# Clear masks or masks with a clear window **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [July 27, 2020, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492 "2020-07-27T13:29:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/41 "2020-08-02T15:37:45Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > A Facebook friend made a bunch of her own masks with windows. I wondered what the point was. Thanks for letting me know. She must have deaf friends or family.- I’m not deaf, but it helps me to see people’s mouths when they talk. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/42 "2020-08-04T13:44:33Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > And yes, I’m that obnoxious person telling other people how to wear their surgical masks properly. You want the metal bit up high, slightly under your glasses, to reduce upwards leakage that fogs glasses. All depends on the shape of your nose (and the rest of your face). I wear my mask (KN95 mask, always – I’ve given up on the surgical mask because of the sheer number of non-compliant assholes I get exposed to every day) closer to the tip of my nose than the bridge. I conform the metal bit to my nose. It’s still slightly under my glasses (meaning, if you were looking at me, my glasses and the mask overlap). Works pretty well. I test the seal as best I can. My glasses don’t fog up. So what works well for one person might not work right for another. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/43 "2020-08-04T14:28:16Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m not deaf, but it helps me to see people’s mouths when they talk. Yeah, COVID has made me aware how much I rely on seeing someone’s mouth to understand what they’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/44 "2020-08-04T15:24:36Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > And yes, I’m that obnoxious person telling other people how to wear their surgical masks properly. You want the metal bit up high, slightly under your glasses, to reduce upwards leakage that fogs glasses. > > All depends on the shape of your nose (and the rest of your face). I wear my mask (KN95 mask, always – I’ve given up on the surgical mask because of the sheer number of non-compliant assholes I get exposed to every day) closer to the tip of my nose than the bridge. I conform the metal bit to my nose. It’s still slightly under my glasses (meaning, if you were looking at me, my glasses and the mask overlap). > > Works pretty well. I test the seal as best I can. My glasses don’t fog up. > > So what works well for one person might not work right for another. Your face and your glasses must be shaped very differently from mine. My glasses mostly stay at the very top of the bridge of my nose. But yours also overlap, I notice. I see people dragging their mask lower and lower and saying it is to prevent fogging. I think they are generally going in the wrong direction, and also letting too much air leak out at me. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/45 "2020-08-05T11:54:39Z")
This showed up in my newsfeed this morning. I believe these will catch on. [https://a.msn.com/r/2/BB17lqxo?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare](https://a.msn.com/r/2/BB17lqxo?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare) There are a bunch of links in the article. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/46 "2020-09-07T14:42:04Z")
If you got $50, you can buy one of these. [https://www.yankodesign.com/2020/06/24/worlds-first-fda-registered-clear-uv-c-sterilizing-smart-mask-transparent-n99-mask/](https://www.yankodesign.com/2020/06/24/worlds-first-fda-registered-clear-uv-c-sterilizing-smart-mask-transparent-n99-mask/) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/47 "2020-09-09T14:23:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Anybody use a clear mask or one with a clear window? I would guess a solid plastic window would definitely block any air-borne virus better than fabric. Thoughts/experiences? I appreciate the difficulty. I have a deaf customer I sometimes deal with, so I understand the difficulty. Resorting to pen and paper is a solution, but it is hard to write out detailed statements I could just verbally get across quickly. Like others, I don’t think that particular mask is that good. While it will stop direct transfer and large droplets from speech, sneezing, coughing, the open sides does allow transfer of air with smaller droplets through the sides. Given that we are now concerned about smaller droplets that linger in the air and spread farther, I don’t think that mask is particularly safe for either direction. However, it is better than these: [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/b2/3e/9db23ea828a055c856331b8c3902cb1b.png) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/b2/3e/9db23ea828a055c856331b8c3902cb1b.png) [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518JL0Qk-dL._SX342_.jpg) ](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518JL0Qk-dL._SX342_.jpg) Both of which I have had customers use in the store. Ridiculous - how can they think those do _anything_? They’re not even really a _sneezeguard_, as sneezes have so much force they will eject up and out around the edges. Okay, maybe keep _direct_ snot off you, you’re still going to get plenty from the blast. And wearing one, you are much less likely to try to cover your sneeze with your elbow/shoulder, because the mask precludes that kind of block. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > What do y’all think about something like this? Close to the face all the way around like a regular mask, but with a clear window in the middle. Yes, something like that would be great, if it doesn’t fog. It shows the mouth, so it can show lips and expressions, but also has filtration that closes against the skin all around, like we are recommended to wear masks. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Looks like others are thinking along the same lines… Can we _really_ walk around for the next year with our mouths hidden from sight? I don’t think so! I really like the one that guy is wearing. It shows a lot of the face, while still having good wraparound and sealing. The one the lady below is wearing is not as good, because the window is smaller. Good luck to you in getting your friends and family to wear some. > [@Tfletch1](#): > > If you got $50, you can buy one of these. Those are the best looking clear mask I’ve seen. They completely seal around the whole face, yet expose most of the face except for the area of the chin where the filter sits. And that is a filter, not a valve, so it works. And the air doesn’t blow up around the eyes to fog glasses. I don’t know about the active UV-C version, or the even pricier Pro version with active ventilation. And $50 seems steep, but that’s for the reusable mask, which could last a long time. It doesn’t tell how much the filters cost, or how long the non-UV version lasts. Still, that looks like a great mask. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/48 "2020-09-09T15:39:52Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Good luck to you in getting your friends and family to wear some. I don’t have any family and my friends never listen to me. So no prob. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/49 "2020-09-29T17:52:38Z")
There are some COVID helmets newly entering the market. > **[Coronavirus Protection Helmet Looks Straight-Up Dystopian](https://nerdist.com/article/microclimate-coronavirus-protection-helmet/)** > > The weirdest thing about this new dystopian looking full-head bubble helmet is that it makes total sense right now and we kind of want one. > **[Snack, Scratch in Safety: New COVID-19 Helmet Brings Comfort to Frontline...](https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-09-08/snack-scratch-in-safety-new-covid-19-helmet-brings-comfort-to-frontline-workers)** > > US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education. > **[BioVyzr: the futuristic helmet to protect against Covid-19](https://en.as.com/en/2020/08/02/latest_news/1596376624_679950.html)** > > Canadian company Vyzr has designed a type of diving helmet that purifies air and has N95 filters to protect the wearer from Covid-19 and other diseases. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/50 "2020-09-29T18:19:41Z")
Just looking at those makes my nose start itching. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/51 "2020-10-29T20:26:51Z")
Did you ever get the one you ordered? I’m a language teacher and - for now - am doing in person classes and these would really help. Language learners have a harder time understanding people and reading each other’s lips and facial expressions would really improve the lessons. The university even has a small budget for buying them, but I’m worried about them fogging up as well as about them not being up to scratch as protective devices. I’m a bit suspicious of the fact that such an improvement hasn’t been more widely adopted and wonder if there’s a catch, so if ThelmaLou or anyone else with first-hand experience could chip in, that would be cool. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/52 "2020-10-29T23:02:05Z")
I did get the masks, but TBH I haven’t worn them. It’s a worthy idea, but the design of these was not good. They were too skimpy-- they did cover my nose, mouth, chin, etc., but not _generously_. They didn’t extend far enough up the sides of my face to make me feel covered. It looks okay in this [picture](https://imgur.com/a/sKjLRr9), but it really doesn’t feel right. Kind of like a bathing suit that you’re always tugging _up_ or _down_. A guy might not be able to relate to that… but it can ruin a girl’s (as in high school girl’s) day at the beach. Here’s a [link](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B84PXRR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) to the ones I bought. There are rather a lot of 1-star reviews. I’m hoping more versions of this design will eventually come out. I don’t know why there haven’t been more attempts by now. Even people who don’t have hearing issues have admitted to me that not being able to see someone’s mouth when they speak makes it hard to understand them. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/53 "2020-10-30T15:17:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I did get the masks, but TBH I haven’t worn them. It’s a worthy idea, but the design of these was not good. They were too skimpy-- they did cover my nose, mouth, chin, etc., but not _generously_ . They didn’t extend far enough up the sides of my face to make me feel covered. Thanks. I had a similar problem with the masks that Walmart provided us. They gave us soft cloth masks to use, but they are too small. They don’t really go over the nose and below the chin. I just wear the disposable ones - they fit better and are probably better protection. I would like one of those with a bigger window, and more material around the sides, top, and bottom. Good tension to keep sealed against the face, but enough room to move your mouth and not feel it shift or gap. Full visibility of the mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/54 "2020-10-30T15:24:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Here’s a [link](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B84PXRR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) to the ones I bought. There are rather a lot of 1-star reviews. Wow. I notice that picture looks like the mask fits the model pretty well, but then notice the masks look like digital art, not an actual picture of a real mask on a person. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/55 "2020-10-30T22:27:08Z")
I made one following this tutorial: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YVMKi7GKAys/maxresdefault.jpg "DIY how to make face mask with a clear window | Face mask for deaf | Wie Stoffmaske für Taube machen") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVMKi7GKAys0) This is the mask style my family prefers. We used dish soap as our anti-fog treatment, but it still fogs up fairly quickly. The youngest grandson is hard of hearing, so I wanted something for when I take him somewhere. He likes the mask, so I have to make one for him now. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/56 "2020-10-31T00:20:53Z")
Very impressive! ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/57 "2020-10-31T10:51:45Z")
Thanks so much for responding. I kind of had a feeling that if these worked very well, they would be catching on more quickly, and not only for the hard of hearing. My personal issue with masks is not that their uncomfortable or the much claimed “lack of oxygen”, but the fact that seeing people’s faces and their expressions is important to me, both in my job and in my personal life, so I would really love it if someone made a workable version of these. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/58 "2020-10-31T11:40:38Z")
I do wonder if we will have a huge surge in mouth related kink over the next few decades, as exposed mouths become associated with both intimacy and danger. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2020, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/59 "2020-10-31T13:34:45Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > I do wonder if we will have a huge surge in mouth related kink over the next few decades, as exposed mouths become associated with both intimacy and danger.- What a provocative thought, you sly minx… 😊 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492/60 "2021-01-11T19:08:54Z")
Just saw these on amazon. I’m glad designs for this type of mask are appearing. Still some bugs to work out. This one is $16.00 for two. It has three ratings but no reviews yet. > **[Amazon.com: 2 Pack Clarity Face\_Shield for Adult,Andees Anti-Fog Clarity...](https://www.amazon.com/Face_Shield-Face_Masks-Transparent-Breathable-Comfortable/dp/B08P53T6P2)** > > Buy 2 Pack Clarity Face\_Shield for Adult,Andees Anti-Fog Clarity Face\_Masks Reusable Clear Face\_Mask Transparent, All Clear Face Bandanas Breathable Comfortable, Visible Expression for Women Men: Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY... This one is $20.99 for two. Has 319 ratings and a lot of reviews, about half are 4 & 5-star. Be advised: some of the reviews are NOT for this item. > **[Amazon.com: BeiYoYo Durable Clear Face Mask, Reusable Transparent Face...](https://www.amazon.com/BeiYoYo-Reusable-Transparent-Protection-Expression%EF%BC%8CBreathable/dp/B09SHMBXT8)** > > Buy BeiYoYo Durable Clear Face Mask, Reusable Transparent Face Protection, Visible Expression，Breathable and Prevent Glasses Fog (1PC): Safety Face Shields - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases This one is $9.00 and has one 3-star rating. > **[Amazon.com: Transparent\_Face\_Mask anti-fog Breathable Visible Expression...](https://www.amazon.com/Transparent_Face_Mask-Breathable-Expression-Face_Shield-Multicolor/dp/B08L7BLSPK)** > > Amazon.com: Transparent\_Face\_Mask anti-fog Breathable Visible Expression Reusable Clear Face\_Shield Durable Face Bandanas For Unisex (Multicolor) If you scroll down to “customers also viewed these items,” you’ll see more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-masks-or-masks-with-a-clear-window/916492.md?page=4)