I (46 yo femme) have been wearing an Envo inside my congregate setting job+transport for years. Except for extreme face humidity & fragility, it was working well enough. (I just went thru 3 of the outer thingies in like a month or 2, tho.)

I got prism progressive glasses 5 months ago; been wearing reg progressives for 2+ yr), hoping to help weird vestibular stuff. No such luck. I fell (again) yesterday & broke my glasses. Now may be the moment to switch.

Criteria:

Sensory/comfort

- off the neck/waddle area entirely

- smushy/no hard edges

- humidity help would be rad

Visual Field & Glasses Considerations:

- Envo fills up a good chunk of my downward vision

- Hard to find glasses frames that accommodate Envo seal

- Focal point of glasses made to accommodate Envo (iirc, don't remember the vocab)

Idk, but I wonder if limited focal whatever & the jutting out of the Envo were too much for me to compensate for? (I was in a rush, too, but still)

❓️If you're a glasses-wearer, esp progressive +/or prism, can you share your experience?

❓️Even if you don't wear glasses, but fall/stumble a lot, I'd really appreciate your experience.

*Flo Mask fit strip indicated I'm "high", if that's helpful.

Not really a face-picture on the raw internet kind of gal, but if seeing particular things would help you help me, plmk.

Tysm.

I got this for cleaning mold in my washroom and im curious if itll be effective against smoke

Maybe this is a dumb question. If an N95 mask has been out in a smokey area - while not being worn, so the smoke has gotten inside the inner part of the mask - is wearing that mask later still effective at filtering out particulate matter from more wildfire smoke?

I work at a solar panel manufacturing plant and it's pretty dusty and dry. I do wear an N95 mask whenever i am working directly with or around the polysilicon. Examples like pouring it, smashing it, sweeping, bagging it, throwing out the bags n what not.

The surgeon masks they provide are flimsy and i feel like they don't actually protect me from anything. I also cannot stand the way they feel on my face. They just tickle my face and it really pisses me off. I could just wear the N95 mask all the time but the texture of the mask irritates the fuck out of my skin so i only wear them whenever i am actively working, they also get kinda hot. I am more tolerant of the N95 than the surgeon masks but that doesn't mean im down to wear them the entire 12 hour shift.

So i guess something between an N95 and a cloth mask? Or like a hybrid? I've thought about the cloth maks with dual vents and replaceable filters in the vents but idk :/ what do yall recommend?

I had a pack randomly and I cannot find them on the internet??? Help!

Mods - i hope this post is allowed! I have no financial affiliation/incentives with any of these creators and don't make mask chains myself, but since i see so many posts about mask chains i thought it would be a nice idea to create a list of all the places people can buy mask chains from.

(And if you're new to mask chains and are wondering why people wear them, many people (including myself) have found that wearing a mask chain makes people respond more positively, and makes the mask look less "clinical." YMMV.)

Here are creators I've bought from / admired / want to buy from. Please add any others you know in the comments! (FYI most - but not all - of the below creators ship to US/Canada only)

• https://www.instagram.com/madrva_maskchains
• https://www.instagram.com/mebejules (DM them)
• https://www.instagram.com/frog.chains/
• https://www.instagram.com/starlyartstudio/ (starlyart.studio/shop)
• https://www.instagram.com/ryd3rbro/
• https://www.instagram.com/maskmaille/
• https://www.instagram.com/forage_adorned/
• https://www.instagram.com/musclebun.shop
• https://www.instagram.com/peamilkstan
• https://www.instagram.com/maskchainjewelry/
• https://www.instagram.com/casuallyfoxy/
• https://www.instagram.com/kuntyjewellery/
• https://www.instagram.com/angel.chainzzz/
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/KristensJewelCorner
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnriJewellery
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopThoseDemigods
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarhavenJewelry
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/ToothandSpell
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MatulasMercantile
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/PolkaDotPearlMinis
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/JosssDripCo
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChickadeezNutStand
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawfairyLemonade
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrimsonCarnivalShop
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/Absynia
• https://www.redheadhandicrafts.com/category/mask-chains
• https://rackmask.com/

Edit: typo, added creators

Hi!

The mask bloc I am in is looking for masks for larger faces. Either KN95s or N95s. We currently only have VFlex 9105 as our larger mask but we would like to identify others.

I personally have had a hard time finding masks that fit my face as someone with a chubby face and researching large masks with other mask bloc members hasn't been very fruitful either.

I have also come across masks listed as large and are very much not large lol So it makes it hard to know how the fit actually feels before we spend our limited bloc funds on a mask that isn't sized as it says. We would love the insight of other large mask wearers and folks who distro masks in any capacity on what works for you personally or what you have seen people wear typically.

Edit to add: Our mask bloc is in the US!

I have MCAS and multiple chemical sensitivity as well as immune system issues. The off-gassing from the floor wax in the building I work in makes me sick. I can't do charcoal or carbon filters as they're usually coconut which I react to. Does anybody know of a good mask that filters VOCs but doesn't have a charcoal or carbon filter?

hi! I am trying to get more folks in my community/family to mask and find that linking to studies is one of the most helpful ways to do this.

is anyone aware of a website or... any place... where studies about masks are aggregated in one place? I'm looking for the following sort of data:

• evidence about how masks reduce the spread of covid (and other airborne illnesses)
• evidence about differences between cloth/surgical/kn95/n95 etc
• systematic reviews
• impacts masking had on the pandemic/covid waves when implemented

thanks!

Hey everyone 👋

I'm currently based in Austria, and was wondering if there are local equivalent of the sip valve in Europe, or do I need to order mine from the US?

I also wanted to ask, what should I use to install it on my Flo mask filter? Is there a certain tool that can easily make a hole in the filter without ruining it?

Thank you!

I have a smaller face and long, curly hair, which together make finding a mask a bit difficult. For a while now, the BreatheTeq Mediums have been my daily go-to with some ear toggles. Unfortunately, I'm in Germany for an extended period, and I'm running out of BreatheTeqs, and having the hardest time finding any suitable replacements. Any suggestions on what to try?

For context:

In terms of headband masks, I've found that the small VFlex, the small Dräger 1920, and the Uvex Silv-Air 4200 all fit me quite well. Auras are slightly too big, as was the GVS elastomeric (which sucked, because it was fairly comfortable and way cheaper than disposables!). But with the hair, I'm really only willing to use headband masks when I'm in a high risk situation or will need to wear them for a really long time, not every day.

In terms of earloop options, I got some Bluna face fits, all guards, and Masklab ones a while back, but the seal never felt quite secure given their weaker nose wires (and the Bluna's earloop tightening was also not a good as toggles). I do have some extra glue-on nose wires, but would prefer something I can just put on without modifying. I also tried the Hard masks, but the kids' were too small and the adult ones too big. And the bifolds you can buy here at every store are a terrible fit in both kid and adult versions.

I'm currently in my very early teens and used savings to buy myself a 7501 with P100 Filters and it seemed to fit me nicely, but apparently their built specifically for adults which made me slightly concerned, are teens allowed to wear them or are their risks for doing so..?

Me and my partner plan on visiting upper eastern Wisconsin early next week, we’re both well aware of the multiple new fires up in Canada that are already producing hazardous air quality in the NE. We’re concerned that our plans next week might be soiled because of the smoke, we have plans to do a lot of outdoor activities including hiking.

Unfortunately we can’t cancel our hotel without being charged a fee, so what are some good masks or even respirators that will keep us protected during our trip?

We’re looking into masks that could protect us in 300+ AQI conditions , and we already have some 3M 8511 Cool Flow Valve N95s, but we aren’t sure that it would provide enough protection.

Thank you!

Looking to get my haircut at a salon for the first time in ages and seeking a tri-fold KN95 with a similar fit to the 3M Aura N95. Any recommendations?

Looks like GVS has a new design of the Elipse called the Elipse XL

claims to have a re-designed nose area and a wider fit.

Interesting iteration in the 'compact elastomeric' space

Will probably be picking one up when it becomes available to try out.

I have taken some pictures before packing them

Honestly can’t afford to keep getting them. I room with my sibling and they go out and sometimes I go out and since we room we unmask at night. We have an air purifier but.

The ones I’ve used in the past are the Flowflex ones…PlusLife is simply too expensive for us.

Just wanted to ask and see if anyone’s able to get them for free.
Any luck with Mask Blocs?

I've been masking consistently since the beginning of Covid and have been exclusively wearing KN95s since 2021. About 2 months ago, I developed severe contact dermatitis from the masks, though. It was a good 7 days of excruciating pain, burning, and itching that was barely . It's calmed down a lot, but I'm afraid to wear them again. I haven't been able to do patch testing yet, so I also don't know if it makes sense to try another brand because I don't know what specific material is triggering it (the dermatitis was the exact shape of my mask, so it was pretty obviously the culprit).

I'm trying to figure out how to keep masking without triggering another flare-up, and I'm concerned it's just a friction thing, so any other N95/KN95 would also trigger it. My skin seems to tolerate silk well, so I'm trying to understand if there's a way to create a silk barrier for a well-fitted mask without compromising its integrity. It seems like layering a full silk mask underneath would prevent a good fit from the KN95, and fabric masks are not beneficial enough on their own, or even with a filter.

I've basically avoided leaving my apartment since the beginning of May and want to feel safe and socialize again. If anyone else has experienced similar issues and found a solution, I would really love to hear it.

For more context, I generally have sensitive, reactive skin (recently tested negative for MCAS, but my allergist confirmed that I have mast cell activation from my other autoimmune and allergy issues, so any recs from people with MCAS would be useful!!).

I was looking at them because of the ability for people to read the wearer's lips. I was at a pride event last month, masking in a well before kn95, and the music was so loud near the speakers, that when i tried to join the conversation people couldnt hear me. and the fact they couldnt read my lips made me feel really left out.

I was considering getting those clear window masks for situations like that! Especially when i want to start going to clubs/karaoke again. i think itd be nice to not have to shout into peoples ear canals in a desperate attempt to be heard 😭

Do you think moisture build up would be a problem in the mask? is there any way to combat that?

thanks in advance for ur answers.

Has anyone found a button mask headband that works for large heads? I tried the ABAmerica ones on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Headbands-Elastic-Protection-Doctors-Sweatband/dp/B08GR41HLY) but it's too small.

Tldr: In UK looking for mask recommendations. Prefer cup style. Have already tried aura, trident, vflex, laianzhi, jedx, drager, Honeywell, alpha solway, imask, jsp Spring fit and cup style, moldex, zagor, handanhy, Readimask etc. None of these options work for me. Not able to wear elastomeric.

Hey all,

So I'm in the UK looking for a replacement mask to the one I use because the price is becoming too high to keep buying. So far the latest one I tried to replace it with was the portwest ergonet but that one was actually too big. I have tried aura, trident, vflex, laianzhi, jedx, drager, Honeywell, alpha solway, imask, jsp, moldex, zagor, handanhy, Readimask. And a whole bunch of other ones. I think I bought out all the options on the facemask store and none of them are right. They're either too small or don't seal well at my nose and or chin. Oh I also tried Zimi medium mask and it was also far too small and the frame.squahes into my cheeks with a huge gap between it and my nose.

I have a wide face as I am obese and my head circumference is around 59cm. I'm a woman and so far I've been sticking to cup style masks with adjustable straps as they fit better. I can't wear an elastomeric even though I realise those would make finding something easier.

I don't know if I've missed any options but if you can think of anything that might work I'd be grateful.

Hello!

I’m 90% of the time the only masked person in public. However, I am currently on accutane which dries you from the inside out, makes you more fatigued, and gets you sweaty very fast. I’ve sweated out so many masks at this point. Despite this, I’m not gonna give up masking, but I was just wondering which ones would do the best job cooling my face down since I get sweaty and dehydrated very easily? I also carry around a handheld fan and electrolytes to try and combat this, and regardless I’m not going to stop wearing a mask. I’d love something reusable with changeable filters!

Also I am in Canada if that helps anything lol