topic Re: Homemade Mask in Wellness

Homemade Mask

CherryHugs — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 12:11:26 GMT

a good friend sent me a pretty Christmas homemade cotton mask in the card she sent.

i want to wear it but have to ask, it is one ply. is this fine to wear by itself?

please no negative comments. I just need to know about this. Thank you!

Re: Homemade Mask

Twoaces — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 12:16:26 GMT

One ply would not give the protection that you need. However, you could sure wear it over any other mask that you might have. That’s what I would do. I’ve done that a few times and found that it works fine and doesn’t impede my breathing like I thought it might. Merry Christmas!

Re: Homemade Mask

Valstybaby — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:16:30 GMT

I wear only the blue 3 ply masks - my preference.

Re: Homemade Mask

LindaSal — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:51:33 GMT

@CherryHugs 3 ply protects you best. As another stated you can wear it over one of those just for looks, I have done the same. A single layer mask is useless by itself.

Re: Homemade Mask

happycat — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 14:14:38 GMT

While it was very sweet of your friend to make you the mask, and I bet its lovely, I don't think one ply is enough.

I've ordered some that were suppose to be three ply and they are not, and I don't wear them now. I think I did early on, and before covid became so widespread here, which wasn't smart of me anyway. But now I only wear the 3 ply ones. Its not worth taking a chance to me.

Re: Homemade Mask

momoftwo2007 — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 15:10:13 GMT

I think you can wear that over the disposable masks you have. I often wear homemade cotton masks over disposable masks because the homemade masks look more fashionable. Or you can wear the one ply masks outdoors in situations you can stay 6 ft apart.

Re: Homemade Mask

CherryHugs — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 15:20:12 GMT

It was very sweet of her to send that and it is so pretty and reversable too. I think a good idea is wear over disposable one. Thank you to all that replied!

Re: Homemade Mask

hckynut — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 15:43:40 GMT

@CherryHugs

The only place I have worn a mask regularly is at the ice rink, and that is only until I get into the actual ice surface. But this I know. Cotton has a high moisture absorption rate and 1 ply would absorb less than a 3 ply.

I wear only the disposable masks I get at the hospital. After wearing the same mask 2 times, and not for a long period of time? When I look at the inside of the mask and what it contains? Not aerosolized droplets, but solidified, who knows what! Ain't no way I am going to wear that mask again. Can't imagine what it would absorb while skating at a high heart and breath rate.

Moisture gathers bacteria, and in my mind, to me that makes me more susceptible to a respiratory issue than wearing no mask. Probably retains those cursed droplets that are said to aerosolize and put others at risk should I be an asymptomatic positive carrier.

Were I to wear any cotton mask it would be 1 use only and wash thoroughly. I put my risk first, not that of others, since I fall into the highest risk category, with several comorbidities, the highest.

hckynut

If I don't feel it safe for me no way will I wear it more than once without a good washing.

Re: Homemade Mask

patbz — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:26:33 GMT

DH and I primarily wear Old Navy masks. They are made of quality cotton but are all one ply. I still prefer them as they are tightly woven and pass the candle test ( I've actually huffed and puffed and can't blow out the candle I keep burning during the day in my bedroom).

Re: Homemade Mask

Nuttmeg — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:25:43 GMT

@CherryHugs

Such a lovely gift from a friend.

I would wear a regular mask and this one over it for something nice.

I was at doctor's a few weeks ago and a patient was given a better mask. The staff said hers was flimsy. She wore two.

Re: Homemade Mask

happycat — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:29:31 GMT

@momoftwo2007 wrote:
I think you can wear that over the disposable masks you have. I often wear homemade cotton masks over disposable masks because the homemade masks look more fashionable. Or you can wear the one ply masks outdoors in situations you can stay 6 ft apart.

That is a great idea!

Re: Homemade Mask

Still Raining — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 01:01:22 GMT

I have seen paper masks under cloth masks. Not such a good look, but should work.

Wonder if we should being doing that?

Re: Homemade Mask

Wendy Lou Hoo — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:21:24 GMT

I have some 2 ply masks, and also think 3 ply is better, so I cut up an old 100% cotton tee shirt using a mask as a pattern, and sewed a third layer on the masks. They work fine and are very breathable.

Re: Homemade Mask

CherryHugs — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:34:18 GMT

I have never worn one but keep hearing that bandanas are not good at all.

I would think better than nothing!

Re: Homemade Mask

riley1 — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 22:53:36 GMT

@CherryHugs - I made masks for all in my family. Mine have 3 layers to them. Bandanas so I have heard do not offer the protection needed.

Re: Homemade Mask

ID2 — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 10:36:56 GMT

Eee gad! Wear two masks?? I can't stand wearing one I would NEVER wear two!!

Re: Homemade Mask

tototwo — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 12:32:45 GMT

I've noticed a lot of people out and about who are wearing 2 masks -- a cloth mask over a paper mask.

I've been to a medical clinic twice recently. Both times, they made me remove my cloth mask and put on a paper mask before I was allowed to enter the building. The medical profession must think that paper masks are better.

It was very thoughtful of your friend to give you a mask, but agree you should wear a paper mask under it.

Re: Homemade Mask

patbz — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 18:29:34 GMT

I've noticed that Biden frequently wears a black mask over a surgical mask.

Re: Homemade Mask

Nightowlz — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 19:11:50 GMT

I have 3 ply masks. One I have been wearing has a pocket inside where you can slide one of those PM2.5 filters in.

Re: Homemade Mask

Sage04 — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 13:04:22 GMT

@CherryHugs you said that the cotton mask is reversible. If it is, it should be 2 ply. Did she use the same color material on the front and the back? Can you tell the front from the back?

Most of the time I use the same pattern material on the front and the back but the back (the side that hits your face) is usually turned inside out, so that the wearer would know and continue using it with the bright side facing front.

I should have said that if the mask is reversible, that means it's 2ply.