My husband is still recovering from a stem cell transplant earlier this year and will need to shield until end of July. I have to go back to work next week. I work in a supermarket and although they say they have social distancing measures in place, they are not always followed. I want to invest in some sort of face mask or covering, but I’m struggling to find one that I can wear with my glasses and I won’t get all fogged up! Does anyone have any recommendations on anything suitable ?
Face masks - recommendations? - Positive Wellbein...
Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation
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Face masks - recommendations?
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Clarence45
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Hi Clarence,
you must feel a little bit nervous about your return. It's more costly to have disposable masks but they tend to do the job better. If you pick the kind with the metal strip you bend to hold it in place on your nose, and place your glasses over the top edge of the mask, it doesn't fog up so readily. This advice comes from my husband who has continued to work through the pandemic so has had lots of practice. You never know, your supermarket may do what the Company he works for has done, and develop its own reusable uniform mask, about to be issued to all employees, and complete in company colours with a natty red piping across the bottom!
Very best wishes for your return. I hope it goes well and that you feel safe. 🙏
FFP3 masks or M3 are the best you will probably get. They have a tight seal and if worn properly you shouldn't steam the glasses up. The trouble is that because they are medical grade they really should be spared for the NHS, however, I am guessing that if your husband had just had a transplant then he would be on high doses of immunesuppressants and steroids? If that is the case then I am sure that most people would be understanding about why you would want a higher grade mask. I would!
If you can't get hold of them then just practice very strict hand hygiene. And find a tight fitting mask to avoid touching your face. And if you can wear a visor too.
I really hope your husband is making a good recover. It's such a rollercoaster of a procedure to go through.
Thank you. He's not doing to badly. We've had a few ups and downs along the way but he is slowly getting there.
I’m confused now, because on radio 2 Dr Sarah Jarvis stated that masks don’t protect the user, just other people and that if you bumped into a covid positive person you would be no more protected wearing a mask than not wearing one 🤔
I’m not sure. The government website states that they provide additional protection, if used in conjunction with other measures such as hand washing etc. They also suggested masks/face coverings for use indoors where social distancing isn’t workable.
I was referring to medical grade masks if possible which have a filter and in view of Clarence's husband's stem cell transplant then I would take every precaution possible.
But you are 100% correct about what DR JARVIS has said. Wearing a mask protects others, it's more about "WE not ME."
I'm medically trained and would just encourage Clarence to be super careful. But I am sure that you are able to make your own mind up Clarence, I was just trying to say what I would do.
I hope your husband continues on a good recover.
in reply to Lurcher-lady
Hi Lurcher-lady, there are lots of wrong info circulating on the Internet, from the so called experts.
The original reason from the authorities was just to stop people from hoarding masks. There are also people who are violently against wearing masks as they (wrongly) feel their right of freedom has been violated. Then there are experts and journalists who just want their videos and articles clicked as they know the rubbish they show would get attention.
In reality, most cloth masks are actually very effective in offering 2 way protection, and many of them are much more effective and environmentally friendly than the disposable ones.
So many people in the West have died unnecessarily due to this (just study the statistics in the US and the UK). They argue and they argue some more. Common sense doesn't seem to mean much these days. It seems like people will believe whatever they believe in anyway.
In any case, just do what you feel right to protect yourself and others.
Home bargains have the visor types clear perspex. Not sure about glasses underneath I would think they should be okay
Hi Clarence.
I wear a face shield when I go out, with glasses too.... I puchased mine on eBay , it cost less than five pounds, and my glasses dont mist up!
Sounds perfect. Is there anyway you can post a photo of it so I can see what sort to get please?
Have posted a photo at top of page my lovely. 🌈
Hi Clarence, a face shield is really good but I would strongly suggest getting a face mask too as the visor won't protect you from the respiratory spores in the same way that a mask will.
The ideal combination is to have both.
MidoriVisually impaired
Hi Clarence,
Check with HR at your company to see if you could get special dispensation to stay away until the end of July as your Husband has had a stem cell transplant and his Immune System will have been compromised.
Cheers, Midori
Hi Midori
Unfortunately, they have already taken the view that it is safe for me to go back as they have the relevant procedures in place. I also know from speaking to other staff that work there that these rules dont get adhered to.
In that case, could you take your Holiday entitlement; OR, would your GP give you a letter to say that given the circumstances it would be unsafe for you to return right now.
Cheers, Midori
I might have to try the G P route, I’ve already had to use holiday for being off so far 😔
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