Saturday, January 23, 2021

THE CHALLENGE OF THE MASK

        We are all supposed to be wearing the "mask" these days. I know that there are some who have a melt down over having to wear a mask but I'm not one of them. I think that all of us should do all we can to help control covid - 19. Recently a person I knew died from covid. That's too close to home.

     However, I've found wearing the mask to be a challenge and not at all pleasant. A simple thing like taking off the mask and putting it on is a problem ...a frustrating problem. I have used some very descriptive language when things don't go well. 

     I wear glasses and hearing aids. So some of you are already thinking ahead on this story. The glasses, mask and hearing aids get completely mixed up when I try to take off the mask. . I only want the mask to come off but the mask is one of the last things to come off. One dark morning I had  my groceries and was ready to go home. I took the mask off and I knew one of the hearing aids had come off. It was very dark in the car and I couldn't see anything. I went into the store to borrow a flashlight but no sympathy there. They just wanted to sell me a flashlight. Going back out I met a tradesman of some kind and I thought, "Those guys always have cool flashlights." Yes, he had a flashlight and would let me use it. I found the hearing aid immediately. 

      The next week I decided to leave the hearing aids at home. That didn't work very well. 

     Then one day I thought , if I grasp the mask band at the bottom by my ear lobe it might come up and not get tangled in everything. Yes, it was perfect!  The mask comes off and the other stuff stays there. 

     Now if I could think of some way to prevent my glasses from fogging up I' d be much happier again. 

55 comments:

  1. I can so relate to your mask problems. I don't wear a hearing aid but I do wear glasses and I have to keep adjusting my mask so part of it is under my glasses so they won't fog up so badly. Then if I wear earrings they get tangled up with the mask strap so I have about stopped wearing earrings now. I agree we need to wear masks and I appreciate others wearing them but they do come with challenges don't they!

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  2. To prevent your glasses from fogging up you could instead wear swimming goggles with the appropriate lenses in them. Another idea - instead of putting a mask on put a space helmet on instead.

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  3. Hello,
    I agree, I have no problems wearing the mask. My hubby has do to the same with his glasses and hearing aid. My glasses fog up as soon as I walk into the food store. If you find a way to keep the foggy glasses from happening, let me know. Take care, enjoy your day. Have a great new week!

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    1. I hear lots of remedies but haven't tried any. There a few in my comments today.

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  4. Glasses fogging up when wearing a mask is really annoying. The answer for me might be anti misting spray. I don't have to deal with extreme temperatures.
    Alphie

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    1. The cold temperature puts an added problem to the fogging up.

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  5. Yes, masks can be challenging at times, but they are important! I wear reading glasses, and I've found that if I pull my mask a little higher and place my glasses slightly over the mask, there's no fogging up! Works like a charm.

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    1. I've tried that but found it wasn't too successful so I think the different face shaped have something to do with it.

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  6. I hadn't thought how that style of hearing aid would be problematic with a mask. I wear the in-ear type. You could look for the type of mask that has the two elastics and does not go over the ear.

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    1. Yes, I've herd of these so I must look for them.

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  7. Some people tape the top of the mask to their face, that prevents moisture from rising up.
    They really are a pain, but they are keeping us safer.

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    1. I've thought of tape but I'm not too sure what would be worse...the fog or the tape.

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  8. You're the third person mention how busy the ears are with all they're holding up!

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    1. I forgot to mention that I wear a tuque as well!!

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  9. Just a great post, Red. I agree completely. I put 3 or 4 masks in my car. Whenever I get out of the car (except when I’m home) I put on a mask and keep it on until I get back in the car. This isn’t a political thing with me. I just don’t want to get sick. Yes, it’s an inconvenience. And I miss seeing the expressions on other’s faces. But staying safe and well is just common sense.

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    1. Staying safe makes perfect sense to me and I cannot understand the anti maskers.

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  10. Yes, the mask-wearing is a strange thing and sometimes a total bummer. Very kind of that person to let you use his flashlight. My glasses fog up all the time. Yesterday I walked into town with my glasses in my pocket. I could see pretty well without them, and it was way better than the foggy view when I can hardly see at all.

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    1. I put the glasses in my pocket until I get in the store. That seems to help a bit.

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    2. I do the same as Red and it does make a difference.

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  11. I've pulled my glasses off with my mask multiple times, so I know where you're coming from!

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    1. Somehow none of those things seem to stay in one place. They move!

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  12. Yes, exactly. I wear glasses and hearing aids also. My glasses fog up and when I release the mask I am likely to pull out one of both of my hearing aids. It's a real bother. That happened at the park yesterday.
    It would be so easy to lose one of those very expensive hearing aids. I will be remembering to leave them at home next time. I guess I can manage poorer hearing when, with fogged up glasses, I can't see either. :-/

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    1. I find I need the hearing aids for driving and shopping. I take them of when I'm walking or shoveling snow.

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  13. I hear ya! Masks won’t be missed when Covid is gone.

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    1. I haven't even thought about the day we don't have to wear masks.

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  14. I leave my glasses off when I wear my mask. It's not ideal but I still can see but not read small text and I don't drive so it's not a problem. You should put a flashlight in your glove compartment, never know when you might need it again.

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    1. Yes, I have been carrying a flashlight lately.

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  15. I use masks that don't go over my ears but instead on the back of my head and around the back of the neck. And spit seems to help keep my glasses clear, for a while at least. :-)

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    1. Your the first one to suggest spit for preventing fog!

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  16. Masks with ties that you can tie at the back of your head and around the back of your neck might not tangle with your hearing aids.
    Hope that helps you, Red! Thank you for wearing a mask!

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  17. Regular masks tug at my ears, so I'm using bandannas to mask up.

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    1. It's sometimes hilarious when you see some ears bent out of shape!

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  18. I only use reading glasses and I'm not usually wearing a mask when I'm reading ... but I STILL have problems putting on, wearing, and taking off a mask. It's a pain, but as you say, we still gotta do it.

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    1. You're a lucky guy to not have glasses and hearing aids. The hearing aids are very, very expensive.

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  19. Can't help you, Red. I never wear the hearing aids these days. No one to listen to.

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    1. Good one on the hearing aids. They pick up so much noise when you wear them.

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  20. You need a method of taking on, putting off, each piece at the right time.

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    1. I know that that is what I need but none of the apparatus will cooperate.

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  21. You are the second person in two days to tell me they lost a hearing aid when a mask pulled it off. Hearing aids are so expensive, I'm glad you both found them.

    I wear a mask where I have to and try not to complain but after a little bit I feel so suffocated, I rip it off at the first opportunity

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    1. Yes, a mask is uncomfortable and then there's the issue of having to blow your nose. I have allergies so my nose drips.

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  22. Yes I have a friend who lost his hearing aids by taking off his mask. I have heard that swishing your glasses in sudsy dish water and then letting them dry will help with the fogging up:)

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    1. Quite a few people suggest the soap for preventing fogging up.

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  23. I haven’t been able to figure out how to prevent glasses from fogging up yet. I’ve heard it said that you should put your glasses in soapy water and let it air dry so that your glasses have a soap film on it. I’ve never tried it though. I also remember an anti-fog thing we used to put on our car windshield at one time in Illinois, but that was a long time ago.

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  24. I haven’t been able to figure out how to prevent glasses from fogging up yet. I’ve heard it said that you should put your glasses in soapy water and let it air dry so that your glasses have a soap film on it. I’ve never tried it though. I also remember an anti-fog thing we used to put on our car windshield at one time in Illinois, but that was a long time ago.
    Kay from Musings (For some reason, I can’t seem to publish with my google account.)

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    1. Okay I got your comment. Sometimes blogger is very frustrating.

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  25. I tried to leave a comment several times but for some reason, my ipad just refused to work so I'm using my desk top and hope this goes.
    Art agrees with you about the hearing aids. He has the same problem. He says the fogging hasn't been too bad with the nose wire I sewed in. However, it doesn't work for me. I've heard that you could put your glasses in soapy water and let it dry. The film is supposed to keep your glasses from fogging. I haven't tried that. I wonder if it works. I think there are also anti-fogging sprays. I think.

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    1. I think face shape must have a lot to do with how masks perform or don't perform.

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  26. The whole regime with covid is a shock.

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  27. I never had any problems until recently and now I get my specs tangled and they steam up. Our weather has been colder than usual but my specs/ears are just the same so I can't explain that.

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  28. Intrigued, I read up on this. Surgeons have used this little trick for years. Spritz a bit of shaving cream on your glasses and then clean them. It allows for long surgery without your glasses fogging. However, I'm not sure how this would work in extreme temperature variations. Your hearing aids? Glad you figured out your own solution to that one!

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  29. Well, I’m with you on the glasses-fogging-up problem. I’ve seen some masks advertised to not cause that but I’m not willing to spend $12 or $15 to find out if they work, or if they send me the mask at all. But, a few annoyances are diminished by the opportunity NOT to get Covid so I’ll just put up with it. Paul has flung his hearing aid into the back seat of the car removing his mask three times, Aftef a search we have always come up with it, thank goodness. Those little buggers are expensive!

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  30. the message this post has is inspiring dear Red

    despite of all problem if you can still wear the mask that why not others ?
    i must say that my husband is better follower of rules and keeps his mask on when he has to go outdoor ,he says we should not leave this healthy habit even virus is gone

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