Issues with face masks

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I have to wear the disposable ones we get given at work back-to-front: the cloth layer that's supposed to be on the inside restricts my breathing so much I feel dizzy! With the plastic outer layer against my face it's manageable. Probably means that air is escaping unfiltered past my face, but what else can I do? This is more an asthma issue than a sensory one.

I use home-made masks on public transport, made out of sections of trouser leg. The material is quite stiff, so if I cut a ^ shape out of the bottom and sew the edges together, it results in a clear space where nothing's touching my mouth. Shoe-laces for straps, which don't cut in as much as elastic, though it's still not that comfortable.

It helps if I change them regularly, as the damp builds up on them. I wear a cloth mask to work, change into a disposable one at work, then a second cloth one home. Not sure what I'd do if my shifts were longer than 4 hours.

I don't mind. I just lower the nose part and occasionally pull it down to my chin when nobody's around, and pull it up again if someone's approaching.

I dislike face masks but I can tolerate them.

I don't know for sure, because I've not worn a mask, as I've not yet been in a situation where it might be expected. But I'd expect it to become physically uncomfortable after a while. The other issue I have with masks is this:

As this supposed new research saying that masks are now a good thing hasn't been brought to my attention, I'm still unsure whether or not to abandon the earlier received wisdom, i.e. that at best masks provide only marginal protection and in many cases can do more harm than good. So if I were to have to wear one, I'd be mindful that I might be simply being forced to take risks myself just to make others feel safer from catching the virus from me. It seems rather odd that most of the current "information" that's coming out about masks says nothing about how to mitigate the risks associated with masks - almost as if it's a political thing that's going on where they don't want to mention the risks in case it puts people off wearing them. So, for me, the potential danger of masks is a bigger issue than a bit of of discomfort, and I'm just glad I haven't yet needed to come out of isolation.

If at some point I do have to compromise on proper precautions and wear a mask for a while, I'll research its safe use and handling carefully, which will probably involve the use of disposable gloves, dish soap, and sealable plastic bags.

We've found the fitted style to be much more comfortable than the standard pleated style. I'd also recommend nosewire and tarn ties (t-shirt cut into strips to use as yarn = tarn). Ties of any sort end up with some of my hair stuck in the bow. Hubs likes to wear a baseball cap (with a nub on top) to keep the top tie from slipping down. (I request he wear the cap backwards if we're inside.)

The fitted style feels secure & doesn't fog up my glasses. The contouring at the top of the mask makes it hug the undereye/cheek area well. Tarn ties behind the head are comfy and adjustable. (They could easily be sewn into ear loop style.) On the fitted, the vertical coverage (nose bridge to under chin) feels better, & there isn't excess material from pleats to get into the mouth. The pleated style can become more irritating. The pleats feel itchy and thick at the edges.

Many of either style offer filter pockets to increase the filtration. I read months ago about coffee filters (one layer is only slightly less effective than two, but three makes a significant jump in filtration) & paper towels as filters (two layers of 2-ply paper towels).

I also read where they should be made of cotton/linen woven fabric. Poly and knit are not nearly as effective. And the ones with exhaust/exhale valves completely defeat the purpose (to keep one's own germy liquid droplets contained, which is also why the mask should cover the nose & not just the mouth).

Pm me if you want links to the etsy stores I've been getting fitted masks from. The one also sometimes sells the tarn ties & nosewires separately.

Countries mandating masks have exemptions for disabilties and mental disorders. www.keepsafe.org.uk/mask has cards you can print out.

I'm fine with wearing the mask and how it feels. I don't like talking to people who are wearing a mask because it feels like I'm forced to make eye contact, which I hate.

I've made some "ear savers" to stop the elastic of dispoable masks from digging in behind my ears. Basically, it's just a chain made of those plastic-coated paper-clips, with blobs of Sugru to stop the wire tips cutting me.

I've gotten pretty used to the masks, so every now and then I tuck my hair behind my ears and think, "Man, my ears are really dried out," and then realize that it's the mask's elastic bands

I don't have an issue with masks, as they're better than ending up on a ventilator. As I wear glasses, I find that the surgical style that are disposable don't fog up my glasses because of the nose wire in them. I also have some cloth ones that were ordered off of Amazon that don't cause that problem either. I tend to wear the disposable ones more because when I do go back to work, I know that's what I'll be provided with, so I intend to get used to them.

I have a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard with a "Face Covering Exempt" card hanging on the end of it, which I always wear so it is very prominent.

Despite the somewhat intimidating atmosphere in some places due to the relentless messages about wearing a face covering I haven't yet had any abuse when travelling on public transport. That may change of course as more people start to use the trains and there is less space to social distance.

Yesterday was the first time I went into a supermarket after the new regulations for shops came into force in England. I was certainly in a very small minority of people not wearing a face covering but nobody said anything to me. A few people looked at me, then just carried on with their own business. Maybe that's more a reflection of the sort of place I live. I'm off to a local farm shop this morning so it will be interesting to see if the response from people there is any different.

Well, bit of a mixed response this morning.

No problems at the farm shop which was very friendly.

The petrol station I stopped at had notices in the window and at the tills simply stating, "Face coverings are mandatory". There was no mention of medical exemptions and although no one challenged me it felt a bit intimidating.

My village shop also had similar notices and I was very firmly challenged by a member of staff. I pointed to my lanyard and "Face Covering Exempt" card and said I had a medical exemption. The member of staff said, "Oh, sorry" and walked away but it felt somewhat threatening.

It's always been a very friendly little shop so I'll see what happens next time I go in. I'd prefer to shop locally but I'll simply switch to using the supermarket in the nearby town if necessary. Surely something along the lines of "Face coverings are mandatory unless medically exempt" would be a little more welcoming.

No shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service.