Thread by @JenniferKShea

Looking for a #BetterMask but:
✖️N95s are harder to find than TP in 2020
✖️you can’t afford N95s and your government isn’t making them accessible
✖️your workplace mandates medical masks and doesn’t allow N95s
✖️your school gives students medical masks

This 🧵‘s for you

1/

Ensure your medical mask is ASTM graded and is at least a grade 2 mask, preferably grade 3 (will ensure better filtration performance of the mask material)

Important to note, ASTM 3 does not imply or guarantee respirator-quality filtration performance.

2/

For kids and those with smaller faces, try the #KnotTuckTape

Turn that rectangle into something more face-shaped. I think taping the corners is important otherwise the tucked in edges often unfold fairly quickly.

3/

The #KnotTuckTape makes the mask a bit small for my face, but did pass my DIY nebulized bitrex fit test with quiet breathing

With talking and movement it started to slip around and failed.

Still much better than unmodified surgical mask, which failed within seconds

4/

Try a mask brace such as @FixTheMask

This passed the bitrex test

Not a great option if you’re taking your mask on and off multiple times per day as it’s finicky to put on

Be sure to measure your nose bridge to ensure right size for comfort

5/

Add an ear saver to tighten the straps behind your head.

This tends to tighten the cheek gaps but can create more gaps around the nose and chin. Consider skin tape at the nose.

This set-up failed my fit test, but lasted 5 seconds longer than unmodified version

6/

Add a tight-fitting thin cloth mask overtop of the surgical mask

7/

Consider sourcing Canadian made surgical masks and look for ones that meet the 95 PFE standard

Keep an eye out for other mask braces that may be on the market soon for an affordable price

@CAPPEM2

8/