What's the best face mask?

unforeseen

Becles said:

GDB2222 said:
Have you explained this to your employer, preferably in writing? Whilst you risk them deciding to dispense with your services, they may be quite sympathetic and find you a different job within the shop. 

Yes they have seen my shielding letter. I was given the option of going to work or choosing to stay off on unpaid leave. I couldn't afford to stay off any longer.

You are entitled to SSP. 
Regardless, the employer is still responsible for your safety and I am surprised that he is foolhardy enough to allow somebody with a shielding letter to attend work, especially a retail environment.

Pollycat

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

I think this is good:

https://www.prima.co.uk/craft/easy-craft-ideas/a32316689/no-sew-face-masks/

Scroll down to see the mask made from a Seasalt bandana/hankie.

OH has a number of patterned cotton hankies that he never uses so I'm going to use them with some tubular elastic I have.

May need a couple of safety pins each side.

But they can just be chucked in the wash.

But I'm not working and not really going out - been out only 3 times since 20th March so not sure how comfortable they'd be for longer periods.

GDB2222

Becles said:

GDB2222 said:
Have you explained this to your employer, preferably in writing? Whilst you risk them deciding to dispense with your services, they may be quite sympathetic and find you a different job within the shop. 

Yes they have seen my shielding letter. I was given the option of going to work or choosing to stay off on unpaid leave. I couldn't afford to stay off any longer.

How long have you been working there?

neilmcl

Becles said:

GDB2222 said:
Have you explained this to your employer, preferably in writing? Whilst you risk them deciding to dispense with your services, they may be quite sympathetic and find you a different job within the shop. 

Yes they have seen my shielding letter. I was given the option of going to work or choosing to stay off on unpaid leave. I couldn't afford to stay off any longer.

You could've claimed SSP.

Becles

GDB2222 said:

Becles said:

GDB2222 said:
Have you explained this to your employer, preferably in writing? Whilst you risk them deciding to dispense with your services, they may be quite sympathetic and find you a different job within the shop. 

Yes they have seen my shielding letter. I was given the option of going to work or choosing to stay off on unpaid leave. I couldn't afford to stay off any longer.

How long have you been working there?

4 years.

I did claim sickness benefits but it's not enough to cover our basic living costs as the mortgage holiday runs out soon. There's no help for housing costs if you have a mortgage.

InA

WHO guidance recommends more complex masks made of three layers of fabric for the general public taking public transport or going into shops or places of worship where they cannot keep their distance. It also says people over 60 or with underlying health conditions should wear medical masks in “settings where physical distancing cannot be achieved” because of “increased risk of infection and/or negative outcomes”.

All others should wear the three-layer fabric mask: absorbent cotton closest to the face, followed by a polypropylene layer and then a synthetic layer that is fluid-resistant, the WHO said.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/05/uk-under-pressure-to-rethink-face-masks-in-wake-of-who-advice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adB8RW4I3o4

Hasbeen

Becles said:

I'm wearing a home made face mask at work. My Mam made it out of a cloth napkin, but it's quite thick and difficult to breathe through and it gets quite soggy by the end of the day. It also doesn't fit my face well as it has gaps at the side.

I'm working in a customer environment so members of the public are very close to me when they are asking things. I'm on the shielded list so wondered if I should buy a mask with a filter in it?

Some info below. Most people are wearing the cheap corner shop type masks which will be acceptable for use on Public Transport. have been told they are going for a £1. But really are totally useless. basically no rating, save money and use a scarf.

We wear the FFP3 type masks, At the moment have the valve ones, but at a push for others the minimum should be FFP2 type.

Some info below. Did not provide actual link. No affiliation. So google is your friend to shop around!

FFP1

Respirator masks (which means they are made of a fabric designed to filter the air or impurities) are based on a grading system do indicate how much protection they offer.

First up is FFP1, which protects against materials in concentrations up to 4x OEL or 4x APF (assigned protection factor). Because it is the first rung on the ladder (so to speak), they are the most affordable option and they can be bought from UK Meds for £9.99 for one £29.99 for a pack of five.

FFP2

Next is FFP2 and these offer more protection than FFP1, at concentrations up to 12x OEL or 10x APF. They are the European equivalent of the N95 respirator masks used in the US and this kind meet the guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

FFP3

The masks that offer the highest level of protection are FFP3, which protect against materials in concentrations up to 50x OEL or 20x APF. This is substantially higher than FFP1 and they can block both liquid and solid aerosols.

Current NHS guidelines stipulate FFP3 face masks for virus and bacterial infection control when the contagion is spread through coughing and sneezing (such as with the coronavirus). They are also often used by healthcare professionals when handling hazardous pharmaceutical chemicals.

[Deleted User]

These masks look amazing, but you'd have to wait till August to get one:

https://preorder.cambridgemask.com/shop/pro-mask/preorder-the-admiral-pro/

Hasbeen

Poster_586329 said:

These masks look amazing, but you'd have to wait till August to get one:

https://preorder.cambridgemask.com/shop/pro-mask/preorder-the-admiral-pro/

Yes they look amazing and so is the price LOL

Sorry if you shop around you will get similar for less? Google!

Something perhaps not so good looking but cheaper:

https://www.arco.co.uk/products/1E2500?BV_SessionID=@@@@1498194847.1591549509@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadhmdiefkfdcflgcefkdgkfdfjj.0

p00hsticks

Pollycat said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

I think this is good:

https://www.prima.co.uk/craft/easy-craft-ideas/a32316689/no-sew-face-masks/

Scroll down to see the mask made from a Seasalt bandana/hankie.

OH has a number of patterned cotton hankies that he never uses so I'm going to use them with some tubular elastic I have.

May need a couple of safety pins each side.

But they can just be chucked in the wash.

But I'm not working and not really going out - been out only 3 times since 20th March so not sure how comfortable they'd be for longer periods.

Probably not suitable for all day use or to get real protection, but I made a couple of face coverings to wear to just pop to the local shop by simply cutting the sleeves off an old-t-shirt and using them - they fit snuggly over my head (snood style) to cover the nose and mouth, are washable and don't hurt your ears (it's probably worth checking that you can get your head into the armhole before you cut!). At some point I'll probably cut up the rest of the t-shirt to make some additional tie masks

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering