Face coverings and visors

[Wheezycat]

Hi! A friend of mine who is spending this weird time in Portugal has told me that over there people with asthma have been recommended to wear visors rather than masks. But I have yet to hear any discussion at all about it here. Now people on public transport need face coverings, and it may well soon spread to other places like shops etc. I must admit I hardly go to any such place,let alone use public transport, but if I do I cover up. I find my own home made cloth masks kind of OK, but I wouldn’t want to walk around in one outside as it hampers my breathing, and I don’t find it comfortable elsewhere either, though I can manage. I have also got myself a hat with attached visor. It is not without drawbacks, but a great deal more comfortable breathing wise. Has anyone else got any experience? Or views? And if we don’t wear face masks, citing asthma as a reason, would we need to be able to prove it? Obviously it is too soon to know, but I am still interested in what others think. Has the time come for us to wear badges saying ‘I have asthma’. Or something.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

The new public transport says resp conditions (“very young children, disabled and those with breathing difficulties” - bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52927089) are exempt from the masks. AUK have made a release/statement about face masks in the past; asthma.org.uk/about/media/n... which I imagine will be updated soon once they’ve caught up with today’s press release.

Personally I can’t wear a mask as it worsens my asthma (esp if I try walking in it) but depending on how my lungs are behaving I might attempt a light weight summer scarf as a layer (again depends on exertion level if I’ll be able to maintain this plus how dodgy lungs are).

When the gov saying it’s ok, once I’m out of shielding I’ll just put an inhaler in my pocket and wave it at them if asked (similar to when I neb on trains, I just say medical and not vaping and no one questions me/asks me to prove/asks me why).

They may come up with a exception letter, they may not. I’m happy to tell people I have asthma, however that is my choice and it can’t be demanded from you. Hopefully they’ll get a plan in place soon.

[Wheezycat in reply to EmmaF91]

Yes, I have read AUK’s advice. I am surprised, however, that there is never a mention of visors. As for telling people, I am getting better at it. And as I am prone to coughing I have already, prior to the virus, had moments when I felt I needed to explain, like in bus queues. I always carry an inhaler, but not in my pocket. That is a good idea!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Wheezycat]

I suspect as things evolve guidance will do also. I think they may be keeping away from talking about face shields so that they stay available for key workers at high risk (like atm they are really promoting ‘home made’ masks and not clinical). Once I’m back at work I’m going to have to use a shield whilst my patient wears a mask, but if there is an alternative version people can make at home (like they are advising with the masks) I’m sure they’ll start promoting them (once everyone who can wear masks is doing so... if they think that’s a better protection 🤷‍♀️)😅

I’m going with if you’re asthmatic (or most resp conditions) you have a inhaler (blue or whatever your MART is) that you should carry all the time, so giving it a wave shows you’re exempt without having to say your health conditions. And if people are so committed to not wearing masks that they nick a inhaler from someone then carry it everywhere with them then a) they’re an idiot, b) it at least shows commitment (as that’s a lot harder to do than donning a face covering 😅😂)

Our gov is very good at giving unclear advice atm with no overt support/guidance in place, but at least there is a week or so for them to come up with something for this 😅🤞🏻

[Wheezycat in reply to EmmaF91]

On my husband’s suggestion I tried a bell cloche over my head! It worked and was easy to breathe...........but I would not go out in it! Nor sure it would stay in place either. My hat plus shield got good reviews on Amazon. It certainly isn’t a medical grade one. It is comfortable, but I am not sure it would work for using at work, as the plastic isn’t that flat so details can be missed.

[twinkly29 in reply to Wheezycat]

Staff in hospital recently were saying the face shields are awful for breathing. Some have got themselves safety goggles for times when shields are needed (was non covid ward but occasionally they need them). Those without breathing issues seemed to cope fine with the constant requirement to wear a mask (while it being hot, restrictive and much better without one!) But some who do have asthma noticeably struggled at times even with just a mask.

I'll be doing what Emma said and brandishing an inhaler or something at them. An exemption thing would be good but whether they'll do that, who knows.

The "you'll be fined if not" will probably be like all the other rules - the police will be told to police it with no powers to legally do anything about it but that's a whole other issue!

Edit: if course they're wearing a mask as well as the shield so this is probably not that helpful 🙈

[Wheezycat in reply to twinkly29]

I got myself a hat with a shield attached ( certainly not medical grade) and breathing with it is infinitely easier than with a mask, as it is not so close to my face, but goes quite a way round my head. I feels positively airy! But it is hard to read fine text through it, so for shopping it is not perfect.

[Sugar246]

Hi all,

I also am worried as I find it so difficult to breathe while wearing a face mask. However we need to protect ourselves and others also so I am not sure what to do regarding wearing a face mask.

[Wheezycat in reply to Sugar246]

It is difficult, isn’t it. My husband nags me all the time, but seems not to have taken aboard that it isn’t so straightforward for me. He is otherwise hugely supportive!

[Sugar246 in reply to Wheezycat]

Thanks for your reply. We all just have to take one day at a time because this additional stress is not good for us.

[Blue-Breeze]

Husband and I have been talking about this. I found it hard when I went to the nurse last week on a bad breathing day. I've been teaching breathable masks there is such a thing, just is do they work? For me I'm more scared not wearing than wearing. I'd rather not got out of find an alternative solution. Hospital face shields are PPE so will be heavy and thick, or at least they look like it. A 3D printed one maybe more bareable?

[utkmybrthawy]

My inhaler is my proof. (for getting into the stores during special "old people" hours)

[Wheezycat]

Now that I hadn’t even thought of! I wonder if our local op does such an hour? I must check.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Wheezycat]

I think most supermarkets are now. Usually the first hour of the day. Either everyday or once a week. Hope that helps

[Wheezycat in reply to EmmaF91]

I have just checked online. There is no mention of it. Mind you our nearest is a local Coop, so it is that I am checking.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Wheezycat]

Hopefully you’ll find somewhere. I’m pretty sure Iceland, Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s (and Asda??) are doing it... or were at one point anyway...(in my town Co-op is doing phone order and delivery but not early hour). Good luck with your search

[Wheezycat in reply to EmmaF91]

Local coop is quite small, so any shop there is quick in and out. It can be managed. The larger stores, Morrisons, Lidl and Waitrose that may have elderly hours are also pretty close, but a car ride away. But for the time being we will continue to order, though it can be frustrating. We have found a wonderful greengrocers that also do basic dairy, eggs, bread and a few other bits, and are so quick to deliver. They are great! And a lovely bread shop (I have no right flour for bread making). And finally, a woman who apparently had started to sell scrumptious brownies in a stall in the market has been selling online. We have tried that , too, and it is good for those days when you need a treat. And hopefully it helps her to keep going. So we are fine, even if it is all very different from normal. Many people have a far harder time of this hat we do.

[Emaych61]

But how do you prove to a bus driver (or anyone on public transport come to that) that the reason you are not wearing a mask is because you are asthmatic and therefore you are exempt?.

I used to wear masks whilst doing the hoovering and dusting and then had to stop as I began to develop eczema round my face (presumably triggered by the sweat). I tried everything from surgical masks (no problems ordering them back then) to different natural fibre fabrics. Nothing worked, the eczema kept returning and the itch was horrendous!

Sooner or later I’m going to have to go the hospital for an outpatients appointment (not asthma related). Avoiding public transport is not difficult, my husband will drive me in or I’ll drive myself in, but I admit I’m not sure I’m looking forward to entering a hospital without wearing a mask and the hospital may require it anyway.

[Eastend555]

Hi just print one off go to asthma.org.uk/4a4a8010/cont... print it off thats it.

[Glty]

My understanding of shields is that they protect the wearer from a cough or sneeze in the face but don't protect you from breathing in aerosol droplets. Masks primarily protect those around you in the case you are a carrier. Unlike masks, shields offer little to no protection to those around you if you are the one who is infectious (whether you are symptomatic or not). That is why they are recommended as secondary protection (ie mask as the primary ppe, as well as a shield) in the medical profession, for those staff who are likely to be exposed to patients who will be forming droplets.

[Wheezycat in reply to Glty]

Yes, I think I have heard similar, though protection levels obviously also depends on the type and quality of mask you are wearing. But a visor could be better than nothing for those who can not tolerate masks. It is so much easier to breathe with them! I use both....though not simultaneously. It is more deciding based on where I am going and what I am doing, or perhaps even just the mood I am in on the day.

[Glty in reply to Wheezycat]

Yes, I agree, it's such a minefield trying to work out what the best option is for someone as an individual, especially if you know you have to enter higher risk areas where social distancing is difficult.

I wanted to clarify that, in general, whilst masks are preferable to visors in terms of protection, we each need to assess the benefits and drawbacks of all options depending on our own situation and then decide on the protection that we each can wear without adverse effects, it's a very personal and individual decision.

For me that's a 2 layer mask, I really struggle with a three layer - even with 2 I can't walk very far in it.

There's no benefit in trying to wear any mask if you can't breathe through it or if it causes bad breathing patterns.

[Wheezycat in reply to Glty]

Yes, I am a two layer mask person as well, though now I have got more used to I might manage longer with a three layer one. I have a n95 mask, bought long before this virus. It helps me when there are things like burning and smoke nearby. But when I tried I could walk about 5 meters in it. So it is cloth masks all round for me. Better than nothing is my reasoning, but most of all I try hard to keep distance. And mostly I can, though I have many close encounters with nettles as I leap off paths to get out of the way.