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Marvelous, Outrageous, Extraordinary, and Maybe Some Useful Face Masks In the Mix to Make or Choose From for the Present and Future

Although we are loathe to consider it, it seems that face masks are going to be a means of remaining safe from the coronavirus, COVID-19, for a considerable time to come. This Grandma has a saying that when we consider ourselves too fat to buy clothes, we buy shoes. With everyone home more often than not, and eating too much more often or not, we don’t buy clothes or shoes.  We buy masks. Everywhere you look there are advertisements for masks, with masks becoming a fashion accessory as well, for those who must or want to leave their homes.


It seems that one can find a mask on every website of every kind. Or, you can make your own.  I looked for the interesting and extraordinary masks.  I looked for the most colorful masks for our grandchildren.  I have attempted to curate what you might not have found on your own, masks that make a fashion statement, masks that will make you laugh, masks that say they will keep you safe. . . or safer, and futuristic masks in the present and those we may see in our future.  Finally, a post on masks that might bring some laughs out loud!


IF YOU WANT A MASK THAT CELEBRITIES WEAR


You can buy a face mask that Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Anniston, or Jessica Alba or more celebrities wear.


IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT


If you are looking for a face mask that might be appropriate for the Metropolitan Museum of Art ball (remember Kim Kardashian’s see through sea dress), you will love these creative and extraordinary masks from New York Magazine, which are New York wild, of course.  A butterfly, beaded wire face mask, ribbons galore, ruffled, and even bungee cord.

“Face Masks for Fashion People,” by Emilia Petrarca, July 28, 2020.


OR IF YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT


MATCHY-MATCHY MASK AND APPAREL COMBOS

If you can believe, matchy-matchy face mask and apparel combos are a big thing with a lot of articles giving you access to this fashion statement.

Etsy, of course, even for you and your dog.

FUNNY FACE MASK

Leave it to Etsy! For $17.98, you too can wear a customized personalized reusable Funny Face Mask. Your preteens and teens should love this so don’t wait for Halloween.

FACE MASKS FOR RUNNERS

New York Magazine interviewed runners for the face masks most tolerable for runners.  Another choice by Asics reviewed.

Still another by Under Armour.

WTHPHIF “COOL” FACE MASKS


Wthphif.com claims to be the world’s leading expert for procuring the coolest gadgets for all in one place, working to find, create, manufacture, and ship the most innovative products.  You decide what you think of their many face mask alternatives, maybe the Ninja or rhinestone versions?


ADORABLE COLORFUL MASKS FOR KIDS


New York Magazine’s article, “Where to Buy Face Masks for Kids,” directs you to interesting and colorful places.

Here are another eight great designs for kids, including sports teams.


MAY BE USEFUL ALTERNATIVES

N95 masks.

N95 masks ostensibly tested, with many five star reviews, reusable and washable with filter for $24.99


HIGH TECH IN OUR PRESENT

Drink safely with your mask on!

By a company called Redee, the cotton mask features a two-layer design and room for the wearer to insert a straw through a covered, unexposed opening. The masks, which also feature adjustable ear straps and a wire insert to contour around the nose, are currently available to preorder for $24.99, due to high demand 3-4 weeks for the mask to ship.


The ClearMask™

“The ClearMask™ is the first fully transparent face mask optimized for maximum clarity and comfort: making connections more human and providing clearer communication for all.”  Here is an article about it.


To buy box of 24 for $67.

The Smile Face Mask for Adults and Kids


The tie-back Smile Mask has an “innovative transparent panel overcomes the limitations that traditional masks pose for non-verbal communication. Made with flexible adjustable straps, these reusable masks accommodate hearing aids or cochlear implants. Currently offered in assorted color options either Bright (green/light blue/pink/lilac) or Neutral (black/navy/grey).”   2 for $30.


The Communicator Safe N’ Clear Mask

Similar to the smile mask.  Box of 40 for $60.


Advertised as the world’s first antiviral face mask with active UV-C sterilizing to breathe 99% clean air, they say the $99 “UV Mask comes with a dual filtration system that delivers the cleanest air quality of any existing face-mask.”


Blocc Face Shield

The Blocc face shield for $27.99 covers your eyes, nose and mouth and is stylish and modern, and compatible with glasses and face masks.


HIGH TECH IN OUR FUTURE

Mask A Like Face ID Masks

Get on the waiting list! Respiratory masks that look like your face, “N95 TrueDepth compatible masks are still in production.  The first product to market will be a fabric mask that resembles you, making it easier to recognize you during a viral pandemic.”

Second place to sign up.  Yes, I signed up.


Transparent Face Masks

“Researchers at Switzerland’s Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and the Swiss materials science center Empa are developing completely transparent surgical masks. They could be on the market as soon as early 2021.”


C-Face Smart Mask

The C-Face smart mask “has a lot more in common with Fitbit than any three-ply cotton mask you’ve bought off Etsy. The C-Face is basically a plastic case that attaches on top of your soft, air-filtering mask. Its goal is something we can all relate to: to help people understand your muffled speech better. Connecting with your phone via Bluetooth, it somehow senses your face muscles to decipher your speech even when people nearby might not be able to. . . .An accompanying app converts your speech to text on your phone screen for others to read, or it seems that it can use the smartphone’s speaker to amplify your voice. The app also promises to take minutes in your meetings and translate what you said into one of eight languages, making it particularly useful for people who frequently travel.” That is if and when we can travel again.


The iMASC

iMASC, which stands for Injection Molded Autoclavable, Scalable, Conformable, this outer space like design researched by MIT engineers is to help solve shortage issues, to replace N95 masks.  Intended to be reasonably priced and reusable, “[t]he ultimate goal is to make the masks available for healthcare workers as well as the general public, but there is no timeline as of yet.”


AND IF YOU WANT TO DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN HOME MADE MASKS

Here are the latest Science Daily reports on scientific studies regarding homemade masks.  Science Daily has the best scientific instructions. “The best (and worst) materials for masks: People making homemade masks might want to reach for a vacuum cleaner filter,” University of Arizona, July 8, 2020.


Home-made face masks likely need at least two layers to curb COVID-19 spread: Reduces dispersal of airborne viral droplets from nose and mouth, but three layers preferable,” July 23, 2020.


Here is how to Make An Accessible, Deaf-Friendly Face Mask.

I have attempted to curate what you might not have found on your own, masks for our grandchildren, masks that make a fashion statement, masks that will make you laugh, masks that say they may keep you safe. . . or safer, futuristic masks in our present and masks we may see in our future.  I hope you found some interesting masks, and you had a few laughs along the way.


Joy,


Mema

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