Facial Masks - Coronavirus

[BetteDavisEyes]

After a 10-week pause in physical therapy for bursitis in my right hip, I resumed treatment last week. As of yesterday, I've had a total of eight sessions - 4 before the COVID hiatus, 4 now that the facility has reopened. Receptionists, physical therapists, and patients are required to wear masks, and patients are asked health questions prior to every visit.

I have the same PT each session, and we have talked about masks during every visit. It's gotten very warm in southeastern lower Michigan, and I am usually hot by the time I enter the building and immediately don my CVS procedural facial mask. Except for a 5-minute cardio warmup on a recumbent bike or eliptical, I am mostly doing stationary stretches with very little movement. I feel a frequent need to lower my mask and take a breath of fresh air - or air that is better than inside the restrictive mask. There have only been 4 PTs with their patients in the gym at the same time, and we are well-spaced, so it's not a problem to lower masks briefly.

About halfway through my session yesterday, I started to feel light-headed and asked to take a brief break and sit down. Besides being very warm, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I sat down, lowered my mask, and put my head on my knees. I would have loved to put a damp cloth on my face to cool off, but the water fountains in the gym are turned off. I recovered following a brief pause and resumed my stretches, making sure to take a "mask break" after each set of exercises. My PT asked if I was claustrophobic - I'm not - but I reminded her that I have mild asthma that might cause the momentary sense of not being able to catch my breath.

I hope I didn't go too far off topic as I know the primary purpose of this thread is the actual making of face masks for which I truly admire and appreciate each and every one of you

 

[anneg]

After a 10-week pause in physical therapy for bursitis in my right hip, I resumed treatment last week. As of yesterday, I've had a total of eight sessions - 4 before the COVID hiatus, 4 now that the facility has reopened. Receptionists, physical therapists, and patients are required to wear masks, and patients are asked health questions prior to every visit.

I have the same PT each session, and we have talked about masks during every visit. It's gotten very warm in southeastern lower Michigan, and I am usually hot by the time I enter the building and immediately don my CVS procedural facial mask. Except for a 5-minute cardio warmup on a recumbent bike or eliptical, I am mostly doing stationary stretches with very little movement. I feel a frequent need to lower my mask and take a breath of fresh air - or air that is better than inside the restrictive mask. There have only been 4 PTs with their patients in the gym at the same time, and we are well-spaced, so it's not a problem to lower masks briefly.

About halfway through my session yesterday, I started to feel light-headed and asked to take a brief break and sit down. Besides being very warm, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I sat down, lowered my mask, and put my head on my knees. I would have loved to put a damp cloth on my face to cool off, but the water fountains in the gym are turned off. I recovered following a brief pause and resumed my stretches, making sure to take a "mask break" after each set of exercises. My PT asked if I was claustrophobic - I'm not - but I reminded her that I have mild asthma that might cause the momentary sense of not being able to catch my breath.

I hope I didn't go too far off topic as I know the primary purpose of this thread is the actual making of face masks for which I truly admire and appreciate each and every one of you

A friend has begun PT (she had back surgery in January) and I was surprised to hear that she will be doing it via Zoom following one in-person session. Hope it works well for her.
ETA: no face mask required for this approach!

 

[Deleted member 158085]

A friend has begun PT (she had back surgery in January) and I was surprised to hear that she will be doing it via Zoom following one in-person session. Hope it works well for her.
ETA: no face mask required for this approach!

That’s awesome! Being a major home-body, I would have loved this option when I was doing PT.

 

[PayrollNerd]

After a 10-week pause in physical therapy for bursitis in my right hip, I resumed treatment last week. As of yesterday, I've had a total of eight sessions - 4 before the COVID hiatus, 4 now that the facility has reopened. Receptionists, physical therapists, and patients are required to wear masks, and patients are asked health questions prior to every visit.

I have the same PT each session, and we have talked about masks during every visit. It's gotten very warm in southeastern lower Michigan, and I am usually hot by the time I enter the building and immediately don my CVS procedural facial mask. Except for a 5-minute cardio warmup on a recumbent bike or eliptical, I am mostly doing stationary stretches with very little movement. I feel a frequent need to lower my mask and take a breath of fresh air - or air that is better than inside the restrictive mask. There have only been 4 PTs with their patients in the gym at the same time, and we are well-spaced, so it's not a problem to lower masks briefly.

About halfway through my session yesterday, I started to feel light-headed and asked to take a brief break and sit down. Besides being very warm, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I sat down, lowered my mask, and put my head on my knees. I would have loved to put a damp cloth on my face to cool off, but the water fountains in the gym are turned off. I recovered following a brief pause and resumed my stretches, making sure to take a "mask break" after each set of exercises. My PT asked if I was claustrophobic - I'm not - but I reminded her that I have mild asthma that might cause the momentary sense of not being able to catch my breath.

I hope I didn't go too far off topic as I know the primary purpose of this thread is the actual making of face masks for which I truly admire and appreciate each and every one of you

Thanks for sharing! It is not hard to get overheated wearing one. I don’t know how people will tolerate them outside in the heat this summer.

One of my meds causes shortness of breath. I just went out to the local farm stand. I was the only one wearing a mask. I hauled 2 cases of tomatoes to my truck. After each one, I had to pull my mask down and take a few deep breaths.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

That’s awesome! Being a major home-body, I would have loved this option when I was doing PT.

During the coronavirus hiatus from physical therapy, one of the PTs called me to ask if I might be interested in video conferences to discuss my progress. She said that they were considering this an option so that patients didn't lose ground during the pause in treatment. I told her that I had made a list of all of my stretches/exercises and was doing well on my own. I don't know if there are patients who are doing some type of video-conferencing now that the facility has reopened.

My current PT sends me videos of the exercises that we do during my sessions so I can review them when I'm at home. She does a lot of hands-on adjustment, manipulation, massage, etc. that could not be done at home. Also, I am using equipment that I don't have in my home. At-home treatment is probably better than not doing physical therapy at all, but there are more options available with outpatient treatment sessions. If the aquatic center in the outpatient building opens before my treatment program concludes, I will do a couple of PT sessions in the heated therapy pool. For now, I'm actually enjoying the opportunity to get out of the house a couple of times a week For nearly three months, I hadn't been anywhere other than getting food, picking up Rx, and a trip to the nursery for flowers over the holiday weekend.

 

[PayrollNerd]

The mask debate is like the Energizer Bunny..... its all over the damn place. Imma just keep on sewing ‘em.

WHO changes COVID-19 mask guidance
WHO changes COVID-19 mask guidance: Wear one if you can't keep your distance

The World Health Organization is broadening its recommendations for the use of masks during the coronavirus pandemic and said Friday it is now advising that in areas where the virus is spreading, people should wear fabric masks when social distancing is not possible, such as on public transportation and in shops.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said people over age 60 or with underlying medical conditions also should wear masks in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. WHO previously had recommended that only health care workers, people with COVID-19 and their caregivers wear medical masks, noting a global shortage of supplies.

During a press briefing discussing the revised guidance, Tedros added that “masks on their own will not protect you from COVID-19” and emphasized the importance of hand-washing, social distancing and other infection-prevention strategies.

WHO also widened its mask guidance to specify that health workers in areas where the virus is spreading freely should always wear masks inside medical facilities. Doctors working in cardiology or other wards, for example, should wear medical masks even if the facilities had no known coronavirus patients, Tedros said.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead on COVID-19, said the updated recommendations were based on new research commissioned by the U.N. health agency.

Other health agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have recommended for some time the wearing of masks or face coverings by the general public to slow the spread of the coronavirus. British authorities said this week that face coverings would be compulsory on subways and other mass transit.

April Baller, a WHO infection control expert, said the type of masks recommended for the general public are fabric or cloth coverings that can be made at home. She said part of the reason for the widening of WHO's advice on face masks was the increasing evidence COVID-19 can be spread by people before they have symptoms.

WHO previously said that transmission from people who do not have symptoms was not believed to be a major driver of the virus pandemic.

“What (the masks) do is they prevent a person who may actually have the disease from transmitting it to somebody else,” Baller said.

 

[Laughing]

What, wear one if you can't keep your distance???

I wear the blasted hot thing because OTHER PEOPLE can't (or won't or just don't) keep their distance!!!

Sorry to shout at you all, I expect you know just what I'm saying.

Gonna keep sewing as well!!!

 

[Deleted member 158085]

The mask debate is like the Energizer Bunny..... its all over the damn place. Imma just keep on sewing ‘em.

WHO changes COVID-19 mask guidance
WHO changes COVID-19 mask guidance: Wear one if you can't keep your distance

The World Health Organization is broadening its recommendations for the use of masks during the coronavirus pandemic and said Friday it is now advising that in areas where the virus is spreading, people should wear fabric masks when social distancing is not possible, such as on public transportation and in shops.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said people over age 60 or with underlying medical conditions also should wear masks in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. WHO previously had recommended that only health care workers, people with COVID-19 and their caregivers wear medical masks, noting a global shortage of supplies.

During a press briefing discussing the revised guidance, Tedros added that “masks on their own will not protect you from COVID-19” and emphasized the importance of hand-washing, social distancing and other infection-prevention strategies.

WHO also widened its mask guidance to specify that health workers in areas where the virus is spreading freely should always wear masks inside medical facilities. Doctors working in cardiology or other wards, for example, should wear medical masks even if the facilities had no known coronavirus patients, Tedros said.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead on COVID-19, said the updated recommendations were based on new research commissioned by the U.N. health agency.

Other health agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have recommended for some time the wearing of masks or face coverings by the general public to slow the spread of the coronavirus. British authorities said this week that face coverings would be compulsory on subways and other mass transit.

April Baller, a WHO infection control expert, said the type of masks recommended for the general public are fabric or cloth coverings that can be made at home. She said part of the reason for the widening of WHO's advice on face masks was the increasing evidence COVID-19 can be spread by people before they have symptoms.

WHO previously said that transmission from people who do not have symptoms was not believed to be a major driver of the virus pandemic.

“What (the masks) do is they prevent a person who may actually have the disease from transmitting it to somebody else,” Baller said.

We were way ahead of the WHO.

 

[PayrollNerd]

My friend and I have been making the most masks for the oncology treatment nurses I see in Tampa. When I got there Thursday, with yet another dozen masks, the one nurse says to the newer nurse, “yeah, she’s our supplier.” I guess its better to be a supplier than dealer? LOL!!

 

[crhedBngr]

All of you, thanks for your responses to my question about fabric masks being needed. I will continue to sew these.

@BetteDavisEyes , I'm sorry you got dizzy and had to take a break during your physical therapy. I hope you are feeling better.

Regarding the fabric shortage, I've purchased some quilting fabric from Etsy. The suppliers on Etsy are backlogged as well. And, sewing-machine parts continue to be in short supply these days. I tried ordering bobbins and a light for my Singer from Amazon. The delivery dates on those parts keep slipping to the right.

Lastly, I'm happy to say that I got rid of my COVID-19 gray hair yesterday! It was so nice to get a base color and cut.

Stay safe and healthy!

 

[PayrollNerd]

My ears hurt just watching this......

This Mind-Blowing Trick Will Make Your Face Mask So Much Safer

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

All of you, thanks for your responses to my question about fabric masks being needed. I will continue to sew these.

[B]@BetteDavisEyes[/B] , I'm sorry you got dizzy and had to take a break during your physical therapy. I hope you are feeling better.

Regarding the fabric shortage, I've purchased some quilting fabric from Etsy. The suppliers on Etsy are backlogged as well. And, sewing-machine parts continue to be in short supply these days. I tried ordering bobbins and a light for my Singer from Amazon. The delivery dates on those parts keep slipping to the right.

Lastly, I'm happy to say that I got rid of my COVID-19 gray hair yesterday! It was so nice to get a base color and cut.

Stay safe and healthy!

Thanks for your kind thoughts Wearing a mask has made it seem like I've had to learn to breathe again. The heat and humidity takes a toll, as well. PT said she thinks I am holding my breath while concentrating on doing my exercises instead of breathing normally. I will have my last session next Tuesday, then it's up to me to continue my exercises at home. At least I don't have to wear a mask in the house

DH and I have appointments for haircuts, manicures, and pedicures on June 25. Neither one of us does color any more - we're silvery seniors I actually like my hair shoulder-length so I can pull it into a pony tail or up with a jaw clip, but it does need a nice trim. DH looks like the shaggy dog, but he has more hair now than he's had in a long time

 

[anneg]

What do you think of this mask design? It seems to have some good features, but no nose wire I guess.
(I tried to paste in a drawing but it doesn't work)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/heal...e&itid=lb_coronavirus-what-you-need-to-read_7

 

[Deleted member 158085]

My ears hurt just watching this......

This Mind-Blowing Trick Will Make Your Face Mask So Much Safer

View attachment 250847

Ouch! I’m having enough trouble with my ears as it is.

 

[PayrollNerd]

What do you think of this mask design? It seems to have some good features, but no nose wire I guess.
(I tried to paste in a drawing but it doesn't work)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/heal...e&itid=lb_coronavirus-what-you-need-to-read_7

A nose wire channel can be added with a 3” straight stitch below the nose area. That’s what I did on the pattern I use.

Some people struggle with darts so this pattern is fine if you understand them.

The interfacing is going to make this mask hot in the summer. It will be fine in the winter for warmth. I do not provide a liner or wire. I tell the recipient their options.

 

[anneg]

A nose wire channel can be added with a 3” straight stitch below the nose area. That’s what I did on the pattern I use.

Some people struggle with darts so this pattern is fine if you understand them.

The interfacing is going to make this mask hot in the summer. It will be fine in the winter for warmth. I do not provide a liner or wire. I tell the recipient their options.

Thanks for the reply and photo. Yes, I was afraid it would be hot. Here in NC we get plenty of hot and humid. If I attempt to make one of these, it will be laborious hand sewing, as I have no machine.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Thanks for the reply and photo. Yes, I was afraid it would be hot. Here in NC we get plenty of hot and humid. If I attempt to make one of these, it will be laborious hand sewing, as I have no machine.

If you’re hand sewing, I’d use the smiles mask pattern with out the plastic center. It was super quick to put together without the plastic. It fits so well, it doesn’t fog my glasses.

Link with pattern:

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

If you’re hand sewing, I’d use the smiles mask pattern with out the plastic center. It was super quick to put together without the plastic. It fits so well, it doesn’t fog my glasses.

During one of my PT sessions, I asked my therapist how she managed to keep her glasses from steaming up, and she said that it took her a while to get the mask to fit exactly right so she didn't end up with foggy glasses. One of the other therapists who is there at the same time also wears glasses, so they helped each other solve the problem. They wear soft masks that are similar to mine, but I'm sure they are higher quality. She puts the mask on with the metal strip across the bridge of her nose, then loops the elastics in a figure 8 around her ears. The mask fits very snugly which is probably why her glasses don't fog, but I tried this once with my glasses and found it much too tight and very warm. I really could not breathe well with the mask on so tightly. I don't really need my glasses while I'm in the gym and leave them in the car.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Now my headbands are also causing pain where the buttons are (even with no mask attached). And my mask doesn’t fit right when using ear savers. I’m going to have to test various ideas on my days off at home until I find something that works.

My issue is that I have a small face and ears but have a lot of stuff crowded behind the ears - plastic glasses, behind-the-ear hearing aids, and now mask elastic.

I did the most dangerous thing I’ve done yet because of this pain. I stood face to face with an eye glass tech so she could adjust both pairs so that at least that pain is relieved. We were both masked, but I was hoping to avoid all eye related things for another year, including skipping my annual exam.

I know I can do elastic behind the head, but at the length my hair happens to be at, it really looks a mess quickly as I move around, and I do have a job serving the public.

If I come up with anything else that works, I’ll let you know.

 

[Laughing]

Now my headbands are also causing pain where the buttons are (even with no mask attached). And my mask doesn’t fit right when using ear savers. I’m going to have to test various ideas on my days off at home until I find something that works.

My issue is that I have a small face and ears but have a lot of stuff crowded behind the ears - plastic glasses, behind-the-ear hearing aids, and now mask elastic.

I did the most dangerous thing I’ve done yet because of this pain. I stood face to face with an eye glass tech so she could adjust both pairs so that at least that pain is relieved. We were both masked, but I was hoping to avoid all eye related things for another year, including skipping my annual exam.

I know I can do elastic behind the head, but at the length my hair happens to be at, it really looks a mess quickly as I move around, and I do have a job serving the public.

If I come up with anything else that works, I’ll let you know.

I tried the Suay mask with the curved chin section & darts. I used bias tape at the edge and ran elastic cord through, I think 22" length.

When I wear that style, first I style my hair -- slightly above shoulder bob/page boy
I put the mask on and push it & both elastic strands down
then put the top of my hair up in a clip, just to get it out of the way
pull the mask up & adjust elastic strands
remove clip & gently, gently smooth hair over both elastic strands

Works pretty well, once you figure out where on your skull you need the elastic to rest, and how much hair to hold up

Took me several tries to figure it out well enough

Hope this helps, Laughing