Fogging up my viewfinder with my facemask on

Lol. I picked up my camera for what might be the first time in almost two years. As I was taking photos, I realized two things:

1. Breathing through my mask would force air to my viewfinder and fog it up.
   
2. My cameras are missing their eyecups.
   

There are masks that have a thin strip of somewhat soft metal along one edge of the mask. You mold that strip over the bridge of your nose and against your cheeks....greatly helps in the elimination of the air leak upward (and protects you better, and protects others better).

Fairly simply to add to most masks that were made with no moldable strip as manufactured.

After reading your post, Wilt, I expect to be seeing folks with #00 copper wire duct taped to the bridge of their masks.

I actually bought a box of cheap masks at Wallyworld yesterday (been using a *very* dirty N95 for (too?) *LONG* of a time, figured it was time to change. ). The cheap masks had the nose piece.

What I've found, though, is that at times even with the nose pieces I still get the fog on my glasses. Seems to happen during hot and humid conditions which we have a lot of here in south Alabama.

Interesting to hear that 'cheap masks' have the strip.

I purchased a box of 3M N95 masks three years ago, when we had a rash of fires occurring in Northern California 3 years ago, and they have a strip of metal.

One sees so many cloth masks that have zero moldable strip. My backup spare mask, with Golden State Warriors logo, has no moldable strip.

Having the strip does help, I have a displosable mask that has the strip, and when I have not molded it over my nose and cheeks my sunglasses fog much more than if the strip is molded to my facial contours
Unless a mask is made to conform to the face to minimize entry of particles (as N95 masks are) lesser masks simply do not 'seal' well enough, even with the strip.

Like I said, I've been wearing the same N95 for a long time. But, living in a rural area and sticking close to home I don't have to wear it but a few times a week. The N95 I have has a thin band of metal probably 3/8" wide that can been to conform to the nose. It indeed seals very well, though sometimes I would still have my glasses to fog up with the N95, though.

The box of *Chinese* manufactured cheap masks have a much, much smaller piece of metal(?) that can be molded to conform to the bridge of your nose. That seems to work fairly well. BUT, around the face the masks *do not* seal nearly as well as the N95. There can be gaps and the mask themselves, having ear-loops, don't seem to fit as snug as the N95 mask with it double, around-the-head straps.

I'm considering ordering in some of the KN95 masks. They may not have the filtration capability of the N95 or they may have...I think the difference is the act of "certification". One is certified to filter certain particles but the other hasn't though it may well be able to. Or, maybe I just imagined I read that somewhere...??? But, it seems the KN95 masks would at least seal better around the perimeter than the plain-jane masks.

Btw, just had a COVID-19 test yesterday, should get results back Saturday. I'd been feeling crappy for a week with different symptoms. Sudden onset last Thursday night. So far no loss of taste/smell, little to no fever (high was like 99.5F), but some chest discomfort up high, sore throat, headache, aches. I'm thinking more along the lines of either allergies or URTI. But, I've got a wife, daughters and granddaughters, and friends I want to be careful around. But, this knocked me out of an orthopedic appointment and my annual cardio appointment....both rescheduled.<sigh> We'll see....

Sorry to hear about onset of symptoms. I am glad to hear you were able to get tested. You seem to have indications of a mild case of COVID (I am not a medical professional!)

Be advised that even if you only get a 'mild' case, there are people who develop a random bunch of complications...some (like lung damage) may never resolve, and other issues might pester you for literally 5-7 months afterwards! I know a younger lady who, although perfectly healthy before infection, took 4.5 months to get over her chronic headaches and general fatigue. And those are some of the lesser issues that can affect even 'mild' cases. Doctors are finally starting to acknowledge the affects of COVID among what are called 'long haulers', and not calling them other things (even calling some a 'mental issue') A very recent article in The Atlantic covers this topic.

Where I am, you still need the right COMBINATION OF SYMPTOMS in order to get a test (unless you qualify as a first responder, etc.), or else they tell you simply to quarantine at home. Tests are still being rationed here, and I am in Tier 4 (the lowest tier). and cannot get a test simply due to my age and pre-existing conditions putting me at increased risk of death...
Those who said months ago, "If you need a test, you can get it" were sorely disconnected from reality!

https://www.amazon.com …vTm90TG9nQ2xpY2​s9dHJ1ZQ==

Take a piece of tissue or a few bits of toilet paper and fold them into a long strip that sits over the bridge of your nose under the mask.
It takes the moisture out of your exhaled breath as well as helping seal the gap.

I have bought several brands of non-N95 masks over the past 5 months. I feel these are the best so far. Metal wire that confirms nicely to the face, and quality seems very good. Never had a strap break. Yes, made in China, and has a silly name.

CandyCare Disposable Face Mask... https://www.amazon.com …?ref=ppx_pop_mo​b_ap_share

Wilt wrote in post #19112158
Sorry to hear about onset of symptoms. I am glad to hear you were able to get tested. You seem to have indications of a mild case of COVID (I am not a medical professional!)

Be advised that even if you only get a 'mild' case, there are people who develop a random bunch of complications...some (like lung damage) may never resolve, and other issues might pester you for literally 5-7 months afterwards! I know a younger lady who, although perfectly healthy before infection, took 4.5 months to get over her chronic headaches and general fatigue. And those are some of the lesser issues that can affect even 'mild' cases. Doctors are finally starting to acknowledge the affects of COVID, and not calling them other things (even calling some a 'mental issue') A very recent article in The Atlantic covers this topic.

Where I am, you still need the right COMBINATION OF SYMPTOMS in order to get a test (unless you qualify as a first responder, etc.), or else they tell you simply to quarantine at home. Tests are still being rationed here, and I am in Tier 4 (the lowest tier). and cannot get a test simply due to my age and pre-existing conditions putting me at increased risk of death...
Those who said months ago, "If you need a test, you can get it" were sorely disconnected from reality!

I'm looking for things to turn out ok. They did ask me several questions regarding symptoms and apparently I hit the mark (or they needed to make quota :rolleyes. I have had this "cold" for right at a week and of course I've been on the Internet diagnosing myself. Looks like I have at least half the symptoms of COVID but also symptoms for an allergy, common cold, and a URTI...so I think the results are a crap shoot.

Yes, the underlying problems that can come out of COVID are a worry, but I'll just have to trust God on it all. I'm trying to be proactive and trying to protect my family and others. It seems, from talking with the nurse, that the rapid tests are what they run out of the most and then it takes a while to get them back in stock. The regular test that takes several days to get results from appear to be more readily available.

I am curious about the test that was given to me. The swab was much similar to an ear swab. I wish I had took a few pictures of it...but I was worried about a rotor-rooter going through my nasal passage and didn't think about it. They swabbed shallowly in each nostril. I had heard that when a gag reflex from gong so deep was caused that that was the best test. It really surprised me of the ease of the test...surprised to the point that I asked the nurse, "Is that it?" after it was over with. I hope it was a good test. I'm still a bit leery of "test results" due to hearing of so many false diagnoses (both positive and negative). But, the rapid tests seem to be more prone to errors than the standard test.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19112163
https://www.amazon.com …vTm90TG9nQ2xpY2​s9dHJ1ZQ==

Not a bad deal. They would work well on disposable masks but they're also show working on washable masks. The problem is the seller says they're not washable which I'm figuring means the glue will fail in the wash. But, if the piece was sewn into the mask there shouldn't be a problem with it. The pack of nose pieces is cheap enough to try them, that's for sure!

Thanks for the tips. I'll try to see what works.

We have several boxes of disposable masks. All the different manufacturers we have include the metal strip. I don't think I've ever seen a disposable mask (blue accordion style) not have the strips. My wife and I also wear an extra cloth mask on the outside for added safety and to keep the disposable one a bit cleaner for a longer amount of time.

Intheswamp wrote in post #19112090
I actually bought a box of cheap masks at Wallyworld yesterday (been using a *very* dirty N95 for (too?) *LONG* of a time, figured it was time to change...

Btw, just had a COVID-19 test yesterday, should get results back Saturday. I'd been feeling crappy for a week with different symptoms. Sudden onset last Thursday night. So far no loss of taste/smell, little to no fever (high was like 99.5F), but some chest discomfort up high, sore throat, headache, aches. I'm thinking more along the lines of either allergies or URTI. But, I've got a wife, daughters and granddaughters, and friends I want to be careful around. But, this knocked me out of an orthopedic appointment and my annual cardio appointment....both rescheduled.<sigh> We'll see....

Hope you feel better! We use a new disposable mask when it seems reasonable to do so - e.g. a full day of grocery shopping and errands or every few days of quick, minor stops/interactions. Doubling up with a cloth mask on the outside keeps the inside one cleaner on the exterior. We wash the cloth ones fairly frequently and have a few on hand. VERY IMPORTANT to make sure you throw the disposables away and wash the cloth ones... no point in hanging on to dirty ones, touching them, and putting them back on your face.

We were in NY this week and police officers were handing out KN95s. Here's a discussion of the key differences: https://smartairfilter​s.com …tween-n95-and-kn95-masks/ They're certainly better than the disposable masks we've been using.

The more layers the better, so some of the best homemade masks are a cotton dual ply with an inside replaceable layer of 800-1000 count hypoallergenic cotton sheet/pillowcase and 100% silk. These 4 layers have been shown in UK studies to be nearly 85% efficient, which is quite good for homemade masks.

We use Zeps industrial towels as an added layer to our masks' filters which use a smog filter (PM2.5). It is a polypropylene non-woven shop towel that helps in filtration, and the total layer count is 7, while still allowing breathing to be pretty decent. The replaceable smog filter isn't quite large enough though I feel, and I will be looking for something else in the future that can extend to the sides.

We use those metal strips as well. They do go through the wash and partially detach, we just press down to stick again. After a couple washes, you replace the strips.

Finally our kids come home from school and use a mist sprayer that has a mix of rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and a bit of water and tiny amount of soap to spray both sides of the masks, rotate them out for 24 hours to another set while these hang out in the open, and each weekend everything gets washed.

I guess it is just an URTI or allergies. I just got a phone call that the test was negative! YIPPIE!!!!!!!!! Of course, that only means I didn't have it up to the point of the test but I'll take that for now!!!! Just gotta get rid of this pesky cough and burn...

Intheswamp wrote in post #19112626
I guess it is just an URTI or allergies. I just got a phone call that the test was negative! YIPPIE!!!!!!!!! Of course, that only means I didn't have it up to the point of the test but I'll take that for now!!!! Just gotta get rid of this pesky cough and burn...

Mazel Tov!