Drinking (water) while masked
July 23, 2020 4:14 PM Subscribe
I drink water frequently. So far I haven't needed to wear a mask for extended periods, but that will change, sooner or later. How can I maintain the integrity of a mask while also being able to drink water?
I have so far been able to avoid working in person, and hopefully will be able to continue that way for a few more months. But likely in January if not much sooner I will have to go back to teaching in person.
I may teach for as long as 2 hours straight; between living in a hot dry place (PHX is "only" 98F today!) and allergy meds (including Sudafed; non-negotiable), I drink a lot of water. In the beforetimes it was not uncommon for me to drink 2 liters or more of water during a 2 hour class session.
I have been making masks, and have made some comfortable, well-fitting cotton double layer masks with a nose wire and filter pocket. I can sew reasonably well (both hand and machine). Right now I the longest I wear the mask is at the grocery store, which (usually) takes much less than 2 hrs and doesn't really involve talking to anyone, so I can deal by getting hydrated before going in and keeping water in my car to drink afterwards.
This won't work while teaching, though; even though my course isn't just lecture I am more or less constantly talking for 2 hours. Taking the mask off frequently so I can drink water seems likely to lead to contamination which reduces the purpose of having the mask to begin with (I'd have to leave the room to wash hands every time, as well as maintain "sides" of the mask). There's no way I can drink enough water before the class to last the entire time (and that might lead to needing to leave class for bathroom reasons anyhow). We are allowed to wear face-shields instead of masks, but my understanding is they are significantly less protective for both the wearer and nearby people if they have an opening, particularly if they had one big enough to allow water access.
So, is there some solution here? Automatically-retracting mask to allow straw access? Mask with close-able straw hole? Drip system to keep me irrigated?
Bonus points if the proposed solution also allows a microphone to be attached. Projecting through a mask is going to be difficult.
I have so far been able to avoid working in person, and hopefully will be able to continue that way for a few more months. But likely in January if not much sooner I will have to go back to teaching in person.
I may teach for as long as 2 hours straight; between living in a hot dry place (PHX is "only" 98F today!) and allergy meds (including Sudafed; non-negotiable), I drink a lot of water. In the beforetimes it was not uncommon for me to drink 2 liters or more of water during a 2 hour class session.
I have been making masks, and have made some comfortable, well-fitting cotton double layer masks with a nose wire and filter pocket. I can sew reasonably well (both hand and machine). Right now I the longest I wear the mask is at the grocery store, which (usually) takes much less than 2 hrs and doesn't really involve talking to anyone, so I can deal by getting hydrated before going in and keeping water in my car to drink afterwards.
This won't work while teaching, though; even though my course isn't just lecture I am more or less constantly talking for 2 hours. Taking the mask off frequently so I can drink water seems likely to lead to contamination which reduces the purpose of having the mask to begin with (I'd have to leave the room to wash hands every time, as well as maintain "sides" of the mask). There's no way I can drink enough water before the class to last the entire time (and that might lead to needing to leave class for bathroom reasons anyhow). We are allowed to wear face-shields instead of masks, but my understanding is they are significantly less protective for both the wearer and nearby people if they have an opening, particularly if they had one big enough to allow water access.
So, is there some solution here? Automatically-retracting mask to allow straw access? Mask with close-able straw hole? Drip system to keep me irrigated?
Bonus points if the proposed solution also allows a microphone to be attached. Projecting through a mask is going to be difficult.
Is there a possibility that a Camelbak product or something similar could be integrated with the right mask/modified mask to provide a hands-free, mask-stays-on-and-fitted solution, especially since you're kitted out to make your own masks that you could integrate with a commercially available "hydration system?"
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:06 PM on July 23, 2020 [10 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:06 PM on July 23, 2020 [10 favorites]
Camelbak? Nice PHX branding too. ;)
posted by kevinbelt at 5:07 PM on July 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 5:07 PM on July 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
Chloe Dao is selling masks with "safely sip" holes . I have not used and am not vouching for them.
posted by beaning at 5:29 PM on July 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by beaning at 5:29 PM on July 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
I have Sjogren’s Syndrome as well as other autoimmune diseases and medications that cause dry mouth. Frankly, drinking lots of water only helps while the water is actually in my mouth. Once I swallow, it stops moistening. I’ve had more success with Biotene and other brands of hydrating lozenges and gums.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:31 PM on July 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:31 PM on July 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
Mask with close-able straw hole
While less than ideal (like everything now), there are masks like that floating around; have a look on Etsy for ideas to alter your current DIY design. Unique Coronavirus Masks Allow You To Gobble Food Like Pac-Man, Sip Through A Straw, Or Show Your Smile (Forbes, May 19, 2020) An Israeli company, Avtipus Patents and Inventions, has created a prototype for a remote controlled mask that it plans to manufacture in the coming months. Company officials have already applied for a patent. Here’s how it works: there’s a slot on the front of the mask to allow food to pass through. All a wearer has to do is squeeze a lever (similar to a hand break on a bicycle) to control opening and closing the mask. Hard seltzer brand Crook & Marker's TasteMask. The lesser DrinkThru mask is currently out of stock.
(If you opt for a mask with this sort of valve, try to turn away from your students when you drink. Example of a voice amplifier; another. If your lesson plan has any lecture portion, perhaps pre-record that for class. Seconding The Underpants Monster's answer; Askmes tagged 'dry mouth'. Best wishes.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 6:02 PM on July 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
While less than ideal (like everything now), there are masks like that floating around; have a look on Etsy for ideas to alter your current DIY design. Unique Coronavirus Masks Allow You To Gobble Food Like Pac-Man, Sip Through A Straw, Or Show Your Smile (Forbes, May 19, 2020) An Israeli company, Avtipus Patents and Inventions, has created a prototype for a remote controlled mask that it plans to manufacture in the coming months. Company officials have already applied for a patent. Here’s how it works: there’s a slot on the front of the mask to allow food to pass through. All a wearer has to do is squeeze a lever (similar to a hand break on a bicycle) to control opening and closing the mask. Hard seltzer brand Crook & Marker's TasteMask. The lesser DrinkThru mask is currently out of stock.
(If you opt for a mask with this sort of valve, try to turn away from your students when you drink. Example of a voice amplifier; another. If your lesson plan has any lecture portion, perhaps pre-record that for class. Seconding The Underpants Monster's answer; Askmes tagged 'dry mouth'. Best wishes.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 6:02 PM on July 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
Institute a ten minute break halfway through class so everyone who needs to can isolate/go outside and drink water? You can set this up a question to think about / problem you’ll discuss after if you think your institution won’t tolerate actual breaks.
posted by momus_window at 6:31 PM on July 23, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by momus_window at 6:31 PM on July 23, 2020 [6 favorites]
Chloe Dao is selling masks with "safely sip" holes . I have not used and am not vouching for them.
I can! I bought one of those safety sip masks last week and I really like it and recommend it as a general mask as well as for your specific use (in particular, it has a really nice chin fit and the nose piece helps it fit much better than my prior mask). The gap in the layers is really well buried and I did not feel like I was sacrificing my safety by its presence.
What I can't vouch for is shipping, because I just drove a couple minutes to her store and picked it up . If shipping would be a problem for you but you're interested in the mask, just let me know and I can pick it up in person and mail it to you.
posted by librarylis at 6:58 PM on July 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
I can! I bought one of those safety sip masks last week and I really like it and recommend it as a general mask as well as for your specific use (in particular, it has a really nice chin fit and the nose piece helps it fit much better than my prior mask). The gap in the layers is really well buried and I did not feel like I was sacrificing my safety by its presence.
What I can't vouch for is shipping, because I just drove a couple minutes to her store and picked it up . If shipping would be a problem for you but you're interested in the mask, just let me know and I can pick it up in person and mail it to you.
posted by librarylis at 6:58 PM on July 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
I like the idea of breaks. But Biotene is amazing. I always thought I was thirsty but I actually have dry mouth! It has been life-changing, especially with the bonus of fewer potty trips.
posted by gryphonlover at 7:22 PM on July 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by gryphonlover at 7:22 PM on July 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
Sicca syndrome from Sjogren's here. I have had to stop talking at work many times with Sjogren's related dryness issues causing coughing etc.
Sugar free lemon hard candy, Xylimelts, and Biotene will help more than the water. (Keep xylitol products well away from pets as it is toxic to them.)
Coconut oil in your mouth like you're doing oil pulling also helps, although having a coconut oil film on your teeth all the time is probably not the best long term situation.
Hydrating between classes and using the above during would be my recommendation.
posted by crunchy potato at 9:11 PM on July 23, 2020
Sugar free lemon hard candy, Xylimelts, and Biotene will help more than the water. (Keep xylitol products well away from pets as it is toxic to them.)
Coconut oil in your mouth like you're doing oil pulling also helps, although having a coconut oil film on your teeth all the time is probably not the best long term situation.
Hydrating between classes and using the above during would be my recommendation.
posted by crunchy potato at 9:11 PM on July 23, 2020
You can't. Just take the mask off.
posted by summerstorm at 9:30 PM on July 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by summerstorm at 9:30 PM on July 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
please don't listen to ppl telling you not to drink the amount of water you're used to drinking in a desert climate. dry mouth from medical issues has absolutely nothing to do with normal hydration in a fucking desert.
you may find using xylimelt mints helpful to combat the dry mouth from sudafed but please ffs continue drinking the appropriate amount of water for your personal dry climate needs.
the straw-hole masks look like an ok option imo.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:12 PM on July 23, 2020 [4 favorites]
you may find using xylimelt mints helpful to combat the dry mouth from sudafed but please ffs continue drinking the appropriate amount of water for your personal dry climate needs.
the straw-hole masks look like an ok option imo.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:12 PM on July 23, 2020 [4 favorites]
I take a medication that gives me a dry mouth, when I’m wearing a mask and have to drink, I take the lid off my bottle of water, unhook one ear loop, hold the mask still attached with the other ear hook with one hand, drink from the other hand without touching underneath the mask, replace the ear hook and so put the mask fully on, then put the lid back on. I haven’t contaminated my hands or under the mask with this method as the bottle of water has been away in my bag.
posted by ellieBOA at 11:42 PM on July 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by ellieBOA at 11:42 PM on July 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
If you try xylitol containing products, keep an eye on your bowels. It gives me unpleasant results.
posted by tilde at 8:17 AM on July 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by tilde at 8:17 AM on July 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
I’m also someone who drinks a lot of water. I just either unhook one ear, or push my mask up and take a sip.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:21 AM on July 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:21 AM on July 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
Taking the mask off frequently so I can drink water seems likely to lead to contamination which reduces the purpose of having the mask to begin with (I'd have to leave the room to wash hands every time, as well as maintain "sides" of the mask).
I do what EllieBOA and corpse do, just unhook or push up on the outside of the mask to drink. While it's obviously important to be maintaining good sanitizing practices, the potential for surface contamination from your own hands on the outside of your mask is not a big risk here. You're definitely going to want to be in a headspace where you feel comfortable taking a sip whenever you need to, because you'll need the water -- and because projecting and enunciating through the mask is more taxing if you're also feeling anxious.
posted by desuetude at 9:24 AM on July 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
I do what EllieBOA and corpse do, just unhook or push up on the outside of the mask to drink. While it's obviously important to be maintaining good sanitizing practices, the potential for surface contamination from your own hands on the outside of your mask is not a big risk here. You're definitely going to want to be in a headspace where you feel comfortable taking a sip whenever you need to, because you'll need the water -- and because projecting and enunciating through the mask is more taxing if you're also feeling anxious.
posted by desuetude at 9:24 AM on July 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
We've started adding face shields at our workplace so if you need to move the mask aside to take a sip there's still some protection in place.
posted by lindseyg at 11:55 AM on July 27, 2020
posted by lindseyg at 11:55 AM on July 27, 2020
« Older quote source: "a unity vaguely comprehended" | How does HIPAA prevent my insurer from explaining... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Jeanne at 4:58 PM on July 23, 2020 [1 favorite]