Mask mandates were lifted in offices, grocery stores and transit hubs across the country, and many people (understandably) stopped wearing them as a result. After surviving two years of a pandemic, people are tired of muffled voices, sweaty faces and foggy windows.
There has been some debate surrounding the effectiveness of masks in preventing infection with COVID-19 — especially early in the pandemic — but laboratory studies show that masks protect those who wear them.
If you’re one of those who still cover up, you’re probably looking for solutions to make covering up more comfortable—especially during the warm summer months. Here are five easy tricks to make wearing yours more bearable.
Relieve the tension on the mask strings
When you wear a mask all day, the earmuffs can start to put strain on the backs of your ears. Your delicate ears will thank you for purchasing mask clips. Several options are available, from simple straps with buttons or hooks to silicone and rope accessories.
We love this Candace Cort earmuff, which is clear, bendable, and subtle. Mask extensions can also help you customize the fit of your mask (if you, like me, have a much smaller than average head). Try this silicone mask extension kit from EVGLOW, which comes in a variety of colors ($6.99 from Amazon).
De-fog your glasses
If you’ve ever worn glasses and a mask at the same time, you know how foggy lenses struggle. This problem can range from a simple inconvenience to a real danger — if you can’t see where you’re going, it doesn’t matter how protected you are from COVID-19. The most effective way to reduce fogging during masking is to improve the seal between the top of the mask and the skin. Masks with adjustable nose wires (which are the best quality masks most adept at protecting against viruses anyway) make this seal easy to close.
If you have a well-fitting mask that’s sealed on the nose, but you’re still experiencing lens fogging, try Ultra Clarifty’s Defog Kit ($15.99 from Amazon). It is compatible with many different types of lenses; just be warned that it requires frequent reapplication and you may want to keep a small microfiber cloth handy to scrub away any vision-obscuring streaks.
Make your mask smell nicer
We’ve all become intimately familiar with the smell of our own breath over the past two years. Even when you’re confident in your minty freshness, there’s something about “mask breath” that’s just…unpleasant. To remedy this, spritz a nice-smelling freshening spray into your mask before heading out the door.
Enfusia’s Deodorizing Mask Spray ($19.99 at Amazon) is made with pure essential oils—a blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, and tea tree. The fragrance is sure to relax you throughout the day; and even if it doesn’t, it’s probably better than smelling your breakfast.
Buy a cute necklace chain
If you’re like most of us, you periodically take off your mask to get some air and then put it back on when needed. But it’s annoying to frantically search for a mask lost in your jacket pocket or in the dirty dregs of your handbag. The solution? Cute mask chain. This invention looks like a necklace and functions as a chain for glasses. It hangs around your neck to ensure your mask rests on your chest like a pair of sunglasses when not in use – and makes your mask instantly accessible when you reach for it.
Try the Reuven Designs Gold Face Mask Chain ($14.50 from Etsy), a simple, best-selling gold chain with a customizable length. For an elegant option that looks like real jewelry, consider the Lima Jewelry Pearl Necklace Chain ($20.64 from Etsy).
Find a comfortable fit
Cloth masks are the most breathable option, but health experts do not recommend using them against Omicron. Instead, they suggest wearing an N95, KN95, or KF94 to protect against this more portable option. Surgical masks are slightly better than cloth masks, and placing a cloth mask over a surgical mask is more effective than wearing a surgical mask alone (as it tightens the fit).
KN95s come with earloops, which are undoubtedly more comfortable to wear than N95 headbands. However, you should watch out for fake N95s. Get yours from a site like Project N95, the National Clearinghouse for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 Testing. Their stylish black KN95 ($14 from Project N95) and N95 ($35 from Project N95) provide the best protection.
For a more in-depth look at the best type of mask to protect you from Omicron, check out this detailed breakdown of the masks we recommend for the option. Be safe out there and enjoy your summer!
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