Rock the Mask...Fun Facts, Tips and Tricks for Wearing a Face Mask!

Face masks are here to stay for the foreseeable future…read more about ways to make the most of wearing them and protecting others in the process!

Our nation and our community seem to be in widespread debate over the wearing of masks to help manage the spread of COVID-19. By working together, we can help fight the spread and stay healthy.

What is the risk to you and what is the risk to somebody else, you might ask? One simple combination—wearing a face covering while maintaining safe physical distancing—can protect people you encounter, some whose medical history may make them more susceptible to COVID-19. At the same time, this protects you if you come in contact with someone infected.

Click on any of the images above to go directly to the Face Mask shop on the website!

Here are some things to consider in the mask-wearing dilemma.

Facts about wearing a face mask:

• You are benefitting others.

• You are serving as a role model. The more people we see wearing masks, the more normal it soon becomes.

• You are helping reduce the spread of COVID-19 in public settings.

Positive effects of wearing a face mask:

• Positive reinforcement is a powerful thing. Give someone a thumbs-up or a shout-out for doing the right thing when you see them wearing a mask in public.

• Compliment a stylish or eye-catching design with a “nice mask” comment.

• Make them a fun accessory, like a pair of sunglasses or a hat.

Wearing a mask protects your customers and co-workers!

Mask fun facts and ideas: 

• While they are new to us, face masks have been around for a long time. In 1918, during the Spanish Flu epidemic, advanced masks such as N95s worn by health care workers today were a long way off. Surgical masks and general population flu masks were primarily made of gauze.

• Be creative with your masks. Sew them yourself or have some made of a favorite fabric or designer pattern.

• Make them a fashionable and fun way to accessorize. With a wide variety of styles and designs to choose from, in addition to being protective, masks are becoming something of a fashion statement.

• Show your team or school spirit by donning a mask with a trademark sports or college logo.

Tips and tricks for face mask wearing: 

• Mask Fit: The ideal mask is snug enough to fit close to the face (no gaps) to prevent droplets from entering or exiting around the sides, but large enough so as not to be restrictive or negatively impact your breathing.

• More Pleasant Aroma: Consider adding essential oils or Thieve’s Spray to your face coverings. Not only have they been shown useful for fighting allergies and congestion, they can help boost your mood and increase your sense of calm.

• Glasses Steaming Up: Submerge your glasses in soapy water and then let them air-dry, creating a thin antifog layer on the lenses. You can also play around with where your glasses sit—wear them a bit lower over your nose.

• Material: Different people have different levels of tolerability when it comes to mask wear. Factors like outside temperatures, whether the wearer also uses glasses and even nose size can all play a role.

• Comfort: Finding a mask you can comfortably keep on should be the ultimate goal.

The way to wear a mask: 

Wearing a mask correctly is the key to making it effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19. According to the CDC, a cloth face mask needs to have the following in order to be effective:

• Cover both your nose and mouth

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of your face

• Be secured with ties or ear loops Have multiple layers of fabric

• Allow for unrestricted breathing

• Ability to be laundered and machine dried without damage or shape changes

While at times it feels as if we are going backwards, we can move forward by taking simple steps like wearing a mask in public. Let's go easy on each other as we change our habits. We can all be health leaders while wearing a face covering.

This article was written by me and originally published in the Summer issue of PULSE magazine, Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s community publication. With lots of new masks and accessories now available on our website, I wanted to share some interesting tips for how to rock them!

10 Creative Tips for Connecting While "In" and "Coming Out" of Quarantine

There are many ways to “connect” with those you love during uncertain times…old-fashioned letter writing is a great way to show you care.

These few past months have been an extremely challenging time for our communities, our country and our world. To even imagine we would be spending our days in quarantine for weeks on end would have seemed unimaginable a few short months ago…but this quickly became our new reality. While many states are beginning to open back up across the country, I happen to live in California where our stay-at-home mandates have been extended until the end of July…and trust me when I say this seems like a lifetime away. During these past several weeks I have been able to reflect on the nature of my business and the way I conduct it as founder and owner of my own stationery and graphic design business, Social Butterfly Designs, which will celebrate 20 years this Fall. All of my spring boutiques, the staple of my spring business model, were cancelled due to COVID-19 and I was forced to focus more on my online business as a result. To my surprise it has been going very well and inspired me to be more innovative even hosting my first-ever virtual boutique earlier this month. I love to see all the creativity out in the world with people adapting their lives and livelihoods to new circumstances….so much ingenuity and creativity abound!

Those of you who know me already know I am a big proponent of the handwritten note. In fact, I like to refer to this old-fashioned ritual as “life’s secret weapon”…putting pen to paper is such as simple task but when you add sentiment, love, empathy or gratitude in the words you express behind it, it becomes a powerful tool of connection and can bring great joy to your intended recipient on the other end of receiving it.

As we have sheltered in place for weeks on end it has been a challenge to keep oneself busy….after all you can only watch so much Netflix!! Whether you live in a state where the economy is getting “back to business” or still living with limitations, now is the perfect time to brush up on your writing skills and perhaps even instill them on the younger generation members of your family.

Following are 10 ways you can connect with the ones you love and show them you care through good old-fashioned letter writing, especially when you can’t see them in person:

1. Write a note….Just Because
There doesn’t have to be reason…just pick up a pen, a note card (a piece of paper if that is all you have), and write a heartfelt note to someone letting them know you miss them and some of the reasons why they are special to you.

2. Create A Handmade Card
Paint or use markers, colored pencils or a pen to draw the cover of a card and write some nice sentiments on the inside…this is particularly special to receive. My very talented friend Stacey ( @goandbefancy) drew this beautiful NY scene, where we often travel together, for my birthday card this year…it was so touching to receive and I can’t wait to frame it!

A hand painted card becomes a work of art!

3. Drop a Note Off With a Little Surprise!
Write your note and gather some flowers from your garden, a small succulent…or maybe even a rolls of toilet paper and drop it off on the doorstep of friend.
4. Write a Poem
If you are creative you can even try to make it rhyme, calling out special memories or fun times the two of you have shared over time.
5. Create a Card Using an Old Photograph
Find an old photo of the two of you, a favorite place or something random from your phone or archives and attach It to the front of card (you can create this with any sort of paper you may have around the house)….maybe add a hand-drawn border and a clever caption…this alone is sure to make them smile!
6. Congratulate a 2020 Graduate!
This one is of particular sentiment to me as my youngest daughter is a senior in high school and she is feeling the great sense of loss in missing out on the significance and fanfare this particular celebration of life is supposed be bring. I chose to celebrate her with a full garage display recognizing her accomplishments….just yesterday this prompted an anonymous “Reese Road neighbor” to deliver a card with a surprise gift card enclosed….how sweet was that!

7. Deliver a Friend Her Morning Coffee…and a Note!
Popular with my daughters, this is a fun way to get your BFF’s day off to a great start. You can even be clever with your note…”just wanted to brighten you day with a little morning “pick me up!” We even have a fun set of cards, just for coffee lovers!

You can use any card, of course, but the “Coffee Lovers” pack has some fun options!

8. Curate a Box of Goodies
This can be done using items from home including trinkets, photos, crossword puzzles from the newspaper, favorite snacks, etc. If you don’t have a fresh box you can re-use a bag and decorate it with wrapping paper or artwork….Don’t forget the note!!

9. Send A Quarantine-related Card

I created this “Social Quarantine” pack for this very purpose. Each card speaks to the current situation and from an “I miss you” to an “E.G.B.O.K.” (everything’s gonna be o.k.) you will find four different sentiments for the ones you love.

Lots of theme-related notecard sets are available in our online shop!

10. Not Sure Who To Write a Note to? Here are some ideas:

• Your parents or grandparents who you haven’t been able to visit during quarantine

• Teachers and co-workers you miss seeing every day

• People who are struggling. Those who have been laid off or are sick.

• A college roommate who you didn’t get to spend enough time with this school year.

• A friend you haven’t seen in a long time.

• Your sister, brother, aunt, uncle or cousin…letting them know how much you love them.

Any way you choose to send some good vibes to those you love will be a welcome gift! Now go write some notes and wait for the magic to happen!