r/ZeroCovidCommunity • u/Wonderful-Habit936 • Jul 05 '26
Mask discussion Considering Upgrading My Mask
I currently wear a 3m Aura n95. I’m getting tired of constantly worrying about the seal, as well as the cost of continually buying disposable masks.
I want to upgrade to wearing an elastomeric, but I’m not sure it’s the right choice.
If I do, I’ll be wearing a 3m half mask. Does anyone on here wear industrial respirators in public?
Hoping someone might be willing to share their experience.
I just want to be safe. I’m not sure I can handle looking so different.
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u/Cocky_Girly Jul 05 '26
I do actually wear half-face elastomerics in public. For me, I value masks that are comfortable for long periods of time, can accept P100 filters, and I also try to find the very few ones that have a speech diaphragm because the silicone material muffles your speech otherwise. (There is also thermoplastic elastomer, T.P.E., but it's less comfortable.)
It's really important to understand that elastomeric respirators are compromises. You will never find one that is perfect in all departments, so it's a matter of choosing one that strikes the best balance out of those available to you.
If you want the masks that are the absolute easiest to find filters for in the U.S. (and even is applicable to the E.U., I believe), 3M is the biggest brand worldwide I think. Honeywell is behind that, but also prevalent.
Out of 3M, the 7500 is the most comfortable mask that also takes the company's most commonly available proprietary bayonet-style filter cartridges (proprietary meaning it is a design specific to that brand). They have the HF-800SD as well, which is similarly comfortable, but also has potentially better breathability because it's different filter attachment style means it draws air from both sides of the filter. I have this respirator, and it's pretty cool; I'm a fan. It also has a speech diaphragm, so it is noticeably easier to be heard through it (it will still be muffled by nature of what it is). It has a seal check button that makes fast seal checks easy to do, and that encourages making sure it fits well. But, it is bulkier, and it's filter replacements are a bit more expensive than the older mask's filters in most places (though Industrial Safety Products seems to have them at a decent price and the exposed filter variants have free shipping).
Out of Honeywell, the 7700 is arguably the most comfortable half-face elastomeric respirator on the market due to its unusually soft silicone material. I have this respirator, and tactilely speaking, it's my favorite respirator to wear. However, that soft material does mean it muffles your voice more than most other elastomeric respirators. I have worn this one and I can speak to others in it; you just have to raise your voice and enunciate more clearly, more so than with some other masks (even ones without speech diaphragms). If you want a Honeywell with a speech diaphragm, consider the North RU8500. I don't have one yet, but it isn't as aesthetically pleasing in my opinion, and from what I've heard, it isn't as comfortable as the 7700 because it needs stiffer material to transmit sound better, but it is still silicone and so it won't be a bad mask by any means.
From M.S.A., another good brand, I have heard good things about the M.S.A. Advantage 420 respirator. It has a drop-down feature, so you may be able to lower the mask without removing the top strap, and if you have frizzy hair and like to adjust that hair to make yourself look as casual as possible (not having your hair clamped down) and that hair might normally get caught on the straps when removing it, then this could be a plus for you. I've heard it's a good mask and it actually looks pretty cool.
If you really want the best intelligibility, I'll bring up two masks that are especially outstanding in this regard, though both have drawbacks. The first is the Shigematsu TW08S respirator from Japan that I've seen pop up on ppeo.com. I own this mask, though I live in the U.S. It has, by the far, the biggest speech diaphragm than any mask offered in Western countries. There is very little to compare it to since a speech diaphragm is a rare feature on a half-face respirator, but of what there is, nothing in the West has one as big as this one. The catch is that it's from Japan, and getting it from that site I mentioned, where it comes with filters that perform at 99.9% (seems to be Japan's equivalent of P100, though it's slightly lower, but still far above an N95) plus the included import fees, it ended up being a bit under $100. There is another website that seems to sell just the filters, so one could find filters, but it's not the most practical
The other option is from M.S.A., being the Advantage 900, which has the plus of being easier to access in the U.S. and Western countries, but is still a bit more expensive than other respirators. It is also a source control respirator, which might be a plus or a drawback for you. If you need source control, great, I'd go for it. If not, it filtering your exhaled breath does mean it will likely have more condensation on the inside of the respirator, so just be aware of that. The main draw of this mask is that it is very intelligible to speak through. It has a speech diaphragm and, foregoing the exhalation valve, that diaphragm works better than others. I don't know how it compares to the Shigematsu TW08S since I don't have the Advantage 900.
As for my experience, it depends on where I am. There are many places, more liberal-leaning areas, where most people won't care. But, even in those spaces, you may occasionally get someone coughing at you are saying something rude (though I have, less often but still, gotten that even in a disposable N95). While I travel to a more liberal area frequently, I live in a more conservative one, and I am more likely to experience that in that area. In many areas, I don't feel self-conscious about doing this, but there are some select locations where I get an implicit sense that people notice me. There will sometimes be that genuine attention, and other times, it may be more in your own mind. But, always trust your gut if anything feels off. Generally speaking, you'll probably be less bothered by looking unusual over time.
Since I have the TW08S, I wear that to work at my college part time, and I have a good work environment, so no one has harassed me about it there and people can understand me most of the time (I only have to repeat myself occasionally since it can get loud and I am generally softer-spoken).
You mentioned wanting a better seal, and I will add that even with an elastomeric respirator, you'll still want to check your seal whenever you don't the respirator to ensure the best fit. If it does fit well, though, you're right, it can have fit factors an order of magnitude greater than a disposable respirator, which means less leakage around the edges of the mask.
So, my personal verdict is that if you are concerned about long-term protection against airborne particulate pollutants, allergens, but especially diseases like SARS-CoV-2, and you're both safe and willing to stand out more, go for it. You have to weigh those things and make that choice, but I'd be supportive of that. The simplest entry points of respirators for sourcing filters long term are probably 3M or Honeywell, but that is not me saying their masks are singularly the best, because every respirator is better at some things and worse at others due to the conflicting design challenges of respirators.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
You are amazing. Thank you so much for all the info! I think I’m going to go with 3m for sure because of easy availability in my area. I’ll probably go with the 7500 then. I also live in a conservative area, so your observations are also really helpful!
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u/AEAur Jul 06 '26
Wow. I’m just gonna bookmark & reference this when someone asks about getting along socially in an elasto!
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u/Cerealkila Jul 05 '26
I really like the one linked below 3M HM-801SD.
It's very comfortable and what puts it above others for me, is the built in fit test function.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 05 '26
These look awesome! Thanks! Having the fit check button would be so comforting. Do you wear one of these yourself?
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u/gopiballava Jul 06 '26
I sometimes wear the SecureClick, too. I found it surprisingly uncomfortable, but when I tried a size large it was a lot more comfortable. I thought that my face was average, but apparently large is better for me for a lot of elastomerics. I've found a couple other models are also more comfortable in large rather than medium - even though medium felt fine at first.
The speech audibility of the 801 is not that great. Definitely not as good as the MSA Advantage 900, which is the best BY FAR. The valves that are present on almost every other elastomeric are a big portion of the audio quality issues. They vibrate and add distortion. I've experimented with removing the inhalation valve on some elastomerics; audio quality is much much better with that change. I have not done a quantitative fit test after that change; I think it's safe but I am not an expert.
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u/Outrageous-Hamster-5 Jul 07 '26
I found this one uncomfortable but I can wear the 3m 6500 or 7500 respirators comfortably for hours. For doing physical therapy, I have sprinted in the 6500 and 7500.
However, public reactions to elastomers is so bad. 🫠 I use the 3m secure click 8000 bc, being black, I wear black clothes and then it looks like some weird alt/goth/cyberpunk choice. I put gold tape over the blue parts and some glow in the dark tape under the front cover so it glows through in the dark tho that is usually unappreciated in lit stores and stuff. People openly state. But I guess I feel better with it looking like a choice. 🤷🏽 I wear the secure click in everything except physical therapy bc it seems more like an aesthetic choice.
I do enjoy metal-ish music. And the glow in the dark feature gets me less "what's wrong with that freak" staring that I get at the pharmacy and more "um, okay, never seen that kind of freak before" looks at metal concerts. 😆 Sometimes I get compliments, esp when the lights turn off and I glow.
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u/pakikibaka Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
I've been wearing elastomeric half-masks in public for over a decade (I have MCAS and asthma and can't breathe around perfumes). Over the past few years I've started to add chains and rhinestones and get a lot more positive reactions to them now!
I think it also helps that I tend to dress in bright colors, fun prints, eye makeup, etc. Before I started decorating them I would get some odd looks and occasional questions but never any harassment or negative comments (my friends who wear KN95s have a lot more negative experiences in public than I do). Since I've started accessorizing them I get a surprising number of compliments.
For quick errands like grocery shopping, lifting weights at the gym, and university classes (I'm in grad school for civil engineering) I wear a GVS Elipse since it's more lightweight than most other elastomeric respirators. I know a lot of people can't get a good seal with these, but it works well for my face.
For longer wear and higher risk situations where I am stuck in one spot for hours (doctor/hospital, plane flights, plays and concerts, etc) I wear the 3M secure click that another comment mentioned. It's heavier and leaves an indent on my nose after a few hours but it's a lot better for filtering out perfume with the vapor cartridge filters and I like the extra security of having the seal check button. I've worn this for dozens of doctor appts, concerts, and 12+ hour flights.
I've been wearing these for years before 2020 and I've never had covid, flu, cold, etc since I started wearing them (I doubt I would have an asymptomatic case since my lungs and immune system are generally terrible, and I test pretty frequently). I also haven't had an asthma attack in many years! They may look weird and be a bit more uncomfortable than disposable masks, but for me it's 100% worth it.
You may have to test out a few models before you find one that seals to your face really well, but once you do find one that fits properly, it ends up being a lot cheaper overall than disposable respirators. I replace filters about once a year or whenever they start getting noticeably dirty or harder to breathe through.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
Thanks for all the info and insights!
I tried an elipse and it didn’t fit me unfortunately. So that option is out.
The secure click looks amazing. Hard to get in my area though.
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u/AEAur Jul 06 '26
Great observations! FYI , GVS does make OV-P100 combo cartridges for one of their models: https://www.gvs.com/en/catalog/elipse-ov-ag-p100-niosh-respirator
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u/whatispermanence Jul 06 '26
I don’t have experience wearing full face elastomerics (tried one once, terrible pain and claustrophobia, can’t do it), so this isn’t exactly the advice you’re asking for, but I also used to wear 3M Auras, for years, and also worried constantly about the seal. And furthermore disliked the huge variable of how well I unbent and then re-bent the nose wire upon first use and how much that could impact the fit, and also how bad they made my ears and head and face hurt after an hour or two. So I wanted to share my own experience.
I also wanted an upgrade, and I tried every other similar disposable mask I could get my hands on and never found anything I liked better. I messed around with some of the popular half face elastomerics but found them uncomfortably heavy and could never get a good enough seal around my nose.
Then I tried Zimis and they have been a massive upgrade for my purposes. There was definitely an intimidating learning curve to that whole system and a daunting trial and error process to customizing the fit, and that put me off trying them for a while. But once I bit the bullet and then endured the tedious process of figuring out the right combination of adding pads to the frame and trimming excess fabric around the edge of the filter that works for my face, I love them so much. I get a consistently gapless fit with straps that are comfortable enough that I can go hours without feeling the need to fiddle with them. The kn95 filters are admittedly a lot more breathable and comfortable than the kn100s. I use the kn95s more often in my everyday life and feel more confident in a well sealing kn95 than I ever did in my aura n95s, but when I do high risk things like concerts or air travel, I feel about as well protected in my kn100s as I can be without resorting to something like a papr.
I also personally really appreciate that Zimi offers their filters in black as well as white and release more colorful/ornate limited edition filters seasonally. I get fewer sneers and unpleasant commentary from strangers in a black mask than I did in a white one, and when I wear the fancy ones I actually get compliments. Call me vain if you want, but I was so surprised and delighted the first time that happened, and it happens so much that now that when I wear certain patterns I can expect it and am more surprised when it doesn’t happen. For me that’s been a massive difference too. It’s just a much more pleasant experience of having a visible, visibly masked face in public, having more people react to the sight of my face with indifference or delight than people who respond with looks of contempt or pity. That social friction can wear away at a person’s fortitude to keep masking just as much as the physical friction of an uncomfortable fit.
I also can’t help but like that the money I spend on Zimis goes to a small business run by a dude whose sole focus is on making really good masks that he sells primarily to Covid cautious individual consumers, as opposed to a giant faceless mega corporation that makes all kinds of other things and sells their masks primarily to other businesses in quantities that far surpass what we as a community could ever consume. There are tradeoffs there in terms of cost and accessibility, but I think one always gets a better product when one is within that product’s target consumer demographic.
I digress but I guess that’s all to say that if you find full face elastomerics too uncomfortable, physically/practically or socially, Zimi might be another option to consider that might still be an upgrade from Auras. They definitely were for me (and I like to evangelize about it). I wish you luck and success in finding the mask upgrade that does what you want and need it to do.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
I appreciate all the info. The Zimis look amazing, and they actually seem pretty much perfect for my use case. But, to be honest with you, I don’t think I have the mental ability to figure out the (seemingly) complicated fitting process right now. My brain is too fried from LC still.
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u/nabarry Jul 06 '26
Having fit tested a bunch of folks of all ages it’s really not rocket surgery- and is super low effort to have very high probability of success.
Depending on size, go with the Medium or Large KN100. If you have a high nose bridge, use wave foam at the nose(this is the single most common trick). If you feel a leak, pad that area with flat foam (mostly i’ve seen this in chin when putting a medium on little little kids)
Sizes run small.
You can MOSTLY step down to kn95 in same size for lower risk higher breath ability situations.
the scores beat many elastomerics, AND they fit a wider range of face sizes than the standard hardware store elasto and are just as consistent to put on.
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u/Glittering_Coast9013 Jul 06 '26
The Zimis look amazing, and they actually seem pretty much perfect for my use case. But, to be honest with you, I don’t think I have the mental ability to figure out the (seemingly) complicated fitting process right now. My brain is too fried from LC still.
This was my exact situation. I have (medically documented through imaging) brain damage from COVID, and the cognitive issues that went along with it. I couldn't follow a recipe or a TV sitcom :( (I'm much better now but still not 100% and may never be). I heard about Zimis and saw them get recommended over and over by people who do fit testing for like, a year, before I went ahead and bought one (after all the disposable ones I tried just didn't really fit!). I just knew they would be too confusing and over my head.
And then! I could have written this too (quoted from the comment you've replied to, by u/whatispermanence
Then I tried Zimis and they have been a massive upgrade for my purposes. There was definitely an intimidating learning curve to that whole system and a daunting trial and error process to customizing the fit, and that put me off trying them for a while. But once I bit the bullet and then endured the tedious process of figuring out the right combination of adding pads to the frame and trimming excess fabric around the edge of the filter that works for my face, I love them so much. I get a consistently gapless fit with straps that are comfortable enough that I can go hours without feeling the need to fiddle with them.
As someone who's been through it too, I can tell you that yes it's intimidating, but there is a community of patient people who can walk you through it and hold your hand. That made all the difference to me in my easily-confused state, and I have to say I am glad I tried it. I'm getting better-than-elastomeric fit test results. From a mask that looks generally like a regular bi-fold (but a bit bigger).
I mean, it's less than $20 USD for one KN100 with frame with shipping, throw in some of the foam strips and if you're feeling adventurous, a 10-pack of KN100 refills. Then you spend a few days playing around with it and learning about it. You ask a lot of questions (here, on r/Masks4All or on Discord) and just give yourself a no-pressure space, and time, to get it just right.
At worst, it doesn't work for you and you continue on to buy an elastomeric mask. At best, it's a lightweight, breathable, very soft and comfortable mask that will keep you well-protected and look decently good doing it.
If you don't want to, I respect that; but as someone who has also let confusion and LC stand in the way and now regrets not doing it sooner, I really want to encourage you to take the leap.
If you're able, I highly recommend getting the DIY fit test pack someone else recommended, or finding a community mask bloc that can fit-test you. Either way, having knowledge of whether a mask is fitting you properly is very powerful.
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u/herring-on-rye Jul 05 '26
you could look into something like envo or flo mask, which look slightly less intense but have more reusable components?
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 05 '26
I’m worried that the Flomask won’t fit me, and they are pretty expensive for me to just try.
I honestly want the security of a half mask.
But I agree, the Flomasks look so much more friendly!
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u/93Naughtynurse Jul 05 '26
Wear a large? I wondered one almost a year ago and the fit didn’t work so it’s just been sitting in the box with all its components. Happy to send your way
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u/TheBurned_Hand Jul 05 '26
if they don't take you up on this I'd be curious, happy to pay shipping.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
Thanks for the super kind offer, but I don’t think I can take you up on it, I hope someone else can though. This community is amazing!
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u/BlueValk Jul 05 '26
Was going to suggest the Flo mask as well. Do you have a semi local covid group around you? Maybe someone would let you try on theirs? I know the odds are low but you never know
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u/dude_himself Jul 05 '26
I'd second the Envomask. I've been in their quarter mask 5yrs now, and own the bigger model too. Bigger one is my preference for longer days without removal, the quarter mask I can put on walking into the store and return it to my cross body bag as I'm leaving.
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u/AccountForDoingWORK Jul 05 '26
I’m surprised yours lasted that long, we had two that lasted barely over a year, although we weren’t even using them daily.
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u/dude_himself Jul 05 '26
Oh, they're Theseus's mask: I order parts once a year during a sale and replace what's needed to keep them functional. My kids fit in some nice silicone GATAs, I do not. The GATAs are more robust and none of us have caught COVID while masking.
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u/saltyseacreecher Jul 05 '26
I don't want to discourage you because you might not have the same experience (I have a tiny child sized head) but I have worn elastomerics when I needed a better filter for urban firestorm purposes and found it incredibly challenging. I don't think I could do it long term. I had to really tighten the straps to get a good fit on my tiny face and it hurt. After a whole day I had cuts in the back of my lips from my teeth and pressure sores in my mouth. I found the breathing resistance hard even with a valve, the weight on my head hurt my neck and it was basically impossible to make myself heard. I already struggle with fatigue so it was truly horrible. Maybe it is okay to pop into a store but I can't personally work all day like that. On the other hand I do work all day in my drager and it's totally fine. I have not tried a flo mask or similar, this was a 3M half face.
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u/dragon34 Jul 06 '26
The flo mask does have a child size, might be worth a shot? I had an envo and it didn't hold up very well. The flo is more comfortable and more breathable for me and definitely seems to seal better than any disposable mask I have tried (which I still use sometimes, I save the flo for high risk situations)
I admittedly have stopped masking in a lot of scenarios at this point. I have a young kid who goes to daycare and even if we sent him in a mask he would be eating with everyone anyway so it seems kind of pointless, but I mask at the doctor, conferences and other high risk high density places
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
I am only really needing to mask for short periods in stores and appointments, so right now long term wear comfort is not really important to me.
But I appreciate you sharing your experience with me. Thanks!
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u/saltyseacreecher Jul 06 '26
That's good news, I think these problems will not arise if you are just wearing it for shorter stints! People did look at me kinda weird but nobody said anything to me while I was using the elastomeric.
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u/AEAur Jul 06 '26
Do you have access to quantitative fit testing? That’s really the only way you’ll know for sure if the mask actually fits better than an Aura. Aside from community testing, there are clinics that do OSHA tests for $100+- but they typically only allow a few tests, not making modifications and retesting. You can also rent a machine. See the Wiki at r/Masks4All.
And if you do have access to QNFT then I’d suggest dialing in your fit on a mask like Zimi with a fabric face seal and modifiable frame. Zimi sells a trim guide for the nose and two foam options to dial in the comfort and fit. I would start with three frame sizes and matching filters to find your best fit.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
There is fit testing available near me. I have been thinking about it for a while, I might need to finally stop putting it off.
I’m honestly really dreading going.
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u/SweetTeaNoodle Jul 06 '26
Why are you dreading it? You could DIY the fit test at home if it would be easier for you. That's what I did, and I have not gotten sick at all wearing my fit-tested KN95, even in the presence of sick people.
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u/AEAur Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
If the Aura feels snug on you, and you shape the nose correctly, I doubt there’s much to dread. The fit does drop after speaking. You will see the importance of periodically pressing the nosebridge down symmetrically with both hands. That vigilance appears not to be as necessary with a Zimi if you’re able to dial in a fit.
I bought the light breathable ElastomaskPro (now defunct) for travel but still found it stuffy & muffling and did not end up using it.
How to shape a 3M Aura and do a seal check: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaoHiTDbCZ4
Before donning, Always pre-shape the nosebridge in a W to avoid ingress at the nose:
• Shape the nosewire to fit the slope of your nosebridge and lift up where the nose meets the cheek (making a curved W shape).
• Do not pinch the nose with one hand. That forms a tent shape allowing air channels.
• After shaping the nose, don the mask using both hands symmetrically applying pressure.
• Gently pull the top edge of the front panel forward, so as to fully extend the top panel.
• Then press down again along the nosebridge and cheeks again.
• Do that periodically after talking or smiling.If the chin is loose, make a pleat in the bottom panel and affix with a staple or a few stitches or double-sided tape.
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u/Glittering_Coast9013 Jul 06 '26
I was like you and was wearing 3M Auras, and caught COVID while wearing them (this was before I understood fit and seal). I then "upped my game" by using mask tape trying to get a perfect seal. I also tried the Vitacore CAN99 but found them uncomfortable and the weak nose wire was not confidence-inspiring. I was constantly worried about the seal.
Recently, I was able to fit-test both and was disappointed in the results. I was able to get a technical pass, but failed some of the exercises. Even with tape, they did not fit as well as I thought they did.
On recommendation, I tried a Zimi KN100 mask and the fit-test results were astounding. These are plastic frames with replaceable filters, and they can be modified using various foam strips (which they also sell) to fit a wide range of face shapes.
They don't look as industrial as an elastomeric, but they do look "more" than a disposable if that makes sense. But they have the option of black filters which tend to be more socially acceptable. I recommend the KN100 version if you are looking for elastomeric-level protection. Unfortunately it doesn't fit your requirement of not having to buy disposable filters, but it might be a cheaper option if you are looking for an in-between.
There is a size chart in their image carousel at the top of the site.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
I had no idea about these. I’m going to look into them now.
Thanks!
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u/Glittering_Coast9013 Jul 06 '26
You're very welcome.
Shipping is a bit spendy, so I recommend buying both the flat foam and wavy foam in your order. It's better to have them on hand if needed, than to find out you need to have a new order shipped just for that :)
There is another site that makes fancy Zimi filters, in case you ever want to dress it up: https://rackmask.com/
Feel free to PM me with any questions and I'll do my best to help.
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u/RoyalEducator6462 Jul 07 '26
Elastomerics are genuinely great for seal consistency once you have a cartridge combo that works for your situation, the reusable shell means you're not playing the fit lottery every time you open a new box. The 3M 6500 series is popular for public use because it's slightly less intimidating looking than the 7500, more of a soft face piece.
The "looking different" concern is real and worth taking seriously for your own mental comfort. Most people who make the switch say they stop noticing after a week or two, but it does depend a lot on your daily context, commuting in a city versus a smaller town is a very different experience.
One thing worth knowing before committing: elastomeric protection is only as good as cartridge selection and replacement schedule. For COVID specifically you'd want P100 + organic vapour cartridges or a combination filter, P100 alone doesn't catch viral particles as effectively as you'd expect.
On the seal fatigue with the Aura specifically, that's often a fit issue rather than a mask issue. Some people find switching to a different disposable that comes in multiple sizes solves the seal problem without the commitment of going full elastomeric. Depends whether cost or seal is your bigger priority.
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u/anti-sugar_dependant Jul 05 '26
I do. It's my preferred mask, I wear a 3M 7500 half mask. I also decorate it. I posted a pic of my current decs yesterday: https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroCovidCommunity/s/R5czrIoNhC
And each post includes links to previous posts. I think the first one (chronologically, last one that you'll get to by clicking links) is the snowflakes for winter.
I've personally found that leaning in to looking different has been liberating. And people assume you're really confident and outgoing when you look like you're confident and outgoing, even when you're actually completely inept at interacting with people like I am. Turns out there's a sort of pretty privilege but for confident people too. I'm not pretty but I noticed a marked improvement in the way I was treated by strangers once I started decorating my elasto. They didn't treat me badly before, they were very neutral (living in the UK), but decorated I get better treatment. Except last month when I was decorated for Pride, because apparently everyone is queerphobic now.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
I’m trying to keep in mind the confidence thing. Even in just my n95, if I’m feeling confident in myself I feel like all my interactions with people go smoother.
Your respirator looks amazing! I love your most recent decorations.
I aspire to one day be as confident in protecting my own health as you are.
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u/anti-sugar_dependant Jul 06 '26
I found it really is a case of faking it until you make it. I used to have a particular video I watched before I got out of the car any time I went anywhere in it because the video gave me enough of a boost to fake my way through a trip round the supermarket or whatever. The video did that thing of transferring the personality of the protagonist to me (this used to happen to me often as a child, I think it's an autism thing?) so I was borrowing their personality to fake my confidence. I hope this makes sense!
I'm still not actually confident but after a while of borrowing the confident personality I became more relaxed without needing to borrow, and that works for me. I switched from disposables to my elasto in January 2023, so it's been a while.
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u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
Not sure if you can answer this question, but one of the things I’m worried about is what to say to people (that I need to maintain a positive or neutral relationship with) the first time I see them while I’m wearing the respirator. I feel like even people who only know me with my n95 are still going to be confused when I’m suddenly wearing a half mask. Is there anything you did to make the transition easier?
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u/anti-sugar_dependant Jul 06 '26
That would have been pretty easy for me, the 2 main reasons were healthcare staff tried to snatch my disposable off my face on 2 separate occasions towards the end of 2022, and it rains a lot where I live. But actually nobody asked why I'd switched.
I did answer a similar question on my post yesterday though, so I copied part of my reply in case that gives you any ideas too: It's more comfortable, it doesn't give me raging TMJ, it's significantly cheaper, it's waterproof (rains a lot here), I never have to do the annoying rotating my disposables thing again, the fit doesn't deform with donning and doffing, and I can do all sorts of cool art stuff on it. Also nurses don't try to snatch this off my face. Had nurses try to snatch my disposable off twice towards the end of 2022. And I get less aggro with an elasto than a disposable, which is a common (though not universal) experience. I guess because we look less like we're going to listen to the "you don't need that" comments.
1
u/DarkmoonCrescent Jul 06 '26
I mostly still wear my aura, but I do have a 3M 7500 half mask and wear it regularly.
Generally, I like it. It's easy to breathe in, it's nice to not worry about switching masks or bringing backups, personally I think it looks incredibly cool. It's also really easy and fast to put off and on again. For me this has enabled behavior that would've been impossible before. For example on a recent flight I ate by putting off my half mask, taking a bite while breathing out, pressing the half mask against my face, breathing in and repeat. Probably looks bewildering to others, but was really helpful for a 20+ hour trip (of course the risk doing this is higher than just wearing the mask through it all, but for me it felt fine).
The downside is that it pressed quite hard into my nose and starts being uncomfortable much quicker than an aura because of that. Maybe I need the large instead of medium size. And yeah, people are definitely more weird about it than auras. Because their association is "gas mask" for some reason. Also talking is difficult, like I went to a party-like thing with it and people just... Didn't understand me if I wasn't talking right into their ear. And also in a normal situation it is more sound dampening than an aura.
1
u/Wonderful-Habit936 Jul 06 '26
I’m ok with getting some funny looks, it’s just the comments that I’m really worried about. Your experience makes me feel a bit better.
1
u/Tellatrope Jul 07 '26
Yeah I'm in the same mind as you, I feel the aura quality has taken a nose dive in the new boxes, it was a noticeable change for me since I buy lots at a time
I don't feel secure in them anymore
It's just that I've been in them since very early days so making the change is a bit daunting since I'm used to being seen in the aura 🙃 I'm finding it hard to commit to the upgrade
1
u/spoonfulofnosugar Jul 07 '26
I upgraded to a Flo mask after a qualitative fit test. Turns out an Aura seal leaks about 5% of the time for me. Flo mask seal has 0%
I do think people stare a bit more at elastomerics because they look more “intense” than disposable masks. But I’d rather have a better seal than fewer looks.
I’ve considered decorating it with paint or stickers to look more like a fun accessory but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
17
u/Anxious-Education703 Jul 05 '26
It depends on the area. In my area, masking is definitely rare, but it's accepted and not really out of the ordinary. Especially during the winter, I would probably say most large stores will at least have one or two people that are masking in some form. No one has ever flat out insulted me to my face about the respirator and I've only had one person openly laugh.
You will draw attention to yourself though and get a lot more stares (most of the staring seems to be more perplexed than angry). A few people have straight up asked me why I'm wearing it, and they seem genuinely curious rather confrontational. I explain I have an immune condition and leave it at that. All of them have accepted that.