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SoonerPride

(12,286 posts)
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 05:46 PM Jan 2021

Do you double mask?

Guidance has shifted from merely wearing a mask in public to wearing a double mask. Do you do this?


49 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
Yes I now double mask all the time in public
30 (61%)
I have only worn a double mask a couple of times
2 (4%)
No but I do wear one mask
17 (35%)
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Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Do you double mask? (Original Post) SoonerPride Jan 2021 OP
It depends on the mask. I don't wear a 2 layer cloth mask alone. uppityperson Jan 2021 #1
Actually just started doing that two weeks ago underpants Jan 2021 #2
Honestly I have since the beginning (well, since we found medical masks) soothsayer Jan 2021 #3
No, I wear only kn95 masks Thekaspervote Jan 2021 #4
I go almost nowhere. I wear a surgical mask when I do. MineralMan Jan 2021 #5
My masks have filter inserts Silent3 Jan 2021 #6
exactly what I was going to ask Skittles Jan 2021 #12
Mee too. A four layer cloth mask with filter inserts. OregonBlue Jan 2021 #22
My masks have HEPA filters sewn in, Ilsa Jan 2021 #27
Same, and I have used them on occasion when wearing the cloth mask alone. crickets Jan 2021 #28
I wear just one quality medical mask, the N95 Respirator Plus. I was listening to a medical RKP5637 Jan 2021 #7
I wear a single N95 mask. LisaL Jan 2021 #8
I've been told I'm a double bagger. Is that the same thing? Funtatlaguy Jan 2021 #9
stop it, Funtalaguy Skittles Jan 2021 #13
That was the only way my cousin would go to Prom with me. That and $50. Funtatlaguy Jan 2021 #16
LOLOL Skittles Jan 2021 #17
I'm starting, but it's only once a week when rolling down my window to speak with brewens Jan 2021 #10
I have started using two KN95s that nestle nicely. Patterson Jan 2021 #11
Two filtered masks coolsimo Jan 2021 #14
I use one KN95 but I'm about to try KF94 gulliver Jan 2021 #15
I just ordered some KF94 masks too..Shoukd get them this week. Nt helpisontheway Jan 2021 #33
I have been since last April. DangerousRhythm Jan 2021 #18
No VA_Jill Jan 2021 #19
I only got one. Lady Freedom Returns Jan 2021 #20
Look on the CDC site. Some KN95 masks are available and cost effective. Blue_true Jan 2021 #31
Other - it depends on the situation... regnaD kciN Jan 2021 #21
As of last week yes luv2fly Jan 2021 #23
I wear an N95 mask spinbaby Jan 2021 #24
I wear one double layered cloth mask dweller Jan 2021 #25
Triple mask -- always have and continue to. nt live love laugh Jan 2021 #26
What masks are you using to triple-mask? Blue_true Jan 2021 #30
Really, I did not see much difference between the N and KN. GulfCoast66 Jan 2021 #35
The KN choices have softer nose piece choices last I checked. Blue_true Feb 2021 #36
Right now I supervise no one! Still Furloughed. GulfCoast66 Feb 2021 #37
Not yet, but I am seriously looking into wearing an approved KN95 Blue_true Jan 2021 #29
Yes, always have if I'm going to be in contact with people, like... LAS14 Jan 2021 #32
No. Staples office supply sells KN95 masks. GulfCoast66 Jan 2021 #34

uppityperson

(115,683 posts)
1. It depends on the mask. I don't wear a 2 layer cloth mask alone.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 05:51 PM
Jan 2021

I will wear a disposable, well fit, fit n95 alone. I may start covering that with a cloth mask too in public to be a good example.

soothsayer

(38,601 posts)
3. Honestly I have since the beginning (well, since we found medical masks)
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 05:52 PM
Jan 2021

By then I had cute cloth ones and to me it just made sense to wear both.

I’m happy I’ve been vindicated.

MineralMan

(146,371 posts)
5. I go almost nowhere. I wear a surgical mask when I do.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 05:54 PM
Jan 2021

It sits in a tray in my car, and I reuse it about 5 times and then replace it with a new one. These days, those surgical masks are readily available. I figure that I use it only about twice a week, and it sits for at least two days in the tray in the car.

I'm not all that concerned, because I also avoid any close contact with people and stay at home almost all the time.

I have an appointment at a bank tomorrow to set up bank accounts for a family trust. For that, I will wear one of the brand new N95 masks I have, and will take my own pens for signing forms. The banker will either be masked and sitting at the other end of a long table, or I will walk out. The amount of money involved will get his attention, I guarantee. I will also have a small bottle of Purell hand sanitizer sitting in front of me on the table.

I also have a closing on a major real estate transaction in a couple of weeks. The same precautions will be observed during that process, or I'm out of there and the sale will not close. I guarantee that everything will be done by the book. There's too much money involved, and I can end the closing at any point. I haven't yet sent those rules to the closing group, since the closing has not been finally scheduled, but I will. If there are anti-maskers involved, they will either follow the rules or the sale will not close. No exceptions!

I have to do that meeting and that closing, so I'm going to insist on strict observation of precautions. I will not countenance any variations from safety precautions. Period.

Ilsa

(61,722 posts)
27. My masks have HEPA filters sewn in,
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 07:57 PM
Jan 2021

Sandwiched between tightly woven cloth.

Weve stayed well this winter.

crickets

(26,008 posts)
28. Same, and I have used them on occasion when wearing the cloth mask alone.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 08:51 PM
Jan 2021

I also have the plain medical masks and some cloth masks with (empty) inserts that I have worn together. The medical masks alone felt too risky, and double masking with no filter fits best (keeps edges tight to my face) and is most comfortable, so that's what I have started doing recently. I also wear gloves. Comfortable or not, I'm starting to think I should just add the filter as well. Fortunately, I rarely go out and about where people are.

RKP5637

(67,112 posts)
7. I wear just one quality medical mask, the N95 Respirator Plus. I was listening to a medical
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 05:57 PM
Jan 2021

expert today saying wearing two masks might be less effective, because many people do not wear one mask properly, and wearing two can increase the air leakage from the edges, because the material is thicker and more resistant to air passage through the filter ... so it draws air in from the edge of the mask and hence is unfiltered.

brewens

(13,726 posts)
10. I'm starting, but it's only once a week when rolling down my window to speak with
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 06:05 PM
Jan 2021

the Walmart grocery pickup people and at a drive-thru. I plan on not entering a public building until it's to be vaccinated. If they let me get that first shot outdoors, maybe not even then. I feel lucky to be able to do that.

coolsimo

(26 posts)
14. Two filtered masks
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 06:07 PM
Jan 2021

I wear two masks with filter inserts. I’m always shouting when I go to the store because it’s so muffled.

DangerousRhythm

(2,916 posts)
18. I have been since last April.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 06:17 PM
Jan 2021

One blue/white mask underneath a layered cloth mask, and a shield on my head. I am an “essential” worker so I am around idiots who don’t want to wear their masks over their noses for my entire shift, in addition to doing physical labor while I breathe their air. It’s not easy but better than the alternative.

VA_Jill

(10,064 posts)
19. No
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 06:18 PM
Jan 2021

One mask with a filter is all I can stand. And I am a retired RN, but since having what I am pretty sure was Covid before the pandemic was "officially" here, I get short of breath with more than that.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
31. Look on the CDC site. Some KN95 masks are available and cost effective.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 08:58 PM
Jan 2021

I will likely wear one under my cloth mask for some situations.

regnaD kciN

(26,047 posts)
21. Other - it depends on the situation...
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 06:41 PM
Jan 2021

If I’m going into an enclosed public place, I use a KN95 with a cloth mask over it. If I’m just pulling up to a drive-thru, or doing curbside pickup, I just wear the cloth one. And I don’t wear any if I’m just going outdoors in a situation where I’ll be able to keep at least twelve to fifteen feet away from anyone else.

dweller

(23,747 posts)
25. I wear one double layered cloth mask
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 07:14 PM
Jan 2021

but I don’t breathe around others ...

I do double dip though 😁

✌🏻

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
30. What masks are you using to triple-mask?
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 08:55 PM
Jan 2021

I am looking at using a KN95 under a cloth mask. I have found the N95 to be too uncomfortable across my nose.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
35. Really, I did not see much difference between the N and KN.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 09:15 PM
Jan 2021

I can easily get KN95 so that what I wear. Plus social distancing and not eating in restaurants. Outdoor only. Fortunately in Florida this is the time of year to eat outside.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
36. The KN choices have softer nose piece choices last I checked.
Tue Feb 2, 2021, 06:31 PM
Feb 2021

You supervise people that would need to wear masks at some point, so maybe from your vantage point, you are seeing no difference as a result of how your company’s purchasing organization do their job (buy from several vendors, maybe).

I am able to use social distancing, given how my operation is set up, so there was no earlier need to use either KN95 or N95 masks. Plus, in a chemical operation, air flow is set up too to bottom, that helps.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
37. Right now I supervise no one! Still Furloughed.
Tue Feb 2, 2021, 07:04 PM
Feb 2021

But yeah, we use masks. Often only dust mask before Covid. Of course now the guys working are wearing multiple layer cloth masks 8-10 hours a day. Much easier now in the winter. The folks that spray chemicals do wear N95s much of the day. Or a full respirator. You get used to them.

I hope to be back in the next few months, but I thought that in October as well! It’s a price I pay for getting good raises for the past 25 years. But I was not laid off when everyone else was. Which I was told means I have skills they will need. We will see.

We still go out, very selectively. Outdoor dining only and masked unless eating especially with the new strains spreading. The wife has been working since June for the same company as I do but the precautions are off the chart. She feels safe.

I’m in my mid 50s so I won’t get the jab anytime soon. The wife is 60 so I hope she gets it in the foreseeable future. Our new President seems to be moving on this as quickly as possible.

Have a nice evening. And stay safe.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
29. Not yet, but I am seriously looking into wearing an approved KN95
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 08:54 PM
Jan 2021

under my cloth masks when I am going to be around lots of people. If I am around 2-3 people, social distancing is practiced by me, so there is no need to double mask.

LAS14

(13,801 posts)
32. Yes, always have if I'm going to be in contact with people, like...
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 09:01 PM
Jan 2021

... at a grocery store. But it's because I then use an N95 mask and was advised by the person who gave me 3 of them to cover them with a second mask. I think it was to keep the N95 clean, not because the N95 wasn't effective.

I FINALLY heard an explanation for the mixed "message" I see in a surgical mask. The talking head said its filtration is the second best but then pointed to the gaps on the sides and advised wearing a tighter fitting cloth mask over it to close the gap.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
34. No. Staples office supply sells KN95 masks.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 09:13 PM
Jan 2021

Properly fitted they do the job well enough for medical professionals.

I know there is a slight difference in performance between them and true N95 masks, but even 3M, the maker of the N95 says they are pretty much equivalent.

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