Wearing a Double, Well-Fitting Mask

Two months ago when I began wearing a double face mask many people thought this was overkill. I also began using tape along the edges of the mask that’s closest to my face to assure a good seal. Finally, also to assure a good fit, I began knotting the ear loops of the surgical mask. Imagine my surprise when I just read that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends double masking and well-fitting masks in order to significantly reduce the spread of SARS-CoV2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

 

Here’s what I’m wearing face mask wise:

1- two-ply cotton mask with a filter (with a nose wire) made of non-woven, spun-bon polypropylene

2- three-ply surgical mask

3- Cabeau Tape that I use to secure the mask under my eyes, along my cheeks and under my chin

4- goggles

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COVID Protection: Goggles and Face Masks - Which Materials Are Best

As the year comes to an end, wearing a face mask is more important than ever. I wear one 100% of the time when I’m outside and most certainly when I’m forced to go indoors to buy groceries or go to the pharmacy. I’ve noticed many people who do wear a face covering but they either don’t wear it properly — not placing it over their nose and mouth — or they wear a neck gaiter/buff which is not considered adequate in terms of significantly reducing the transmission of aerosolized droplets from being expelled when breathing, speaking, sneezing or coughing. Not only is it important to wear a face mask properly and to wear an actual mask, but the material that it’s made of is equally important. I’ve included links at the bottom of this post on face masks and the materials that seem to be the most efficient at reducing droplets transmission. Not everyone has access to N95 masks. Many epidemiologists, public health physicians and pulmonologists recommend what’s being referred to as hybrid masks, aka a mask made of multiple different fabrics rather than a single one. So I wear a double layer cloth mask and between the outer and inner cotton layers I place a polypropylene rectangle in the filter pocket. (It can be washed in warm water with detergent.) This makes for a three layer cotton-polypropylene-cotton mask. I got the breathable poly — it’s non-woven, spun-bond polypro — by cutting up a reusable tote/conference/grocery bag. 

(You’ll recognize it by looking closely at the fabric where there are lots of little dimples.) 

Also, because rates are climbing all over the country, when I’m indoors (to shop) I wear a 3-ply surgical mask on top of this, which makes for 6 layers! And it’s plenty breathable.

Not only do I wear a mask (masks), but when indoors I always wear goggles atop my glasses.

I know I must look like a freak, but I don’t care. And this is how I’ll be dressing until I get vaccinated. After the vaccine, I may not wear the goggles, but I still will wear my cloth mask and still social distance and wash my hands regularly. 

For more information on masks and mask materials, check out these sources:

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3

Source 4

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Wearing a Face Mask with Eyeglasses - Fogging No More

 Sadly, many people come up with all sorts of reasons not to wear masks, including that their glasses fog. Of course, I’ve been masked up since mid-March, whenever I’m around other people outdoors and, of course, indoors when I go shopping. (No indoor dining or bars for me.) But, I’ve had to (unsuccessfully) deal with major lens fogging. Eyeglasses fog because the warm exhaled air migrates through gaps in the mask. I’ve tried everything to de-fog my eyeglasses, from applying liquid soap, shaving cream, an anti-fog spray, and so forth. I ordered more than half a dozen different sorts of masks that fit my face differently. Nothing worked. That is, until the manufacturer of Cabeau Tape sent me a sample to test. Now, this sounded like no way would it work.

It’s pre-cut small pieces of medical-grade tape that you stick around your nose, under your eye and in front of your ears to “seal” the gaps in your mask. The first time I tried it, it didn’t work. The fogging persisted. But, then I was more diligent in how I applied the tape under my eye and nose area. Success. Fogging be gone! And the tape was comfortable, easy to apply, and adequate stickiness so that it did not lift off from my cloth mask.

Here’s a video that helped me figure out how to efficiently use the tape. I found that using a mirror assures that you properly applied the tape to “seal” any gaps.

I’m so happy with this product that I just ordered two more rolls of tape.

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