I think these “masks”, &/or some type of facial protection and increased hygiene practices, ARE HERE TO STAY!!

There are many people, me included*, who have used fabric coverings for outdoor athletic pursuits and we simply referred to them as “neck gators”. (*Yes, it’s “me” not “myself” apparently)

At first, fabric or cloth facial coverings weren’t thought of as a reliable method of defense against COVID-19.

That has changed.

Actually, since a few WEEKS AGO (yes, welcome to week 6-ish!)

Currently, the government and all news sources are touting the use and benefits of fabric masks to reduce the transmission of airborne germs while simultaneously saving masks, like the N95-type, for essential healthcare workers.

In fact, it is not only recommended but mandated in counties around where I’m at like Los Angeles & Riverside! LA was the first county of its kind to implement such an order.

The orders stipulate the use of non-medical grade coverings while out in public… for everyone. 

Some Socal cites are even requiring residents to use coverings while out walking in their neighborhoods.

I am an essential healthcare provider who understands the value of keeping protected and healthy.

For me, the effort to help other healthcare workers with masks during quarantine, began on the east coast (& Michigan) where to this day, the pandemic seems to have hit the hardest.

But I wanted to offer something locally, as well.

The “masks” are an item that I have been using  for years- for sports not work purposes! BUT I believe that using protective wearables for non-sports, like it or not, is here to stay.

So, let’s use protection that is reusable, recyclable and therefore not contributing to our every-growing waste problem like disposable masks do.

Everything online was: backordered, paper material, camouflage, etc…

Well, I’m also very practical (read: cheap)  and even more so during this QUARANTINE!

I wanted to have protection that was easily washable YET could also be worn as a neck gator, headband, ponytail holder, sweatband, etc when not covering our faces and also providing UV protection when it WAS covering our parts. AND LOOK CUTE!

I’ve been using “accessories” like these for activities like hiking, jet skiing, diving, motorbiking…etc

AND I’d like something that we could use for those things AGAIN when/if things ever get back to “normal”.  (I kid…they better!!)

Understandably, some people have taken the matter of PPE very seriously and have been very resourceful: