There has been some debate about the effectiveness of masks in preventing infection with COVID-19 — particularly early in the pandemic — but laboratory studies show that masks protect those who wear them. If you’re one of those who still cover up, you’re probably looking for solutions to make the mask more comfortable — especially during the hot summer months. Here are five easy tricks to make wearing yours more bearable.
Ease the strain on the mask strings
When you wear a mask all day, the ear loops can start to put pressure on the back of your ears. Your tender ears will thank you for purchasing some mask clips. There are many options available, from simple straps with buttons or hooks to silicone and rope accessories.
Deglaze your glasses
If you’ve ever worn glasses and a mask at the same time, you know the foggy lens race. This problem can range from a simple nuisance to a real danger — if you can’t see where you’re going, it doesn’t matter how protected you are from COVID-19. The most effective way to reduce fogging while masking is to improve the seal between the top of the mask and your skin. Masks with adjustable nose bridge wires (which tend to be the best quality, most virus-proof masks anyway) make this seal easier to close.
Make your mask smell better
We’ve all become intimately familiar with the smell of our own breath over the past couple of years. Even when you’re confident in the freshness of your mint, there’s something about “mask breath” that’s just…unpleasant. To remedy this, spritz a nice-smelling cooling spray on your mask before heading out the door.
Buy a cute necklace chain
If you’re like most of us, you periodically take your mask off for a breath and then put it back on when needed. But it’s annoying to frantically search for a mask lost in your jacket pocket or in the dirty dregs of your bag. The solution? A cute mask chain. This invention looks like a necklace and works like a chain of glasses. It hangs around your neck to ensure your mask rests against your chest like a pair of sunglasses when not in use — and makes your mask instantly accessible when you grab it. Try the Reuven Designs Gold Face Mask Chain ($14.50 from Etsy), a simple best-selling gold chain with adjustable length. For a classy option that looks like real jewelry, consider the Lima Jewelry Pearl Necklace ($20.64 from Etsy).
Find a comfortable fit
Cloth masks are the most breathable options, but health experts do not recommend using them against Omicron. Instead, they recommend wearing an N95, KN95 or KF94 to protect against this more contagious variant. Surgical masks are slightly better than cloth masks, and placing a cloth mask over a surgical is more effective than using a surgical alone (because it tightens the fit). KN95s have ear loops, which are undoubtedly more comfortable than N95 head straps. However, you need to be careful about fake N95s. Get yours from a site like Project N95, the National Clearinghouse on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 Testing. Their KN95 in sleek black ($14 from Project N95) and N95 ($35 from Project N95) provide the ultimate in protection. For a more detailed look at the best type of mask to protect you from Omicron, check out this detailed breakdown of the masks we recommend for the variant. Stay safe out there and enjoy your summer! We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier.
