I Double Masked My Face ... And I Liked It!

[Jingthing]

Double masking has been promoted (for non vaccinated people anyway) in the USA as great way to get almost N95 protection without N95s. 

 

While mocking people that wear  multiple masks has become a part of the culture wars there of stupidly politicizing Covid-19 mitigation measures, even though double masking doesn't appear common at all in Thailand, I really don't think it's loaded that way here.

 

So for the first time, I Double Masked My Face ... And I Liked It!

 

OK, I didn't have as much fun as Katy Perry, but still, I really did like it.

 

My normal mask thing is one use surgical masks.

 

But there are times when it's obvious stepping up the mask game makes sense. Such as when you must visit a crowded indoor space, such as a bank, perhaps shopping, immigration, vaccine registration facility, etc.

 

So here's how you do it:

 

Surgical mask on first

 

Cloth mask on second

 

It felt much more snug than just a surgical mask. I could feel the extra special protection. Plus it really didn't look that bad.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by Jingthing

[tifino]

besides, the sheer bulk in having two cascaded N95 masks with valves, would be, well...   

[grin]

I'm in the US and I double mask with the surgical mask and cloth mask as you describe but only when I am entering a building. Even if it is only 5 minutes to pick up some food at a Thai restaurant. Prior to being vaccinated the only buildings I visited were my doctor's office, dentist, dermatologist, etc. Outdoors I just wear a surgical mask. The uptake on vaccination is not even 50% here in Nevada.

[Jingthing]

59 minutes ago, tifino said:

besides, the sheer bulk in having two cascaded N95 masks with valves, would be, well...   

I'm very suspicious about people that sport VALVES.

 

Don't wear masks with valves, CDC says | Live Science

[Jingthing]

59 minutes ago, grin said:

I'm in the US and I double mask with the surgical mask and cloth mask as you describe but only when I am entering a building. Even if it is only 5 minutes to pick up some food at a Thai restaurant. Prior to being vaccinated the only buildings I visited were my doctor's office, dentist, dermatologist, etc. Outdoors I just wear a surgical mask. The uptake on vaccination is not even 50% here in Nevada.

Does that crowd give you any grief for taking care as you do?

[Jeffr2]

We decided to go to the US for our jabs.  Leaving June 22nd.  We wear surgical masks here, but as  you say, I don't think they fit all that well.  Luckily, it's not that big of a deal here.  Especially with the limited outings we do.

 

Where did you get your masks?  We have surgical ones that a nurse gets for us.  But don't have cloth masks.  Just curious.

 

Great post!!

[Jingthing]

4 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

We decided to go to the US for our jabs.  Leaving June 22nd.  We wear surgical masks here, but as  you say, I don't think they fit all that well.  Luckily, it's not that big of a deal here.  Especially with the limited outings we do.

 

Where did you get your masks?  We have surgical ones that a nurse gets for us.  But don't have cloth masks.  Just curious.

 

Great post!!

I've bought both surgical and cloth masks from convenience store, pharmacies, and Lazada. In the earlier months of the great viral unpleasantness it was all Lazada. 

 

I should correct my common use of the term surgical masks. What are widely used are actually medical procedure masks.

 

I've tried cloth masks alone but they're obviously much less effective than the single use procedure masks.

 

Another cool thing about cloth masks is you can have a little fun with the fashion designs.

 

I never delved into the higher end N95s and Korean ones partly out of concern about being sold fakes. My casual research suggests that is very common.

 

About the masks with the valves, why are they even legal to wear?

Edited May 26, 2021 by Jingthing

[mtls2005]

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Surgical mask on first

 

Cloth mask on second

 

 

Yep.

 

I'm a double-masker.

 

Wash the cloth masks every few days, have a few.

 

Use the surgical mask for one day only.

 

 

[Ryan754326]

Why not just wear an N95 with no valve? They’ve been available in the hardware stores where I live for months. 

[CharlieH]

Not all masks are created equal.

 

The valve mask widely discussed is a specific style and design worn by construction workers( originally)

 

The N95 cloth masks (with valve) have in fact 3 layers. An out layer, an exchangeable filter layer and an inner layer. The valve is only on the outer layer, so anything you breath in or out, has to go through both the inner and filter layer.

Whereas those construction type have no such layers.

[internationalism]

I only use N95 with a valve. At the beginning of pandemic I bought stock of them at makro pharmacy. But they are builders masks and even don't have exchangeable active carbon filter.

I have also spare N95 builders and another one for bikers, both with valves and exchangeable carbon, those for high pollution times. They are more difficult to wear for too long. They all fir very well to face, don't move.

I was never refused entry using them.

At  hospitals I do put under them a medical mask. Also at hospitals I try to wear glasses or even fashionable laboratory plastic glasses (those, however, at cold hospital rooms do get moisture and can't be used for too long)

 

[Jeffr2]

14 minutes ago, internationalism said:

I only use N95 with a valve. At the beginning of pandemic I bought stock of them at makro pharmacy. But they are builders masks and even don't have exchangeable active carbon filter.

I have also spare N95 builders and another one for bikers, both with valves and exchangeable carbon, those for high pollution times. They are more difficult to wear for too long. They all fir very well to face, don't move.

I was never refused entry using them.

At  hospitals I do put under them a medical mask. Also at hospitals I try to wear glasses or even fashionable laboratory plastic glasses (those, however, at cold hospital rooms do get moisture and can't be used for too long)

 

With respect, don't use masks with valves.

 

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2020/11/new-airflow-videos-show-why-masks-exhalation-valves-do-not-slow-spread

[Jeffr2]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I've bought both surgical and cloth masks from convenience store, pharmacies, and Lazada. In the earlier months of the great viral unpleasantness it was all Lazada. 

 

I should correct my common use of the term surgical masks. What are widely used are actually medical procedure masks.

 

I've tried cloth masks alone but they're obviously much less effective than the single use procedure masks.

 

Another cool thing about cloth masks is you can have a little fun with the fashion designs.

 

I never delved into the higher end N95s and Korean ones partly out of concern about being sold fakes. My casual research suggests that is very common.

 

About the masks with the valves, why are they even legal to wear?

Wow!  Just got 2 different types of N95 masks from a neighbor who works at the local hospital.  They are NOTHING like the masks we've been using.  Incredible.

 

I wanted to get them from a reliable source as many fakes out there.  These masks are hard core.

 

Maybe get them at Fascino?  I'm impressed.

[CharlieH]

12 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

With respect, don't use masks with valves.

 

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2020/11/new-airflow-videos-show-why-masks-exhalation-valves-do-not-slow-spread

Once again this statement is misleading ! Its a very specific type/design of exhaust mask , in fact a dust mask NOT ALL valve masks, but that is how many are reading it now and applying it as a blanket statement and its WRONG ! to apply in that way.

[Jeffr2]

5 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Once again this statement is misleading ! Its a very specific type/design of exhaust , in fact dust mask NOT ALL valve masks, but that is how many are reading it now and applying it as a blanket statement and its WRONG !

I think the issue is you are protected if you have a valve, but others might not be as droplets can escape.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/08/13/cdc-mask-guidance-masks-valves/

 

“The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control,” the agency’s guidance reads. “However, masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others.

[CharlieH]

7 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

I think the issue is you are protected if you have a valve, but others might not be as droplets can escape.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/08/13/cdc-mask-guidance-masks-valves/

 

“The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control,” the agency’s guidance reads. “However, masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others.

How many more times ? That is a specific design of mask NOT ALL. It refers to the valve being exposed on in the inside. As per the specific design discussed.

Many other masks DO NOT have and you cannot see the valve on the inside of the mask because its covered by a filter layer and its impossible for the droplets to pass through, that why the filter layer is there,

 

reciting numerous and repeated links to the SAME THING is pointless as they are talking about ONE SPECIFIC design and you are applying it to ALL masks.

[tifino]

regarding Mask specifications in LOS; is there a particular Standard the respective Masks have to meet?    

eg ASA***    ISO**** etc etc   

 

 - a mask totally suitable/designed for the Wuhan would have to have the particular Standard printed onto it

[grin]

22 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Does that crowd give you any grief for taking care as you do?

 

Don't really give people a chance. When shopping I always keep my distance and am in and out of stores in minimal time. I still get all staples using curbside pick up and generally only buy meat and produce indoors.

 

Doing pick ups at some stores is a real time saver as their app tracks your GPS and they have your order waiting at the curb for you. It made me realize how much time I used to waste wandering around in stores (wondering what to buy).

 

Nevada is a weird state in many ways but here in Las Vegas there is definitely a large retiree presence and they still seem to be masking up. When I see someone double masking we tend to acknowledge each other with a nod.

 

I have always traveled a lot for business and pleasure. And have always been able to do most of my work online. However, I never really considered myself a digital nomad but now I basically seem to be a digital hermit.

[Caldera]

Not sure if this thread is a joke or serious, considering that there's now (unlike when the pandemic started last year) no shortage of masks of any given standard or quality.

 

If I feel like a setting warrants wearing a PPE2 mask, that's what I will wear. For my day to day shopping errands, on the other hand, just a regular mask.

 

[Jingthing]

10 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Not sure if this thread is a joke or serious, considering that there's now (unlike when the pandemic started last year) no shortage of masks of any given standard or quality.

 

If I feel like a setting warrants wearing a PPE2 mask, that's what I will wear. For my day to day shopping errands, on the other hand, just a regular mask.

 

Not

A

Joke

[Caldera]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Not

A

Joke

 

Then the question remains, why don't you simply buy N95 or PPE2 masks for those situations you now see the need to "double mask"?

 

[Jingthing]

20 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

Then the question remains, why don't you simply buy N95 or PPE2 masks for those situations you now see the need to "double mask"?

 

Fashion?

 

I got used to medical procedure masks so adding a cloth mask works for my comfort level.

 

Some people like jock straps and some people like thongs. Its not a competition. 

 

The topic here is about  double marking.

It's a thing.

 

This article explains some of the issues with N95s etc. Lots of fakes on the market. Thailand doesn't have the same regulations as the US either. Harder to get the right fit on N95 etc. masks. If the N95 etc. masks work for you, great.

 

But again this thread is about double masking.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/double-face-masks-n95-protect-yourself-against-new-covid-19-variants-with-these-mask-upgrades-11612473349

 

 

Double Face Masks? N95? Protect Yourself Against New Covid-19 Variants With These Mask Upgrades

 

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/double-face-mask-covid-19-cdc/

 

CDC recommends double masks to help protect against COVID-19

 

Edited May 26, 2021 by Jingthing

[DerbyDan]

try a snug cloth mask with a virus filter and no valve.

[theonetrueaussie]

Nearly Every Specialist has said the same thing If you are wearing the mask correctly then After no more then 30 minutes you should have trouble breathing as you are not getting enough  air in.....If you can wear the mask for more then 30 minutes and still breath fine then you are NOT wearing the mask properly and air is getting inside from around the edges making the mask useless....Now how many people here who wear masks or double mask can still breath properly after 30 minutes...I am guessing most as it is not easy to put the masks on PROPERLY!

[1FinickyOne]

11 minutes ago, theonetrueaussie said:

Nearly Every Specialist has said the same thing If you are wearing the mask correctly then After no more then 30 minutes you should have trouble breathing as you are not getting enough  air in.....If you can wear the mask for more then 30 minutes and still breath fine then you are NOT wearing the mask properly and air is getting inside from around the edges making the mask useless....Now how many people here who wear masks or double mask can still breath properly after 30 minutes...I am guessing most as it is not easy to put the masks on PROPERLY!

the first mask i got was an n95.. think it cost me 300 baht... I only wear it in a supermarket type store and I can't breathe after about 5-10 minutes... mostly, I avoid people other than family and don't have to wear any mask at home....

[nickmondo]

On 5/26/2021 at 5:29 AM, Jeffr2 said:

We decided to go to the US for our jabs.  Leaving June 22nd.  We wear surgical masks here, but as  you say, I don't think they fit all that well.  Luckily, it's not that big of a deal here.  Especially with the limited outings we do.

 

Where did you get your masks?  We have surgical ones that a nurse gets for us.  But don't have cloth masks.  Just curious.

 

Great post!!

sorry, but are you walking around with your eyes shut?

the masks are everywhere!!!  surgical and cloth.

you seriously have not seen?

[4737 Carlin]

Double mask ? None of you who do this can actually live in Thailand or do any physical activities like riding a bicycle everyday. It's totally impractical. Heat, sweat, and risk of hyperventilation is bad enough wearing one.

[mtls2005]

22 hours ago, Ryan754326 said:

Why not just wear an N95 with no valve?

 

Harder to find, more expensive, single use. Best leave those to the medical prfessionals so they have enough?

 

The combination method is nearly as effective, and no more damaging to the environment (assuming a cloth mask is one).

 

 

3 minutes ago, 4737 Carlin said:

Double mask ? None of you who do this can actually live in Thailand or do any physical activities like riding a bicycle everyday. It's totally impractical. Heat, sweat, and risk of hyperventilation is bad enough wearing one.

 

I wear a single cloth/fabric mask when outdoors exercising in low density environments.

 

 

Double-masking is for high-density/risk areas - I don't double mask when I take the trash out.

 

[BTB1977]

I can't believe this is even a discussion topic.  Here's something to worry about. Two thias had problems right after they got their vaccine shots this wek. One healthy 43 year old died right after . And another has loss of feeling up and down his side. Don't think double masks will help them much. 

Edited May 27, 2021 by BTB1977

[hotchilli]

On 5/25/2021 at 9:43 PM, Jingthing said:

While mocking people that wear  multiple masks has become a part of the culture wars there of stupidly politicizing Covid-19 mitigation measures, even though double masking doesn't appear common at all in Thailand, I really don't think it's loaded that way here.

I watched the CCSA guy giving the English version speech on TV the other day... he was wearing two masks in the studio... I think he knows more than he's letting on.

Even Anutin is wearing one everywhere now.

Things must be bad.