Scala listeners share their masks on Simon Mayo's Castaway Clinic
Key advice on how to avoid steamed-up glasses
Last updated 16th Jun 2020
With face coverings and masks now a requirement for travelling on public transport in the UK and being adopted by many people across the world, Simon Mayo asked listeners what how they were getting on with mask wearing. He also asked listeners how they were customising their masks, and most important of all ... how do you stop your glasses steaming up?
We've selected some of the finest examples from Simon's inbox to share with you here.
If you're looking for instructions on how best to make a mask, visit Public Health England.
Industry
Making masks does, it seem, provide the perfect excuse for the Singer sewing machines to be retrieved from the cupboard. There is, we're reminded looking at Mandy Harding's workstation, nothing quite so homely and satisfying as the sight of a sewing machine ready for action.
And what a lot of action Mandy's machine has seen too. To date: 126 masks made and shipped already.
How to make your mask
Keep it simple like Helen Murphy has.
A little bit of fabric, some elastic and a replaceable piece of kitchen roll. "I’ve made my face mask from one old plain t-shirt for the outside and a striped one for the inner pocket," said Helen in her email to Simon earlier today.
"This holds a folded piece of kitchen towel which acts as a filter that I replace each time I use it and I wash the mask every evening on a hot wash in the washing machine (with towels or bedding - I do care about the environment 😇).
Helen continued: "I chose the blue t-shirts as they look more “surgical” and show I’m taking my mask wearing seriously. I’ve also added a small piece of wire at the top to ensure it fits snuggly over my nose so my glasses don’t steam up!"
Masks made from socks
The thought of it makes us a little woozy in the head, though we're assured that The Cannon family has washed the socks first before turning them into masks.
Quite apart from the resourcefulness of their fabric selection, there is an unexpected bonus it seems.
"We have made masks from old (clean) odd socks here. These have an added benefit - by choosing the motif carefully, others can see how you are feeling behind the mask.
All the way from Bahrain
Scala Radio listeners as far a field as Bahrain you say? Yes. Bernadett Bajari-Rooze is listening in and responded to our call for information with some delightful creations.
"Here's my mask. I made it myself. We live in Bahrain at the moment, and it had an influence on my mask too! Bit modern Middle East, bit 1001 night, don't you think?"
How to solve the steaming up problem
Tweeter Nerys seconds Helen Murphy's tip at the top of the page, "Ref steaming up: the tighter the seal between mask and skin the better, so a mask with a shapeable wire helps with this. And also pushing the mask as far up the bridge of your nose as possible to minimise ‘leakage’.
Also, it turns out that contact lenses are the way forward for avoiding the steaming up thing.
Also, top marks to Nerys for the most stylish prints. Who says a mask can't have a sophisticated look about it?
Listen to Simon Mayo's show on Scala Radio Monday - Saturday from 10am-1pm