Masks

[Babbela]

As any members tried wearing masks and how have you found your breathing ability with having asthma and if anyone has tried different ones which one have they found best to use .

[Wheezycat]

Hi, for the first time ever I tried walking with my Cambridge mask (before virus days I have used it to protect against smoke and smell, coughs and sniffles, but only when sitting down or being slow moving, like ina queue. But today I took it for a walk. As it was quite cold I decided to put it on for warmth rather than people, but I couldn’t wear it beyond just a few steps. At first it felt fine, but it quickly became difficult. I don’t know whether my cloth home made masks with pockets will be better.

[1974lovejoy]

Hi

I use an FFP3 mask (filtered version) regularly for work to protect myself in environments that I react to and I’m accustomed to them now but I’m very conscious of nasal and diaphragm breathing wearing them .. it is a strange feeling but you will adapt .... not everyone can cope with the feeling though ...

[Recordergirl in reply to 1974lovejoy]

I don’t have a mask of any kind. Any ideas on a reliable place to get an effective one? Is ffp3 what I should get?

[1974lovejoy in reply to Recordergirl]

No -FFp 3 is a filtered mask and needs to be specially fitted .. it’s what I am given in my work place ... if you want to use a face covering please do not purchase or source the type specifically for frontline workers -that is the kind that are water repellent .. or the surgical masks .., you can use anything for yourself really - a double thickness scarf is better than nothing .., but please remember when wearing these coverings you must not forget the basic hand and face hygiene and removing the face covering from the back to the front to minimise touching the face .. if it helps you emotionally to wear one then go ahead but it’s not there to offer total protection ... it may help reduce if you are near someone who coughs but won’t totally take away the risk ... as soon as they get wet from breathing they are not fit for purpose anyway .... try the link sent above .. may offer some choices ??

[Hidden]

I can recommend these masks. They’re not respirators, just a barrier between you & any coughs or sneezes. Respirators like the FFP3 and N95 are very close-fitting, hot, & I don’t think an asthmatic would tolerate them (also expensive & currently very hard to get hold of.)

These masks are comfortable, anti-microbial & suitable for repeat washing, & they’re not taking medical-grade masks away from front line workers. elle.co.uk/products/protect...

[Poobah in reply to Hidden]

Can you please repost the link as it takes me to a defunct page. Many thanks Hanne62.

[Hidden in reply to Poobah]

Hope this works

elle.co.uk/products/protect...

[Poobah in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Hanne62 - the link works a treat. 😁

[Recordergirl in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I'm assuming these aren't going to stop me catching CV though. But might be a psychological help?

[elanaoali]

thanks for this post I just order some masks for my family.

[Willow7733]

I work in a local Emergency department and neonatal ICU, and those N95 are very difficult to breathe in. They are very warm and very tight. (last night I had a hard time with it during shift). When I go out, I use a cloth mask/filter mask I had bought a few years ago to help with breathing cold air while I ski. It is difficult to get used to breathing correctly and to relax because it is on. I don’t know if it is because of my asthma or what, but after a few minutes, I do start to hyperventilate a bit and wheeze. Could be all in my head, but I don’t like it at all. I hear co-workers saying the same thing I am feeling though...so I think it is just something everyone goes through.

[Gwalltarian]

Masks, other than those needed in icu, don’t stop virus being inhaled but help to prevent exhaled virus particles being spread to others. Wearing a mask will mean that if you have been infected with covid then you will inhale and thus build up the quantity of infection you, yourself will suffer. The lower the infection, the easier your immune system can deal with it and the more likely you are to have a mild infection that you can recover from. Only wear a mask in enclosed public spaces such as buses or shops. In the open do not wear a mask. Fresh air and sunshine is good news - lowers the dosage of infection and makes vitamin D - vital to fight viral infection.

[GFloss in reply to Gwalltarian]

Do you have a source that explains the part about the infection quantity building up if you're wearing a mask please?

[Gwalltarian in reply to GFloss]

I either read it on Web MD or on Dr John Campbell on u tube. I can write the link , it works if you type it in exactly.

youtu.be/uATMbGK__Tg(Not working as expected?)

On WebMD it was an item on research into masks and they found that the masks kept moist particles inside containing the virus which would be Reinhaled thus increasing the viral load - the heavier the infection, the worse the illness. Therefore it’s best to only wear masks in enclosed spaces such as shops or public transport to lower the transmission to others. An ordinary mask, face covering, doesn’t protect you from getting the infection. That info was on webMD the day or so before Boris Johnson changed tack and announced that people could have any amount of exercise outdoors, sit on park benches etc. The science being that out in the open the virus is dispersed and destroyed more quickly and if one was to be infected it would be more likely to be a lower dose leading to a mild illness. That’s the nearest I can give you to the time it was on that website. Lots of info on covid and on masks that you could look up there.