I wore a facemask doing my shopping today...

[Justmuddlingalong]

Yes, I initially felt self conscious, slightly embarrassed and generally a bit of an arse. However, the sky didn't fall in, nobody pointed and laughed at me and after a few minutes I'd gotten over the initial discomfort.
I know it's not a rule to wear one, but on the list of embarrassing things I've done in my lifetime, it's very near the bottom. 😷

Has Boris really not noticed that 10 million people are still going to work or that supermarket home delivery can only handle 20% of food sales.

If you go out and are near other people, wear a fabric face mask, even if you do it quite badly. Lots of research to show it does work. Heck, there is even research showing that just covering your mouth is reasonably effective.

Surprised anyone would find it embarrassing or cringeworthy. Lots of organisations are now saying it's a good idea, including the CDC. In my country it's mandatory now. You can be fined for leaving the house without wearing one.

@VenusTiger , pretty sure the Tories have been in power for a decade

1forsorrow that’s fine to leave it in between trips.
On plastic the virus is supposed to be active for up to 72h but it is not as ‘potent’ as time passes. I don’t know what sort of plastic tge test was done for (there’s a difference between a rigid smooth perspex sheet and a piece of clingfilm or a plastic zip). So if yours has any plastic bits leave it for 3 days.
Fabric is supposed to be up to 24h but this is hearsay for me I haven’t actually seen anything official about it and, again it depends on the fabric.
No idea about rubber if the mask has rubber bands.
My main mask is a DIY cheapest screwfix job so it has sift plastic and felt thingy material.
I’m happy to use it again after 3 days.
Otherwise I made some fabric ones I wash after every use. I don’t know why they recommend 60C wash for potentially contaminated clothes so I do a normal 40C wash with the rest of our normal laundry. I figured the detergent is strong enough. And they don’t recommend washing hands at min 60C. Close enough analogy for me.

Please do be careful that you apply the mask with clean hands. When removing, you must be careful that the outside of the mask doesn’t touch your face. Wash hands after removing or don't touch face until after you wash hands. I actually also wash my face when I return home.
Another thing I noticed, hair must be tied up so you don’t fiddle with your mask if hair gets in the way.
Actually keeping hair tied up when going out is a good idea in general even when going for a walk in case you touch gates, traffic ligh buttons etc.
When I wear sunglasses I disinfect them when returning home because I simply can’t remember if I touched the frame however hard I try. I’d do the same if I was wearing normal glasses.
I don’t go to the shops much so it really isn’t a hassle. And it’s an easy eniugh gabit to get into.

I'll probably get slated for saying this but as a Muslim woman I find it quite funny to see how everyone else is now covering their faces too!

Yes, looby - funny that. I knew it was coming. They can't say it directly though right now as they'll be hammered for pretending to the public all along there's no benefit to them.

I'll probably get slated for saying this but as a Muslim woman I find it quite funny to see how everyone else is now covering their faces too!

I was thinking this at the start of the pandemic that wearing the full face coverage is hopefully keeping a lot of ladies protected especially if wearing sunglasses or glasses.

Same any tips to stop glasses steaming up?

I'm deaf and worried sick about how I will communicate

Where can I get masks that tie behind the head or elastic behind the head (thus avoiding interference with hearing aids)

Also ones that you can actually breathe in?

@Branster, thank you for that. I've made it from some nice strong cotton, two layers and the ties are ribbon so no rubber or plastic. I did think the virus would die off as I wouldn't be wearing it very often but wasn't sure if I was being a bit grubby.

Wearing a mask/face covering makes my glasses steam up...is that just me.
Same for me too

Fabric face mask pattern, with a pocket for a filter (high quality kitchen towel will work) www.unitypoint.org/cedarrapids/filesimages/Coronavirus/003902oo-1%20Olson%20Mask%20V07.pdf
A nose wire can be wedged into the top of the filter pocket to improve fit and help stop glasses steaming up.

This pattern can also be adapted to be easier by missing out the filter pocket and cutting 2 x face pieces for the front and the same again for the lining. Use ties, ribbon etc rather than elastic, your ears will thank you.

Use pure cotton, at least 180 thread count (ie Wilko pillow case www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-100-cotton-white-housewife-pillowcases-2-pack/p/0327035 or anything suitable from the charity bag, shirts, some curtains esp the lining. Fat quarters work well and were in stock at Aldi last week.

Beware of some asian patterns as they don't tend to allow for big noses.

Concertina style masks allow more air space and can be comfier thestitchingscientist.com/2020/03/how-to-sew-a-face-mask.html if you make the side pieces 3 x 6 and fold over to make a channel, then you can run a cord / ribbon through and get something quite comfortable. For men with big heads and big noses, try a 10 by 15 rectangle of main fabric. Add a channel for nose wire / pipe cleaner if you are a glasses wearer.

Can't sew? Bribe a friend or relative with wine.

Nutty I'm sorry it is going to be awful for deaf people, has you tried one of the voice recognition apps. People wearing masks will make you less independent, hopefully that is offset by a lack of death.

Glasses steaming up
Someone up thread recommended a metal strip you can bend to bring mask closer to face. They said pipe cleaners work.
On another thread somebody mentioned a paper clip.
Around the top of the nose.
I assume you need a pocket on the inside or some fabric hooks to thread it through and bend so no sharp points scratch your nose.
First time I used my diy mask I had that problem as I went all out and wore sunglasses, it was annoying when driving so had to open all windows. I’m wiser now so I’d say remove the mask when getting in the car.
I suppose if you need to wear a mask at the next stop you’d need to make sure hands are clean and use a new clean mask.

1forsorrow it does according to what we know about coronaviruses in general and about this one. If it’s 100% cotton you can just wash it.

@nuttymomma I wear hearing aids and glasses. The mask doesn't interfer with the aids at all.

@PestymcPestFace
Exactly

Something else people don't seemto understand is that respirator masks don't protect others very well because they have valves which let out your breath, though the filters do protect the wearer very well

I have a number of non respirator masks but haven't worn them.much as I understand they are only really effective in the community if everyone wears them . I therefore resent wearing something uncomfortable in order to protect people who mock me for wearing one and who refuse to do me the same favour . I'll start wearing cloth or surgical type masks when it is compulsory or.when most other people are .

Until then I'll wear my respirator P3 mask which protects me quite well but not anyone else. I am willing to do my bit but why would so wear a mask that cuts the likelihood of me transmitting anything to them but doesn't protect me from them as they are not wearing a mask

Masks outside in public should be worn.

The only reason that our gov have said otherwise is because they know that they should have had pandemic prep back in 2009 for the nhs etc.

And they didnt.

Not enough for frontline workers, infact pretty much none at all. So definatly none for the public. Which is really not ok.

Anyone that understands science and health should also understand that masks do help.

This bullshit of treating adults like children has backfired and will continue to do so. It will cost lives.

China gave the world a head start and the uk... (In the famous words of Boris Johnson), it has just been 'spaffed up the wall'.

Oops bad grammar, sorry grammar police.

@YgritteSnow. Because so many people don't know how to wear them properly, constantly pulling at them, taking them down to speak etc. I'm watching someone do it right now. Pointless.”

Not here it isn’t. Barely going out but wearing a mask when I have no choice. Sod 2 metres, I’m keeping 20 away if I can help it! A mask is an additional tool.
Because of personal circumstances, I’m unluckily to be out more as restrictions lift but if I am I shall certainly wear masks because in the extremely unlikely event I am infected and don’t know it, I sure as hell don’t want to infect unsuspecting strangers.

I can't imagine why anyone would feel angry towards someone wearing a mask in public places, or laugh at them, or anything like that - unless they were trying to highlight their own ignorance.

I've done three 'big' supermarket shops since lockdown and worn a homemade mask for each (in other words, my first time was over a month ago). I didn't primarily do it because I wanted to protect myself, though that's a factor. I did it because we ALL know (surely we do all know this by now??) that anyone can carry it, that anyone can be asymptomatic or be contagious for days before getting unwell themselves. There's plenty of data out there to support wearing a fabric mask in public indoor places to minimise spreading. Plenty. Lots of other countries are suggesting this or making it a condition of going out. Do we just think they're silly Johnny Foreigners?

Mine are two layers of finely-woven cotton with a washed and dried baby wipe in a pocket as a filter, though I think that's probably redundant. It's not really intended to protect me but I sort of hope the filter helps. I don't touch my face or the mask while it's on, I tie my hair back, I wear (steamy) glasses on top (helps it stay tight round nose), and afterwards I carefully remove it, bag it, take it home and wash in hot soapy water. The filter gets binned. I'm making them for family as I suspect that eventually, as lockdown restrictions are lifted, the public will be encouraged to wear them altruistically.

Because so many people don't know how to wear them properly, constantly pulling at them, taking them down to speak etc. I'm watching someone do it right now. Pointless.”

Well I don't do any of those things, so clearly it is not pointless for me. And in fact it isn't the mask wearing that is pointless is it? It is the method of use, so what we need is proper education on how to use them.

Ygritte I think people enjoy belittling peoples efforts. People should be guided on how to use them in some cases. I don't fiddle with mine but even if I did its still doing its job for other people.

@Northernsoullover exactly. All three of your sentences are so true.

I attempted to wear a face mask last week. I lasted 3 minutes I couldnt breathe with it on. Face got very hot and i felt really faint. Kept trying to adust it to make it better

And its all very well saying , tie your hair back. Mine is very thick and bands just snap. Fringe is at the stage where its long enough to be in my eyes but too short to tie back.

I could nip to the hairdressers and get my fringe cut and the back thinned out so i can do this............oh wait!!!!!!!!!

Helena I use a headband made out of old 80 denier tights. I just cut the leg and foot off and tied it into a band.