Like you I have several different types of masks. N95s that I bought 2-1/2 years ago after seeing a Ted Talk about the likelihood of future pandemics, and various fabric masks sent me by crafty friends. The N95s are actually more comfortable, though I reserve their use for store outings.I have a variety. I quickly learned that the 100% natural fabric ones are so much more comfortable!! They don't heat up my face at all, and I can wear them for extended periods with no discomfort.
One of the early masks I ordered from Etsy was well made and fits great, but it was SO HOT. I have problems wearing man made fabrics, polyester, nylon etc., so it occurred to me to go look at the listing on Etsy to see what it was made from.
Sure enough, one of the layers was polyester!! That's when I started searching for 100% natural fabric masks. I have two now that are 100% natural fibers and I wear them most often.
With fabric, beware of 100% cotton masks, @Ronni. Cotton and linen fabrics tend to be loose weaves or super skinny threads (so effectively loose weaves). More space between cross threads provides larger holes for aerosolized virus to sneak through. That's why cotton is a more "breathable" fabric than polyester. Normally a good thing, but not in this case.
It's unpleasant. It's a PITA. You can't breathe. Nobody can hear what you're saying. You can't hear what they're saying. With my COPD it's making it difficult enough that I'm going to have to go to the pulmonologist. I'm half suffocated all day and I still wear the damn thing while everyone around me with normal lungs keeps taking theirs off and they whine incessantly about it.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.
do you use hypo-allergenic detergents on your masks?The smell of the mask itself makes me cough due to allergenic asthma. But I tolerate as long as needed. I've learned lipstick and masks aren't friends!
I get a kick out of those "Bandit" masks. Ya know why it's easier to breathe in them? Because it's not form fitted to the nose & chin; it just touches the nose & hangs straight down without forming over the chin, so it doesn't restrict breathing as much as a regular mask.I recently tried folding a scarf into a triangle and using it as a mask (like a bandit) makes it slightly easier to breathe. Slightly. For me, anyway.
Better now that I wear a shield , and I don't wear it very long. I don't get into crowds for any reason. Even the Dr agrees with how I am doing things. Also wear gloves that I clean up going in and out of stores when I do need to go in there.
Imagine doing that mask thing 8 hrs a day. If your O2 dropped after an hr. It sucks. But we are living in a time where we gotta do what we gotta do to protect one another. I have one of those meters in case things get bad so I know when to call for help.When you go to your doctor they typically weigh you, take your temp, & put that tester on your finger for your blood oxygen level. I understand temp measurement is critical in detecting the virus. I also understand breathing & lung function are critical so we bought one of those finger oxygen testers.
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LOOKEE Premium Fingertip Pulse Oximeter Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor with Alarm and Plethysmograph and Perfusion Index | Finger SpO2 Tracker | 2-Color OLED Display | Carry Case, Batteries Included
All that to say I was curious about the n-95 face mask & what if anything it did to blood oxygen level. Took my level was 95% put the mask on for an hour blood oxygen read 90% . Not scientific & 90% isn't critical but breathing in carbon dioxide instead of oxygen can't be good long term.