Question of The Day. Saturday 24th of October.

[margecat]

Are you sure about that?

Yes. The non N-95 type, etc. are simply made for not spreading it, although I personally think they may help. I'm just repating the official line. They are supposed to be good enough to stop the spread of the flu virus, though.

 

[margecat]

I started out with N95s, but the straps irritated my skin, so I haven't worn them since late March. Also, I had to pay nearly $400 to get 80 masks on eBay, and you couldn't get any after that without paying even more. I didn't know if I'd be at work, and would need a new one every day (same for DH), but I was at home for 3 months, so I made my own cloth ones. DH's workplace gave them paper ones. I made over 200 to give out for free to my neighbors, then people insisted on paying, so I started making and selling them. I also made 50 to donate to 3 hospitals. (One benefit of making and selling them: it gave me the idea to start a little business on Facebook Marketplace for selling other items. I did porch pick up with the masks, so I did this with F/B).

I've made about 500 masks, some for myself.

Mine are the only ones that fit me properly. Commerically-made ones are too large. Also, they poke me in the eyes and ride up. Mine are more circular/oval. I used to make them with filter pockets, but I got tired of shoving a piece of paper in them every day, so I no longer do this, and newer ones are made without the pocket. If I'm in a situation where I have prolonged closer contact with people, I use a filter. I votunteered to take staff temps a few hours a week, so I wear filters then.

I have about 25-35 masks. I enjoyed making ones with fun fabric, and mine are so easy and cheap to make. I made a few with cat fabric. A couple of friends at work comlained about store-bought masks fogging their glasses, so I made some for them, and they say they really help or totally stop fogging. Of course, they are cat lovers, so they got a few kitty print ones!

One person paid me to make turkey masks!

I made some Halloween print ones to sell on F/B, but no takers, so I ended up delisting them and using them for myself, even though they are an adult meidum, and too big for me.

My favorite one that I made: (mine had a blue background):