What mask are you wearing?

What mask are you wearing?

Due to the current crisis, we’ve all been forced or shall I say persuaded to wear a mask (when I say persuaded, I mean the fact that you could receive a ridiculously hefty penalty, that will hurt your pockets, not just your fashion sense, as well, as, well, your wellbeing). It’s a relatively cheap and effective method to curb the spread of the virus, so says our health experts. So here I’ve compiled a list of the most popular styles that are circulating, rating them by appeal, fashion inclination, general feel and effectiveness.

1. Surgical Mask (medical face mask)

First off we have the most common type, the surgical mask. Most likely you’ve seen this one worn by a health professional at some point in your life. It is made of a non-woven fabric that is made thorough a melt-blowing process. The colored bit (usually blue or green) worn on the outside is actually a fluid repellent, you can tell as the outside of these mask usually have a subtle sheen. By design this mask is made to repel airborne virus or bacteria in liquid droplets or sprays from the mouth or nose. Wikipedia seems to think that there is no evidence this mask is 100% effective in stopping transmission of really small particles, there is kind of a cut of zone as to how small a particle it can intercept, however, if the virus or bacteria is within a person, then it will be mixed with liquid (saliva/mucus) that filters out the micro-organism. The white layer is the absorbent bit, trapping whatever you breath out in its cotton like fibers. Which kind of means while wearing it, you constantly breathing in what you breathe out. Also, it can get quite itchy if you have sensitive skin.

They are loose fitting, so there is the potential of entry through the cracks. Order mask designs are of studier construct and make a better seal with your face.

Personally, I feel this mask is horrendous from a fashion stand point. They tend to all be one size, and it looks painfully small in some people. The flimsy elastics is quick to snap, and they generally get and look dirtier than most other masks, giving the wearer this down and out, unkept, and sometimes grimy look.

To me this one makes the situation look all the more dire, as if it isn’t bad enough. On a scale of 1-10 in fashion, I rate this one a 3. The only piece of clothing I would suggest to complete this as an ensemble is a scrub, preferably in the same color. It really doesn’t, and shouldn’t go with anything else.

There is also this little piece atop, it is also classed as a surgical mask, same principle, same materials, but as I hope you can see, it is more tight fitting, and covers more surface area. Looks like a b**** to put on, but fashion is pain. If you fancy being a duck for the day, then err to this option, and splurge your dollar bills (pun intended).

Comfort: 4/10

Functionality: 5-7/10

Style factor: 3/10

2. Washable Earloop face mask/ Fashion Mask

Usually made of polyester, cotton or a polyblend material that has been heat laminated to a polyurethane layer. It is light weight and extremely durable, made to hold shape for up to 100 washes.

It’s is moderately breathable, if you hold it against a light, you can see the little air spores (which look considerably larger than that of the surgical mask) but like most masks it really pales in comparison to fresh air in your face. These masks are usually marketed as dust proof/pollen repellent, so do with that information as you will. Polyurethane was originally designed for use in hospitals, so that’s a plus when going for these masks. Another take home message is that they are environmentally friendly, thou they will take a fair while to decompose, like a generation type long time perhaps.

From a fashion stand point, I find these really stylish, they have a soft plump feel, the circular ear loop is very ergonomic (they always use this word in those design shows) and fits with less strain on your delicate ears. I find that people who opt for this mask are generally more fashion forward. In the usual color of black, it goes well with virtually anything you wear (they also come in an array of other colors, and patterns), in the black it’s also less easy to see dirt and grime.

Some even come with a plastic air vent type majigy thingy, its more a stylistic feature, the cool thing is that they’re usually designed to let air out, but not in.

Wearing this mask, I like to think myself akin to Scorpio from mortal combat (Hey! It gives me a sense of purpose) and that is all fine and well, as I wish I could ‘finish’ this year already.

Comfort: 6/10

Functionality: 5/10

Style factor: 7.5/10

3. Construction mask (P2, N95)

Desperate times call for desperate measures. During this pandemic you know someone is desperate when they’re wearing one of these walking down the streets, when they don’t even work in the construction industry. Or maybe that’s just what was available.

The first mask in the picture is the most common one, I remember them well, as it was part of the job when I used to be a tradie. Personally, I find them super uncomfortable, it tends to retain the moisture from your breath, creating this really hot environment around your mouth. On the plus side thou, these masks have been found to filter 95% of airborne particles, but not gases or vapors.

Their usually made of a synthetic polymer, typically non-woven polypropylene. It has a bent metal strap around the nose to secure it to the bridge in some models. Naturally after much handling, the strap starts to slack and the mask ceases to operate at it best. They are pretty good at filtering very fine particles from the air, as is its purpose, to stop fine dirt in the construction site from entering into your lungs. It is industry accepted so it is backed and industry approved, which means a lot of people got together and deemed it effective. No guarantees that it can make you immune from the virus, but it is a step in the right direction, as these are the most regulated types of mask.

Then there is that bad boy, the gas mask. By its size you can tell it means business. Looks like something you’d wear in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a gas attack (The appeal is definitely there.) Like all the other construction masks, it blocks tiny particulate matter from entering into your air ways, with the added bonus of a sponge like material inside those blocks on the side to further filtrate the air. They may look pretty cool, and bear in mind, as expected, that they are more expensive. One can never be to safe, but wearing one of this outside the construction setting, might leave you looking over dressed.

Comfort: 2-4/10

Functionality: 7.5/10

Style factor: 3/10

4. Desert Mask / Head gear scarf/ Neck Gaiter

These have become quite popular in our current times. Some are made of bamboo, others from a blend of spandex and polyester. They have been reported to be super breathable, and some even have the moisture wicking ability, their also washable, so the amount of times you can wear it are basically endless.

Typically worn by people in the outdoors, for hiking, fishing and such as they protect from the elements and dust. The cool thing about these is that they stick to your face when you want to cover the air ways, or you can roll it down and it sits nicely on your neck like a scarf. Probably not the best option when it comes to combating the virus, but they’re just as good as any from repelling aerosol spray. It’s protecting against the smaller variety of airborne particulate matter where they may come short.

They also come with an array of different patterns and designs, so you can definitely find one that appeals to your fashion sense. You get a 360 coverage with these, so the fit is parallel to none.

Comfort: 8/10

Functionality: 4-5/10

Style factor: 8/10

So, there you go guys, some of the most popular and used styles so far. Obviously as you have noticed, there seems to be an almost endless variety of other styles and mask designs circulating. Something for everybody. You might think wearing a mask is so inconvenient, but it beats the other alternatives if you forego it. Funnily enough I feel like some people find this perfect, as wearing a mask was already part of their identity pre-covid. Anyway, keep safe, and stay protected.

Till next time.