Safest and most protective mask for the wearer

[Bubbublish]

I want to protect myself as much as possible and I'm getting so confused with the huge choice of masks.

Should I get single layer washable, tripple layer washable, what material, ffp2 or 3 disposable and is a visor necessary as well? Or anything else.

Do you have any suggestions and perhaps actual makes and names and places to buy so I can avoid buying any fakes

Thanks

FFP2/3 are the most protective ones for the wearer.

The country I live in made them compulsory 6 months ago, we can only wear FFP2 in shops, public transport and indoor events.
We were in the middle of the spring wave and the numbers went down massively, all the ‘waves’ we’ve had since have been fairly low numbers, they do work.

I recommend trying a few different brands to find one that’s not too big for your face so there are no gaps at all. My favourite ones are Lidl’s own brand (they come with a validity certificate) but I very much doubt these also exist in the UK.

You don’t protect yourself in a mask, not really! You wear it to protect other people,

@EileenGC

FFP2/3 are the most protective ones for the wearer.

The country I live in made them compulsory 6 months ago, we can only wear FFP2 in shops, public transport and indoor events.
We were in the middle of the spring wave and the numbers went down massively, all the ‘waves’ we’ve had since have been fairly low numbers, they do work.

I recommend trying a few different brands to find one that’s not too big for your face so there are no gaps at all. My favourite ones are Lidl’s own brand (they come with a validity certificate) but I very much doubt these also exist in the UK.

This.

FFP3 masks (and presumably FFP2) need to be carefully fitted so they seal properly. If you were working using them they'd do a thing called a fit test where you have to go and breathe in a horrible bitter spray - and if the mask is working it will block it out. You then have to do a fit check every time you wear one so you can tell there are no air gaps. I think the for checks should be available on YouTube.

They are usually quite expensive though and not very comfortable. In my head I think I'd wonder about a rotation system for them so you could quarantine theme and reuse to avoid crazy costs - obviously it wouldn't technically be recommended but if you didn't use them for 3-5 days in between to give any viral particles time to degrade, I don't really know what difference it would make to the effectiveness?

You can protect yourself in a mask, but it won't be a cloth one or a regular surgical one. It needs to be face fitted FFP3. Ideally with the fit tested by an experienced person to ensure no gaps. These are the masks now recommended for use by staff on Covid wards. They are not especially comfortable to wear for long periods.

To protect your eyes you need at least safety glasses, although ordinary glasses will provide some protection.

Social distancing is more protective than the usual masks people wear if you can maintain it.

Yes, I have heard that masks protect others more but I was really hoping that there was something that may add some protection to the wearer as well, I'm really hoping masks may help a bit if I can get the correct one.

FFP2 and 3 seem to be talked about alot, for me, it's a bit of piece of mind!

Thanks for the advice so far

You can buy reusable FFP3 masks which can be wiped down in between wears. You will look a bit odd tho. They are not small - quite bulky.

If you live in England, what have you been using for the past year or more?

I've been wearing single layer washable from 'cheapie shops' or sometimes blue disposable.

I'm just looking to protect myself a bit more now.

Thanks for the suggestions

KN95 is the EU standard, I think. We bought ones from the EU, Dutch I think, because the Chinese version will say N95 but may not be genuine. A mask that fits close to your face will be more protective and WILL protect you - try the studies corner, I may have put a Japanese study there that shows that well.

A close fitting cotton mask is probably better than a loose fitting surgical mask- or put a cloth one over a surgical mask to pull it closer.

I reuse my N95 masks after leaving them in sunlight for any virus to degrade.

@Mybalconyiscracking

You don’t protect yourself in a mask, not really! You wear it to protect other people,

You wear face coverings to protect other people - to keep most of your exhalations in.

Wearing a medical grade mask is protective to the wearer (but has never been required of the public, but are used routinely by staff in medical settings)

FFP2 (aka N95) are pretty good and widely widely. The Cambridge Mask Co does reusable ones.

FFP3 (aka N99) are even better

Yes, you need to fit carefully

This guy on the right looks very well protected!

But if that's not an option yes FFP2 masks are good. The ones from Lloyds Pharmacy have a notched strip of plastic so you can fit them tightly round the back of your head rather than your ears.

I have a friend who wears a respirator, which is FFP3. I believe its the sort you would use for spraying a car. Does look quite extreme when buying a pint of milk though! I think a lot of people use disposal FFP2 or 3 masks. They are really expensive for one use. I have heard of people reusing them but after a set quarrantine period of say 10 days.

FFP3 disposable masks are about £3:50-£5:00 each

Be careful when shopping that you are not buying FFP2 by accident (searches often return both and it's easy to get muddled)

Wiki on accreditation standards

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FFP_standards

I have to wear FFP2 masks if I go to client sites for work, I really dislike them. Have you not been vaccinated, does that not offer better protection than a mask?

I use Moldex 2400 FFP2 if going to crowded places. I find them comfortable.

I would not get FFP3 unless you have a way of getting them properly fitted.

heavy metal impregnated masks have more anti microbial action - you can get copper ion impregnated masks

I bought these FFP2 for when I visit my parents (vulnerable) and they are confortable www.amazon.co.uk/HARD-FFP2-Face-Mask-Germany/dp/B092VQVX1Q/ref=pd_sbs_1/262-0649089-7076736?psc=1&pf_rd_p=a3a7088f-4aec-4dbd-97cc-9a059581fe7b&pf_rd_r=XCNANM484KSG9GMSP9FB&pd_rd_wg=ZdbNd&pd_rd_i=B092VQVX1Q&pd_rd_w=cUlsm&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&pd_rd_r=8c783b17-c841-4c00-bda0-289ea6d0a095

Hospital staff have said blue masks are enough but I want as much protection as possible so I've been doing some research. I'm being discharged this afternoon and I won't be going out for a while, I'm just getting things ready for when I do go out

Why aren’t you happy to trust the hospital staff?

I am happy to trust the staff, they are amazing, I'm just doing everything possible for myself as added precaution.

There is a saying, you can never be too careful!

Thanks for the advice so far, very helpful