I occasionally use a respirator when applying coverings to furniture. When I taught my daughters they found the respirator to be uncomfortable.

But if the choice is breathing toxic fumes or wearing the respirator, there is no choice.

I don't know how our hc professionals can stand wearing them all day.

but haven't tried it yet. Wash your lenses in soapy water, and don't rinse them. Let them dry, and the soap film is supposed to keep droplets of vapor from forming on them as you breathe.

I do remember something from about fifty years ago, it was a little waxy-feeling stick that came in a clear pill bottle. It was traffic cone orangey-red in color, and could be rubbed into the lenses, and worked pretty well. But I haven't seen them in decades.

Gross, but since I'm about to dive into an ocean of fish poo . . .

Since the no tears type will be easier on your eyes if it does get into them.

No baby shampoo, however.

And off topic, that dog certainly makes me feel tired.

You don't want to have to adjust it while you are out in public.

I found out that the mask, hearing aids and glasses was not a working combination!

The ties (or strings as some people call them) go around the head and tie in back. You can adjust the mask better and nothing is going to mess with the ear piece of your glasses or the hearing aid.

I make and use both kinds and prefer the ties. The elastic bugs my ears and the fit has to be just right.

It's OK now

Thank you.

If you have preexisting respiratory problems it might not even be possible to wear a mask without an addition oxygen source (that's me).

When people realize they are having to work at breathing they get anxious and start fiddling with their mask to allow more air in. That defeats the purpose of wearing a mask for safety, plus you're putting your dirty fingers all over your face.

Difficult choices, but here's a couple of tips that might help when it's especially hard to breath through your mask; stop whatever you're doing.

Don't be shy about it, who cares what strangers think, just take a pause for a couple of minutes, sit down to rest if you can, or lean on your shopping cart. Sip some water. Let your body catch up with the reduced oxygen available. Try to breath through your nose, not your mouth, wait until you can do that before walking on. Repeat as needed.

...and mine is an N95 sent to me by my daughter a couple of years ago. Uncomfortable, too.

the masks that have a nose wire tend to not fog up your glasses.

of people wearing the nose wire kind and they don't even bother to shape the wire to their nose. It's just kind of laying there. Or even worse, they pull the mask down under their nose.

fabric sucks into your nostrils and mouth when u breathe in.

You have to shape it around your nose so air doesn't come in or out. If your glasses get steamed up you have a leak.

There is no fix that I have found for this and no magic mask that prevents it. I used to only wear them when creating dust.

I've made two models of masks, and the nose wire fixed the glasses steaming in both.

Works great, no more fogged eyeglasses.

The first one I made was a fitted one, that was supposed to be tight enough it didn't need a nose wire - and was also supposed to be better at keeping things out.

Instant fog, before I even left the house. Nose wire fixed that.

Since the design was more complex - and didn't solve the problem it was designed to solve - i switched to another design.

Of course, who would have ever thought that Donald Trump would be president?

It’s a strange world we inhabit!

The rims push the mask snug to my nose and i haven't had an issue with the glasses fogging.

Add a 4" nose wire out of 22 gauge gardening wire at the top of the map. That will mold the mask to your nose and prevent the glasses steaming.

I haven't tried it because I'm using a no-sew design.

The wire is much finer, so it will be harder for it to hold the mask in place - and it is generally coated with paper, which would create a mess inside the casing.

I tried paper clips - they are not pliable enough. I made masks for all of my daughter's fellow baristas at Starbucks (as of Monday they were required to wear masks). They all reported that the 22 gauge wire was helpful (and I sent in a bag of 4.5" wires so they could replace whatever they were using.

You can use the wire with the no sew design if you're wiliing to do a couple of tacking stitches at each end to keep the wire in place.

Since I'm making mine to donate - with the expectation that they will be sterilized, I'm not sure a pipe cleaner would hold up.

these 2 prong paper fasteners that are used to file 2 hole punched papers. they are meant to be opened and closed so I would think they might hold up pretty good.

https://www.staples.com/OIC-Self-Adhesive-Fasteners-2-3-4-Center-to-Center-2-Capacity/product_526012

It's hard to get the right balance between too stiff (too hard to bend & to get a tight fit - paper clip; paper fasteners) and not stiff enough (twist-ties, pipe cleaners).

not only with the fogging, but I have progressive lenses, so when I put them on with a mask and it is on right I end up looking through the reading part of the lens. Which means I can’t see. I also can’t breathe, I don’t know how medical people do it. Do they have special glasses to wear with the mask? I do know that they get masks that fit right, where as we just get handed any mask and are told to wear it.

The wire helps snug it against the nose so it doesn't displace the glasses.

Apparently the inability to breathe is a good thing, in terms of keeping the virus out. (I've heard that if it isn't hard to breathe it probably is letting to much through.

enter Kroger. I tripped over the curb skinned my knee and both wrists were sore the next day from catching my fall.
I watch where I am going more now.

I have to either pull my mask down for a moment, or (the horrors!) manually key in my passcode to pay for my groceries!

Last edited Sat Apr 11, 2020, 01:51 AM - Edit history (1)

A suggestion,
https://www.klim.com/Tek-Sok-6024-002
https://www.klim.com/KLIM-Neck-Warmer-6109-001
They are easy to breath through and don't fog up our riding goggles or glasses.
Edit to add one more suggestion.
https://www.aerostich.com/clothing/wind-blocking-gear/shellaclava-neckwarmer.html
Aerostich makes really good products and, here in the USA.

and for people who can sew it looks like it would be easier to make than a mask.
https://www.amazon.com/Terra-Kuda-Face-Clothing-Gaiter/dp/B07F2PVNKH

like a terrorist.

Think about it, now we can protest with mask, be anonymous just like the pooooolice that stand there protecting the wealthy from us.

this one is not threatening at all:

But doubled it. They are super fine because they are also good for sunblocking. If they keep UV rays out I figure they work for moisture droplets.

I’m used to wearing one because I wear them for hours at a time while on the boat.

I only wear mine when I am with my mother. Yeah, I know I should wear it all the time when I do go out. The reason I don't is because it makes me claustrophobic and my body starts to panic and I can't breath. Passing out on the grocery store when I have to be there is not my idea of taking care of myself..

I already had a situation where I got my leg stuck when I fell and there was no way I could get it unstuck myself. The people walking by wouldn't help me. At least they were willing to walk up to my friends house to let them know I was on the ground and stuck.

I have a feeling a lot of people are going to suffer and have been suffering because no one will touch them to help.

deliveries and packages with a scarf around my face, but it's hard to breathe and it's itchy. Fortunately, it doesn't take much time. I also have a balcony that looks over a courtyard garden so I can get some fresh air without feeling too cooped-up.

I would like to go for a walk just to get some exercise, so I want to get a proper mask, but can't find one anywhere. If anyone knows where I can get one (or some) online, please let me know.

Also, the urge to scratch your face under the mask can be strong, but resit. It will go away. I had to wear one for 9 hours straight. The urge to lift the mask and scratch my nose (especially because my nose leaked a little snot) nearly drove me mad at times but I ignored it and toughed through it and the urge faded. I am also used to sipping coffee or water throughout the day. I also resisted. These urges will be very strong at times, but you can tough through it.

you can put one in. You can use an opened paper clip, two twist ties, file folder prong fastener bottom. I've been using a prong fastener when I make mine and just make sure you fold the ends of the fastener in about 1/2" so the ends don't push through the fabric.

Fortunately, I don't have to wear it when I'm driving alone in my car. So I'm not any more of a danger on the road than I usually am!

I had to downstack and merchandise several pallets worth of beverages yesterday in a heavy cloth mask and it was hell. Steamy, moist, overheated hell.