This time last year I bought some masks to use while removing some mold. I only really needed one, but they came in a box of 10, so I had nine left over when the Coronavirus arrived. They were N95, the Cadillac of masks, and the ones recommended for medical professionals. As such, they were instantly in short supply, and I was glad to be able to use them right away and to share some with my roommate in California. I have used them while travelling and washed them several times.
The N95 masks are good, but I don’t like how the elastic straps fit over my head, not over my ears. This means that the masks are difficult to take off and put on quickly.
The second masks I bought were made by a local person in Edmonton who caught on to the need and advertised them on NextDoor. These fit well, come in attractive colours, and are easy to wear, but they do not have a metal or foam strip to fit over the nose. As such, they allow escaping breath to fog up my glasses.
This fogging has turned out to be an ongoing problem. My next purchase was a package of cheap and cheerful disposable masks made in China. I have used these most often and have even found that they can be hand-washed once or twice before they deteriorate too much.
The disadvantage to these is that they get drawn in towards the face with intakes of breath. So, I bought these plastic frames to guard against that. They are tricky to attach, and don’t stay on long if you engage in conversation.
The disposable masks also allow fogging of my glasses, so I bought these rubber nasal bridges to try to prevent that.
I only tried using these once or twice and they didn’t stay in place. I’m wondering now if they are supposed to be glued to the masks. Regardless, I don’t use them. Since I bought these I have seen some similar bridges advertised that have a slot to hold the edge of the mask, and those would probably work more effectively.
My next purchase seemed to be more promising. The fabric is soft, and the design fits my face well.
Unfortunately, my glasses were still fogging up. So, I tried one more design and this one advertised itself as being able to meet all my mask-related needs.
And, yes, indeed it does! It fits my face, is comfortable, easy to put on and take off, and does not allow my glasses to fog up. The only negative I have found so far has to do with the climate. In Edmonton, we are experiencing temperatures below -10C every day. When I went for a walk wearing this mask my breath froze on the inside. The ice made it difficult to breath, and as soon as I took it off while in my car, the ice melted and I had a soggy mask. The solution, I have decided, is to carry spares.
That is easy to do because I bought a pack of ten, and they come individually wrapped. I can put one in my pocket and a couple more in my purse. After use, they can be hand-washed although the package says “Do not wash to use”. I have not tried putting them in the washing machine yet.
If my need for masks goes on for another year (yikes!) by then I expect the people who design them will have come up with the perfect design for everyone, everywhere. In the meantime, these will do nicely.
Snowbird of Paradise 
Oh…the mask story, I feel you! I had a similar process with clear masks since most of my clients are hard of hearing. I finally found one but it’s not the one I use for everything else, I use those blue disposable ones; I’d love to know your resource for the last one you showed.
I saw those advertised online. They are called Point 1 Nanomask.made by Sterasure. The package says “Do not wash to use” so I think they are supposed to be disposable.
(I have just edited the post to make that clear.)
The Sterasure website says that these are machine washable up to ten times, but it does not say that on the packaging.
As I am aging (what?),I have found my hearing is deteriorating to the point where I use hearing aids now. It is such a help that I am fortunate to have them and really don’t even think about them as any day progresses. And then along came Covid and masks. Oh dear! I had not realized how much I rely upon a person’s facial expressions and mouth movements. Conversing with the few family members I regularly see is not a problem because, well, it’s family and I can say “what” as often as needed. However on occasion I have needed to conduct business, doctor’s office, dentist’s office, the bank etc. Masks make hearing a stranger (especially) quite difficult. I now use my daughter to interpret for me. Sally, bless you for having clear masks available.
I suspect many of us are finding that we used facial expressions more than we knew. In addition, people who use hearing aids find the behind-the-ears mask loops impossible to use.
I notice more and more people who work with the public are using transparent face shields instead of masks. I hope that trend continues.
It is quite a journey finding the right mask. As I am shielding I don’t go out very often so my mask use is limited. I do prefer the cheap and cheerful blue ones made in China as they are lighter and don’t affect my breathing.
I have been wearing them most often, too. I keep trying to find better cloth masks a the same time, though.
When I wear my mask I can’t wear my glasses..they fog up.but..I make do .I love the cloth Costco masks..
I don’t go to Costco. Is there something different about their masks?
Yes they have a pocket inside where you can place a tissue. And they are good quality.
Thanks, That’s good to know.
I also like the masks we get at Costco. They’re made by Tilley. Good fit, and , as 100 Country Trek says, there is an inside pocket if you want to add a filter. 3 for $9, I believe. I don’t know what can resolve the fogging up issue, though.
That’s good to know. Thanks, Nancy. I have found that tying a knot into the loops helps to stop fogging. Here’s a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b32OvbKK1jg