# unexpected side effect from wearing a mask **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 8, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328 "2020-04-08T03:00:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/1 "2020-04-08T03:00:22Z")
Now that we have committed to wearing a mask all the time for any patients in the office, I have discovered an unwanted side effect. No, it’s not that the mask is hot and stuffy and my glasses fog up because I expected that. The problem is that I cannot access my phone. I use apps on my phone to look things up and sometimes to do my charts but apparently there is a limit to facial recognition that stops at surgical masks. Since I am not taking off my mask every time I access my phone, I have had to remember all of my passwords. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/2 "2020-04-08T03:39:26Z")
Ive not had a chance to read the article, but there was a newsfeed item that was headlined something ‘I’m a blackman wearing a mask in America. If I enter a store I may get shot.’ Presumably also, old timey Wild West bankrobbers can now do their dastardly deeds and just race into the street and blend into the masked crowd, provided they dismount first. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/3 "2020-04-08T05:10:54Z")
I was wearing a mask when I went to the Doctor last Monday. A guy winked at me over his mask. I was perturbed til I thought about it for awhile. That was unexpected. (;)) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/4 "2020-04-08T18:32:32Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Now that we have committed to wearing a mask all the time for any patients in the office, I have discovered an unwanted side effect. No, it’s not that the mask is hot and stuffy and my glasses fog up because I expected that. The problem is that I cannot access my phone. I use apps on my phone to look things up and sometimes to do my charts but apparently there is a limit to facial recognition that stops at surgical masks. Since I am not taking off my mask every time I access my phone, I have had to remember all of my passwords. On my very limited outings, I have a strict “no touching my phone until my hands are sterilized again” rule. I didn’t even take my phone for my last weekly trip to the store (we are trying to skip this week and make it an every other week trip). The next trip will be the first with a mask so I’ll see if I can find any side effects. I wear them enough for home projects and woodworking to know they are a PITA. ---
**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:** [April 10, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/5 "2020-04-10T16:01:01Z")
Smiles can’t be seen by the intended recipient. Then again I can stick my tongue out at my boss for the latest fubar command. I am also slightly deaf, working in a noisy environment, wearing double hearing protection, speaking with people that didn’t grow up speaking English, all the while masked which muffles voices and sometimes wearing a face shield. What do you mean you didn’t understand? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/6 "2020-04-10T17:13:49Z")
Reminder: If you glasses are fogging up when wearing a mask, the mask isn’t doing its job. There should be zip airflow around the edges. Use the “nose pinch” to tighten it down. If your mask doesn’t have one, get a twist tie, wire, or some such and glue it on. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/7 "2020-04-10T17:41:19Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Reminder: If you glasses are fogging up when wearing a mask, the mask isn’t doing its job. There should be zip airflow around the edges. > > Use the “nose pinch” to tighten it down. If your mask doesn’t have one, get a twist tie, wire, or some such and glue it on. Which is one of the huge problems with things like bandanas. I am just making a concerted effort NOT TO OPEN MY MOUTH. If I’m having trouble nose-breathing due to high pollen, I don’t go out. I’m gesturing instead of speaking. I’m not making any small talk with people outside my isolation circle. I don’t know if the protection your nose gives you in keeping stuff out also keeps stuff you have, in, absent sneezing, but I remember reading somewhere that mouth exhalations had more “germs,” than nose. Maybe not specifically Covid-19, but, maybe anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/8 "2020-04-10T17:42:47Z")
No masks to be found here so I used a bandanna when I went to the store this morning. Didn’t want to but had to go, was running out of a few necessities. I’m severely claustrophobic, and tying that bandanna around my face started to send me into panic mode. Didn’t anticipate that… On the plus side I got my shopping done in record time. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/9 "2020-04-10T21:19:19Z")
An unexpected _positive_ side effect is that I don’t have to put on a phony smile for the customers. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/10 "2020-04-10T22:24:37Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Presumably also, old timey Wild West bankrobbers can now do their dastardly deeds and just race into the street and blend into the masked crowd, provided they dismount first. On the way home from work yesterday, I saw a couple wearing bandannas like old-fashioned bandits, kind of like we did as kids. I wonder what all of the masks do for surveillance cameras, and trying to identify the person who was in a particular location. And like the OP, I noticed that the mask prevents the facial recognition feature of the smartphone from working. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/11 "2020-04-11T12:37:47Z")
Like has been said, people speaking are more muffled. I’m half deaf anyway (I have hearing aids) but it’s getting harder to understand people. Also, they make my nose run, which makes me sneeze which makes people run. Never thought about the facial recog software. I wonder if the could just set the ‘credentials’ a picture of your self with a mask on? It probably needs to ‘see’ a nose and mouth I guess. Not seeing smiles is different, and as Beckdawreck noticed, winks may be more common place. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/12 "2020-04-11T12:40:22Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > On the way home from work yesterday, I saw a couple wearing bandannas like old-fashioned bandits, kind of like we did as kids. I wonder what all of the masks do for surveillance cameras, and trying to identify the person who was in a particular location. > > And like the OP, I noticed that the mask prevents the facial recognition feature of the smartphone from working. If it’s a purple poka-dot mask and they keep it on, it may make it easier. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/13 "2020-04-11T16:34:38Z")
Yes, but those tend to be too itsy bitsy teeny weeny to be effective against COVID. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/14 "2020-04-11T22:13:41Z")
[Kiss-Me-Later masks](http://blort.meepzorp.com/mjjj/kiss-me-later-facemasks.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/15 "2020-04-11T22:55:19Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Now that we have committed to wearing a mask all the time for any patients in the office, I have discovered an unwanted side effect. No, it’s not that the mask is hot and stuffy and my glasses fog up because I expected that. The problem is that I cannot access my phone. I use apps on my phone to look things up and sometimes to do my charts but apparently there is a limit to facial recognition that stops at surgical masks. Since I am not taking off my mask every time I access my phone, I have had to remember all of my passwords. How does the phone know what your face looks like to begin with? You probably had to set a default face pic by taking a selfie, right? Can’t you take a new “default” pic wearing your mask? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/16 "2020-04-11T22:57:23Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Like has been said, people speaking are more muffled. I’m half deaf anyway (I have hearing aids) but it’s getting harder to understand people. I’m about half-deaf (with hearing aids) too. For me its not the muffling that makes it hard but instead not being able to see their lips move or their facial expressions. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-side-effect-from-wearing-a-mask/851328/17 "2020-04-13T00:18:34Z")
[Ashley Lawrence has a solution for you](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/college-student-making-lip-readable-150000031.html)! > [@](#): > > n April 1, she created a GoFundMe to raise money for the production of paper masks with a translucent mouth panel. “Many people have been pitching in and creating reusable fabric masks, which the CDC has deemed acceptable for use during these desperate times,” the description read. “Paper masks with clear pieces over the mouth already exist, but like the regular surgical masks, they are in short supply during this crisis.” Other manufacturers of similar masks include Safe ‘N’ Clear and ClearMask, the latter of which, according to their website, were recently granted federal approval for last resort use in medical facilities. > > Lawrence’s fund exceeded its goal of $3,000 in less than a week, and she’s now distributing the masks, free of charge, to anyone who needs one, ill or not. “If someone who needs these adaptive masks falls ill, they will have a mask to give to their doctor, so they can communicate more easily with each other,” she wrote.