quote:

Originally posted by rbert0005:
Besides all of that,who has masks that do NOT wrap around the ears?

Behind the ear hearing aids and those that wrap around don't work out so well.

Bob

THIS! I wear BTE hearing aids since I was 3, and these flapping ear loops are retarded and uncomfortable...

I think mask mandates are absurd, but I must abide by them for my job. I’m in the market for the flimsiest most breathable American made mask that still fits the requirement to wear one (can’t be obvious mesh netting, etc.). I think there’s a large market for this based on anecdotal conversations, but I can’t find a product like this. I’m currently purchasing cheap masks and cutting the middle out for easy breathing.

quote:

Originally posted by rbert0005:

who has masks that do NOT wrap around the ears?

Behind the ear hearing aids and those that wrap around don't work out so well.

YES! The most annoying part of wearing a mask, is that the ear loops get tangled with my hearing aids. I tend to use some inventive language when removing the mask.

I would really like to find a source for disposable surgical type masks with elastic bands that go around the back of the head, instead of ear loops, made in the U.S.A., at a reasonable price.

My wife makes masks that can be worn with either the ear loops or can be tied behind the head with a string.

I can’t speak for the fabric as it comes from Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s, but the masks are 100% made in a basement outside of Raleigh, NC.


https://www.erinknightley.com/masks

quote:

Originally posted by arabiancowboy:
I think mask mandates are absurd, but I must abide by them for my job. I’m in the market for the flimsiest most breathable American made mask that still fits the requirement to wear one (can’t be obvious mesh netting, etc.). I think there’s a large market for this based on anecdotal conversations, but I can’t find a product like this. I’m currently purchasing cheap masks and cutting the middle out for easy breathing.

If you can live with Korean made, I've got you covered. I had to really dig back when I found this. I noticed a lot of college football coaches were wearing this mask and it looked very breathable and comfortable.

I finally found them online and ordered one. It is by far the best of the best as far as comfort goes. I can't stand the paper ones and most cloth ones really annoyed me. I found some comfortable gaiters, but even those were annoying after extended use.

I can wear this one all day, easy if I have to:
https://store.helmetfitting.com/product/active-mask/



It's called the Shema97. This is what you see most college coaches and athletic departments using.

Check here, really cool and nice selection with matching masks!
https://www.allamericanhats.com/

quote:

Originally posted by ranger312:

quote:

Originally posted by snoris:
Twenty masks for $45 plus about $10 shipping. Buy and breathe American.

https://www.unitedstatesmask.com/

Interesting article on their website dated 1/21. Apparently they were having trouble selling their masks because they were a few cents higher cost than the Chinese stuff. Even their own local county government wouldn't buy them due to the few cents higher cost. The article had a comment about 200,000 masks sitting in their warehouse that they couldn't sell. And now, just a few days later, they are out of stock. Something must have worked! I signed up to be notified when they are back in stock and will order some.

Here’s the rest of the story from today’s Dallas Morning News:

https://www.dallasnews.com/new...to-complete-sellout/

Bill, your link does not work.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Bill, your link does not work.

My apologies, apparently this article is behind the DMN’s paywall:

Here’s a copy and paste:
Last week, The Watchdog told you the story of United States Mask Co. of Fort Worth: “Two guys start a D-FW mask factory but can’t catch a break. Forget made in Texas. China always wins.”

Two men pumped their life savings into building from scratch a factory that makes certified N95 masks, the kind you want but can’t find easily online because scammers have made it difficult.

Until a few days ago, United States Mask Co. had very few customers and struggled to compete with companies in China. The local company was even disqualified from bidding on an order of 100,000 masks from the government in Tarrant County, its home county.

After The Watchdog report, the company was flooded with support. United States Mask sold more than a quarter-million N95 masks. The company owners beefed up production, hired more workers and temporarily stopped taking orders so they can catch up.

Coincidentally, in the same week, President Joe Biden signed an executive order prodding the government to buy American and reduce waivers for overseas products.

Here, I ask co-owners John Bielamowicz and David Baillargeon what their week was like.
Watchdog: How has your life changed since The Watchdog shared your story?

David: We have been inundated with emails and phone calls from people and businesses wanting to offer help and support. We were not prepared for the onslaught of orders and have been working around the clock to get these orders packaged and shipped. John actually brought his Airstream to the factory, and I’m sleeping on the office sofa. I’ve gotten 15 hours of sleep in the last three days. We’ve moved our families into the factory to help. We’re not leaving until all these orders are shipped out.

John: This struck a nerve. It’s an underdog story.

Watchdog: How many did you sell?

John: We sold everything! More than a quarter-million. Two weeks ago, we were standing in line outside the UPS store. Now the midsize-business people at UPS told us we might have gotten too big for them.

Watchdog: Your online store was only 3 days old, and then it handled such a high volume of sales almost immediately. What happened when you ran out?

John: We started taking pre-orders. We were wrestling with it. Our hole was getting deeper. And every second that we kept taking orders, we committed ourselves to a bigger mountain to climb.

Watchdog: Are you still taking orders?

John: We had to stop accepting orders. We wrestled so hard with when to shut it off. Our inbox was melting with support for American-made products. We love those. But what I wasn’t ready for were messages that said, “My mom has cancer” and what having an N95 meant to them. The outpouring from not just Dallas, not just Texas, but this whole country of ours is something I couldn’t have even imagined.

Watchdog: What about that second shift of workers?

David: It’s in the works.

John: This week, we hired 11 people and more to come. We’re increasing production capacity in a big way.

Watchdog: Aside from the quick turnaround in your fate, what surprised you?

David: There were a lot of calls from people just thanking us for what we are doing. I’ve had calls from cancer patients, schools for the disabled and nursing homes — all of whom needed but couldn’t get this type of protection. Businesses called to offer their services free of charge because they genuinely want to see United States Mask succeed. I even had calls from people offering to volunteer their time to help us in whatever way they could.

Here's another source for American made masks. They're offering free shipping for a while.

Carolina Facemask

quote:

Originally posted by cheesegrits:

Here's another source for American made masks. They're offering free shipping for a while.

Carolina Facemask

I sent an email to these folks, begging, on behalf of all my hearing impaired brethren (and sistren), for masks with behind-the-head elastic straps instead of those infernal ear loops that are guaranteed to remove a hearing aid and fling it across the parking lot when taking a mask off.

They did read me email, but have not replied yet.