Working with a Face Mask/Covering

[Scarpozzi]

When everything locked down last year, my wife and I both worked from home. I stayed home with the kids and she returned to office work in May/June......you know, for money. I'm going to start transitioning back to the office within the next month or so (later if possible for childcare, etc).

There is going to be a face mask requirement in the office. I work in a cube farm with other people and ventilation isn't great. My concerns are that my facial hair is going to be uncomfortable with a mask on all day. My wife complains about skin irritation and other nasal dryness from wearing a mask. (she's really struggled in her office the past year and tells me I have no concept of the real world...whatever that means)

Should I be looking into getting some neck gaiters or something else? I've got a few cloth masks that are ok, but not thrilled about the idea of wearing them for more than an hour at a time.

 

[Captante]

In my experience when I went back to work part-time for awhile last summer/early fall facial hair is a mixed blessing. I actually found it slightly more comfortable and easy to breath with a beard BUT pretty sure it offered less protection for the same reasons.

The 6 reusable Adidas masks I snagged way back in the early days have been serving me well by the way. If you haven't grabbed something comfortable they're not bad at all plus should provide better protection than most cloth masks based on the relatively tiny amounts of air they allow through. (avail in blue and black)

If you plan on wearing disposables every day it isn't going to be very comfortable.


Adidas masks (blue/Medium)

 

[WelshBloke]

Have beard (now that I can make it work with a fit tested mask), wear mask for 13 hours a day, have done for a year now.
I'd advise you to get some surgical masks (the standard blue ones you see on TV hospital dramas), they are a lot more comfortable for extended periods than cloth ones.
The main problem you'll have is your ears getting sore.

 

[Captante]

The main problem you'll have is your ears getting sore

This is the main problem with every disposable mask I've tried other than some weird beak-like triangular 3M N-95's I had a few of last year. (I got them free but they cost like $6 each)

The other issue only comes up if you wear glasses... cheap disposables fog the worst of anything I've tried.

And comfort-wise I often forget I'm wearing those Adidas masks.

Tough to beat that by much.

 

[paperfist]

3M respirator.

 

[WelshBloke]

This is the main problem with every disposable mask I've tried other than some weird beak-like triangular 3M N-95's I had a few of last year. (I got them free but they cost like $6 each)

Theres three things we use to help. There's a headband with buttons sewed on that the mask hooks on to (probably not the most blokey solution), a small strip of fabric with a button at each end (you hook the mask loops to the buttons and wear the fabric behind your head), or a 3d printed strip that kinda does the same job.

The other issue only comes up if you wear glasses... cheap disposables fog the worst of anything I've tried.

Surgical masks should have a little metal bendable strip on the nose bit. It takes a bit of practice but if you bend this just right it'll sit under your glasses and make enough of a seal to avoid fogging your glasses.

And comfort-wise I often forget I'm wearing those Adidas masks.

Tough to beat that by much.

I find fabric masks hot and sweaty after a couple of hours and a bit more claustrophobic. I guess that comes down to what you are used to though.

Wearing FFP3 and visors and full gowns for hours and hours is a bitch though, I'm glad that's over!

 

[Scarpozzi]

In my experience when I went back to work part-time for awhile last summer/early fall facial hair is a mixed blessing. I actually found it slightly more comfortable and easy to breath with a beard BUT pretty sure it offered less protection for the same reasons.

The 6 reusable Adidas masks I snagged way back in the early days have been serving me well by the way. If you haven't grabbed something comfortable they're not bad at all plus should provide better protection than most cloth masks based on the relatively tiny amounts of air they allow through. (avail in blue and black)

If you plan on wearing disposables every day it isn't going to be very comfortable.


Adidas masks (blue/Medium)

Thanks. They sell those through Amazon too...I may pick up a pack when it gets a little closer to when I have to sober up and drive to work next month.

 

[Captante]

Theres three things we use to help. There's a headband with buttons sewed on that the mask hooks on to (probably not the most blokey solution), a small strip of fabric with a button at each end (you hook the mask loops to the buttons and wear the fabric behind your head), or a 3d printed strip that kinda does the same job.

Surgical masks should have a little metal bendable strip on the nose bit. It takes a bit of practice but if you bend this just right it'll sit under your glasses and make enough of a seal to avoid fogging your glasses.




I find fabric masks hot and sweaty after a couple of hours and a bit more claustrophobic. I guess that comes down to what you are used to though.

Wearing FFP3 and visors and full gowns for hours and hours is a bitch though, I'm glad that's over!

I've tried about 20 different disposable masks ... as I mentioned only the super expensive ones work for me.

And it depends on the fabric .... I tried a bunch of masks suggested on here and elsewhere before I settled on the Adidas. It was the best compromise between comfort, protection and not-absurd pricing that I found.

Another factor for me is the size of my big fat head!

 

[lxskllr]

This is my newest for warm weather...



Made in Palestine. It's a lot better than the ones I got last year, but at 2-3x the price, it should be. I work outside, so I don't wear it at work.

 

[Linux23]

Thanks. They sell those through Amazon too...I may pick up a pack when it gets a little closer to when I have to sober up and drive to work next month.

Yeah, just tell your boss that you're not going to be able to come to the office. He or she will totally understand your concerns. Thank me later.

 

[ultimatebob]

My employer is planning for a "nobody needs to wear a mask in the office, but you're not allowed in the office unless you are fully vaccinated" style opening this summer. I'm curious how that's going to work out.

There is going to be an option to continue to work from home, which I'd expect that most people are going to use/abuse until they force people back into the office eventually.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My employer is planning for a "nobody needs to wear a mask in the office, but you're not allowed in the office unless you are fully vaccinated" style opening this summer. I'm curious how that's going to work out.

There is going to be an option to continue to work from home, which I'd expect that most people are going to use/abuse until they force people back into the office eventually.

I really enjoy the flexibility, but know a number of people that returned in July are jealous of me not showing up. A few people want me back so I'll walk with them and go out to lunch! 😎

Working in the office is great, but I've enjoyed picking my kids up from school and eating at home. I've saved a ton of money and prepare dinner to be cooked while I'm still working just about every day.

The gravy train has to end eventually though, I suppose.

 

[Zorba]

I got a bunch of masks from Old Navy. I then got some bias tape from a fabric store and sewed it across the top. I put a 14 gauge copper wire in it. Have worn them for 12 hours straight no issue and the wire prevents fogging and air blowing into my eyes. If they bother your ears, there are several items on amazon that'll hold them off your ears, or you can attach ties to them.

If you don't have a sewing machine, it would be pretty easy to sew the bias tape on by hand.

 

[snoopy7548]

I don't find it to be much of an issue. I've been working in the office and at home off and on since this whole thing started - my company never closed. Of course I'd prefer to work without a mask, but it's not a big deal either. If I'm sitting in my cube (almost 6' high walls), I don't wear a mask, but I do at all other times.

I wear cloth masks. Be sure to get ones with soft straps that won't pull on your ears. Ones like these are comfortable, but it might be tricky finding one that fits right and isn't too loose:

 

[purbeast0]

My fucking 6 year old in Kindergarten can wear his mask all day at school from 9:10am - 3:50pm and then more at home when running around playing with friends down the street.

You snowflakes will be fine wearing masks while working.

 

[Linux23]

My fucking 6 year old in Kindergarten can wear his mask all day at school from 9:10am - 3:50pm and then more at home when running around playing with friends down the street.

You snowflakes will be fine wearing masks while working.

wait, 6 year old in kindergarten? what happened here?

 

[purbeast0]

wait, 6 year old in kindergarten? what happened here?

He was 5 up until about 3 weeks ago.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My fucking 6 year old in Kindergarten can wear his mask all day at school from 9:10am - 3:50pm and then more at home when running around playing with friends down the street.

You snowflakes will be fine wearing masks while working.

Yeah, but I"m not a typical ATOT lifer. A face as pretty as mine shouldn't ever be covered up unless the chick sitting on me is really hot. (and light)

 

[zinfamous]

I've been working since late September, 4 days/week (limited humans shift work), and we have to wear masks at all times, inside and outside. It hasn't bothered me, and I'm a rather bearded human.

I find that cheap surgical masks are fine for all-day comfort and if you're already vaccinated, I wouldn't really worry about anything. Go with the most comfortable mask that gets you through the day. We also aren't technically allowed to use cloth/outside masks when working in lab space (we have a combined lab/cubicle like setting, rather open throughout and also decently ventilated).

Outside work, I wear 3 layer cloth masks with replaceable filters. I much prefer that to simple surgical masks for actual safety.

I'm also quite used to mask wearing for extended periods, so my tolerance may not be that of typical humans, though even less so than uh, surgeons, I guess. Pre-covid, it wasn't unusual for me to have to wear a mask (I always stuck to N95, to reduce allergies while working with rodents), for around 4 or so hours at a time, maybe once or twice a week. After that, surgical masks are like not wearing a mask at all.

 

[Lanyap]

In my experience when I went back to work part-time for awhile last summer/early fall facial hair is a mixed blessing. I actually found it slightly more comfortable and easy to breath with a beard BUT pretty sure it offered less protection for the same reasons.

The 6 reusable Adidas masks I snagged way back in the early days have been serving me well by the way. If you haven't grabbed something comfortable they're not bad at all plus should provide better protection than most cloth masks based on the relatively tiny amounts of air they allow through. (avail in blue and black)

If you plan on wearing disposables every day it isn't going to be very comfortable.


Adidas masks (blue/Medium)

These are nice. I bought them for the family when they first came out. Very soft, flexible and comfortable. They are two layer and you can add your favorite filter between the two layers (blue shop paper towels, PM2.5, coffee filters, etc.)

If OP decides to go to disposable I highly recommend BYD brand. They are high quality at a reasonable price and they have a good selection of mask types.

BYD CARE

World's Leading Mask, Respirators, Hand Sanitizer Manufacturer

www.amazon.com

 

[Scarpozzi]

These are nice. I bought them for the family when they first came out. Very soft, flexible and comfortable. They are two layer and you can add your favorite filter between the two layers (blue shop paper towels, PM2.5, coffee filters, etc.)

If OP decides to go to disposable I highly recommend BYD brand. They are high quality at a reasonable price and they have a good selection of mask types.

BYD CARE

World's Leading Mask, Respirators, Hand Sanitizer Manufacturer

www.amazon.com

I'm planning on going with the Adidas ones. I've been wearing the same 2 ones that my mother made me for the past 12 months....yeah...I'm proud yo!

 

[Linux23]

He was 5 up until about 3 weeks ago.

Wait, what's the cutoff date for your school district? My daughter missed her cutoff by 2 days by being born Oct 3rd.

Big positive is that your son is going to be highly mature and advanced over the other kids when he start kindergarten so good luck.

 

[Captante]

I'm planning on going with the Adidas ones. I've been wearing the same 2 ones that my mother made me for the past 12 months....yeah...I'm proud yo!

I made it 8 months + before buying the second 3 of these... I must admit they sometimes only get washed every 3rd-4th usage unless I happen to go grocery-shopping or something equally germy.

THEN they get boiled!

 

[skyking]

I'm still rocking the disposables, and yes they are a bit of trouble with safety glasses and fogging. I get them fitted tight on the nose and do the Tommy Lee Jones glasses out just a bit to mitigate the fogging. Most of the time I don't have to wear the glasses.

 

[kt]

I am using the KN95 masks because they are comfortable and don't fog up my glasses. Most importantly, they protect me and the people around me.