In May of 2020, our store on Redbubble was enabled to sell their masks. These are two-layer 95% polyester/5% spandex non-medical grade face coverings manufactured by Bella+Canvas, with our designs sublimated onto them by the RB printing partners. At the time, there was a global mask shortage, so many apparel companies stepped up to make face coverings to support the worldwide community.
For every mask sold, one was donated to Heart to Heart International, an organization working to make the world healthier by providing humanitarian aid and crisis relief to communities across the globe. This was a big incentive for us to participate! Although the program is no longer in place due to increased availability of medical-grade masks, in 2020 over 400,000 masks were donated!
These masks, while very cute, do not really provide much protection. They’re loose and flimsy, and studies have shown that the material protects against large droplets but is not helpful against aerosols – especially being so loose-fitting. Being so loose, they also fit right up against the mouth and nose, which for some people makes it harder to speak and breathe. When I got mine, I added one or two layers of filtration material for protection and to stiffen the shape, a nose wire to mold the mask to the face, and I sewed darts in the sides to close the big gaps, a process I recommended to all on my instagram stories.
Then a few months later, Redbubble added fitted masks – a better option with more face coverage, three layers (two inner cotton and an outer polyester layer), a nose wire, and adjustable ear loops. Better – and really great for expressing oneself with a nice design – but they’re a little pricey for a non-medical grade mask. (And studies have shown these types of masks have only 30-40% filtration if well fitted – again, good for droplets but not aerosols.)
Now in 2021, there is more mask availability. As a lung cancer survivor/thriver who really wants to avoid catching any respiratory bugs, I’ve done a lot of research on masks, and I’m now only recommending these types of masks for use in very very low risk environments. Otherwise, they are great for wearing over a medical respirator mask to keep it clean and add some pizzazz.
The better masks to wear are N95, KN95, KF94, and FFP2 medical respirator masks, which is what I now wear when in public places, and I use my “cute” masks for things like walking the dog around the neighborhood.
For more information and lists of good protective masks – and which ones to avoid – check out @masknerd (aerosol scientist Aaron Collins on youtube who has tested dozens of masks for fit, protection, and breathability) and @larmbrust (Lloyd Armbrust who manufactures excellent masks and has also tested dozens of different brands).
Stay safe everyone – Take care of yourself and each other, and we’ll get through this!
