Mask protection - Advice please

[redsoleshoes]

I’ve always worn a surgical type mask.

Always felt fine wearing one of those as I know it offers me some projection too (more than a cloth mask)

Today I noticed on the back of the box, in very small writing, it states “not for medical use”

I know hospitals will have a higher grade mask, but does this mean the mask I’m wearing doesn’t infact offer me and protection?

Can anyone tell me what masks is the best for me to wear?

I’m fully vaccinated but I’d like to continue wearing a mask and have some protection against Covid.

Your vaccine is all the protection you need. Masks are supposed to protect others (if you believe that the general public have been cleaning and wearing them appropriately....they haven't)

You need the proper N95 masks to protect yourself as well as others.

Surgical and cloth masks are to protect others, not you.

@MyGardenSanctuary some masks can protect the wearer too

@peepopeepopeepo

You need the proper N95 masks to protect yourself as well as others.

Surgical and cloth masks are to protect others, not you.

@peepopeepopeepo

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57636360.amp

I wear a three layer cotton mask with a n95 filter

Your article answers your question.

There are different type of surgical masks, and I don't think the hospital ones are necessarily any better! I prefer to wear the splash resistant ones (IIR). As well as the type/layers of the mask, the fit is also important. You can get a better fit by tying it differently (look up videos on tying masks) or by double masking. It doesn't need to be something thick on top, just something that will hold the edges close to your face, so that you're breathing through the mask rather than around it. All that might help to enhance the protection for you.

The masks used for aerosol generating procedures are designed more to protect the wearer but are supposed to be fit tested. If they don't fit well, then I suppose there is the same problem of breathing air around the mask rather than through it. They are also very expensive!

I wear an FFP2 mask on public transport (I live in London and have to travel on the tube for work) and in places I can’t socially distance. They protect you as well as those around you, unlike the cloth/surgical masks. I basically only ever wear a cloth mask if I’m briefly going into an empty shop.

FFP2 and FFP3 masks are vastly superior to surgical masks, which do nothing to protect the wearer. They’re available online, I prefer the 3M brand. Getting the right fit is important and you may need to try a few different brands.

The blue medical ones and fabric ones tend have gaps around the sides and noses as they don’t fit as well. THe N95 filter 95% of particles if you have it adjusted so is tight against face and nose.

Other mask will offer you some protections but if you are close to someone who has covid there is more risk of breathing in unfiltered air from around the mask edges.

The main issue with surgical and cloth masks is the fit - they leave lots of gaps all around the sides. They would offer some protection from droplets, though, if someone is coughing or sneezing next to you.

Like another poster says, I too wear FFP2 masks on public transport in London. The fit is much tighter and if you adjust the nose bridge properly, leave very few gaps. (I wear glasses and mine don't steam up if I've got the mask on properly with the nose bridge tightly against my nose.) They offer much more filtration and protect the wearer. FFP3 would offer even better protection but healthcare professionals all have them specifically fitted for their face. Without that fitting process, I don't consider the difference between FFP2 and FFP3 enough for it to be worth me buying the much more expensive FFP3s.

I wear an FFP2 when I need to be inside with other people - e.g. shopping, public transport.

Tests have shown that unless pro-fitted you actually get better protection from FFP2 than FFP3.

I prefer a molded type mask - Moldex 2400 FFP2 is what I use - looks a bit industrial but I don't care. It is comfortable and fits well.

After use I put the mask in a bag with a dated piece of paper and reuse again no less than 20 days later (pretty sure covid can't survive this long).

Jesus. I despair.

@MyGardenSanctuary is there really any need to be so rude?

@MyGardenSanctuary

Jesus. I despair.

Why bother, if you've nothing constructive to say?

An N95 mask offers 95 per cent protection and is the same as an FPP2 mask. They are just different certifications based in which country they originated from. I think N95 is North American whereas the FPP2 is European. Many European countries now advocate wearing N95 masks rather than cloth masks for extra protection. Medical staff working in high risk covid settings need to go to FPP3 because they are working with positive cases. I teach in an N95 mask and use a FPP3 mask when case numbers are higher and I have lots of kids in class coughing with. I way of telling if it’s just a cough or a covid cough.

I wear a U mask model 2. They supposedly protect against aerosols and pathogens.

I remember when all this mask business kicked off and we were told it would be perfectly fine to chop up an old T shirt and use that!

Thanks. Ordered myself some FPP2 masks!

@RoseRedRoseBlue And old socks. Apparently fine for the poor.

@MyGardenSanctuary

Jesus. I despair.

Why?

I'm glad to see masks go as I'll be able to go more places now, but it's great that other people who feel differently will have options that may offer them a little more reassurance.

I think as you are already vaccinated, any masks will be fine, I will carry on wearing one as I like to mutter under my breath without anyone noticing :) Also one of my colleagues has terrible breath, so wearing a mask has helped alot

Have you found these masks ok to teach in? I have been wearing a mask in the classroom throughout but was considering upgrading. Was unsure if these would be less comfortable or harder for the students to hear me in. They are also a lot more expensive. I am keen to protect myself in September though when all other restrictions are dropped.

Do you really have coughing students? Any students I come across with a cough that have not had a PCR test I send to office to be sent home. They have occasionally sent them.back to me but I have refused to have them in class.

If your school are allowing them in that's awful.