Face masks for public transport etc - recommendation of a really protective one

[Dontknowhowtohelp1]

The government have issued guidance telling us to wear face masks on public transport - or face coverings, but haven't made it compulsory.

So I am wondering if there is a face mask that protects the wearer from the virus, if other people have no face coverings (which many people don't on public transport). The flimsier masks only really work if everyone is wearing one - ie. I protect you, you protect me.

(I hope to be going back to work as soon as possible, but public transport in London is getting very busy and we can't all walk, cycle or drive in to work as Johnson seems to think.)

even the best face mask can't protect you if an unmasked infected person sneezes or coughs in your face as droplets can be absorbed through the eyes too.

options are:
-full hazmat suit
-scuba gear inc oxygen tank
-staying at home till there's a vaccine

• making it socially unacceptable to board public transport without a mask.

probably that last is the best option. the rules may not go as far as making masks compulsory by law but public transport organisations can be petitioned by their customers to make it one of their conditions of transport. even if such petitions fail to force such a change, the act of campaigning could have 80% of the effect.

even the best face mask can't protect you if an unmasked infected person sneezes or coughs in your face as droplets can be absorbed through the eyes too.

Any mask or face covering is better than nothing.

Even if a mask isn't hospital grade PPE or might not offer 100% protection, it will still reduce the risk

I keep wondering why more people don't wear a clear plastic visor as well as a mask to protect the eyes. Would that be feasible for you?

Really protective would be something like the JSP force 8filtered mask.The NHS are using these and similar in ITU as they fit more people than the disposible ones.
Might look a bit over the top on public transport but with eye protection as well you be as safe as you can be.

Probably best to get some type of Ffp2. Tests have shown these to provide the best balance of protection as ffp3 which should provide a higher level of protection, are more difficult to fit and people often wear them incorrectly resulting in less protection than Ffp2. Good luck in finding some at a reasonable price!

The goal of a mask is not to gain protection but to give protection to others from your droplets. If you can’t find anything else use a simple hair bandana (the wide stretchy kind that you can buy off Amazon for £4)

The goal of a mask is not to gain protection but to give protection to others from your droplets.

I know but given that so many people are not covering their faces at all. Instead of issuing guidance I think the government should make it compulsory on public transport / in shops.

I keep wondering why more people don't wear a clear plastic visor as well as a mask to protect the eyes. Would that be feasible for you?

I wear glasses already which is good in this instance - I know what you mean about the visor but that probably would feel over the top .

I just wish everyone was covering their face? For their own sake and everybody else’s.

Thanks to other posters for the other recommendations - will look at them and @YinuCeatleAyru not sure about the hazmat suit , but the petition is a good idea.

I have an FFP3 with appropriate filters for my chemical industry job at home with me, it happens to be that the filters are right for Covid 2. Combined with a pair of goggles or a visor - yeah that's good protection for the wearer. I'm shielding but if I have to go to hospital I'll be wearing them!

A visor/goggles or failing that close fitting glasses with side arms think school safety glasses will offer some protection against droplets.

Mask & glasses & visor

Don't buy anything too thick if you have glasses. I have one with a filter and thick velvety material on the outside. My glasses keep slipping and steaming up and it's not even summer yet.

Yes, masks are mandatory in public transport and shops where I live and they are a pain in the neck with glasses. You either need one which is sculpted to your face or I've found if I tuck the mask under and slightly push my glasses down my nose there's enough airflow there to prevent them getting fogged up.

Ffp3. You can still get them