# Do you suffer from floppy ear? (mask fit) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [February 12, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778 "2021-02-12T19:03:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [February 25, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/42 "2021-02-25T17:10:49Z")
> [@Tfletch1](#): > > As far as goggles, they’re a good idea, but eyes are not as much of a transmission route as the respiratory systems simply because eyes don’t breath. I dunno, the data suggests that wearing glasses helps > **[Risk of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among spectacles wearing...](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.12.21249710v1.full)** > > Introduction Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread mainly through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Long term use of spectacles may prevent repeated touching and rubbing of the eyes. Aim of the study is to... > **Results** In this study, total 58 patients showed the behavior of using spectacles continuously during day time and always on outdoor activities. The risk of COVID-19 was found 0.48 in spectacles wearing population as compared to 1.35 in population not using spectacles. The calculated risk ratio was 0.36. The protective effectiveness of the spectacles was found statistically significant (p-value .00113). Goggles probably help even more. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/43 "2021-02-25T17:12:06Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Before I bought my reuseable N90 masks with a forgiving silicone seal, I used a loop cut out of the upper leg of a nylon stocking to hold the mask close to my face, and seal the sides. I read some article somewhere that said it improved many masks (including surgical masks) to be about as good as N95 masks. It was fussy to place, but it didn’t impede my breathing at all, I mean, besides forcing me to breathe through the filter below it. Yep, that was an article in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (I think. I first saw the news in NPR). I tried out the smell test at home and it worked great. Plus, you still had breathability. But I was too embarrassed to wear that in public precisely for the reason you stated. I looked like a strange bank robber!!! ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/44 "2021-02-25T17:20:04Z")
I’ve thought about trying it with some barrettes I have, but I’m not hopeful as my hair is extremely fine and thin. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/45 "2021-02-25T17:22:28Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I dunno, the data suggests that wearing glasses helps Oh didn’t mean to suggest they don’t help at all. They absolutely do. In fact, I think there’s a systematic review that shows eye protection reduces risk ([https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext)). However, this review was combining healthcare settings where eye protection is essential with nonhealthcare settings. I like the paper your posted. There’s a significant risk reduction for people who simply wear eye glasses. Not even goggles (although goggles were better). But, I think we all can agree that a good protective mask(s) is absolutely essential if you’re in a place where people don’t wear masks or their maskholes. A cheapola mask with nice goggles isn’t going to be enough. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/46 "2021-02-25T17:36:15Z")
> [@Tfletch1](#): > > But, I think we all can agree that a good protective mask(s) is absolutely essential if you’re in a place where people don’t wear masks or their maskholes. A cheapola mask with nice goggles isn’t going to be enough. I thought the ‘agreement’ was that masks are meant more for source control than for personal protection. Or at least that’s the counterargument I hear whenever studies are cited that show little proven risk reduction to the wearer. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/47 "2021-02-25T17:41:48Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > I thought the ‘agreement’ was that masks are meant more for source control than for personal protection. Or at least that’s the counterargument I hear whenever studies are cited that show little proven risk reduction to the wearer. Surgical masks and ordinary cloth masks mostly serve to protect others. But n95 masks also protect the wearer. And you can cobble together something using surgical masks and other decent filters that aren’t designed to be air tight to make them highly protective for the wearer by (tada!) Forcing the wearer to breath through the filter material. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2021, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/48 "2021-02-25T17:48:26Z")
Tada, huh? I think it would be cool to see that in print in the conclusion of a scientific paper. As it is, my understanding is that ‘breathe through a filter’ hasn’t, in itself, been satisfactorily demonstrated to be all it takes. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/49 "2021-02-25T19:09:56Z")
It depends on the filter, of course. But it turns out that getting a good fit is harder than finding a suitable filter. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/50 "2021-02-25T19:31:32Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > I thought the ‘agreement’ was that masks are meant more for source control than for personal protection. Or at least that’s the counterargument I hear whenever studies are cited that show little proven risk reduction to the wearer. This has been explained to you before many times. Don’t bother replying to me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/51 "2021-02-25T19:39:31Z")
My wife makes masks that tie behind, very comfortable. Two layers. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/52 "2021-02-25T19:42:47Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > As it is, my understanding is that ‘breathe through a filter’ hasn’t, in itself, been satisfactorily demonstrated to be all it takes. Also, “breathe through surgical mask material” is literally what that amusing study of caged… guinea pigs? ferrets? showed to be effective. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/53 "2021-02-26T03:02:03Z")
I don’t want you to explain anything to me. What I want is for you to explain why you think it’s not important that scientific studies have failed to find the evidence you seem to claim. > **[Considerations for the use of face masks in the community in the context of...](https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/using-face-masks-community-reducing-covid-19-transmission)** > > This document provides an update to and complements the ECDC technical report on “Using face masks in the community: first update - Effectiveness in reducing transmission of COVID-19” published on 15 February 2021. > The evidence regarding the effectiveness of medical face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in the community is compatible with a small to moderate protective effect, but there are still significant uncertainties about the size of this effect. Evidence for the effectiveness of non-medical face masks, face shields/visors and respirators in the community is scarce and of very low certainty. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/54 "2021-02-26T03:05:41Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > I don’t want you to explain anything to me. What I want is for you to explain why you think it’s not important that scientific studies have failed to find the evidence you seem to claim. Nope. Not playing. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/55 "2021-02-26T03:07:51Z")
Of course you’re not. Not when you can use terms like ‘covidiot’ and ‘maskhole’ instead of facts and analysis. Color me unimpressed. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/56 "2021-02-26T03:20:31Z")
> [@Tfletch1](#): > > As others in this thread have stated, double masks, if done correctly, do protect the wearer. Do you have a systematic review to support this assertion, as you did for protection from goggles? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/57 "2021-02-26T03:52:40Z")
This thread is not about whether masks prevent disease transmission, it’s about whether they fit. Cease the hijack immediately. RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/58 "2021-02-26T03:55:36Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > I thought the ‘agreement’ was that masks are meant more for source control than for personal protection. Or at least that’s the counterargument I hear whenever studies are cited that show little proven risk reduction to the wearer. **Moderator Instructions** I don’t think we need yet another rehashing of arguments about the effectiveness of masks. Given your persistence in arguing this in many threads, I’m instructing you to stop posting in this one. I’m also instructing you to not bring up the subject in any thread in which this is not the specific topic. Colibri QZ Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/59 "2021-02-26T04:34:21Z")
I don’t agree that the issue is “floppy ear”, the issue is that the strings on masks are [TOO DAMN SHORT](https://rentistoodamnhigh.org/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/60 "2021-02-26T05:54:35Z")
I don’t remember if I mentioned before – I don’t like the elastic around my ears, so I’ve done a number of things to make the elastic go behind my head. Just tying a bit of string, or a piece of elastic between the ear loops works pretty well for me. I’ve also cut the ear loops and tied a bit of elastic to each side to make them into separate top and bottom behind-the-head loops. I’ve used cheap velcro strips that are for cord management, just folded into a loop between the ear loops. Lots of options to try to find the best fit. The only thing that didn’t work for me was, ironically, the silicone strap made to attach to mask ear loops. The loops just come off. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778/61 "2021-02-26T17:29:02Z")
At work I just use a gaiter to hold the second mask in place. Mask on with loops, pull up gaiter, reach under to unhook, reseat earphone attachment, reseat safety eyeglasses, pull beardnet back in place, put cutproof gloves back on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-suffer-from-floppy-ear-mask-fit/932778.md?page=2)