Best and worst masks Covid-19

Hi. I learned to cut my own hair by figuring finally (!) that I could do it. But I am now doing the single-length style, meaning I don't layer it in particular. I tried layering but it was too much trouble. I just cut a smooth straight-as-possible cut. I don't need a mirror to cut the back, because I kind of feel or know where I'm going with the scissors. Yes, sometimes my hair gets a bit tangled with the mask. In a way, it pays to let it grow longer so I can pull the hair back, but I'm not particularly worried about that. Because I like to wear earrings and I like them to show. 🙂 So -- time will tell.
P.S. I do know someone who bought the metal thing to cut her own hair but she has a very short cut and apparently needs help to sculpt it. But she does a good job on herself. I don't want a very short cut right now. You're convincing me to let my hair grow longer. 🙂 Take care.

@cindiwass i read the article again and understood that the fabric for making the bandanas and gaiter masks was much looser weave for comfort. Masks made to prevent droplet spread has to be mush denser.

My go to facemask solution is wearing two masks. I wear a KN95 which people can buy on line. Then if I want to be extra careful I add a homemade woven cotton mask over the top. This keeps me from touching the kn95 mask. Also the kn95 mask has structure so the cotton mask can't block my nose and mouth. I also think my cotton mask keeps my kn95 mask cleaner since it's basically made of paper. I can wash my cotton mask in the kitchen sink. But I don't think it's comfortable to wear just the cotton mask. I breathe it in and it sticks on my nose and mouth so I can't breathe.

OK, thanks. I didn't read that in the article I read so I was confused. Intewesting, because I am making my own masks usually from a knit-type fabric like heavy t-shirt material, so I think it's pretty loose weave. Sometimes I double it, so I guess it's a bit tighter. I'll work on getting it better.

@ihatediabetes- Hello and good morning. Thank you for the suggestion on the KN95. I just ordered a box. Do you wash them?

I was reading yesterday about masks after you posted. Cotton masks, if used alone should be double thick, and as Becky suggested a tight weave is the best. Linen is a great choice.

Also, I was at the salon this week and my hairdresser had sores from the ear-loops on the sides of her face. For anyone having problems like this, there is a method to use buttons to prevent this.
https://www.bhg.com/news/face-mask-glasses-hacks/

Hi I just turn mine inside out and leave in the sun in my car. But I don't wear makeup with masks. Also I am making a lot of facemasks and giving them away. One hack we came up with is using a big paper clip to join the two ear loops together at the back of the head. That keeps the ear loops from rubbing on the ears. Also I think we Americans should be fine with using the kn95 masks. They aren't being used my American health care providers. They use the N95 masks. China is allowing kn95 masks to be exported now so we can buy them on line.

@becsbuddy That is exactly the issue. Bandanas are mad of cheap, loosely woven fabric and IMHO are probably barely better than nothing unless 4 layers thick. Mo other objection to bandanas and similar designs is that they are loose at the bottom, therefor of limited use in containing droplets.
As far as the knitted neck gaiters, the reason knit fabrics tend to be comfortable to wear, in clothing and masks, is the permeability - so unless a filter layer is incorporated in the mask, vapor is readily passing through. My knowledge goes back to fiber study days - the holes created by the knitting process are multi-diemensional, and therefore more permeable than a tightly woven fabric of similar weight. The reason high-quality sheets and quilting cottons are recommended is their high thread count - 400 or more threads per square inch. Doubled or tripled, they are even better.
The other reason gaiters rend to be less useful is that they don't fit firmly near the nose due to the stretch factor, again allowing more vapor to escape.
Sue

@merpreb The industry is working on washable N95 masks (my sister works at 3M) but I don't believe there are any on the general market yet. One of the issues is that water alters the structure of the non-woven fabric used in the masks, which can render them ineffective. In hospitals where masks are being cleaned and reused, the only approved methods I know of right now are aerosol peroxide in a special chamber and UV light, again in a special room and for a specific time. Even those methods may on;y be used a limited number of times before masks must be discarded.
My dentist's office hygenissts and docs wear KN-95 under a cloth or disposable mask, with the cloth or disposable changed between patients, and the KN-95 being worn for a couple of days. (I was there yesterday and asked specifically.)
Sue

Thanks for the info @sueinmn. I notice that in addition they wear the acrylic face schield like horses.

@sueinmn- So KN95 are less effective than N95?