What do I do with all my old cloth face masks?

[punkin]

I have a good store of kn95's should I actually need a real mask. All my doctors' offices insist I use a surgical mask they provide. I have about 20 cloth masks around the house. Should I just dump them?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have a good store of kn95's should I actually need a real mask. All my doctors' offices insist I use a surgical mask they provide. I have about 20 cloth masks around the house. Should I just dump them?

Well, cloth masks, while they may look neat, are, as we have learned over the past 30 months, pretty useless by themselves. If you would like to finish off an effective 95 or surgical with a nice looking cloth, keep and use. Otherwise, maybe toss.

 

[Meriweather]

I just stored all mine.....cute Disney ones, very colorful ones, kids ones.
Who knows..............

 

[Judique]

I have a good store of kn95's should I actually need a real mask. All my doctors' offices insist I use a surgical mask they provide. I have about 20 cloth masks around the house. Should I just dump them?

I was just doing some light sanding and grabbed a cloth mask that was nearby. It was a very cheap one, so it's now in the trash. I bought a half dozen 'Maryland' ones when this all started and have a supply of filters that go inside. Those I'll keep, but mostly I just wear the surgical ones and toss them.

 

[disneyseniors]

I took great joy in throwing all mine away! Very freeing

 

[punkin]

I'm not a big hoarder. I think I will throw them out (including the "Maryland" ones l.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I bought a half dozen 'Maryland' ones

including the "Maryland" ones

What are Maryland masks?

 

[punkin]

What are Maryland masks?

Here's an example:

 

[punkin]

I also have one with the Maryland State flag and one with crabs...

 

[TLSnell1981]

I found great pleasure in burning them....nice addition to a bonfire! I save EVERYTHING but want NO remembrance of that horrible time of my life

 

[punkin]

I found great pleasure in burning them....nice addition to a bonfire! I save EVERYTHING but want NO remembrance of that horrible time of my life

I agree. It was horrible. I was just talking to DD23 about how frightened we all were and going to the supermarket was an act of bravery.

 

[tvguy]

Well, cloth masks, while they may look neat, are, as we have learned over the past 30 months, pretty useless by themselves. If you would like to finish off an effective 95 or surgical with a nice looking cloth, keep and use. Otherwise, maybe toss.

My Pulmonologist would disagree. But all our cloth masks have a filter pocket in them. His pet peeve are those N-95's with exhaust valves on them, totally useless at protecting others.
Still wearing our cloth masks and changing those filters every few days. I guess it depends on where you live, I have been in and out of medical facilities on almost a weekly basis for the last 18 months, and yesterday they finally lifted social distancing rules under CDC guidelines, but masks, even cloth ones, are still required. And it looks like the mask requirements are coming back in some parts of the world, like Germany. https://www.traveloffpath.com/germany-to-reinstate-mask-mandate-for-the-entire-winter/

 

[Judique]

What are Maryland masks?

Maryland flag and other Maryland symbols on them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here's an example:

Maryland flag and other Maryland symbols on them.

I see, thanks.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I've still seen a few people double-masking, wearing a cloth mask over a surgical. I guess they either feel it gives an extra layer of protection, or they like the look of the cloth masks better. I find that too stifling. I'm fine with my surgical masks.

 

[Her Dotness]

I've still seen a few people double-masking, wearing a cloth mask over a surgical. I guess they either feel it gives an extra layer of protection, or they like the look of the cloth masks better. I find that too stifling. I'm fine with my surgical masks.

I did that before the free federal N95s became available because my face is narrow and surgical masks gap.

My doctor said double-masking helps primarily to make the surgical mask less likely to gap but does give a little extra protection.

I agree that's stifling. I find breathing through a close-fitting N95 easier.

 

[Meriweather]

We are still wearing masks, just switched to medical instead of cloth.

 

[Dan Murphy]

My Pulmonologist would disagree. But all our cloth masks have a filter pocket in them. His pet peeve are those N-95's with exhaust valves on them, totally useless at protecting others.
Still wearing our cloth masks and changing those filters every few days. I guess it depends on where you live, I have been in and out of medical facilities on almost a weekly basis for the last 18 months, and yesterday they finally lifted social distancing rules under CDC guidelines, but masks, even cloth ones, are still required. And it looks like the mask requirements are coming back in some parts of the world, like Germany. https://www.traveloffpath.com/germany-to-reinstate-mask-mandate-for-the-entire-winter/

For sure. Agreed.
I mostly use the Halyard Fluidshield Level 3 surgical mask. A number of the hospitals here use these for their staffs. They are amazing. A few dollars a box more than others, but so worth it. They are great. For places I know might be 'bad', I'll use the RespoKare N95 mask, large. Big guy hear and most N95's do not fit me well. And like the Halyards above, these masks are excellent, for those times you feel you need a 95.

I wear a mask when out with people nearby. Can't take unnecessary risks with my heart and lung issues along with age.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My Pulmonologist would disagree. But all our cloth masks have a filter pocket in them. His pet peeve are those N-95's with exhaust valves on them, totally useless at protecting others.
Still wearing our cloth masks and changing those filters every few days. I guess it depends on where you live, I have been in and out of medical facilities on almost a weekly basis for the last 18 months, and yesterday they finally lifted social distancing rules under CDC guidelines, but masks, even cloth ones, are still required. And it looks like the mask requirements are coming back in some parts of the world, like Germany. https://www.traveloffpath.com/germany-to-reinstate-mask-mandate-for-the-entire-winter/

We wear procedure masks in clinical areas but not required for admin.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We started back to school last week with a mask requirement, so we are still wearing them. I did throw out all the ones I bought in my attempt to find the perfect mask, but ended up not liking. I just kept my Pomchie ones and my Norwex ones.