Irritating Face Masks, Fashion, and COVID-19 Fears
By: Dr. Patricia Farrell
Tags: Face Mask, Fashion, Face Masks Online, Covid 19, Fear

Irritating Face Masks, Fashion, and COVID-19 Fears

One journey into the wilds of pandemic retailing

Photo by Peri Stojnic on Unsplash

“Masks are not 100 percent protective. However, they certainly are better than not wearing a mask. Both to prevent you, if you happen to be a person who maybe feels well, but has an asymptomatic infection that you don’t even know about, to prevent you from infecting someone else,” Fauci said.

I’ve heard and read the information on masks and I went on a buying spree, but did I get the right type of mask? This article informs you about what I found when looking for a mask.

A sneeze from someone might prove fatal to me. But despite all this information on masks, wearing a face mask won’t protect me 100 percent. But do I still need one? What one do I choose, especially if I can’t get an N95 mask? Who’s producing them, and how do I know they’re effective?

The coronavirus has already killed over 170+K Americans, and it shows no evidence of being contained. There is no national mask policy in place. The “guidance” is confusing and conflicting, and that adds to my dilemma.

The World Health Organization has decided to revise their guidance on masks and is advising that we do need masks, but cloth ones will be as good as medical-grade masks.

This updated version includes a section on Advice to decision makers on the use of masks for healthy people in community settings.

What Mask Is Best?

When you can’t find an N95 mask, if you wanted one, you are left with scouting for an effective mask from somewhere. Pop-ups hit every website you try to open, once you’ve expressed an interest in masks.

By User:SMS on the rocksj — Own work

Yes, if I want to protect my health, your health, and my life, I need to wear a mask. The question is, which mask do I choose and who is making the most effective one? A mini-retailing war of protection is on.

Everyone is touting their masks as either being effective, sewn for charitable organizations, or with unique features. The special features include adjustable straps, filter inserts of various types, colorful designs (that can have individual messages), triple-folded, or ones with special coatings.

Duke University saw the need for a more scientific approach to the issue of mask effectiveness and performed its own tests.

The masks they evaluated were of varying designs and construction. Here’s a photo of their test masks:

Photo: Duke University

We have demonstrated a simple optical measurement method to evaluate the efficacy of masks to reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets during regular speech. In proof-of-principle studies, we compared a variety of commonly available mask types and observed that some mask types approach the performance of standard surgical masks, while some mask alternatives, such as neck fleece or bandanas, offer very little protection.

But the question of mask protection is still not resolved, according to another expert in the field of chemical engineering.

“It’s unclear to me whether they actually measured respiratory droplets,” said William Ristenpart, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of California, Davis who was not part of the study. Instead, the Duke team may have measured dustlike particles of fabric that came from the masks.

Mask Problems Besides Protection

Wearing a face mask is a concern for anyone with a respiratory problem, and professionals addressed this. Even N95 masks have issues.

There is some evidence, however, that prolonged use of N-95 masks in patients with preexisting lung disease could cause some build-up of carbon dioxide levels in the body. People with preexisting lung problems should discuss mask wearing concerns with their health care providers.

Pardon me, but I don’t believe most healthcare providers have any more expertise than me. They are not receiving special training and, what’s more, they are too busy trying to save lives.

Some face masks can cause skin irritation from the materials used or the chemicals in it. Dermatologists have become aware of this and advise practices to protect your skin.

The main skin problems in health care managing COVID-19 and using medical devices are the hand eczema and the skin damage affecting the nasal bridge, cheek, and forehead.

Photo courtesy of @jennymwalton

What About Designer Masks?

The science and professional advice is clear; masks are mandatory for life and protection from the coronavirus. But if a designer mask comes out and you want something unique, should you use one?

Designer masks are clearly on the radar for any fashionista, but fashion shouldn’t be the death of you. Paying over $100 for a stunning mask is worth nothing in terms of your health. If you want to make a mask, there is info.

Clearly, face masks shouldn’t be an accessory, as Vogue admits, and you can have style and maintain health, too. The trick is in choosing wisely, not expensively.

Simple and effective masks can be purchased for $10 for a pack of five or more. Some masks can be bought with replaceable filters (you can also use a coffee filter), and they are washable.

Even the medical-grade N95 mask, however, has received adverse reports in terms of protection to others as have masks with respirator openings on the face. Both have valves that release breath into the air and can send the virus swarming into the environment.

How to Clean a Face Mask

Some face masks, such as the blue ones with the vapor barrier on one side, cannot be cleaned and should be discarded. One use and away they go.

Face masks made of fabric may be cleaned carefully and reused, but it should be in hot soapy water or a washing machine. Then, tumble dry and, if the mask has a filter, dispose of the filter.

Remember, the mask has everything you expelled when you took a breath or spoke to anyone and those germs linger. Change your underwater daily? Ok, change that mask and keep it clean.

A new method of using a piece of kitchen equipment has been found useful. A rice cooker is one way to do it.

…dry heat decontamination generated by an electric cooker (e.g., rice cookers, instant pots, and ovens) could be an effective and accessible decontamination method for the safe reuse of N95 respirators.

Anyone wishing to read the supporting information can access it here. Detailed information about experimental methods, including virus preparation, experimental procedures for the decontamination test are all provided.

Wear a mask or go maskless? There is one clear answer; wearing a mask is being a good neighbor and protecting your health, as well.