Face mask to protect me.

[Annieosb]

I am under house arrest, shielding. I live alone and am becoming more concerned about ever leaving the house again. Is there a mask that us sufferers of serious lung disease can wear to protect us?

[sassy59]

There are so many masks around it’s mind boggling Annieosb. I’ve been reading a bit about them and the consensus is that a breathable cotton fabric is best i.e. t-shirt, pillowcase perhaps. You can make your own or buy online.

I have a “buff” face covering plus other washable masks to use and have ordered more online for Pete.

Take a look online but be aware of cost and availability.

I hope you’re as well as you can be and if you’re feeling isolated, there is the Positive Wellbeing forum you can join.

Wishing you well. Xxxx

[Cade1 in reply to sassy59]

Also be aware of size & if you were glasses like me, if it’s a tight fit (which it should be), as you breathe out it steams you’re glasses! I’ve solved that though by threading a little bit of green garden wire around the nose area so I can squeeze it around my nose. I do look a sight 🤣🤣

[sassy59 in reply to Cade1]

Excellent Cade, thank you. Xx😃👍🌈

[MissKota in reply to sassy59]

I’m about to try making one, I found a pattern for one on Pinterest where they inserted a coffee filter between the two layers of the mask for added protection.

IF it turns out, I’ll post a photo and would be happy to make and post out for free to anyone who wants one.

The ones I’ve seen for sale are pretty expensive - all £10+ which is profiteering as far as I’m concerned.

[Annieosb in reply to MissKota]

Thank you that is so very kind of you! Ax

[Doggie123-UK in reply to Cade1]

You could also use pipecleaners to do this

[Annieosb in reply to sassy59]

Thank you for this. However I have been lead to believe that the face masks you describe is to protect others and not us. I think we need to be mindful of what we are breathing in and hence we need a more medical mask. I am sure people on the front line do not wear masks to protect the patient, but to protect themselves. Does this make sense?

A

[sassy59 in reply to Annieosb]

Yes indeed but I just feel that something is better than nothing. We’ve been advised to leave medical masks for those on the front line. Xxxx

[Annieosb in reply to sassy59]

Thank you. Yes indeed front line need masks. However, I do not see this going away anytime soon and with serious lung conditions we will need to protect ourselves or live in isolation for ever.

A

[sassy59 in reply to Annieosb]

Take a look online. There’s lots of info and I think 2greys or Hanne (sorry can’t recall) put up a post yesterday discussing different materials and efficacy’s for mask use. Someone may be able to help find that post.

Wishing you well Annie. Xxxx

[Annieosb in reply to sassy59]

Thank you for all your help Sassy.

A

[sassy59 in reply to Annieosb]

Very welcome xxx 😘

[Comino2 in reply to Annieosb]

healthunlocked.com/blf/post... xx

[Cade1 in reply to Annieosb]

Only really good medical grade masks would protect you & I doubt these are easy to get hold of.

[Angelagone in reply to Annieosb]

Yes, you would need a medical type mask I think, such as they use in barrier nursing.

[Oshgosh]

I bought 2 masks from eBay.breathable cotton.

Grandson got his from B N M -cheaper.but they keep selling out.stay safe

[Valsha]

I have made one using the advice from The Fabric patch. youtu.be/N4r8nwFdUxY(Not working as expected?)

Imade it very slightly bigger at the front, as she suggested, and it worked well. As this is measured to fit snugly, it is comfortable and hopefully fairly efficient. I lined it with non woven interfacing as suggested. She is also a nurse so I reckoned she knew shat she was talking about. After making the first one, it is dead easy and quick to do. You can print off the pattern template in various sizes here:

craftpassion.com/wp-content...

[Bkin]

I have a vogmask which is great but they are completely sold out and unknown when next manufacturing becomes available.

However I have been going through my buff neck warmer scarfs and I find I can still breathe through 4 layers of those, better than no mask. (glass still inclined to steam up though, but ok without glasses)

I found buff and morfs are good, you only need 2 to make 4 layers.

[Hidden]

I think the point about masks is, they help protect the other person from the wearer’s virusy output, if any. Ergo, if we all wear one we all give some protection to each other. On this basis any simple covering will help. It has to allow you to breathe easily though, so a close fitting one is no good for us. Even people without lung problems struggle with those