Masks. Ugh! I really do not like wearing one but as they are becoming a necessary evil to get into many places, I am trying my best to get some. I ordered some dispensable ones through
Walmart.ca, but a month later, they have not arrived, and parcel tracking is not helping at all. Also ordered a thermometer, and likewise for that.
I could get on board with the Disney ones, but
ShopDisney gives me that PFO message the minute I select Canada, for anything I try to order. I really hate sewing, but can as a last resort, but there is no elastic to be had around here, not even hair elastics as all have been snapped (no pun intended!) up by others with the same intention. I tried a version with ties and it was firmly vetoed by family members.
Really, really hoping that masks will not be required in WDW as they would certainly derail the enjoyment of strolling with a Mickey Ice cream bar, not to mention the general warmth and discomfort. That will discourage me from returning as soon as possible. I can cope with a mask with 20-30 minutes in Costco.
To be honest, ties are usually more comfortable even if less "attractive" as they don't tug/pull at your ears.
I have severe allergies, including environmental ones. Basically if it is a plant or a flower or a mold, I am likely allergic to it [one time they did skin testing and I reacted to 68/72 things... of what they tested, I was NOT allergic to two grasses, one tree, and one type of mold... needless to say, me and the great outdoors is not a great combo].
This means that from early spring through end of fall I wear a quality filtering face mask when outdoors. I also wear one when visiting WDW or cruising
DCL. There are other reasons there too, but we'll go with just the allergies for now as they are enough on their own.
My masks of choice are Cambridge Mask or Vogmask. They are either N95 or N99 [if fit perfectly] depending on the style you get. I realize in practice they may not be at quite that level, but IME they are highly effective against particulate matter and common allergens. However, they are expensive, and right now not available due to too much demand. I have been using them for many years, so I have some one hand, but I don't want to use them up. Add to that, I don't want to be unnecessarily potentially contaminating them with covid, since they are reusable upto ~340 hours each. Which is why I am also getting some "normal" cloth face masks, plus other family members need them too.
But wearing masks, including in FL, that I can speak to.
I have not and never will do WDW in the summer. We went in September once and found that to be way too hot for this Canadian family. So consider that when reading what I am about to say. However, here in Ontario the summers can get horribly hot and humid -- even hotter than FL -- but fortunately it peaks up for not too many days before dropping to something a little more reasonable.
Wearing a mask takes some getting used to. Certainly there are the looks from others as until now it isn't socially normal to be wearing one in public in Canada - interestingly, it often means e.g. you get a seat to yourself on public transit, unless the bus is *really* full and someone *really* wants to sit down ;-) That has changed now as more and more people are taking the advice of public health officials and wearing cloth masks.
But social norms aside just physically wearing it takes some getting used to. They can be hot [but aren't necessarily!! and in the winter they are great because they trap some of that humidity you breathe out which makes the air your then breathe in a bit more humid and therefore more comfortable]. Some fabrics itch. They can fog glasses and sunglasses especially if they aren't fitted/adjusted right. And yes, you have to adjust how you go about your day wearing them [re: strolling with a Mickey bar]. If wearing them for a lengthy time the ear loops can get uncomfortable and pull on your poor ears or even get tangled up behind your ears with the ear part of glasses [note: always take them off slowly and carefully so your glasses don't go flinging off....]. You need to train yourself not to touch your face, not to adjust the mask unless there is a significant issue with it, etc. It takes **conscious effort**, whether you are wearing it for 10 minutes or 10 hours.
Fundamentally one needs to make some decisions about mask wearing. If you decide it is a necessity [or are mandated to] then certain things come with that if you are going to venture out wearing it, even more so if that is on a trip somewhere like to WDW. It is doable*, it is a matter of figuring out how and what is needed to adapt. (*assuming no contraindication to mask wearing, like very young child or certain medical conditions)
As for elastics... You can use fabric to make fabric ties. Or ribbon.
Bungee cords can be opened up -- they have elastic inside them.
And here is a no sew/no elastic mask instructions:
Jennifer Marker
No-sew face mask
EASY No-Sew Face Mask with Two Layers + Filter Pocket -- No Elastic, No Ties!
Deluxe extended video with Q&A is second video here:
https://jennifermaker.com/no-sew-face-mask-tshirt/
For those who DO have access to a sewing machine, some instructions for different styles of homemade masks from a couple good sources. These are the links to the video instructions; the page then has links to the actual written instructions and things like extra tips as well as the pattern templates.
# 1 - Sweet Red Poppy
How to Sew a Bias Tape Surgical Face Mask with Flexible Nose
# 2 - Sweet Red Poppy
How to Sew a Fitted Cotton Face Mask
#3 - Sweet Red Poppy
How to Sew a Surgical Face Mask for Hospitals
Also, a general video from Sweet Red Poppy:
DIY Best Fabric Face Mask Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners | Sweet Red Poppy
#4 - Jennifer Maker
face mask with filter pocket (more fitted)
DIY Face Mask with Filter Pocket - Make on a Cricut or By Hand!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD6bnzKTkcc
SW
) and they're selling packs of 5 masks for ~~$30 tax & shipping included - apparently it shows up as USD when looking at the Paypal option at first but it really is CDN funds. They're all black, have a nose wire and elastic straps.
