topic Re: Mask or Face Cover? in Community Chat

Mask or Face Cover?

Nancy Drew — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 01:32:18 GMT

I noticed that when the host say mask they immediately switch and say face cover. Why? What is wrong with the word mask?

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

kitcat51 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 01:38:03 GMT

My State requires a face covering, it doesn't have to be a mask...I wear a face shield.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Oznell — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 01:46:54 GMT

Yes, I think that explanation makes sense, @kitcat51 .

I believe my hubby looked it up at some point, and that our state has specified something like " a two layered face covering", or mask. So I expect the hosts are trying to cover all bases by saying that, @Nancy Drew .

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

lovesrecess — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 02:40:21 GMT

Our area is requiring face coverings...masks with ear loops or toes in the back. no bandanas, plastic shields or gaiters. I have no idea why gaiters aren’t allowed since that actually cover even more of your face, but the plastic face shields and bandanas have been given a thumbs-down by the medical people who say they do not offer enough protection from the person wearing it.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

ROMARY — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 02:41:52 GMT

As long as they both have pockets to insert a piece or two of a paper towel. Or some type of filter.

Having a pocket probably is a good idea, imo.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

shoesnbags — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 03:48:38 GMT

@lovesrecess wrote:
Our area is requiring face coverings...masks with ear loops or toes in the back. no bandanas, plastic shields or gaiters. I have no idea why gaiters aren’t allowed since that actually cover even more of your face, but the plastic face shields and bandanas have been given a thumbs-down by the medical people who say they do not offer enough protection from the person wearing it.

@lovesrecess

About a month ago on the news they were talking about a study (studies?) on the effectiveness of various face coverings. Gaiters were down at the bottom. I think it might be that they're generally made of such thin fabric.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Mominohio — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 04:05:37 GMT

I think there is a component of making it feel less clinical, less mandated, less restrictive to say face covering as opposed to mask.

There is a lot of controversy about the legality of mandating and "masks" is usually used in that context.

I think the hosts are searching for (or been told by QVC to use) a less inflammatory terms for the same thing.

I always feel the term 'face covering' is being used to lessen the controversy of or the restrictiveness of the item.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Zhills — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 12:55:58 GMT

Some "masks" for the face are beauty poducts.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 13:13:21 GMT

Under OSHA regulations, there are specific definitions for "mask," and a lot of requirements when selling them and for specific uses.

People are getting away from the term "mask" and using "face covering," which is what is in all the state requirements.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

suzyQ3 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:37:48 GMT

Whatever they're called, just wear one. :-) The country is seeing numbers that are higher than the worst we've seen since the beginning.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

ginirn — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:42:24 GMT

Those who think it is okay to wear a face shield please rethink. They are to prevent fluid being splashed in your face. They are ineffectivce for air borne virus particles. Retired RN here. Wore face shield when I worked in dialysii as there is a high risk of blood contamination. Masks protect you and others. If Drs and nurses did not wear them in the operation arena they would be infecting the open wounds with all kinds of stuff including MRSAand VRE.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Marp — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:29:33 GMT

@lovesrecess wrote:
Our area is requiring face coverings...masks with ear loops or toes in the back. no bandanas, plastic shields or gaiters. I have no idea why gaiters aren’t allowed since that actually cover even more of your face, but the plastic face shields and bandanas have been given a thumbs-down by the medical people who say they do not offer enough protection from the person wearing it.

@lovesrecess, a big thank you! Your "toes" typo gave me a very much needed laugh.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

SilleeMee — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:13:03 GMT

My state's ordinance says a mask is required and it has to cover the nose, mouth and fit snugly against the sides of the face. Face shields are not accepted according the mandate rules here.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Jackyl — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 20:55:06 GMT

To me, it's the same as saying someone has an athletic calf, inside of wide calf. Just phrasing to make it sound nicer. Same thing with fabrication, just call it a fabric.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Porcelain — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 21:09:02 GMT

They may be trying to avoid triggering the anti-maskers. A pointless endeavor, in my opinion.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Stray — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 21:40:44 GMT

A face covering can be cotton, can be a bandana or a gaiter. If a mandate states “a mask” then it must be a mask line the blue surgical with ear loops or N95. A face covering can be made of cotton which is porous and thin. A mask would offer more protection

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Jordan2 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 21:48:33 GMT

I was at the mall Saturday. They use to have the mall entrances unlocked, but now they open them at 10:00. I was speaking to a man and a woman, they were sitting on a bench outside waiting for the mall to open (I kept my distance). He didn't have his mask on, she was wearing something they call a gaiter (?). All the while she was talking I keep thinking the fabric was so thin, I think a mask is so much better.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

SilleeMee — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 22:13:05 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I was at the mall Saturday. They use to have the mall entrances unlocked, but now they open them at 10:00. I was speaking to a man and a woman, they were sitting on a bench outside waiting for the mall to open (I kept my distance). He didn't have his mask on, she was wearing something they call a gaiter (?). All the while she was talking I keep thinking the fabric was so thin, I think a mask is so much better.

Those gaiter type coverings are made of a super thin knit fabric. When you breath or talk through them, the thin fabric acts like a micronizing media where it causes droplets to become even more smaller and extremely airborne b/c the droplets have become micronized droplets. Some say those gaiter type covers should be banned b/c of what they do to droplets.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

Deree — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 23:51:16 GMT

I heard that gaiters are okay IF they are cotton and triple layered. A lot of gaiters are made of polyester and blends which aren't effective against covid droplets.

A face shield by itself is problematic. I saw an imaging study on tv of how the airflow actually goes under and up into the face shield. Ideally you still need to wear a mask under a face shield.

Re: Mask or Face Cover?

NYCLatinaMe — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 06:42:31 GMT

@lovesrecess wrote:
Our area is requiring face coverings...masks with ear loops or toes in the back. no bandanas, plastic shields or gaiters. I have no idea why gaiters aren’t allowed since that actually cover even more of your face, but the plastic face shields and bandanas have been given a thumbs-down by the medical people who say they do not offer enough protection from the person wearing it.

Gaiters have only one layer of protection. Masks, including the cheapest disposable ones, have several layers.