Face Mask?

Again, I can speak only about France: masks have to pass a government standard before sold or given away.
True to French culture, someone asked the doctor on the TV news if the cloth masks can be ironed after washing. Elegant.

If you choose to travel where face masks are required/recommended, then a single mask would be insufficient. You only need one money belt or sleep mask. But you need at least 1 face mask per day, and possibly more than one should the first become wet or soiled. Cloth masks need to be properly laundered after each day's use. So you have a choice - bring your own supply and plan on visiting a launderette frequently for a hot water wash/high heat dry; bring your own stack of disposables, or pray you can find a ready supply on arrival.

Sourcing a reliable delivery of quality masks is hard enough for first responders right now. I highly doubt Rick's company wants to be in competition with them for such a non-essential purpose as sight seeing.

I just would rather not travel if I have to wear a face mask. I'm onboard for wearing a mask for taking care of essential activities. I am not quite there yet to wear a mask for the enjoyable parts of life!

“True to French culture, someone asked the doctor on the TV news if the cloth masks can be ironed after washing. Elegant.”

Oh my word, Bets. Yes, I burst out laughing!

Wearing one now because the science says to do so, plain and simple, but never outside where it's easy to socially distance. Those face masks get nasty after awhile.

The last RS money belts included in the tour kits I received were made from a woven polyester fabric. Practically like trying to breath through a sheet of plastic wrap if you try. So that material would be a no go. The previous version was made of woven silk. While much better at being able to breath through, not much for stopping moisture. The sleep mask might work. I used one I got from a United flight as a face cover until it fell apart in the wash and it at least felt like it was doing something and was still allowing air through.

But yes, you will need more than 1 on an average RS tour. At least one a day, and if very active and in a warmer environment, possibly 2 a day. Sink washing will not clean the reusable ones good enough since the water temperature is not high enough to kill the virus. Of course if you can find bleach or 70% alcohol or another disinfectant cleaner you might do OK. Otherwise it is a trip to the commercial laundry as others mentioned.

This probably means no tours until masks are not required every situation.

Once again, this is all my opinion, and only my opinion. It just seems logical to me.

Maybe the steam ironing for reusable thick cotton masks is for an extra killing of the virus.

Slickwarp, a journalist making a prediction is not a fact. No one knows how long we will wear masks or how long it will take to vaccinate people.

I can’t speak for anybody else but I would never wear a facemask from the same material as a money belt. How would that be breathable especially if one is doing extensive walking?

Even in the epicenter of the virus in the US, it is now possible to buy face masks in NYC so packing disposable paper masks for each day certainly won’t take up space in one’s luggage. And they are certainly breathable even when doing fast walking.

Plenty of people who aren't wearing them now. Some social media instant experts promoting the idea they are "unmanly" and don't work anyway.

We see local news reports of places that "require" them, but are unable or unwilling to enforce it, as well as violent confrontations with customers insisting on their right not to wear them.

Due to the fact that COVID-19 is a novel virus we continue to learn every day. At the present time the CDC is advising cloth face coverings. CDC.GOV. "How to wear a cloth face covering." This is a comprehensive review that includes self distancing, frequent cleaning, fit, how to remove safely, keeping hands away from face, etc.

I will add from personal experience that I did a Practicum in a TB Sanitarium in the late 60's. We wore surgical masks and the protocol was to change our masks every 15 minutes. That said, it is important to follow the current scientific information for COVID-19. My sense: Until further notice I believe we will be wearing masks indefinitely. I will be wearing the surgical masks provided by work and cotton cloth masks elsewhere. I continue to look at current information from the CDC, Dr. Fauci and daily updates from my State Department of Health.

Edited to add to slickwarp: Thanks for your information on Laurie Garrett. I have been listening to her interviews and am interested in reading "The Coming Plague."

If we return to traditional school in the fall, it is my full expectation that my high school students will wear masks in my classroom. I’m pretty sure this will be school policy pretty much everywhere. It is how we protect each other and only really works when we all do this.

I hand wash my fabric face masks in the sink with a bar of hand soap and water that is warm but not hot enough to burn myself. I drape them over hangers to dry. Similar to how I wash my handkerchiefs. Disposable face masks feel wasteful. There’s no reason to be obsessive-compulsive about having to machine wash and machine dry the masks. If you don‘t have time to let the mask dry, just put it on damp. I started putting a cloth face mask on every time I walk outside. I started using dish washing gloves to open the door of my apartment building. The masks are so if somebody near you sneezes or coughs, you don’t inhale the debris. Otherwise I don’t think virus is shedding off people as they walk. I have no clue how we might be able to eat on planes, long-distance trains, or ferries.

Hey, don’t laugh - I wash and iron my face mask after each outing. On the other hand, my hair looks like hell.

Let me second the excellent Times article on Laurie Garrett, though I'm sure many on here have already read it. She's also on MSNBC almost nightly now.

I do have to say, like Frank II, that we just don't know. There may never be a vaccine. I do hope there is and soon.

I grew up in a small town where everyone paid attention to our family. As a result I moved to a city and neighborhood where I could be anonymous. I am liking this additional opportunity to be anonymous, masks. As far as traveling, I am not expecting to travel internationally for quite a few years as this is not a fast fix, but when I do I want it to be without masks...so who knows? Maybe things will change, but I think my solo traveler connections can not be made while wearing a mask so I will stay home. My other interests will now move forward...and I am going to save a lot of money on luggage... I say no to being included in the tour kit, unless it is for the bus only...but I think solo or non group travel will resurface first anyway. IMO

Getting back to mask recommendations: It is advisable that after washing a cloth mask (either in the washing machine or by hand thoroughly) it needs to dry completely (to kill the virus) before wearing it again. Good idea to have several cloth masks to rotate.

As far as gloves we use nitrile gloves at work and home. Keep in mind that gloves can be a false sense of security if you inadvertently touch your face... Please also be aware if you wear gloves that you remove them safely to prevent recontamination. Refer to cdc.gov “How to Remove Gloves." Also remember to wash your hands after removing gloves. If you choose not to wear gloves, just be sure you are continuing good hand washing hygiene. ;J

Plenty of people who aren't wearing them now. Some social media
instant experts promoting the idea they are "unmanly" and don't work
anyway.

Women & children not wearing masks were already "unmanly".

Today, I have to wear a mask. That's a fact.

What happens tomorrow, next month, next year or three years from now is a prediction.

I deal in facts.

I wear masks. I have gloves. I wash my hands often and keep hand sanitizer in my car. I spent the day distributing cloth masks to organizations that need them. (I was given a large amount by a bag manufacturer.)

Will I have to do this next month? I don't know. Will I have to do this in three months? I don't know.

I will wait to see what is suggested by a slew of experts and not predictions on a travel board. All predictions on this board are based on personal opinion and not on fact. You assume that what is true today will be the same months, years, decades from now. I will say it again as I have said it a hundred times....NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

And let's be real. A cloth mask will not completely stop you from getting the virus. It will however help prevent you from spreading the virus.

Lastly, some businesses are preventing people from entering without a mask. I had to go to Office Depot today and they were stopping people without masks.

Frank II, I imagine your life has been disrupted even more than most of us on this forum. The disruption of travel and the shutdown of most of the hospitality industry is really a shutdown of your chosen lifestyle of no set home and living in hotels. Hang in there.

Glad you are busy.

Why all the anger, Frank Il? If you get upset over a lack of certainty, then maybe you should skip threads where the OP asks others to speculate on the future?

I'm angry beause there are many inexperienced travelers who come here looking to ask questions of those who are more experienced. They might believe some of the garbage being spewed here as truth. And then, they might spread it on.

That's how bad information gets spread. And not all the threads are where the OP asks to speculate. That's why the webmaster posted about staying on the topic of travel and not to spread bad information

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/refocusing-this-forum

Some social media instant experts promoting the idea they are "unmanly" and don't work anyway.

I think that was Trump.

This is just a fun discussion, from what I can see. Relax and have some fun. We're discussing face masks, and wearing them or not, and when... when traveling at some point in the future. And whether RS will put them in his kit. It's not rocket science and it is not now predetermined either way facts or no facts. It is rather a loose discussion about travel and face masks. If someone comes here to find facts about the future of travel in a discussion of the use of face masks on RS tours, well, that's crazy. Also, we each have our own ideas on when we will consider it safe or of interest to travel. In that there is no right or wrong. I don't see that as distorting the facts, but my idea of when is not the same as some others or maybe yours. So what? Facts are sometimes few and far between regarding the future, especially now, and no one's future is the same anyway...

I got an email from Tom Bihn a while back. They are donating a mask for every one sold (and have a great Excel-based tracking sheet you can view summarizing their donations). I like that idea. I went online to buy but, unfortunately, they were sold out. I hope they make more available. I have had a very good experience with Tom Bihn with a "cafe bag" purchase and I like their products, so I'll be happy to buy from them. They already have scrap materials, so this "extension" of their work is a perfect fit for them. With RS, I would expect an outsourced mask from China. So I'd rather support Tom Bihn, as everything is made onsite in Seattle.
https://www.tombihn.com/products/facemask?variant=32211287048255

Tom Bihn's factory is only producing masks at this time and have been since the end of March. They are still not producing any bags. Most of their masks are still being given away rather than being sold. Be patient and keep checking. Once made available they sell out in a matter of hours.

Their masks are well made. The sent me a box of them to distribute in my area.

Tom Bihn also has their mask pattern and tips available via the link. I think I will try my hand on those. I have fabric already and probably have elastic. Just have to get my machine out.

If masks become required for museums, maybe there will be a positive effect - less selfie tourist poses in front of priceless art!

I obey the law and wear one in stores. But, I’d never wear one for leisure travel. I’ll forgo it.

Dale, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. I will gladly wear a mask for 'essential' activities. I will go kicking and screaming to wear a mask for 'fun'.

I don't disagree with that sentiment, in that as long as a mask is necessary for our health while out and about, I won't be travelling for pleasure. I will always wear one at home as required.

I agree that no one knows what the future will be like. Back in January of this year, no one would have known things would be like they are today with most of the world shut down to tourism or any foreign visitors completely and no idea of when that will change.

I agree that lots of incorrect information has been posted on this site (as well as most other open forums). Focusing on the virus, many statements about how minor the disease would be, how nothing would stop planned travel, etc., posted in prior months were simply echoes of the government's official spokesman. Unfortunately, those official positions turned out to be incorrect when you look at the situation in the world today.

But, it is not improper to contemplate wearing masks and/or gloves, washing hands, and taking other precautions for the foreseeable future when discussing travel. The virus is not disappearing tomorrow, no matter how much we all wish it would. There is currently no vaccine or even a proven treatment so people will continue to die, of course hoping that it will be in fewer numbers as more is learned about the virus. We will have to remain cautious until it is proven that the virus is, if not eradicated, at least contained. Once again, that point in time will not be tomorrow. Because of these facts, I see nothing wrong with making plans for future travel that include masks and other personal protection options. Some people will never stop wearing masks, some of them have been wearing masks for many years before the current situation. They are free to make that choice, just as everyone is free to disagree with that choice.

I'm a person who has worn glasses most of my life and has always hated wearing makeup. Besides needing them to see, I consider my progressive transitions lens glasses to be a fashion accessory.

As I was waiting in the senior line at Costco (where you can't go in without a mask) this morning, I saw many people wearing attractive and/or funny masks. Hooray! They were making the most of the situation. I don't mind wearing a mask at all and need to up my game on that.

As I read through the responses so far, I was reminded about how terrorist attacks and 9/11 changed the ways we go about our daily lives. The changes to how the world travels have been especially dramatic.

To me, wearing a mask is a trivial annoyance compared to all the other hoops we have to jump through to go where we want to go and do what we want to do. I'll get used to it and adapt just like any human.

And I can envision a time when wearing masks will be normal worldwide, as in "no, shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service."

I understand that there are people working on masks that will somehow accomodate eating and drinking. Compared to pulling the mask down or up, that sounds messy, awkward and like a PITA, but it will be something to see and try if an inventor or designer is successful.

We have a lot of folks 'round here that refuse to wear masks. For some the attitude is, "I'm a man, that's why," meaning they don't like to be told what to do and are masculine enough to fight off the virus and win. It's like a challenge to their manhood. They see masks as namby pamby, weak, and big city effete behavior, which is antithetical to the attitude in the mountains. Don't argue with them or you'll get the condescending question mark stretched across their bearded faces, Clint Eastwood style.

I wear a mask because the science backs up its efficacy, but I do feel cultural tug of not doing so. Plus, my wife is really big on following rules, which is endearing at times. A happy wife is a happy life, for sure.

Do I like wearing masks? No, I do not. Am I wearing masks? Yes, I am. Is it reducing my manliness? I don't believe so. Is it keeping me alive? Unknown, but since we have little else to help us not get sick or prevent spreading the disease if we have it, I will continue wearing masks for now.

I have never understood the entire "I'm a man and no one is telling me what to do" attitude. This results in many of those "men" appearing to be like 2 year olds having a tantrum. Grow up. No one is debating your manliness, except when you take this attitude.

No mask on your face
You big disgrace
Spreading your germs all over the place
We will, we will, knock you
We will, we will, knock you

There you go, Eric.

There is a lot of unmasking going on here in the U.S. of A. Haha!

Unfortunately, this poor female clerk was assaulted by a male and had hot coffee thrown on her for telling him he needed a mask to be served:
https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Mishawaka-police-7-Eleven-clerk-attacked-after-telling-man-he-needed-mask-570436031.html

Or the poor Dollar Store guard in Michigan who was shot in the head...
And the gun strutting.
Do other developed countries you have visited have such problems of violent identity deficiency?

It's like a challenge to their manhood. They see masks as namby pamby,
weak, and big city effete behavior, which is antithetical to the
attitude in the mountains.

It's truly sad that public health guidance has become a cultural war (city vs. rural, red state vs. blue state, NY/NJ region vs. rest of the country, masculine vs. feminine, manly vs. unmanly). Doctors, dentists, and nurses all over the country wear masks and gloves as a germ-control measure, yet no one would give them this kind of grief.

Agnes, to your point I have worn masks & gloves throughout my medical career. For me it's a given. That said I do understand we are now living in a different world. Unfortunately it's human nature to resist as reasons previously mentioned. That said I think about my patients who are immunocompromised. This may be those who have comorbidities. People (of all ages) who may have diseases that prevent them from forming antibodies. It's a large part of our population.

The Covid-19 information is evolving. I listened to Jeremy Howard, Research Scientist, U of San Francisco today who reported that cloth masks can slow the spread along with physical distancing. He believes that universal mask-wearing could be one of the most important tools in tackling the virus. Currently, the CDC recommends everyone wear a mask. An article that highlights Howard's case study can be found on thetelegraph.com. "Masks help stop the spread of Coronavirus- the science is simple and I'm one of 100 experts urging governors to require public mask-wearing."

As a hearing impaired person, I never realized how much I relied on lip reading until people started wearing masks. My hearing aids are quite good, but apparently I've been subconsciously supplementing my hearing by lip reading. Oh well. My problem.

I agree not wearing a mask is selfish and quite frankly stupid. It might help if stores can offer cheap paper masks for people who legitimately forget to bring one or don't have one. I understand the current shortage but eventually a temporary paper mask should be cheap to produce and cover everyone, no excuses.

We have guys driving four-wheelers not wearing seat belts and flying over all kinds of terrain, so suggesting a mask will get you the look you're thinking of. Remember these are mostly young men who think they'll live forever and don't understand the soft, "oh, my" approach to life.

I don’t like the simple act of putting a mask on and taking it off every time I’m in and out of my car. My hands are on my face, or too close to it, each time I handle my mask and that always bothered me. So I made myself get used to putting on a mask before I leave home and just wearing it the whole time I’m out. It took a couple of days but I think I’m used to it for now. Plus it’s just easier to go about your business when you don’t have to keep track of where your mask has been when it’s not on your face.

I do have multiple masks and I have my preferred ones. I really like the ones that have a nose piece and tie around the head. Those I can wear comfortably for a good long while. I saw someone at Petsmart today who had a mask I liked and we talked about it for a bit. I’m ordering the same one.

Side note: Most of the Petsmart employees were not wearing masks. I asked about that and one employee said they didn’t have to. And “it’s too hard to breathe”. 🙄

Another side note: I’d wear a mask on a tour if required.

There are several pictures of one woman who cut out the middle part of her mask that would have covered her nose and mouth so "it is easier to breath". When asked, her boss said she was following the store's rules that everyone had to wear a mask. Hmm, well, OK, if you say so.

Another shows a man, apparently working at an airport, who poked a hole in his mask so he could insert a cigarette to smoke.

Some people just don't get it. Masks are not perfect, I understand that. But when you destroy the integrity of the fabric, there is no benefit to wearing that mask anymore.

Making predictions is pointless. Most of us were around in 2008.

Remember that you will never EVER pay under $3.00 per gallon for gas again. How common was that back then?

Maybe a year from now we will all be wearing masks. Maybe in a year this will all be seen as a Y2K massive overreaction.

When it comes to selfishness and violence , I fear that the emperors wear no clothes, except of course , for their masks. .....twopffenig

I have enough common sense to know that I breathe out tiny moisture droplets. Others, if they are still alive, also do. A simple layer of cotton cloth can easily catch most of these and is easily washed. Going and coming. Social distancing helps with the rest.
BUT
Keep your immune system as top level as you can. Simply healthy eating will help. Sleep is extremely important. Meditate. Take care of yourself!!!

Also I have noticed that often, if I look at the person behind me, they keep appropriate distance, if not they're right up close. Go figure! When watched, we grow halos. :)

If others won't protect themselves and others, don't dwell on it - protect yourself as much as you can.

70+yo that walks 7000++ a day. I just started planking. I look forward to snorkeling (Key Largo, Belize, Cancun, PlayaCar,...)

We will be with this until a good vaccine appears. Remember typhoid, TB, mumps, measles, reubella, polio, ...

Making predictions is pointless.

But - I predict that disposable and reusable masks will soon be available with all kinds of business logos on them - airlines, insurance companies, museums, websites, stores, travel agencies... you name it.

Brilliant Estimated Prophet..
I bet the Michigan guard would still be alive if the store had graciously been handing out masks to entering customers, the way many stores do in Europe.

And to add to Estimated Prophet’s list- I saw a news report this am that masks, gloves & hand sanitizer are available in venting machines at the Las Vegas Airport & are becoming available elsewhere....

How about the respirators that firemen wear, or the masks fighter pilots strap on?

I guess they need to believe that doctors, nurses, emerg responders, fire, police, etc folks just wear them as a fashion statement. Not because they work. We need to be smarter than that. Laugh at them, feel sorry for them, but be smarter than that. Something I think attributed to Ghandi? you must be the change you want to see... be it on airplane, train, bus, at home or on vacation. Be an influence for benefit. Traveling is not a time to think about that less, but more. If we're in their country, or county, be considerate of them.

Face masks are going to be needed over the next two years or so. Once vaccines are put in place for high risk groups, natural antibody immunity has developed, and disease spread drops significantly to nearly zero - then, the masks will no longer be necessary.

On the other hand--vanity is considered a sin. Have a nice day!

Big Mike, it is usually men that I see not wearing masks in stores. So apparently having a y-chromosome is a license to be selfish?
Estimated Prophet, you're way behind in your prediction of logo masks. College masks have been seen around here for weeks now.
Maybe a certain gender will be more open to wearing those?

all that currently fashionable facial hair makes masks ineffective. Unless the beard acts as a filter itself.

Beard or no beard, a mask will still stop most of the droplets from a sneeze, cough, etc. By not wearing masks, one is not showing consideration for other people. That should be unacceptable. Sometimes it shouldn't be the rights of the individual, but the rights of the community as a whole.

I do not think selfishness has anything to do with gender. As always , selfishness gets cast about when it applies to others. God forbid we look at ourselves, and our greedy needs, at the expense of others backs and labor....

...But you see , to look at ourselves would require effort , and God forbid , sacrifice .

Actually, personally, I boycott lots of things and do look where items are from and the conditions thereof, and I pay more to avoid bad products and to use renewable energy, etc... Of course, I can't avoid it all. However, we can only work those items on an individual basis and hope it will have a positive affect.

This topic is about wearing masks, and an easy thing to do to help not make others sick.

I like the analogy of tobacco use... there was a time when cigarettes were smoked on airplanes and in restaurants, and then we learned more about how indoor air is recirculated The social agreement became that smoking can't happen in those spaces. I think mask wearing will become part of the social covenant of how we protect indoor air quality and potential health impact

I heard that the fashion designers in Paris are taking it one step further and coming out with chic hazmat suits.

There is already a line of swimwear for the summer which includes matching masks.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trikini-bikini-matching-face-mask_l_5ec2983dc5b60c2e85f8271c

I made several dozen facemasks and gave them to friends and family. I made them 3 layers thick, so as effective as possible for home made. Do I enjoy wearing them? No. Do I wear them? Absolutely. I also wear gloves. I know how to take them off properly. and they are thrown away after each use. Yesterday I had a dr appt then stopped at two stores on my way home, so 3 sets of gloves. I keep sanitizer in the car and my purse. If for some reason I touch my keys etc with the gloves on, they get wiped down with sanitizer asap. My husbands coworker had Covid and barely made it. We have had several people in our neighborhood die from it. It is real and if these things can make a difference for myself or anyone else, it is the least I can do.

We had a trip planned for August and were prepared to wear a mask and gloves, but it looks like we will need to reschedule it for next year.

I really hate going to a place where masks are required yet not enforced. The post office is one such place, with highly visible signs stating such, yet two customers were being waited on with no mask at all, and an employee had one below his chin. Yes, I filled out the online survey when I got home.

I agree with mikliz about mask-wearing not being enforced and the non-compliant employee should certainly be disciplined, but I understand the hesitancy of employees to risk their lives to enforce mask-wearing.

It is unfortunate that the requirement is only to wear a mask, not to wear it "properly". There are several news articles showing people with their masks only covering their lower chin and some where people who should know how to wear a mask not covering their nose. Or worse, the wearer having cut a hole in it "to breath easier". I don't blame employees for not trying to enforce the mask requirements given the stories of those who were physically attacked when they requested customers put on a mask.

There are too many people around us that will continue to refuse to wear a mask because the president refuses to wear a mask. It is disappointing. Luckily, most people I see in my still limited trips out in the area I live are wearing masks properly.

When I think about my two uncles who flew multiple missions during WW II and their sacrifices it bothers me that a simple thing like wearing a mask is considered a threat to "our freedoms".

Amen, Leslie.

the post just above by "kishan" is spam, has been reported and will be removed

NO fun travel if I have to wear a mask.

I’ve found two GREAT masks: these are very cool, good for excercising https://sewsporty.com/products/face-masks two layers but very light.

These are GREAT for walking around shopping etc. good fit, pocket for a filter. They offer filters as well as masks. https://www.vistaprint.com/masks/

Thanks gretchen.
Both of those companies offer a custom feature if you want to submit your own words or art

The Tom Bihn face masks are high quality and have held up well after many washings. I purchased v1 which have worked well. I recently purchased v3. v3 masks are much larger providing more coverage and are 3-ply. I would highly recommend any of the 3 versions Tom Bihn face masks. Besides being made in the USA (which is a plus), they provide excellent customer service. The only downside is that they sell out quickly. They posted that the masks would be available on a certain day at 3 pm ET. I was a few minutes late logging on and by 3:05 they were sold out.

Reported as Potential spam

The thing I reported as spam is gone
Nothing wrong w tom bihn post

Well, y’all enjoy your 2021 trips, with or without your maskies. My dear wife will not let go anywhere till there is an effective vaccine AND some evidence of herd immunity. I’m guessing late 2021 or 2022 for me. I will Be happy to get shots, wear masks, sit in a bubble, whatever I need to do to protect myself, others, and to follow local requirements. I figure i’ve got two years to save up.

If masks are going to be recommended for travel by RS I am going to think of it as sun protection without the sunscreen.

I will add to Leslie’s point about mask “sun protection.” After scoping out various masks the last several months, I have noted that some masks have UV protection. Great idea.