Masses Of Masks

Back in May I purchased face masks (two for me, and two for Hubby Tony) from a nearby crafter. Since I wasn't going out much there was no problem always having a clean one when I left the house. However, once summer humidity hit, just stepping outside made the masks sweaty. I was also doing more out in public, which meant I needed to use a mask more often.

Last month my U.S. Census supplies contained three masks made out of white knit material. It was nice to have more face coverings, but since I was turning the masks over so quickly I was forced to hand wash and air dry them, and the multi-layered knit took a long time to dry. All of a sudden I wasn't always able to have a mask stashed in my purse, and I was afraid I would rush out the door unprepared.

I thought about contacting my original seller to get more, but her prices were just high enough to stop me. Last week a Facebook friend posted about some masks she had bought at Old Navy, and I filed the information away for future use. Yesterday my Census work took me right by an Old Navy store and I stopped in to see what they had.

What they had were multitudes of masks in both adult and children's sizes...the adult sizes were packs of five for $12.50. I was able to open a package and take a mask out to look at it. The cotton material felt substantial, and when I held the mask up to the light I couldn't see through it. The large elastic ear loops had adjusters--small disks of plastic that slid up and down the elastic to make the loop larger or smaller.

The downside was that the masks didn't have a nose wire or pocket for a filter. However, I've learned that if I tuck the mask under the bottom frame of my glasses that does a good job of holding it in place. And although there might be some tiny benefit to me of having an additional filter, the most current research says that face masks are meant to protect other people. If I didn't feel well I wouldn't leave the house.

Some of the coolest prints were only available for children, but I found a package I liked and brought it home. The first thing I did was throw them all in the washer. I wondered if the cotton fabric would wrinkle, but they came out great.

Now I have enough masks that I can wait and wash out a couple at a time. It will be nice to not worry about leaving the house maskless. Hubby Tony didn't care for the prints I chose for myself, so I will be swinging by Old Navy again soon.

Five years ago today: Vacay 2015--When in Rome...