General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI propose a new mask type
One that covers just the nose, for when people de-mask temporarily to speak publicly.
I've noticed Jan Psaki touching her nose, having taken off her mask to speak at the podium.
But a nose cover would prevent her touching her nose which is very risky behavior.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,895 posts)But this might be the solution:
intrepidity
(7,339 posts)(but I really am serious, touching your nose is incredibly risky and almost impossible to avoid)
A new design is needed.
Plus, it could be worn under other masks, as backup for when masks slip off the nose. I notice Biden frequently pulling his mask up his nose.
HUAJIAO
(2,405 posts)As far as those masks slipping. I don't get it. That type of mask will do very little to protect the wearer.. Inside I wear only Niosh approved N95 and KN95 masks. They are readily available now. In no way would one of those slip.
Outside I go with EUA masks, mostly also KN95.
There is a list of approved manufacturers on the CDC website.....
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)TexasLefty29
(190 posts)Hermit-The-Prog
(33,480 posts)KewlKat
(5,624 posts)to small for their face size. We have small noses, big noses, short chin, Long chin, etc.
I make masks for others and always ask for measurements so they will fit for protection.
I also use wire over the nose for a hug to the face. So masks should be offered in different sizes with suggested measurements for a better fit tho I love the nose cover option...kind of fun.
The problem with mask offerings is they come in two sizes, small and large. The process is that the distance from a persons nose-bridge to the start of the bottom of the chin is used for size. The measurement is linear (straight line) and dont take into account the width of peoples faces or other key factors like facial contours of the cheeks and jowls.
In my case, I happen to not be a small or large, I am actually an extra-small, believe it or not. So any mask that I wear will be too large and cover a lot of my face. Fortunately mask makers have been a little sloppy on sizing, so I can find masks that fit me because they are cut a little small when I order a small mask.
I believe that the two most important features on a mask are the nose wires and ear loops, if those are done poorly, a mask is difficult to use.
I can easily talk in the masks that I wear and have no reason to remove them when speaking. Regardless of how we speak, all of us will send a little (or a lot) of spittle into the mask when talking, some people hate that for various reasons, so they pull the mask down below the mouth when speaking.
KewlKat
(5,624 posts)that might work better for you?
I have a large nose and my spouse looks more like a boxers nose, small and flat so its hard for him to get a snug fit around his nose but the wire does help. My chin is also longer so I require a larger mask than the ready mades.
I have some that resemble the surgical mask and others that are more fitted. I only use ear loops but add and adjuster for just the right snugness. Ive gone to tshirt fabric which I use an interfacing as a liner for comfort and eliminated a filter. Works pretty well.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)I will try childrens masks, I didnt think of that for obvious reasons. My face length from the bottom of my chin to my hairline is roughly 1 inch longer than my hand length (to the tip of the longest finger), so I either have a small face or very large hands, but my hands are 7 1/2 inch long - so you likely see the problem with a small mask, which measures 5 inches from the bridge of my nose to the start of the bottom of my chin - it covers more space than I have in that part of my face. I am one of those people that have a chin, just not a prominent or normal sized one.
KT2000
(20,591 posts)at the Inauguration were wearing 2 masks a white one and a dark one. The white one covered the nose higher and the dark one was lower on the nose. Maybe that would be a good way to achieve the nose cover. But then again, maybe it was constructed as one mask.
Here is the problem - as a mask maker I learned that most masks are too small for talking. The chin pulls the mask down when talking. People think the mask must be tight but it really only needs fullness in the front to chin to allow for talking. The sides should not be large and should gather up to keep a close fit at the sides. The metal strip for the bridge of the nose helps too.
KewlKat
(5,624 posts)Mask covered with a homemade cloth mask provides a protection level as good as an N95. I think its just added precaution. If you have special health concerns, like cancer, immune issues, etc, it would provide you with some added protection.
I wear a 2 layer fabric mask with a pocket. My friend who is a dental assistant had me put one of the masks they use in their clinic, inside the pocket. It has 3 layers so I am wearing 5 layers. Sometimes it is a bit hard to breathe like inside buildings that probably do not have good air circulation, but most of the time it is OK. I also like the fact that the inside mask has the metal strip I can pinch over my nose.