Thanks for the link. I guess pantyhose is just a good way to seal all the sides to the face?

I guess pantyhose is just a good way to seal all the sides to the face?

Right, without reducing the breathability of the mask too much.

I have pretty much quit wearing my cloth masks. I am just tired of them. For no more than I go out, I just wear the surgical masks, although I did order some pink ones. :) In recent weeks, with all the mutations of the virus and with some mutations supposedly more contagious, I double up on masks. I do not have a problem with my masks fitting well to my face, but I have seen a few people with the criss-crossed ear straps. I need to try a mask on with the straps criss-crossed and see if it makes a difference.

Tina Marie I do the criss cross because otherwise the mask keeps falling below my nose and this keeps it in place. The drawback is it creates little open pockets at the sides where the mask is near my ears. Fit is so dependent on your face size and shape, ear size and placement - ideally we'd all be custom fitted!

oh I just looked at the panty hose addition - interesting. And there's a tip on how to knot the surgical masks that I'm going to try - thanks terriks

@DLM2000-GW that makes perfect sense. My mask does not fall down, but I must have a small/short face and I sometimes have trouble with it riding up too close to my eyes (I don't wear glasses).

I bought some two-sided sticky medical/surgical tape that I use on the sides of the paper masks to keep them stuck to my cheeks and eliminate gaps.

Good video @socks thread on how to minimize side gap on single use masks.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6068338/mask-fit-tip

https://youtu.be/2TTg53aAP8Q

Reposting my comment: To be effective, there should be a tight fit between the mask and face. If your breath is escaping above, below, or out the sides, it is not providing optimal protection. Using the nose wire is important to form the mask to the face.

Interesting adding a layer of nylon hose was found the be quite effective in improving face mask seal and protection. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/22/840146830/adding-a-nylon-stocking-layer-could-boost-protection-from-cloth-masks-study-find

Pantyhose still exist? Haven't worn those miserably uncomfortable things since the 90's.

A friend of mine has been wearing the pantyhose since last spring! I don’t know where she heard it, but it sure does look effective.

(I do wear pantyhose when I wear a dress. I was an active kid and the evidence of skinned knees and shins is still there in a big way. And, I don’t like the feel of shoes directly on my feet. It seems I’m a rarity that I don’t consider pantyhose the torture device so many do.)

Osterholm was against mask wearing early on, now trying to rewrite history— so I don’t take him seriously anymore.

(I’ve had a front seat on early mask research.)

Get an N95, eg 3M or a KN95 mask that kind of sticks out more. They fit well and are way more breathable than double layering.

Part of the problem with non breathable masks is that they will need air gaps on the sides or you can’t breath — so if you seal them around the edges, you can’t breath through it.

Imagine a triple layer thick fabric, or even plastic and seal it. You can’t breathe.

I have an N97 mask from the UK from a company called Breathe Happy. It’s a soft silicone mask with a cage for a filter that is changed every seven days. It was developed for commuters on the London tube. I wear that when I go to a doctors appointment or anywhere there might be more people than I am expecting (city hall once, for example).

I bought quite a few fabric masks last year. I wore them with a paper towel filter. Most do not have a nose wire and some were loose around the ears. They do not have the adjustible bead. I think they were a waste of money.

Now the only time I wear a fabric mask is when I go to the hairdresser. I bought a black fabric mask to hide the hair dye that gets on it. I put a paper towel filter in it. It has a nose wire, and beads on the ear straps so that I can tighten them. The rest of the time I wear a white N95 mask. It sticks out quite a bit which makes it easier for me to breathe. It has straps that go behind my head.

I still read articles about masks, watch videos, etc.

I think we could improve on the pantyhose...I have sheer silk scarves that are texturally similar to pantyhose and would look much nicer...

My masks don't leak though.

Osterholm was against mask wearing early on, now trying to rewrite history— so I don’t take him seriously anymore.

I don't think that he was so much against mask wearing as he had not seen the science that showed that they were helpful. Since he is a scientist, when new information came out he changed his stance on mask wearing.

I think we could improve on the pantyhose...I have sheer silk scarves that are texturally similar to pantyhose and would look much nicer...

I also read that a neck gaiter, while it's one of the worst "masks" to wear on its own, it's found to be superior as a second layer over a surgical mask than a cloth mask. Probably because it works the same way as the pantyhose trick, but more attractively.

It seems the tight, stretchy material helps minimize gaps and achieve a better face to mask seal.

We bought some KN95 and I wear cloth over.

If you wear pantyhose around your face here, people will stare at you!

^^^^and think; “What a good idea!”

It's just a play on artillery's words from another thread the other day, about if someone visiting San Antonio didn't wear a mask, people will stare at you-it struck me funny when she said it for some reason!

But, really. People would stare at you and think what a nut. There are much better-looking ways to accomplish protecting other people from you possibly carrying the virus, and giving it to them, than wearing a pair of pantyhose on your face-even though it doesn't protect you wearing pantyhose on your face, from getting the virus, unless you are wearing goggles too.

Cosmetic question! We will be at a funeral service tomorrow (less than 20 people, large room, masks, households separated), all in masks. But then, we are going to lunch, large room, the only other people will be the staff. So far all the service attendees have said they feel safe about lunch. I think 3 or 4 may decline.

I’m wearing a cotton mask that coordinates with my dress, and it has a pretty, white inside layer.

Here’s my question: makeup? Or no makeup other than eyes?

If I do makeup, does the mask smear it? And later, how do I get it off the mask?

If I saw someone wearing pantyhose over their mask, I'd think "wow, that's someone who reads, believes, and implements new SCIENCE, impressive."

Doing something to decrease leaks helps to protect the wearer, if you read the research studies having a tight face to mask seal can make the masks as effective as n95 masks.

I really have a hard time breathing even with a properly fitting single mask and when I added a filter to one of mine I just couldn't breathe. I've switched to the tighter fitting ones recently but I cannot imagine being able to breathe at all with a second mask on top of that.

I need to find some good masks for DH - any recommendations? He only has one that I think is effective - early on he was using the ineffective neck gaiters because he had some of those around. I told him he had to quit using those. The other one he has was made by someone he works with and he really likes it because it has a cord that allows him to hang it around the neck which is handy because he doesn't wear it in his private office but does when he steps out into the common areas at work. I'd rather not get disposables as we try to minimize throw away stuff as much as possible. I've been tempted to buy some 95 masks to have on hand but there are so many reports of suppliers selling "fake" 95s that I've held off on that.

@3katz4me I have started doubling up my surgical type masks. Really, I can't tell much difference. Breathing wise, it doesn't feel like I'm wearing another mask. But I don't go out much at all, so of course I don't have a mask on for long. Also, I have noticed that now that is cooler, the masks do not bother me much at all. I get you on throw-away disposables and we are usually very good about that, but I'm making an exception with the masks. Also if your mask has a place for a liner, you can get those little thingies that fit inside the pocket that hold the mask out from your mouth/nose. Kind of a cone shape. That might be good for your husband.

@bpath I wear lipstain much more than i wear lipstick and it would be much less likely to come off on your mask, if you have any. I would wear lipcolor to the funeral, but that's just me. If make-up comes off on your mask, you should be able to launder it as usual. Blue dawn dish detergent works good.

@2katz,4me, Many find the large duckbill makes it easier to breathe in these n95 masks. Halyard is a long standing large supplier of hospital/OR supplies.

I bought some KN95 masks and because of their semi-rigid structure there is room around your mouth so they aren't that hard to breathe through.

I like that they have ear loops, which I find a lot more comfortable than the tight bands behind my head. They still have a nice tight fit.

A major difference between the US n95 and China/Korea KN95 masks is head straps vs earloops.

The FDA has not approved any masks with ear loops as "n95," because they have air leaks that don't pass testing.

Agree, for short-term use ear loops are more comfortable, as the fit is less tight.

I have recently bought the Powecom masks that terezosa posted. A bit lighter than some, and on the US EUA list (as long as you buy the right version). There is an authorized US distributor that sells direct, too. The cone shapes are easier to breath with than flat surgical (which I wear at work) and less gappy, but some gaps can remain with the ear loop versions (they also offer headband versions).

I bought the KN95 masks for my upcoming mammogram and my recent lab work. My doctor also wants me to get the shingles shot. Other than those places I don't intend to enter any public buildings until after I'm vaccinated - and of course I'll still wear a mask then. Hopefully we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm not going to do anything risky until I'm out of the tunnel.

I wear masks with a filter inserted in the middle, and am able to breathe ok even during exercise. I have posted before, but these are my favorite masks. https://www.beautiesltd.com/collections/face-coverings

I'm reluctant to buy any masks from Amazon knowing they have so many suppliers/products that aren't legitimate. I ordered some of the Powecom KN95s from the hopefully legitimate authorized distributor mentioned above. Also ordered some face mask lanyards from Amazon that will meet DHs need for hanging it around his neck when not in use.

Tina Marie, thank you. I won’t wear lipcolor to the funeral service, because we will be masked. But I will put some on for luncheon (if I remember...it’s been so long...)

I didn’t think of using Dawn Blue to wash it, I feel better. Thanks for the tip.

I would pass on the luncheon because most of the people at the service will probably be there. Why would anyone think one was not safe and the other was fine especially with people projecting their voices if they are seated apart.

Second thing but something I have noticed having been a panty hose wearer most of my life. The pictures do not appear to be of the hose part but of the panty part. There are very few even big women's hose that are as wide as is shown. If they were cut lengthwise there is the small problem that the cut edges roll simply because that was the way they were formed.

@maifleur03, they used the thigh section of large size.

Thank you for pointing that out although I still have my doubts because of the way the fabric rolls on the cut edges. I think there was some airbrushing done to make it appear smooth. Those fabric rolls tend to press in and after a time hurt.

Texanjana, these are the masks I have! They are fitting so well, and the filters don’t move around inside the pocket either. I did get the xl size for my husband, he also finds them comfortable. The only kind he doesn’t complain too much about.

Gooster, thank you for the link to Powercom masks. I just ordered 20 KN95's. They are located in a suburb of my city and excellent reviews. I Googled and found a coupon for 20% off and no shipping. I'll report back once I receive them.

Here is a hack to make your surgical mask fit better, help eliminate gaps on the sides. I've done it and it works, easy!

https://youtu.be/s3Y26UGulrI

She has other videos with good hacks for masks.