Can I use a neck tube as a face covering in England?

[BikeRunSki]

I have been using a Buff neck tube as a face covering. I can’t tell from the gov.uk guidance whether this is OK now that they are compulsory. I was told today (by a colleague of dh’s, not a medical specialist) that they are not.

I’m in England.

Thank you.

This is what gov.uk says;
in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth. You can buy reusable or single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.

Yes, I think you can.

Yes, surely.

Yes, for as long as it says face covering (rather than specifying masks) they’re fine

Yes, that’s fine.

Yes, I've got several that I bought for this purpose as I don't particularly like the ones that have got the ear loops.

‘safely covers the nose and mouth’ - a buff is fine.

Most face coverings/masks are compromised in one way or another, I’d not worry too much.

Thank you

Yes you can use anything to cover your face it doesn't specifically have to be a mask ,I feel less like I'm struggling to breathe with a bandanna personally.

I do and nobody has questioned it.

I do confined space work from time to time and have full breathing apparatus kit. I might wear that next time I see DH’s colleague !

Yes, it's a face covering not a mask. I have some proper cloth masks now (from Seasalt and Etsy) but I've been using runners' snoods more or less since the outset of lockdown in supermarkets.

I find the Buff easier with glasses, under the lenses and around the ears.

Yes, though it's likely to be very minimally useful in actually stopping the spread if you did happen to catch covid.

I think that sounds like quite a good option, as it will encircle the lower half of your head completely, so will be better that a loose fitting mask in some ways. Take care though if you reuse it between washes - you need to always use the same side as the 'inside', so you don't end up putting the "outside" against your face on a second outing, as I believe the virus can survive on fabrics for a few hours.

I'm really pleased that most people are taking the mask guidance seriously - anything that slows down transmission rates while people go about their lives has got to be a good thing, especially as we may be just months away from getting a vaccine. ☺ It would be a shame to fall at the last hurdle.

Probably better than the sock suggestion from our dear government.

I have told DS (12 ASD) that he doesn't have to wear a mask but if he wants something he can wear one of them.

We all have Buffs (bought for the purpose though I'd meant to get one for ages) and double them up to use as face coverings. Personally, I prefer a cotton mask but they're more user-friendly for children who don't like the ear elastics.

Dh has been wearing a snood or gaitor style covering on our holiday and the only place they haven't been allowed was on one visit to a cathedral here in France - he also has a mask so all was fine.

His gaitor has two layers over the mouth and nose area plus a pocket for a filter, so the same layers as our masks.