I've been hearing a lot about double masking lately.
According to Dr. Fauci:
“I mean, this is a physical covering to prevent droplets and virus to get in. So if you have a physical covering with one layer, and you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective.”
Art and I noticed it in photos that he sent us and we're now seeing the wisdom of his choice. Granted, he is an epidemiologist and he happened to have a few N95s he had been using for his spray painting projects.
And since Dr. Fauci is now unmuzzled by a certain president and can more openly give advice to the public, he's saying that double masking would be a "common sense" thing to do.
Art's sister sent us 3 N95s (with vents) a while ago from her husband's workshop but we hadn't used it.
We were surprised at how much easier it was to breathe with those two layers. I guess a lot had to do with the firmness of the N95 keeping the fabric away from our noses. The vented N95 keeps me safer and the cloth mask over the vents keeps everybody else safe if I had COVID.
We did notice more people being double masked at the inauguration.
If you don't have an N95, they say a KN95 or a surgical mask could also give you that added protection.
So, of course, we had to try it. And you know what? It's easy to breathe with both masks too. Amazing!
My brother says he puts his paper surgical mask in his cellphone sanitizer and reuses it. Sounded like a good idea.
As for our precious N95s. I just hang them in our powerful Hawaiian sun for an hour or so and hope that does the trick.🤞
I must tell you that after wearing that N95 for our shopping trips, it takes a good couple of hours or more to get those telltale indentations out of my aging skin. 😖
Sigh... ah well. It's the price we have to pay until the pandemic is controlled. I'm wondering if it will ever be completely over though. I'm figuring I'll be wearing masks on airplanes even when they say the pandemic is over.
I see you have a spammer her on your site. I hope you delete his comment.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margie! Those spammers are so irritating. 😖
DeleteWe recently went around on this topic but decided to shelve it for the time being as we aren't going anywhere or seeing anybody.
ReplyDeleteKay those are nice pics of your son & Art; well I'm like Anvilcloud--I don't go anywhere or see anybody, it'd be different if I had to be around others regularly though. Plus I bought several masks from Amazon recently that have a 'rubbery insert' that's easily washable and like a second mask. I think I'm going to get an astronaut helmet & wear that next!
ReplyDeleteHard to get my husband to do a double mask thing!!
ReplyDeleteI think double masks are a good idea but there are still those who don't see the need for even one mask -- or even worse, feel the need to have their political opinions printed on the mask.
ReplyDeleteCanada’s vaccines are delayed
ReplyDeleteWith a large head and a beard to boot, I have had a hard time finding a mask to fit properly. I finally found one many months ago but it had a fake valve on the outside of it. At the time I didn't mind as many had masks with valves but as the months have gone by, the valves have been disappearing as they really don't help anyone and I was beginning to get looks. So I went online a few weeks ago and this time found a mask especially for folks like me. It is large enough to fit my short beard, is three layers thick and doesn't have a valve. I ordered two and they sent me two packages of three so now I have six. I feel like I hit the lottery.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll try the double masks too. I still have some N95's from a project as well. Our area is still marked extremely high risk so I've gone back to having my groceries delivered. Sigh. Thanks for all your insight.
ReplyDeleteWe just have homemade masks and wear one...as I understand it the mask is to protect other from you. We also are getting our 2nd vaccination this FRiday! Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteYou got me curious. I have COPD and don't breathe comfortably in one mask but tried two and there really wasn't much difference. Someone gave me some N95 masks and I had a hard time breathing in those but the two surgical masks seem OK. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePatti I didn't know you had COPD... I've often wondered how the mask wearing affects people with that condition. I sure hope you're hanging in there okay :(
DeleteYes, I wear five layers because my masks have a pocket in them. No N95 masks here. They are all going to first responders. The extra layers are made of baby wipes that have been left out to dry and de-smell. Cut to the right width and doubled over, they fit in the built in pocket on our masks perfectly. We throw them away after an hour or so, and we wash the cotton masks often.
ReplyDeleteWe have a good supply of the paper surgical masks and that's all we use. WE take one when we walk at the park and wear it on our chins when we are not near anyone. I wear a mask when I go to my Dr and PT appointments, and to the grocery store. That's about the extent of where we go so far.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go to the clinic, I see the attendant making those who are wearing their cloth masks double mask with a surgical mask, but with my paper mask they say I'm good. Interesting.
I have been hearing about the double masking for a while now. Makes sense to me. We have just bought two of the KN95. I wore mine for the first time yesterday and it was the most comfortable one I have worn. Before that we had the paper masks. We don't really go anywhere with people. Yesterday we walked and avoided any pockets we saw. It will be a long road back to normalcy I think, and in the meantime I am going to follow all the scientific advice.
ReplyDeleteI loved my N95 for flying back in July although it did leave long lasting indentations on my face. (a good sign?) I now have KN95s which are comfortable to breathe in and better than cloth. I may start double masking too, which I don't mind except that my ears are small and there are too many loops for them.
ReplyDeleteDang! I just read that you shouldn’t use a second mask over a KN95. Why? I don’t know. But I think you’re supposed to be good with just a KN95. I wear a cloth mask over my N95 because it has a vent on it.
DeleteI would double mask cloth with a paper, but am preferring the KN95 for now. It's comfortable, easy to breathe in, and feels protective. I'm hardly ever in public anyway.
DeleteI better start making more masks again!
ReplyDeleteActually, they say you should wear the cloth mask over a surgical mask for that extra layer.
DeleteYikes, one mask is hassle enough.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem as Ed- big head. Regular masks tug at my ears. I've been using alternates, like bandannas and neck gaiters in tandem.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I make my cloth masks with adjustable elastic.
DeleteGreat advice.
ReplyDeleteI haven't double masked yet; but I think you've convinced me.
ReplyDeleteI tried it today when we were out. I didn't have any problem with two masks on.
ReplyDeleteIt makes a lot of sense. Glad Dr. Fauci can now step up.
ReplyDelete