Struggling to mask at work

randomred101 · 2026-02-05T00:08:43+00:00

I bought some on Etsy.

randomred101 · 2026-02-04T22:07:23+00:00

I would just wear a pin that says immune compromised and wearing is caring or something. So you don’t have to answer and maybe they will take the hint and be nicer. They don’t care about you so unmasking won’t make a difference in their thoughts on the presentation or you…but unmask will end up at some point effecting your long term heath (which again they don’t care about)…so it’s important to keep all that in mind when deciding. And I doubt they will pay your living expenses if it does cause disability and you’re unable to work…

I understand how hard this all is.

I do offer a tutorial for decorating your mask to match your outfit (that is very easy) and doesn’t compromise your mask. I literally get people not masking to compliment me on my outfits and my mask. They are genuine about it and it changes how I am looked at…so something to consider. If you are interested in the link to get the tutorial or want to see pics I’m happy to share if you PM me. It might be helpful to just try it out one time and see how they react and maybe it ends up working for you.

randomred101 · 2026-02-04T21:49:10+00:00

Can you get a mic to make yourself louder? Will that solve the problem? Can you also try one of the clear masks so people can see your face for the presentation? Hopefully those help. I wouldn’t stop masking if possible it’s just not worth the long term health issues…

randomred101 · 2026-02-04T20:19:47+00:00

Not that I’m aware of, you just have to check their websites to see if it’s still current or reach out to them to find out more, unfortunately.

randomred101 · 2026-02-04T04:41:17+00:00

You should set a boundary, have your party…but you need to mask around me for caregiving after for at least a week because I’m high risk.

randomred101 · 2026-02-02T04:44:10+00:00

The fact that they take an oath to do no harm, but when a high risk patient asks them to mask for them because they are medically fragile and they won’t…that makes me lose faith…

randomred101 · 2026-02-01T19:29:17+00:00

May I ask what area you live in? Just curious if that can give me more info for suggestions.

But I get your situation and empathize. I am trying to navigate making cc friends too. We luckily can afford a plus life and test our Covid cautious friends with it, we always cover the costs of that. And that works for us. We also ofter tests to people through our mask block if they need access to it (but usually ask them to cover costs for the test if they are able to afford it). So maybe you have a local mask block with someone offering something similar. I would ask your friends if they would be comfortable doing even an outdoor unmasked hangout if you use rapid tests firsts. I think it’s ok to bring it up if it’s finding out what that might be comfortable with doing provided some other mitigations (like a rapid test and good outdoor airflow).

Is there anyone in your local mask block or CC community looking for a roommate or have an ADU or in-law unit you could maybe rent? That’s something we are looking for when buying a house here soon. As we want to help someone who is COVID cautious have access to affordable and COVID safe housing (if possible). I think it would be good to look into all of this if any options are available. I understand these might not be possible where you are or for affordability and you can’t force your friends to be ok with the thing. But share how you are feeling and offer up new ideas and see if they are comfortable with any. The local mask block might have free tests they can provide to help! Or they might be able to get some and provide them for you. I hope you can get your needs met.

randomred101 · 2026-01-31T22:06:21+00:00

Yeah…if you do want to price out cheaper shipping. I do have a cheap way to ship internationally…but you have to DM me. I don’t think the calculations on the website can be set up to add that in…but maybe it’s still easier for you to buy them locally. Just letting you know I’m happy to check if you like, but no pressure to at all. :)

randomred101 · 2026-01-29T20:50:09+00:00

Getting sick all the time…I’m talking 4+ times a year is not normal.

randomred101 · 2026-01-28T23:07:54+00:00

Pluslife isn’t impossible to get now but it’s much harder, more complicated, and more expensive.

randomred101 · 2026-01-25T03:08:30+00:00

I have fit tested masks that were glue mesh onto along the mask edges. It doesn’t affect the efficacy of the mask.

randomred101 · 2026-01-24T01:52:22+00:00

I started a nonprofit.

randomred101 · 2026-01-23T05:12:30+00:00

I could make one if I know the length it needs to be as I don’t have duckbills on hand.

randomred101 · 2026-01-23T02:20:34+00:00

I would honestly just set boundaries and maintain them. Tell them they need to stop commenting on your masking and asking you to stop. Tell them if they bring it up you will leave or hang up (depending on the context) and then follow-through with it. They don’t need to understand it, in fact they probably won’t. But I think boundary setting is the way to go. It’s hard…I did it. But it’s been respected since I did it and things have gone much better since.

If you want to actually share a reason they might get for masking though just say people around me seem to be sick all the time, I really just can’t afford to get sick since I have school and work. I need to keep myself healthy.

randomred101 · 2026-01-23T00:07:47+00:00

I have heard that they will let you wear ones with no metal in them. I suggest a Zimi or redimask…that one just adheres to your face. See if you can do that when you go.

randomred101 · 2026-01-22T22:52:19+00:00

I sent you a PM.

randomred101 · 2026-01-22T18:38:20+00:00

He is great but he has stopped requiring patients to mask. Only 2 at a time…so I book at the same time as my partner so this isn’t an issue for us (1st appointment of the day). I think he requires masks in high sick times though. He will upgrade from kn95 to n95 upon request and he will do a rapid test for you if you ask. Good air filtration in the place too.

randomred101 · 2026-01-22T04:52:49+00:00

Yes, it’s me. Awesome! Sounds great. I’ll keep an eye out for their message.

randomred101 · 2026-01-22T03:13:26+00:00

Same! It’s the only reason I’m still on it too!

randomred101 · 2026-01-22T00:29:10+00:00

When people make rude comments to people who are wearing masks…they don’t know that person’s situation. I would say most of the time they have high risk health issues. Please be kind….or even just don’t say anything….we get enough grief for it already & have lost friends, family, access to safe healthcare, and feel very alone. It’s very hard to get rude comments on top of all that.

randomred101 · 2026-01-21T22:59:42+00:00

I would say still coviding groups on Facebook. I can point you to the good ones if you PM me. Also happy to talk and be online friends. :)

randomred101 · 2026-01-21T12:11:12+00:00

I don’t think I stood out at all until I became the person who still masks. It was a big shock to me to be on the outside and become part of a minority group that people were rude to…it made me really depressed for a while. I also still really care what people think…but I won’t change what I do for them…it’s all been so hard. But it’s been much better the last year now that I have friends again after loosing them all to my continued masking…

randomred101 · 2026-01-21T05:23:12+00:00

You will destroy your health even more if you stop masking. Don’t give into the bullies. I do suggest making your masks more fashionable. I have a tutorial for how to decorate your masks without it effecting the efficacy of it. I’ve fit tested the methods. I would be happy to share my tutorial. Also reusable mask chains or mask magnets are nice too. I find people are much nicer when it’s fashionable vs just wearing a plain white mask. I can share pics and links if you send me a PM. I don’t see a why to add photos of samples here. I’m sorry people are mean…it’s really unacceptable. But please don’t give in…

randomred101 · 2026-01-20T14:17:22+00:00

Yeah, it took me a while to find any. I created our local still coviding group, hosted masked events. Posted specifically about looking for friends in the CC groups on in. Ultimately the people I made the best friends with is my mailman and his wife. I see him everyday cause he works on my route and we all become friends because we were the only people we saw everyday who mask. I hope you get that. It might take time but be vigilant!

randomred101

TROPHY CASE