What the Well-Dressed Quarantiner is Wearing

[Tobus]

My Sportkilt facemask showed up today. Wallace tartan.

I like that it's shaped well to fit over the nose, with some room inside the mask, and that it extends generously around the sides of the cheeks. It has an internal liner that allows a filter (of the user's choosing) to be slipped inside.

I'm not a fan of the elastic band configuration, though. Unlike the masks which simply loop around the ear, this has a lower band that goes around the back of the neck and an upper band that goes around the back of the head. Getting the mask on and off isn't as quick or easy as an ear-loop style sinc you have to slip it over your head. Also, the elastic bands are a bit loose on my small head. I may end up snipping them and either stitching them back together as-is (to make them a tad shorter) or converting them to an ear-loop style. Not sure yet.

All in all, though, it's quite stylish.

(Forgive my amateurish selfies, and the fact that I haven't had a haircut in 7 weeks.)

[Jock Scot]

Just for everybody’s information from a virus protection point of view, facial hair cuts down the efficiency of face masks considerably.

Mrs Jock an infection control specialist, along with so many others in the medical world is having to deal with this present pandemic on the front line. She has to insist that ANYONE working with a face mask must shave off their Facial hair before they are issued a mask and BEFORE a fitting. The fit is that critical for maximum safety. Alright, have some fun with your tartan face masks but please be aware that they will not be as efficient as they might be and by some considerable margin, if you have a beard.

Stay safe everyone.

[Tobus]

Jock Scot, your point is well taken when it comes to true filtration masks in a medical setting, which would indeed require fitting and shaving. However, this sort of civilian mask is not in that category. It should be considered more of a "face diaper" than a medical mask. Its purpose is merely to catch large droplets and spittle (which everyone produces whether they realise it or not), both incoming and outgoing. It is not intended to offer 100% protection against airborne particles, especially the size of a virus particle.

For one thing, the material is not a tight enough weave. And even if one were in install a high-density filter material in the pocket, this type of mask does not have a formable nose piece to create a seal over the bridge of the nose. So even if one were to shave off one's beard, it would not eliminate the gaps and provide a tight seal.

So, yes, if one were wearing an N95 type mask and working in close proximity to people like medical personnel have to, then being clean-shaven would be important. For the average person going to the grocery store and maintaining social distancing as well as one can, whilst wearing this type of mask, shaving a beard just isn't going to dramatically improve the mask's efficiency. It's not intended for that level of protection.

[Jock Scot]

You are quite correct Tobus, but apparently it is being found that a worryingly large section of the general public are not aware of the finer details and consider a plain, non medical, facemask such as we are seeing here is good enough for front line use!

[Katia]

You are quite correct Tobus, but apparently it is being found that a worryingly large section of the general public are not aware of the finer details and consider a plain, non medical, facemask such as we are seeing here is good enough for front line use!

Here in the U.S., people don't necessarily consider it "good enough"... just "better than nothing" when medical-grade masks are not available. There are a lot of hospitals and other facilities out there asking for donations of homemade cloth masks, because at least they will have something.

[Jock Scot]

Yes of course Katia, something is better than nothing when trying to protect ourselves from this dreadful virus and well done to all who are making these masks to help protect those battling against this very dangerous situation. All I was trying to do is make people aware and many aren’t, that facial hair makes the mask————even the very best medical masks———- less efficient.

[Jacques]

Whil i wait for my mask to be delivered to Canada from the US, i have been wrapping an old shemagh around my neck which allows me to pull it up and cover my mouth and nose when required.

Jacques

[Sir William]

Just for everybody’s information from a virus protection point of view, facial hair cuts down the efficiency of face masks considerably.

Mrs Jock an infection control specialist, along with so many others in the medical world is having to deal with this present pandemic on the front line. She has to insist that ANYONE working with a face mask must shave off their Facial hair before they are issued a mask and BEFORE a fitting. The fit is that critical for maximum safety. Alright, have some fun with your tartan face masks but please be aware that they will not be as efficient as they might be and by some considerable margin, if you have a beard.

Stay safe everyone.

Many, many years ago when I was in the US Navy beards were authorized...until the powers that be realized that facial hair (ie, beards) prevented a tight seal in the gas mask.

[Quarter Scot]

Don't have my tartan masks yet but a Guitar mask is a good second choice.....