It’s the beginning of the new school year, and as we adjust to getting back on campus once again, there’s a new accessory we Mounties have to remember to put on in the morning – our masks! Public health experts say that when worn properly, a non-medical face mask can reduce the spread of infectious droplets spreading from you to another person, which reduces the risk of you passing on anything that may get another person sick, though in order for your mask to be effective, it must be made of at least two layers of fabric, and fully cover your nose and your mouth.  

That pretty well covers the basics, and what you probably already know about masks. However, knowing the facts does not necessarily mean that you are going to have no problem adjusting to mask wearing. It can be hard to get used to and can make for some discomfort and so what I want to do is share some important tidbits, that will hopefully help you find the best masks for you, and alleviate some of the discomfort that is bound to come along with mask-wearing.  So here are some of my most important things to remember about masks! 

1. Mask fit

Masks can feel super uncomfortable if they are not the right fit for you, and after hours of wear you can really start to feel the strain, especially with tight fitting strings around your ears! Ideally, your mask fits securely against your face, resting under your chin and not straining behind your ears. You can find masks that have adjustable straps, that tie instead of loop to relieve this. Also, you can find masks that come in different sizes that you can get to adjust for the fit that you desire! Don’t hesitate to shop around in order to find the fit that’s right for you, mask-wearing is 10x better when it’s comfortable.  

2. Mask fog

The fogged-up glasses are definitely one of the bigger bothers of mask wearing, happening both with regular glasses, sunglasses and for any students taking labs, the big pain of lab goggles. This can be super frustrating, and so if you are going to have to wear glasses of any sort, try looking for a mask that comes with a nose wire, allowing you to pinch the wire to adjust the mask across your nose, stopping air from coming out and fogging up your glasses. If you cannot find this in a mask, DIY with a paper clip or a bobby pin can work just as well! 

3. Mask care

In order to feel comfortable wearing your mask and for your mask to be effective, you want to be taking extra good care of it. This means not touching your mask while you’re  wearing it, handling it by the straps to remove it, and washing your hands before and after removing your mask! You also want to make sure you are keeping your mask clean, changing to a new mask when it is dirty, and washing your masks often either using a machine or handwashing! 

4. Mask style

On a lighter note, another way to lessen the burden of getting used to mask wearing is by finding a mask in a design or pattern that you love! Wear one with bright colours that make you happy, find one that represents your favourite sports team, or if you’re an on campus student represent your residence with a mask in house colours. If you take the time to have some fun with it, mask wearing gets so much better! 

5. Mask shopping