Wearing a mask and visor all day at school. I am trying my best but its very difficult.
My mouth is so sore.. i cant eat.
It is affecting my breathing.
My visor is not just steaming up... its getting wet and dripping.
I cant see through the visor.
I do not know what to do...
You may be exempt? As you have breathing problems you shouldn’t have to wear a mask. Have you looked at the options? I think BLF have some badges? We had our flu injections this morning at our local pharmacy. I had to stand for a long time and became very breathless behind my mask. Someone gave me a chair.
K x
A very hard decision you have. I felt I had to stop working whilst we have this danger going on . It was a matter of health or money ( financial hardship ) for me as I also was on the frontline. You are suffering and frightened which is impacting on your physical and mental health plus as you were a shielder Covid is a real threat in your job . Can you take a period of paid sick leave and then perhaps see what financial help you can get to see you through the next few months? I’ve got to struggle for the next 6 months? or so until I can hopefully pick up some work ( if there is anything by then).
Stressful situation all round but at the end of the day health is priority. Best wishes Cx
Not sure what to do...
I can’t stand the paper masks, I certainly can’t walk far in them. I’ve got some of the Elle ones that were recommended on this site, they’re nice and soft.. I’ll practise with them in the house first.
would you not be better without the mask and just use the shield? Surely that would be sufficient?
You should certainly try a different type of face covering or mask, though I obviously don't know what requirements your particular school has. However, if it is possible, then you should try to get hold of a N95/FFP2 mask, if you want to protect yourself. If the idea is to protect the students, then a surgical mask is best, though there are plenty of other face coverings available. Cotton seems the best material for trapping and destroying coronavirus; my wife uses one with a woven copper lining which helps destroy the virus. Also, you may find cotton more comfortable.
Unfortunately, there is still a misunderstanding about the difference between a mask and a face covering. The official line has been to encourage face coverings, but this only works if everyone is wearing one, since they protect other people from the wearer. The reason for this official line is that the authorities were worried about the lack of N95/FFP2 masks for key workers, though I think this is less of a problem now. In a school, I imagine that it is easier to enforce face coverings for everyone so, as long as everyone is wearing one, air transmission should be negligible; you should therefore be reasonably safe with a cotton face covering, even though it does not give the sort of protection you would expect from a proper mask.
Hope that helps and you find something suitable.
Just wondering what kind of mask you are wearing... Are you wearing the disposable ones? If so, you may be allergic to them! Have you tried wearing a cotton one with a removable filter in it? I'm mentioning this, as I'm allergic to all sorts of things, including some of the disposable face masks (and the SDS stuff in toothpaste) which make my lips and mouth very sore. Anyway, just a thought. I do hope you resolve this soon.
Hi Crimsoon, I know what you mean about the visor, the only time I used one I got very hot and couldn't see either. I have a exemption lanyard so I wear that and after a lot of trials with various masks i now use the disposable ones and leave the visor at home. As for the sore mouth buy some Blistex relief cream it works really well, if you are lucky to find it buy more than one if you can afford to. Last time I bought Blistex I had to buy it from EBay as all the large chemists had all out. Good luck Maximonkey
I have brochiectasis and I work at a grocery in the US. Since we have basically no protection for those at risk, I have had to work through covid, with the public.
I am just to the point that I feel ok with my thick n95 mask. It has taken a long time to feel ok, but I do feel better now. I have an oxygen level sensor and my levels stay the same with or without the mask even though it takes more effort to breathe (I am also getting used to that feeling of trying harder to breathe.)
Our bodies are resilient and eventually even masks are tolerable. Please stay safe! Take breaks and cherish the time you have in the fresh air. Let us know how it goes.
Sarah
Thankyou... for your good advice. Stay safe.
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