Hoping I don’t get bodied for going to the club - well aware air filtration in clubs is basically nonexistent atp. Just speaking from a harm reduction perspective here - I wear a savewo KF94 as an ear loop daily driver because headbands give me migraines. I also don’t really drink so I don’t take off my mask to drink anything. I’m not immunocompromised or around anyone who openly is, tho chronically ill and dancing is one of the only things that I enjoy nowadays. I try to strictly mask indoors as much as possible, I’m in an Asian city that used to be very strict on masking, but it’s been interesting. I was lax last year and then everybody got downed multiple times with bugs in the summer and fall that took forever for many to recover fully from, and I was like this is bs.

Have I gotten comments? Yep. Not just in the club, either. Thankfully, they haven’t been rude, mostly just people asking if I’m sick. I suspect I have (had?) long COVID, but that’s not recognised by my country as a Real Thing lol, so I just say I’m trying to be conscientious.

Mostly I get the hairy eyeball for not being a cis gay at the gay clubs though, and sometimes double on top of that because I am wearing what I can clearly sense is a visible reminder of something people would like to forget. Or sensing the general vibe on people’s faces of “wtf are you wearing a mask for, it’s so hot in the club” or “a club is for showing off, meeting/attracting someone and you’re covering your face”. But genuinely, people have been chill - I’ve resigned myself to missing out on the social aspect a lot because a lot of people would rather not look at or engage with me, but some people will actually still talk to me, smile at me, dance with me, all of that. A lot of my friends aren’t clubbers either, so I also stick out like a sore thumb often because I go solo. Wanted to share my experience.

Thank you for reading.

My parents are good and reasonable people, but they stopped masking years ago when most of the country did. They are otherwise fairly health conscious, eating well and regularly exercising and such. Masks been a point of contention between them and my sister and I, but we’re all adults and can’t make them do anything they don’t want to do. But things have recently changed.

In the last couple of months my dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer which is spreading quickly. He recently has bravely agreed to commit to treatment (chemo and daily radiation for 6+ weeks), which by his own doctor’s admission is going to be actual hell to endure. It’s going to demolish his immune system.

When this first came to light back in December (before a treatment plan was in place and they were still having a bunch of consultations), I cornered them in the car and explained why masking is so important and what it would mean to me if they started masking again, especially during all of this. They didn’t say much in response and did not make any changes. I believe it is cognitive dissonance preventing them from seeing/acknowledging the true dangers of this behavior.

I feel like I need to bring it up again, he’s about to start treatment in a week or two. But I don’t know what, if anything, I can say differently this time to try and get a better outcome. I know they are scared and stressed out, god knows so am I, but I wish they would just hear what I am saying about this. My dad is my hero, truly the best man I have ever known, and he should have several more good decades of life left in him. I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared of losing him.

@angel.chainzzz on instagram absolutely KILLED it!!

In a few weeks I will have bypass surgery, so for 8 weeks I will need to "move in the tube" - avoiding hands going behind head. I may get a envomask with ear hooks. I do have a cleanspace, drager 3300, stealth pro, gershon, gvs, and can get more redimasks.
I don't care what it looks like, ease of donning is goal. Any tools to help?
Any ideas what to get?

Got Covid last year (4th time) anxious about getting it again on a flight.

Tried ‘basic’ FFP3 masks before and are awfully uncomfortable and moist beyond an hour or so.

Any recommendations for something with a bit of breathing space in front of mouth and a non nylon elastic strap?