How long can you stand to wear your mask....

jujube

jujube

SF VIP
Location
I think I'm in Florida, but I'm not sure any more.
…..until you're ready to rip it off and run screaming?

I'm faithful about wearing my mask when I go in anywhere, but I definitely have a limit on how long I can stand it. I have masks of every description.....light paper ones, painter-type masks, cloth ones and one really serious model with vents, but they drive me crazy. Sweat builds up, I get itchy, I get panicky and smelling my own breath for a long time --- yuk, I don't care how well I brushed, flossed and swished --- just yuk.

I haven't been very many places for the last couple of months for sure, but when I have gone out the mask problem has at least served the purpose of making my visits very short. In, out, AIR AT LAST!

Disney World is opening here in Florida in less than three weeks and the requirement is that everyone over the age of two must wear a mask at all times except for eating or in some sort of "respite" area. The idea of wearing a mask in sweltering heat for hours and hours just makes me shake. Besides, how are these people going to keep masks on small children for hours without fastening them on with duct tape (no, no, just kidding here)? I can't imagine what level of hell that's going to be...….but I expect we will see crowds clamoring to get through the gates. It will remain to be seen if Disney will stay true to their statement that anyone not wearing masks will be kicked out of the parks.

Masks are required on airplanes, too. I need to get to Seattle in August but I think that's going to be a no-go. Even if I take a direct flight, that's six hours breathing bad air through a mask. I'd be happy if they'd just wrap me in bubble-wrap and put me down with the dogs in the hold, but noooooo……...

Today, I was in a MRI machine (otherwise known as the claustrophobic tunnel of noise). I was told I had to keep my mask on for the duration. I did but I was wet with sweat and reaching the end of my tolerance (and what felt like the end of my oxygen) by the time I rolled out of there. Normally, I don't have serious problems in there, but the mask changed everything.

So, those of you who DO go out, how do you handle wearing masks for a long period of time?
 

I have low tolerance of masks myself.
I understand everything you are saying @jujube .... it's not natural, and we just aren't used to the ordeal.
Just can't imagine being in an MRI machine w/mask ... that had to be torture!

When I need to go to a store, I go as little as possible, for as short a period of time as possible, because I can't stand the routine.
When walking my dog, I only put my mask on when I come across another person ... otherwise I wear it on my chin.
 
If we have to wear these masks on into the hot summer months, then places of business need to crank up the AC. It just gets too hot because we are breathing into them. I see many people now wearing them but not covering their nose. This cuts down the effectiveness a lot. I also see many wearing kerchiefs around their faces (like an old time bandit would wear it) but again, I wonder how effective that is. I've seen TV ads for a cooler version, but are they really cooler? :unsure:
 
Glad you created this thread, jujube.

My problem is difficulty breathing with the mask on. At Kroger yesterday everybody had a mask on. A few times I pulled my down below my nose to breathe, and I got a few 'looks'.

I use mints, lozenges, etc. Never tried gum, but I chew a lot of gum so maybe it'll help.

jujube said:
Today, I was in a MRI machine (otherwise known as the claustrophobic tunnel of noise). I was told I had to keep my mask on for the duration. I did but I was wet with sweat and reaching the end of my tolerance (and what felt like the end of my oxygen) by the time I rolled out of there. Normally, I don't have serious problems in there, but the mask changed everything.
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OMG, I feel for you. :cry:
 
I've been using the light blue disposable masks. They are cooler and more comfortable than my original bandana masks.

My personal record is about two hours. It was hot and annoying but not unbearable.

Usually, if I'm out running errands I get a break between stops and only wear it for fifteen or twenty minutes when I'm in a store.

I was laughing the other day in the store when I was attempting to moisten my finger to open a plastic bag, the mask saved me.

I feel bad for the people that have to wear them all day at work with little chance for relief.
 
Yup, I wear the light blue ‘dust masks‘ as well. I don’t go out much so I’d say an hour at most continuously. I also wear gloves if I think I might end up touching anything. I don't sweat in either the mask or gloves, but my husband does. His hands are soaking wet when he takes the gloves off.
 
I'm pretty good with it....But if I'm in a supermarket for a long time I get teary...because I have a bad left eye....Anyway, today we went to
get bakery goods....And it's about an hour away, cause its the best one....No one was in the store but 2 ladies....cause they were almost
locking up....They were very nice and helpful....All wore masks....(This was funny when I gave the cashier my credit card, she swiped it, cause
they didn't have the one that you can swipe yourself....Then she took a tissue and cleaned the credit card and put the slip over it and
handed it to me...I never had that done from anyone....Cause we mosty swipe our own card.... I know some have told me to clean our card
when we are finished swiping....Just a little hint....
 
Since I wore masks during my tattooing years, and wear them when I'm aloft and pruning trees, I'm used to them. I have heavy duty N95 respirators with canisters, and they stay on for a few hours at a time. Out and about, I wear surgical masks under a high density cloth cover mask. No problem going 2-3 hours, if need be.
 
peppermint said:
I'm pretty good with it....But if I'm in a supermarket for a long time I get teary...because I have a bad left eye....Anyway, today we went to
get bakery goods....And it's about an hour away, cause its the best one....No one was in the store but 2 ladies....cause they were almost
locking up....They were very nice and helpful....All wore masks....(This was funny when I gave the cashier my credit card, she swiped it, cause
they didn't have the one that you can swipe yourself....Then she took a tissue and cleaned the credit card and put the slip over it and
handed it to me...I never had that done from anyone....Cause we mosty swipe our own card.... I know some have told me to clean our card
when we are finished swiping....Just a little hint....
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Good idea about cleaning our cards. I clean everything when I get home from the store.
 
It is tough wearing a mask, especially when at doctors offices for hours.

Can you imagine how healthcare personnel feel like? I keep tugging at the mask because I can't breathe. So, if I don't make it, remember I was the one who tugged at my mask.:oops::unsure::censored:

The most difficult time was when I had to wear a mask while receiving radiation. I'd die if it had been a closed MRI. 6 weeks of radiation was not easy, but I made it. Mask and facial hairs and all.(y):D
 
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The only places I go to are the bank and to walk the dog. I wear a mask when going through the hallways here at the apt. complex and then to the outside but pull it down when walking most of the time. I pull it back up when I go back in.

I wear one in the cab to the bank and inside the bank. I think I had it on for about a total of an hour and was so glad to be able to get it off once back home inside my apt. They don't make everyone wear a mask in there as I saw others without one. You do have to stand about 6 feet back from the teller, though. I had called the bank in advance to ask them what it their covid procedure and that's when they told me to wear a mask. So I did.

It is a pain to wear a mask, I know, but hopefully it's doing some good.

@jujube That MRI experience sounded dreadful! I have to go to the clinic next month but not for an MRI, thank God.
 
I hate wearing a mask, but I really hate wearing a mask in places where other foolhardy people are not wearing masks. I realize they have no responsibilities and are therefore free to prove a point, but I have to stay alive for my cats. 😾
 
Judycat said:
I hate wearing a mask, but I really hate wearing a mask in places where other foolhardy people are not wearing masks. I realize they have no responsibilities and are therefore free to prove a point, but I have to stay alive for my cats. 😾
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HAHA. Misery loves company? That's the only reason you hate wearing a mask where others are not wearing masks.
If you consider a mask protective, you wouldn't be concerned about others not wearing a mask, since you'd be protected by your mask.
Much like those who try to convince everyone to get a flu shot by saying, "If you don't get a flu shot, you're making others sick." Nonsense. If the flu shot protected others, they couldn't get the flu from you.
 
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@jujube I'm sorry for that experience you had. I tell ya what, waiting in those airless rooms the docs see you in for 1 1/2 hrs with a mask on the whole time wasn't much better.
 
win231 said:
HAHA. Misery loves company? That's the only reason you hate wearing a mask where others are not wearing masks.
If you consider a mask protective, you wouldn't be concerned about others not wearing a mask, since you'd be protected by your mask.
Much like those who try to convince everyone to get a flu shot by saying, "If you don't get a flu shot, you're making others sick." Nonsense. If the flu shot protected others, they couldn't get the flu from you.

Ah go pound sand.
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I had my mask on while I returned items to a store and it was uncomfortable and hot and I felt a headache coming on (I have a cloth one). I won't be going anywhere that says I need to wear a mask while I am there; i.e., dentist, doctor, hospital for tests (I am due for a mammogram) so it looks like I will be hanging around the house more still. Sigh...I can't imagine anyone wearing one all day.
 
Wearing eyeglasses adds to the mask misery index by tending to steam up your lenses and limit visibility; I’ve even had condensation form! I find the paper masks more breathable than the fabric ones, but after an hour tops I'm so glad to tear the mask off and freely breathe sweet, cool air!
 


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