd like recommendations for safe and comfortable masks I can buy. So far I haven't needed a serious one, because I never interact with anyone. No-contact pickups only. But sometime I'll need to go to a doctor.

I posted 3 above that get good reviews. Being adjustable, with metal nose bridges that help keep them in place, and have filter pockets.

Caraa, Buck Mason, and the LA Aparel. I'm sure many more exist. I'll look for the article that tested them for quality and comfort.

The surgical disposables are good to have on hand.

Just in case you need some type of service call and they are not masked-up. The census fella had a mask on. I had one delivery guy not wearing a mask, then knocked needing something, but I just went to a side window and asked if he needed masks. (he was just making sure someone was home)

The surgical masks can be placed inside fabric as a filter since they have the wire bridge.

Thanks. I didn't know surgical masks were available.

Mine are all cloth, none have filters or nose-bridges. Some fog up more than others.

It really upsets me, but I don't say anything, to see retail workers wear the masks wrong (nose out). This happens regularly in the butcher shop that I frequent. I'm surprised the owner doesn't say anything, but he obviously doesn't.

My most comfortable mask is the no-sew t-shirt sleeve. I just cut the sleeve off, then cut the hem off. Tie the ends of the hem, thread it through the sleeve and loop over my head. I detest the ear loops, all my masks tie.

Here in the article with reviews. They keep updating. The last was August 25th

Link, HERE

My guy is not amused. I’m surprised he put up with it long enough for a photo.

LOL. Cute pup.

I like the t-shirt sleeve mask, Jasdip. I made those early on. I left the hem, made a slit and inserted pipe cleaners for a nose bridge. I do like the torn t-shirt strips for ties. DH found it a bit fussy. He has some he likes now.

We have so many. Work sent us some, A grocery delivery service sent us some free from NYState. The state has surgicals for free. None are adjustable but the Hanes from the Govenors office are pretty comfortable. They sent 5. (I sent those to my dad).

Costco and Amazon has surgicals last I checked.