why are most mask-wearers now wearing the inexpensive surgical masks (blue/white) rather than fabric ones? Safety or just lost interest in having beautiful masks?

[loveyouradvice]

Just that really - I'm still wearing fabric ones and was thinking of getting some silk ones for people as christmas presents....

What do you think?

I've been volunteering in various vaccine centres. Every one has insisted that we wear the surgical type and ask us to change to one if we turn up in a fabric one. They are either run by or for the NHS, so I assume they have a reason for their request.

What are the fabric mask wearers using as a filter? I use fabric with a pocket, but would like a filter.

Pretty shit Christmas present IMO. Silk would be even worse as it would get hot and cling to your face 😩

Mum is that you? You gave me face wash as a teen and now masks.

（proper）surgical masks are much more effective than fabric ones. There is a unique filter material in the layer. That is why the professionals wear them in hospital (before covid)

@picklemewalnuts

What are the fabric mask wearers using as a filter? I use fabric with a pocket, but would like a filter.

I use non-woven interlining (vilene). You can buy purpose made filters, too.

I only really saw fabric masks here (Italy) in the very early days. Before dp's firm closed for 6 weeks they made masks out of offcuts. That was when we couldn't easily get proper surgical masks. Then the govt put a price hold on surgical ones and we started using those. Would never want to wear a fabric one again. Horrible things. Lots of places insist on surgical anyway.

@summermode

（proper）surgical masks are much more effective than fabric ones. There is a unique filter material in the layer. That is why the professionals wear them in hospital (before covid)

They also use them as recommended... which is single use. Not taken off, and kept in a pocket for months.

I'm asthmatic and can only cope with the disposable ones. I can tolerate a fabric one for a couple of minutes. I can wear a disposable one for hours. So that's what I wear.

@SweatyAmy

I'm asthmatic and can only cope with the disposable ones. I can tolerate a fabric one for a couple of minutes. I can wear a disposable one for hours. So that's what I wear.

Same here.

I’m still regularly wearing masks but I would be very unimpressed if someone bought me one as a gift!

You don't see anyone in Asia (where they are more routinely worn) wearing fabric masks. They wear the surgical masks. They are much easier to breathe in for me and don't get damp.

@Oncebittentwice

I don’t think it’s a very nice Christmas present. Bit like giving someone a sanitary towel. Doesn’t matter how allegedly beautiful it is.

I'd rather have the washable sanitary towel. At least I'd use it monthly and it would do something protective!

(Assuming in England) people are wearing masks out of choice to get a bit of modest protection and are not compelled to in most circumstances. They get through a lot less than they would have done a year ago. People aren't dutifully compelled to be putting the dratted things on and off all day which is extremely wasteful in production energy, resources and landfill hence cloth previously being more practical for shoving in and out of pockets and reducing gratutious waste. Almost makes up for cloth's pointlessness at infection control.

Please don't buy a mask as a Christmas gift!

I kept forgetting to wash my fabric ones and I get surgical ones free from work.

I've switched to disposables now I'm at work as fabric ones make my glasses steam up. Shame as I think they're not very environmentally friendly.

@WotNoLoobrush

I must be a weird shape because the disposable masks are too baggy on me . After a few minutes, they ride up over my eyes, even when pinched in above the nose

I'm so glad you said that, I thought it was just me! I've tried pinching the nose in and twisting the elastic at the sides, but within a few mins they're back up over my eyes and my glasses have steamed up so I'm basically unable to see! Cloth all the way for me, although even those I've chosen carefully to get the right shape with a good nose wire!

Please cut mask straps before you bin them as well as they're such a hazard for wildlife

I prefer fabric, but wear disposable sometimes, because I don't have the clearest speech and no one can understand me if I speak in a cloth mask.
No, to silk ones though, I had a lovely one which water marked horribly just from my breath, it looked grim.

I'm now wearing the blue and white crappy surgical ones because I get given boxes upon boxes of them by my work.

I'd love to go back to my beautiful layered fabric ones because vainly, my makeup stayed on better and I didn't get so many spots!

I were a cloth one because I don't want the single use plastic that is a disposable mask . A lot of people seem to think disposable means the can chuck it in the ground when they've finished with them.

One of the reasons they work is they stop people touching their noses and mouths. However, with a thick mask, I'm constantly fiddling with it to get some air, whereas the blue papery ones are pretty good for me. I don't know if they're effective. Noticing more resurfacing now as numbers (in my area) are rising.

Masks as Christmas presents? Are you for real?

What do you give for birthdays? Paracetamol and plasters?

I find the fabric masks more comfortable than the surgical masks, and hate seeing all the surgical ones lying on the ground. I have a couple of merino masks and find them great. The surgical ones never stay in place either.

I go to some medical settings for work and they require the disposable kind. I do wear a fabric one occasionally