I just can't find one anywhere

[CatsOutOfTheBag]

Ok, I have to wear a mask all day. For 12 hours as a health care worker (new job). I need a really comfortable one - has anyone got a suggestion?

I was told silk was best but I cannot afford to just throw £40 away if it isnt the most breathable

Has anyone go a suggestion? Please?

Silk ones from Etsy are lots cheaper.

Why is your employer not providing you with one if it is part of the job requirements? It should also be properly tested and fitted for.

Are you not provided with them? In this situation I think I'd rather use disposable blue medical masks and use at least 2 a day so you're not wearing them for 12 hours (even reusable I would wear a few split between the hours tbh).

If you're in health and social care they should be providing the proper blue disposable ones.

Amazon. Huge pack of paper type ones and change often. But really you should be provided with PPE.

Ingot the black stretchy one from M & S, cost £2.99, I couldn't cope with the disposable medical ones they felt claustrophobic but the black one doesn't.

The disposable ones are so easy to wear if you get decent ones - some of the cheap ones are impossible to breathe in.

In a healthcare setting imo you should be going for a type IIR mask. You petulant won't get that in reusable.

Probably*

Agree with the above posters. As a health care worker, you should be wearing a medical mask rather than just a face covering. It should be replaced when it gets moist, so likely to be several times in a 12 hour shift. If it hurts behind your ears, you can get knitted or crocheted bands with two buttons to put on your head at the back and then you wrap the elastic around those rather than your ears. They are very popular where I work.

I made 10 masks out of a metre of cotton lawn and a metre of elastic from the local sewing shop. £8 in total, they don't rub, aren't sweaty and go in a hot wash with sheets & pillowcases. It didn't take long, one weekend afternoon.

Have you got a kindly relative with a sewing machine. Or call the local WI and ask for their help as a key worker.

I know I canhave one supplied by my health care!!! I want a comfortable one - not a disposable one!!! I dont want to add to the plastic waste mountain when I can have a washable material one.

I have been told silk is good and I would like a silk one, or can someone suggest something that is NOT disposable but very wearable for 12 hours

Thank you

I thought healthcare workers shouldn't be using all shift long ones though? As it becomes saturated over time and should be replaced at regular intervals?

Expensive but very comfortable and washable: biolymask.co.uk/

I think you'll find you have to wear the work provided ones as they meet a specific standard. We aren't allowed to use our own, even when not doing procedures.

Also remember that you'll need 2 of whatever you buy. You must change it if you touch it, it falls on the floor, anyone else touches it etc.

You should get training on donning and doffing of your equipment as well.

In healthcare you need disposable fluid resistant surgical masks, surely. I'm surprised your employer is not insisting on those, and supplying you with them.

Surely a silk reusable mask isn't medical grade though?? Worryingly an awful lot of masks available to buy now are only one step up from completely pointless.

I'd be surprised if you were allowed to wear your own mask working in a healthcare setting, it certainly is not allowed in the hospital I work in. So you need to be having a conversation with your employer if you can't/wont wear what's been assessed as appropriate and provided for you.

Costco do comfy washable ones in a pack of 3. The sides have a mini toggle so you can adjust them too.

can someone suggest something that is NOT disposable but very wearable for 12 hours

You'll still need at least two or three to wear a day though over the 12 hours? I don't think it would be hygienic to wear one for 12 hours.

I'm pretty sure they're supposed to provide you with proper masks.

I doubt you'll get away with wearing random silk ones from Etsy.

If you are a 'health care worker' you shouldn't be allowed to wear a face covering of your choice.

The ones that were the 'Which' top mask NEQI (boots & waitrose stock them) are incredibly comfortable, but don't have a nose wire so are hopeless with my driving glasses!

My others are from a charity and are the rectangle expandable ones in cotton with a slot for a filter (I use kitchen roll:tissues) they're comfortable enough most days.

I think because everyone's face shape us so different? What's a good fit/comfortable is so different for everyone.

I don't think the silk ones scored well on the which test. You can look yourself, it's free for everyone.

Surely silk ones can't be hot washed? Doesn't that make them practically disposable?

You can get ones that have a tie behind your head and at the back of your neck which takes the strain from your ears.

We've been told to use disposable for work, fabric for walking around the hospital and outside.

The disposable ones must be changed if they become damp or after two hours.

In my hospital we can't wear cloth masks. Has to be the blue disposable ones.

Would be surprised if you are allowed. We have been issued with cloth masks for travelling to work. We have to wear the provided disposable surgical masks at work (even though there are no patients around at the moment), and other types of masks are not accepted.