Health and Sanity Check-Ins

[sprocketta]

Things are crazy now. I think we are all trying to stay healthy and maintain sanity as well. I thought I would start this thread so folks can check in and discuss how they're doing. I want all my BIC friends to be okay. I will kick this off with a first post. Take care of yourself lovelies.

[ather]

@pocketvenus  I agree with you. When they were saying we don’t need to wear masks I was wearing one. And I told my family to wear them too!! Yours looks so cool!! Mine are all black and boring. I’m hoping to get some that have the ear loops. The one I have has straps that goes over my head and it keeps denting my hair 😱

[pocketvenus]

@ather Thanks, I'm super excited to get them in the mail 🙂 Maybe after you get the ear band ones, the hair tie ones can be tied around an updo?

[ather]

@pocketvenus  I think so. I’ll have to give it a try. I’ve been wearing my hair down a lot since the weather has been wonky I’ve had some headaches and wearing my hair up doesn’t help. I’ll try tomorrow!! I also keep telling myself I’ll make my own masks but I’ve been working extra shifts so I don’t have time. I might have some time this weekend to give it a try tho!

[MissPuff]

@ather  I wear a mask 8-10 hours a day at my job and I go back and forth on which is the more comfortable design (ear loops vs over the head). The ear loops are way more convenient but depending on the style of mask, not as secure/form fitting as the behind the head versions. I've got a small face (apparently, didn't know that till now :P) so there are gaps with some ear-loop masks that I get around by wearing an ear saver (a plastic piece that hooks onto the loops, behind your head). The ear saver also spares the tops/back of my ears, so...much...chaffing. Several of the employees at my job swear by the ear-savers (we all use disposable masks on the production floor). Cotton, stretchable ear loop masks and gaiters are my preference for outdoor exercise, I can pull them up and down easily with one hand (yes, not that clean, but just remember to wash your hands frequently!).

The behind the head configuration is more comfortable at first since I can adjust it and fit it better than the ear loops design, but those masks really only stay in place if I'm wearing my hair up in a ponytail (I'll loop one of the bands over the top). Hair down and the bands just slide slowly down to my neck. But, the design is so much more comfortable for my ears and I tend to leave it and forget it, so there's less adjusting/face touching. More annoying to take on and off, so if I've got one on, it stays on!

The disposable surgical masks are more breathable than almost all my various fabric masks, but that's because they're designed for that purpose. They're still sweaty and hot if you're already sweaty and hot, but my cotton masks (esp the triple layered designs) are significantly warmer regardless if I'm moving around or just sitting at my desk. Easy on and off and if I sneeze into one (eww....allergies), I can just toss it and put on a fresh one. Get the ones with the adjustable nose band, that's the key to fit, positioning, and keeping your glasses fog free!

[ather]

@MissPuff  Thank you for your input!!! I agree the disposal masks seem better ventilated. We aren’t allowed to wear the N95 unless we will be in close contact with someone positive for covid. And the regular disposable ones are only for patients. I have a neck gaiters and I’ve worn it in a pinch but you have to fold it a bunch to get enough fabric around my face. And it’s a little more complicated to get off without touching it every where. I don’t think there’s a super easy fix to this. It will just take time to get use to it all. I still prefer to be uncomfortable and be safe then not to wear one at all. 

[pocketvenus]

@MissPuff So many great tips! I totally agree about the nose wires. I've also seen headbands and scrub caps with buttons so you can loop masks to those instead. I'm thinking of picking up a couple from Smash + Tess for my nurse friends.

[Samtian]

@MissPuff Ear savers?! I'm going to have to look into those because I have a gigantic head. 

[MissPuff]

@Samtian  Here's a pic of two different kinds (there's a white roundish hook inside the plastic packaging. The production guys like the long ones, some of them will loop it low around the back of their necks, others high near the crown of their heads, and mine stays somewhere in the middle, depending on how I wear my hair. 

[Samtian]

@MissPuff Ooh those look nice, not something I would be able to use though. 

[Samtian]

@ather Ear loops are the worst!!

[ather]

@Samtian  You think??? Is the 2 straps behind my head better?

[Samtian]

@ather I think so! But I do have to wear mine for 12 hours. Short term wouldn't be so bad, but for a period of time it hurts.

[ather]

@Samtian  I only worked 3 hours today and I made the mistake of using hair oil so my straps kept falling 🤦🏼‍♀️ I find with the strap on your head it puts more pressure on my nose. 

[Samtian]

@ather Haha that sucks! Yep that does help! I have both the straps for the head and ears. I prefer the head one but I need to wash it so I have to use the ear ones for now. 

[Loretta55]

I purchased that kind of mask @Samtian @ather. My problem with that mask is that the straps were digging into my eye area and it left dents in my skin. I did not have that problem with the behind the ear masks. 

[ather]

@Loretta55  Awww darn. I have a big nose so it was putting so much pressure on my nose. I kinda pulled the elastic a bit to stretch it and it made it better. Maybe that could work for yours?

[Loretta55]

I will give that trick a try @ather . 

[Samtian]

@Loretta55 Oh that sucks. 

[Loretta55]

I bought them on an Etsy site @Samtian . I wish that there was a way to make the straps a bit looser.

[eshoe]

The aesthetics here @pocketvenus 🤩 making the best out of the situation! Hopefully with time, there will be a gentle acceptance of donning a mask. I don’t understand the fuss about one when you are wearing it because you want/need to go out for an errand. I sympathize with those who must wear one for 8-12 hours or more day. But this-love that you are making it fun!

[pocketvenus]

@eshoe There are so many designs right now it's hard to choose!!