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Comment by Zababa | Hacker News Reader

Are those masks better for people with glasses? I have to wear a mask in public transportation and at work, and I always get fog on my glasses. This sounds like a small thing, but having to adjust how you breathe all day just to be able to see properly is tedious and tiring.

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Yes and it's actually a sensitive test for fit. If you get fog then air is leaking out unfiltered, so when you breathe in, it's also not filtering that part.

It's imperfect bc you can have gaps around your chin which won't fog up. But it's one of the nice parts of the good filtered masks. And in the winter it helps keep the bite of cold away

I've bought a pack of N95 couple of days ago. Glasses are a major first problem. When I exhale most of the air goes out above straight into the glasses. With the cold temperature outside it's problematic to see. But IMO this proves the point that N95 masks are mush better. It slightly collapses when I inhale and most of the air goes through it, the fit is good. While for ordinary masks the air goes freely through the sides. Ordinary masks protect others from large droplets, but small droplets or aerosol go freely with the air. N95s become quite wet inside quite quickly for that reason.

So air still escapes out the top and they quickly get gross and wet. Great salesperson, where do I sign up?

This would made sense for Delta and the initial strains but ya’ll look a bit neurotic wearing N95 for omnicron unless you are already near death. It’s so damn contagious, when do we accept the fact that this isn’t going away and we cannot possibly wear masks forever?

It escapes during exhale since it naturally pushes the mask away and the fit becomes looser. During inhale air pushes the mask toward the face and the fit becomes tighter.

Most problems are during some, even light such as walking, physical activity when more air is needed. Inhaling is limited by the mask, but it cannot hold a strong exhale. I imagine sitting in a subway or a train should be fine. Hope to get on a train trip in 2 weeks so I would rather postpone my second covid, that's why I'm going for those inconveniences.

did you pinch the wire to conform it to the bridge of your nose?

If fitted properly the fogging should not be an issue. That can be difficult to maintain on some people's faces though. Using a headband style instead of ear loops can make a big difference for a tight fit. Some medical users will use a little bit of bandage tape to seal up the top, which may be a little difficult to keep up with for average users, but may also help remind people that masks don't work very well when you're constantly taking them on and off. If you're in a place with potential clouds of aerosols floating around, the mask should stay on the whole time.

Glasses person here: yes. Way less fogging.

Can confirm they are much better for glasses than surgical masks, the air that does leave goes downwards and outwards from the mask far more than up to the eyes.

No. But it’s still worth buying a 10-pack and see whether it solves some of your problems, because in the worst case, you still have 9 masks which will actually protect you from the virus.

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