Stuff You Should Know
Mask Braces
Mask Braces: Dirt Cheap Quality Safety
N95 masks are hard to come by if you don’t have much money, but surgical masks are still being given away for free by some businesses and medical offices. They’re not nearly as good as an N95…unless you use a mask brace.
It’s hard to believe, but the filtration material is actually quite good. It’s just those giant gaps that create problems. A mask brace holds the material tight to your face, helping ensure a good fit. With a cheap, simple addition you can bring a surgical mask’s performance up to about the level of an N95. Check out these studies for evidence.
Here are three options for mask braces, in order of effectiveness. Just keep in mind that surgical masks are only good for 2-6 hours of active use, unlike N95s which can be reused.
Fix the Mask ($15)
This commercial product forms to your face over a surgical mask, making the mask fit you too! It’s probably the most durable reusable option here, and it also has the best performance. Badger Seal is a very close second.
Badger Seal ($10 or DIY)
This was created by the UW-Madison maker space with materials you can buy cheaply from Amazon or Home Depot. You can buy one premade for $10, or scroll through their list of other places to shop. They also have detailed instructions with videos for making and wearing it yourself.
2 Rubber Bands (DIY - less than $1)
If the UW site had too much information, or the Badger Seal had too many materials, this option keeps it simple. With just two large rubber bands, you can make a little “harness” for your surgical mask that drastically improves its effectiveness. If you don’t like having a rubber band on your hair, you‘ll want to wear a head covering.
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