Where are you buying face masks?

It is commonplace in Tokyo, one of the largest densely metropolitans in the world, for people to wear masks. The current number of Covid-19 cases in Japan – 16,719 and 874 deaths.

Here’s how to make your own quick and easy masks using an old T-shirt: www3.nhk.or.jp – ‘Upcycle’ a T-shirt into a KAWAII Mask!
NHK.WORLD-JAPAN News.

We’ve bought nose mouth masks from Playmobil, which, for us, fit well and are reusable – https://www.playmobil.co.uk/playmobil-nose-mouth-mask-for-size-l-turquoise/70722.html
Seem to fit better than the previous disposable masks we were using

I recently obtained masks for myself and immediate family from a friend who has been making them.
They are 3 pleated, double layer cotton to an NHS approved design with a pocket into which a filter can by placed if needed and held by soft elastic hooks around the ears. Very well made and comfortable. After each use they are washed and air dryed for the the next use. We have 3 each.

I would love Which? to do laboratory test of home-made and reusable masks, to look at the microbiological burden on them over time. I am very concerned that people reuse them and that the masks themselves are a breeding ground for harmful bacterial infections. I also think there’s an issue regarding fibre breakdown and inhalation – so we need to investigate also how/when they are washed. I know you can’t ‘standardize’ home-made masks but volunteers are being asked to make them for school employees and other people, and I think the risks are massively underestimated – it’s a cheap fix that could lead to huge problems

We have been reading conflicting information during the coronavirus pandemic. Advice on avoiding taking ibuprofen is now in question, the potential benefits and risks of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine are even more hotly debated, and now the World Health Organisation has changed its view and suggests we should wear masks in public paces: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52945210

The priority must surely remain to ensure that key workers and those who are unable to work from home should take priority.
I hope we don’t see another round of price gouging.

Re my earlier posting regarding the Virustatic Shield snood facemask. The company have just issued a new press release about the effectiveness of the anti-Covid properties of the Viruferrin protein used to coat the snood. See here : https://www.virustaticshield.com/press-release-18-jun/

As we settle towards a new normal, I have discovered face masks on sale in some of my local shops. For example at my local b&m, I was able to buy 10 disposable masks for £5.99.

The mask I choose to wear is one that fits snugly to my face, that is easily hand washable after every use and that with COPD (not the worst kind) I can actually breath through it. The triple fold tend to make glasses steam and do not fit snugly to side of face and are harder to breathe through. I have experience of both and find the man made fabric work better for me. Or even a scarf used, pre UK lock down, worn when locked down in Southern Italy before I could get triple mask, worked quite well, despite feeling like bandit!

Someone on the news yesterday had a mask with a transparent area over the mouth. That looked good because you could see smiles, but it also helped those who are hard of hearing to lip read. It was more complicated than a normal mask but reusable.

I discovered that M & S are selling re-usable face masks at £7.50 for 5. They were out of stock but there was a facility on their website to be notified when they were available again. This happened after a couple of days so I have ordered some, for collection at my local M & S next week.