Surgical vs cloth masks

[ItsNotAGameOfSubbuteoMatthew]

I haven't needed a mask till now as I have barely left my village. Given we're heading into summer is a cloth or surgical mask more likely to be comfortable? Are there any things I need to consider with either type?

[conveniencestore]

@ItsNotAGameOfSubbuteoMatthew Look for a surgical mask FFP2 or FFP3. Warning: they are highly overpriced, but worth it probably if you only need a couple for occasional hospital trips etc.
People will try to make you feel bad as if you are depriving the NHS. The NHS has the largest purchasing power in the whole country. A couple of FFP3 masks purchased of some small-time Amazon shopfront is not going to impact the NHS. The mask you buy is like a grain of sand along the UK coastline.

[ItsNotAGameOfSubbuteoMatthew]

I want to buy something that actually works and both helps prevent me from getting it from strangers and protects strangers from me if I do have it without symptoms.

Honestly I don't like how many people are behaving and want to protect myself from their behaviour. What is best for that?

[MereDintofPandiculation]

WHO guidance which differs from UK government guidance is unless you are over 60 and/or extremely clinically vulnerable you don't need a surgical mask. So does that mean as 70+ we should be wearing surgical masks not cloth ones?

[MereDintofPandiculation]

but if you were actually trying not to catch the thing this seems ridiculous because if any particles were sitting on your mask, you are then holding them directly below your nose and mouth in an ideal position to be breathed in aren't you? But you're not wearing a mask to avoid catching, you're wearing it to avoid passing it on. So presumably the Covid particles have come from you and are on the inside.

I can understand the advice as relating to medical grade masks worn for the user's own protection, but I can't understand it as relating to cloth masks worn for other people's protection.

[TimeWastingButFun]

I tried the surgical ones but they break easily and have to be thrown away. I got a load of soft cotton ones and keep a bunch in the car along with some kitchen roll which I use inside the mask - folded in the middle then folded into three. I have a small box with car bin, sanitiser, masks and k roll so it's easy, just get loads of masks so you can put them in the wash basket.

[buckeejit]

I'm part of a group that has been making scrubs etc for HCPs etc through the pandemic . Someone had been making masks with a transparent panel to help with lip reading.

As far as I know, wearing masks is not a bonus to you just to be helpful to help others so home made masks should suffice. Just make sure you knoe how to use them & how to make amendents

[TheFormerPorpentinaScamander]

I havent worn them for any length of time yet (havent been anywhere) but when I tested them at home I found them easier to breathe through than the blue disposable ones we used at work.

[B1rdbra1n]

Do you not find four layers of cotton a bit much though😯?

[TheFormerPorpentinaScamander]

I'm making masks from 4layers of cotton with a pocket to put a filter in. (Planning to use kitchen roll).
They've got adjustable ties and nose wires. The benefit of making my own is I can adjust the size if I need to.

[B1rdbra1n]

I heard on the radio that silk does a better job than other fabrics but I don't know if that's true 🤔
Shelbourne, on the subject of the deaf and hearing impaired I wonder if a visor would be an option 🤔

[Inkpaperstars]

I think another poster who worked in the medical field said that most of the 'surgical' masks widely available to buy are not medical grade or of a standard that could be used in a medical setting.

I have worn surgical and also worn a cloth mask with pocket for inserting a filter if wished. I found the cloth mask well made, much better fitting, more comfortable and cooler. I need to wear both types on more occasions to see if this comparison is consistent in different settings and temperatures.

The surgical one has no adjustability and for me it had huge gaps at the sides.

I spent about £20-25 on each cloth mask (got some for others), not sure if that is typical but the cheapest types probably aren't up to much.

[buckeejit]

I have a few surgical ones and have made some cloth ones. I won't be on public transport ' will only wear them in shops so not for long.

I have used them & left them in the car until next time as it's always more than 3 days between uses so assume any virus would be dead by next use.

I will make more cloth ones, think the nose wire is important for glasses wearers so they don't get steamed up

[Boulshired]

I have cloth ones with disposable filters. Have some surgical ones provided by DS2 respite service but will probably only use if the R rate rises locally.

[TheCanterburyWhales]

Here in Italy we've been in them since March, and while I started off with cloth ones because we couldn't get surgical, I find the latter far more comfortable (especially now it's hot) There's no shortage here of them and most people se to prefer them from what I've seen.

[DancingWithTheDevil]

Carlislemumof4, I have ordered one of those to try. I am worried about the disposable ones and the environment, but have so far found no cloth ones that fit. If these do, I'll wear them instead.

[Baaaahhhhh]

Carlislemumof4 The third item on my list upthread came from here. Really nice and easy to wear. Only two ply though, so not especially good for things like public transport, but great otherwise.

SirVixofVixHall shop.lasartoria.co.uk/

[Carlislemumof4]

Have found these pleated cotton masks/face coverings (not medical grade) very comfortable to wear, even in hot weather. Fun prints too

mabelandmu.co.uk/collections/dog-print-masks-by-mabel-mu?page=1&sort_by=manual

With the nose pinch wire, adjustable ear elastic and the mask covering my chin I've found I can wear one for a couple of hours shopping without needing to touch it at all to adjust it. At £4.99 each affordable to buy a selection for myself, DH And DCs.

I wanted to find comfortable, washable cotton ones as I dislike the idea of the huge amount of waste generated by the general population wearing disposable masks on a daily basis. I completely appreciate some people need/want medical grade masks. These are great for me though and I normally get mildly claustrophobic covering my face at all. Almost forgot I was wearing it at the supermarket this morning.

[RubaiyatOfAnyone]

“ Exemptions for the use of face coverings will apply to those with certain health conditions, disabled people and children under the age of 11.”

From www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-on-face-coverings-coming-in-on-monday-will-help-keep-passengers-safe

[DancingWithTheDevil]

I brought a box of 50 surgical masks on amazon for around £16.
I can not tolerate the cloth ones, and they don't fit my face at all anyway.

[NeverFit]

I bought some washable masks and they have inner pockets for filters. I was okay with them at first, but on last few occasions I have been noticeably breathless wearing them (I have asthma).

I also have surgical type masks and have started using them again. I found it easier to breathe with them.

Looking at the WHO guidance this is what I should be using anyway. But for the environment I will try using the fabric ones on my better days.

[Wingedharpy]

And Government website says children under 11 exempt - can't link - not clever enough!

[Wingedharpy]

Surely then @InterstellarSleepingElla, your daughter would be exempt on the grounds of "sensory issues" regaless of her age?

[InterstellarSleepingElla]

Just a question I can't find a definitive answer to regarding children and facemasks.

Many papers and the BBC are saying for children under 11 facemasks are not mandatory. The Gov.uk site only says children under 3 should not wear masks - does anyone know which is actually correct (I know in theory i should go by the Gov.uk website but their info is constantly changing and isn't always updated in a timely manner!).

The reason for asking is dd2 (5) is possibly autistic (last step of diagnosis is on hold as required a f2f session. We have tried facemasks with her and she panics and won't keep it on and doesn't seem to understand even though she is germphobic and rule orientated.

[happypotamus]

I have to wear surgical masks for 13hrs a day at work (we are only supposed to take them off for 1 break during the day, but should change to a new one if it becomes damp from overuse), I also have fabric face masks that I wear on the bus to and from use. Personally, I find the fabric ones much more comfortable, but maybe that's because I am not wearing them for so long or in the heat (my bus journeys are early in the morning and late at night). I also prefer them because they are washable and don't have to be thrown away.