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As its looks like this is here to stay for while, its time to move away from the disposable type to something reusable.
What's good to buy?
Wilko, the black "stepahead" ones seem to fit me really well. They're £3 each
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/step-ahead-reusable-face-mask-black/p/0503725
Fine cotton was stated to be the best in the early days (apart from surgical and medical).
I bought a pack of the Planet-X ones, they fit me well and seem thick enough, plus I've got a few compliments on the designs.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/ZXSMASK/5-masks-mix-and-match-bundle
coming into autumn winter now, so the ones that go round yer neck will probably become a bit more practical these days.
I just wear a buff on my wrist now, as I'm always forgetting my mask.
For longer journeys I don't like ear hooked masks - Buff do some over the neck/head masks which work well for me. They have a filter insert too if you really want to shield others.
I've got the PLanetX ones too for both me and my boy... we approve.
Most comfortable and best fitting ones I've had are from Victory Chimp along with some Star Wars ones made by the lady that made my wife's wedding dress, everything we've had of esty has been awful.
I've had 2 NHS disposable ones since they were required. One in the car, one in the house. I'll just keep using them til it blows over. Honestly can't see the point in spending on fancy ones.
(Unless, of course you have the virus, but then you shouldn't be going out anyway!)
I use an Ascendancy Apparel neck guard thing https://www.ascendancyapparel.com/accessories/endure-neck-guard
or the equivalent free TdF one from the official magazine a couple of years back but it is bright yellow, obv
the only downside i've discovered is they make it look like you're wearing a cravat if it's down, and you've got an open shirt on
The planet X ones are good for short periods of time , but the ear loops are non adjustable so can be painful after awhile.
Working in a shop I have one on all day and the best I have is a custom one from vista print. Was £20 though.
Judging by my customers anything is acceptable though from an envelope to a bunch of carrots....
+ 1 for the planet X ones
With or without filter pad,
I have had numerous approving comments and find them comfortable and even with my Asthma I have no issues wearing them
the neck guard, buff, snood.... call it what you like... is comfy and easy and warm, i pretty much live in one from Oct-Mar. I honestly dont think it should really qualify as a 'face mask' as i suspect its protection of self/others from a virus perspective is close to nil
i bought a pack of mix/match from planetx - some ear loops are longer than others, so i find one in particular more comfy for extended periods of time. Cheap, comfy, pretty patterns, whats not to like.
do you want comfort and adherence to various rules and guidlines.... or do you want some protection for yourself/others?
I make my own (the pleated type). These are better than the NHS throw away type.
They have a cotton double layer and a slot to pop in a filter (we use kitchen paper). They also have a slot for a pipe cleaner at the top.
These comply as they have the 3 layers and can be washed, re-used and don't go into land fill.
There will be a sewing group somewhere in your area that makes them.
I bought 6 of the Charles Tyrwhitt cotton masks in different colours and 3 of the silk masks as I find them super comfortable. I also bought a 6 pack of cheap washable masks from Amazon and always have one in my wallet for serious blonde moments.
Mrs Dubs made a few using a dinner plate pattern - she has quite sensitive skin so wanted to pick her materials. I think she puts a third layer in the mask too.
I've got some planet X ones which have been fine.
We have a selection but the best are the biciclista ones that have a silver impregnated fabric lining which has anti viral properties.
They also have a slot for a pipe cleaner at the top.
This makes a big difference to us spekkie four eyes types, stops your glasses steaming up so badly!
I’ve had 2 NHS disposable ones since they were required. One in the car, one in the house. I’ll just keep using them til it blows over.
You're kind of defeating the point of them - dispoable is so any virus on them goes in the bin at the end of use!
Has anyone tried the Ellmore ones?
Victory Chimp Masks
OMG, how have I not found this site before? Chimps, bikes and the great outdoors ... nuff said.
Victory Chimp ones are very good ordered some for when this subject last came up and got some donated to work.
DezB the idea of the cloth ones is to wash them after use, you’ve a breading ground for bacteria sitting in your car waiting for you breath then in.
anyone complaining about hurty ears, get a mate with a 3d-printer to make some "ear savers" (or just buy some off eBay!)
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Planet X here too for the car. In case I forget my Cambridge Mask Co errr...mask.
Which is great, but you may need the little stickers too which close the vent-to-air in case anyone questions you about it.
There was a study done over in America's on masks. Buffs and similar will get you into a shop but do next to nothing to actually protect others around you if you are infectious.
On the subject of the Buff style face mask, I was turned away from a counter at the weekend on the basis that the law had changed on Wednesday to mean that a buff no longer satisfied the updated mask requirements around 'securely fitting around the ears'. Something to bear in mind. I've got a few things from Victory Chimp and have promptly invested in some masks as well.
Might have been an isolated incident, but it was somewhere I'd consider to be fairly up on this sort of thing (bouldering wall, mask only required when not on the mats).
I find it very hard to find a mask that you can slip a filter into, e.g. you appear not to be able to on those Victory Chimp masks...
There was a study done over in America’s on masks. Buffs and similar will get you into a shop but do next to nothing to actually protect others around you if you are infectious.
And there was a further study by folk who are qualified in aerosol dispersal rather than the original laser scientists saying nah not really so long as their doubled up
I find it very hard to find a mask that you can slip a filter into
Planet X. They even come with a filter.
trail_rat
Free Member
There was a study done over in America’s on masks. Buffs and similar will get you into a shop but do next to nothing to actually protect others around you if you are infectious.And there was a further study by folk who are qualified in aerosol dispersal rather than the original laser scientists saying nah not really
Not sure if "nah not really" means they are good or not in this scenario?
Buff themselves seem to think their normal range is insufficient wear for Covid so...
https://buffusa.com/buff-community-statement
I quite like the Zhik foam type mask.. super comfy, washable and seem quite breathable if doing any exercising
I'd have thought this the ideal 3D printing project. Double layer,face hugging, own air supply fed via tube.
I find that simple masks are just a thin material that you wet with breath, and then project that moisture when you breath out. It may stifle it, but its not really a barrier 😕 In fact if anything some of them appear to be worse.
Not sure if “nah not really” means they are good or not in this scenario?
Have you tried reading the article ?
I just bought a Madison mask from Tredz. Adjustable ear straps, removable filters and a metal strip on the nose to clamp down and reduce fogging on my glasses.
Decent for the price.
I don’t like ear hooked masks
I've got one of the monkey ones mentioned above, based on recommendations the last time this question was asked. The mask itself is massively uncomfortable behind the ears and has a tendency to ping off. I stitched a loop of elastic through the ear loops to turn it into a headband like a head torch and it's a vast improvement, far more comfortable now.
I’ve had 2 NHS disposable ones since they were required.
You know you're supposed to wear them once then throw them away, yes?
Buffs and similar will get you into a shop but do next to nothing to actually protect others around you if you are infectious.
The point of masks is to catch coughs and sneezes. They aren't going to be a barrier to airborne CV2 but they will be a barrier to droplets.
The point of masks is to catch coughs and sneezes. They aren’t going to be a barrier to airborne CV2 but they will be a barrier to droplets.
They don't stop Covid but they help, and my reading was that cotton is way better than a buff.
You know you’re supposed to wear them once then throw them away, yes?
Which no one is doing and in a way thank god they aren't. The environmental waste...
Obvs getting a cotton one would be better.
The best precaution is to stay at home, get your food delivered and only venture out to ride your bike.
As someone who works from home and has done for years, it works for me 😁
I do have to put up with repeated messages from a conspiracy theorist friend. I'm so bored of her nonsense that we've agreed to never discuss Covid, vaccinations, Bill Gates, nano-particles, Knights Templar, flat Earth, Area 52...you doubtless get the gist.
Aside from all of that, I'll give you her opinion as an air hostess of 25 years: it's all bollocks and no-one needs a mask.
She's lost many friends through her extreme views and posts on Facebook (of which I'm no longer a member and haven't been for years).
The best precaution is to stay at home, get your food delivered and only venture out to ride your bike.
I'll build a nuclear bunker as well for good measure.
Just ordered some OnOne masks. 5 for £20 or £2.99 each, go figure 🤔
Typical planetx! I ordered a few different ones to see what works with my big old noggin.
Fed up of the disposable masks snapping where the elastic joins and the waste.
The Adidas ones I find are pretty comfy (I have a pretty big head and the few other non-disposable ones I've tried pull on the ears a lot, I guess I should get one of those plastic widgets linked earlier though). It's a shame Apple aren't likely to be selling the ones they've created for their employees, it actually looks well designed - although I guess if they did sell them they would probably be £25+ for a pack of 5.
Psyche bandana for me. Easy just to leave on and raise when required.
https://hebtro.co/product/psyche-bandana/
Another vote for Victory Chimp here
https://www.victorychimp.cc/collections/face-masks/products/victory-chimp-face-mask
Bought a few things and he/they seem like thoroughly good eggs.
For those debating the Buff option, I was referring to the actual face masks they make, not just the neck warmers.
Buff masks
I’ve had 2 NHS disposable ones since they were required.
You know you’re supposed to wear them once then throw them away, yes?
We've (NHS acute trust, but in a "back office' role) been told that fluid resistant surgical masks can be reused until they're visibly soiled or damaged.
What a nation of bedwetters we've become.Masks are a pointless statement not a measure.Remember how useless we were told they were by our betters in March and April?Police State ..resist.
Must resist...
Chess with pigeons?
Buff masks
They look the business! Filtered too.
Masks are a pointless statement not a measure.
If a person with Covid sneezed or coughed close to you would you be more protected from transmission via droplet if they had a mask on?
(No answer required as we all know the answer)
It's mandatory now though isn't it? so you need not worry about the effectiveness either way.
I agree though, probably ineffective, but then I keep think marginal gains, also in the same bracket to the app. Add all the little things together….
What a nation of bedwetters we’ve <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">become.Masks</span> are a pointless statement not a measure.Remember how useless we were told they were by our betters in March and April?Police State ..resist.
Ooooh! Get you.
What a nation of bedwetters we’ve become.Masks are a pointless statement not a measure.Remember how useless we were told they were by our betters in March and April?Police State ..resist.
Yeah, yeah, it's a muzzle, flu kills more it's all about control etc etc.
Maybe a tinfoil mask would be better.
Yeah, we're bedwetters. Only, those beds are in the ICU.
A million dead so far and counting.
Twerp.
I do have to put up with repeated messages from a conspiracy theorist friend.
This is my partner's sister. She doesn't believe it exists, went to that pox party rally in London a few weeks back despite being out of work and struggling to pay bills.
I've planted the seed in her brain that the idea the virus doesn't exist is a con orchestrated by Putin in order to try and weaken the Western population and further destabilise us. I swear I saw "TILT" flash up in her eyes momentarily.
What a nation of bedwetters we’ve become.Masks are a pointless statement not a measure.Remember how useless we were told they were by our betters in March and April?Police State ..resist.
So they were right then bit wrong now?
And you're a hero for believing them then?
Aside from all of that, I’ll give you her opinion as an air hostess of 25 years: it’s all bollocks and no-one needs a mask.
Must be an air hostess thing, not a Geordie is she by any chance?
This place is utterly pathetic now.Your all Boris lickspittle.
This place is utterly pathetic now.Your all Boris lickspittle
You're
Fair cop James.
^^ Monkey, you'll probably not find a forum more anti Johnson/ this "government", it's just that we and an awful of science disagree with you. No more, no less.
The initial "don't wear masks" advice was almost entirely due to our and other governments not wanting people to stock pile masks to the detriment of the NHS/ their respective health care systems.
Times have now changed and so has the advice.
This place is utterly pathetic <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">now.Your</span> all Boris lickspittle.
Don’t let the door hit you on the arse on the way out.
On the subject of whether face masks are effective did anyone else read this hypothesis?
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2026913
JollyGreenGiant
Free Member
On the subject of whether face masks are effective did anyone else read this hypothesis?
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2026913
/blockquote>Interesting read that. I hope the hypothesis turns out to be true when we look back at this in years to come.
Basically, that a mask reduces the amount of people getting infected but also reduces the viral load in those that do, leading to better outcomes. Interesting stuff. Fingers crossed.
On the subject of whether face masks are effective did anyone else read this hypothesis?
Clearly not some. It’s very good and for the sake of the general public wearing one only occasionally for a short time each day it is sensible.
"Face masks are a statement not a measure"Anders Tegnell.But hey,let's do as bozo Boris says instead.
I need a lot of face masks for work and I've tried loads. Hype are rubbish, the Buff one is utter shit as it doesn't stay on your nose and the filter pocket is weak and flappy and really awkward to actually get the filter in to.
I've bought a couple from VistaPrint that are good, a light foam that fits really nicely and has a malleable piece on the nose bridge that helps a bit with specs fogging up but the best ones I've found so far have been WeddingStar on Amazon. About 12 quid each, but they have adjustable ear loops, a wire bridge and a filter pouch. Very good imo.
<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">But</span> hey,let’s do as bozo Boris says instead.
I’m doing what 1,000s of other have scientists have suggested we do, I’ve done long before Boris was PM too.
Very good for what?Do you actually know the size of SARS 2?Does anybody really believe the population wearing poundland face nappies stop Coronovirus.Most folks from what I,ve seen spend alot of time touching their faces.They would all be better of cleaning their phones a few times a day.Still,let's carry on with this collective hysteria and see where it gets us
Do you actually know the size of SARS 2?
Not off the top of my head but I do know in normal expelled air the number of viral particles is relatively low and requires a long of exposure of several hours. Where as carried in droplets, that material reduces, contains a extremely high amount of particles meaning the exposure time is minutes or direct contact seconds.
<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">They</span> would all be better of cleaning their phones a few times a <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">day.</span>
Wearing a mask doesn’t stop
I also Sweden isn’t doing too well.
@ monkey
We already know where not wearing masks gets us.
Masks won't "stop" Covid. We all know that. It's one little tool in a whole toolbox.
Happens to be a very cheap one though and easy to implement. Complaining about lockdown I totally get, its horrid.
Complaining about wearing a bit of fabric over your face in a shop for a few minutes? I just switch off right there.
Surgical masks will not prevent the wearer from inhaling or exhaling viruses or bacteria. They provide absolutely no protection for either the wearer or anyone nearby. They create a very dangerous false sense of security for everyone. They also force the wearer to rebreath carbon dioxide. Which will over time reduce the wearers blood oxygen level. That can become very dangerous especially for older people”
Hang on, so the virus gets through the mask unimpeded, but co2 doesn't? Seems odd...
Yeah I’m not sure where that bollocks comes from. CO2 particles are 3 times bigger than Covid.
Do you actually know the size of SARS 2?
Yes.
Does anybody really believe the population wearing poundland face nappies stop Coronovirus.
I don't know what "anybody" believes. But the point of wearing masks isn't to filter background airborne CV2, it's to mitigate potential transmission via larger droplets. We knew that "coughs and sneezes spread diseases" a century ago.
A good summary on surgical masks.
Source please.
I think Monkey is Piers Corbyn