WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS POST ABOUT REUSABLE COTTON FACE MASKS!

√ Links to 5 reusable cotton face masks you’ll love that will last a long time.

√ Short reminder about why it’s important to wear a mask.

√ Update on how much plastic pollution throwaway masks create.

The coronavirus pandemic isn’t going away any time soon. That probably means you’ll need more and better face masks that won’t create plastic trash and can last you through the end of 2020 and potentially way into 2021. Of the many brands and varieties available, we knew you’d most be on the look-out for reusable cotton face masks that you could wear comfortably and securely and that are plastic-free.

Here are five of the best options we’ve found, plus filters you can get for them.  (NOTE: Some products are linked to sites we have affiliate relationships with, so we might earn a few pennies if you make a purchase. Thanks!)

USA Reusable Cotton Face Masks – 100% Cotton with Filter Pocket, Ear Loops and Nose Wire Bridge for closer fit. Made in the USA. (I haven’t tried this one, but it got lots of 5 star ratings on Amazon!)

Avocado Organic Cotton Face Masks – These 100% organic certified face masks are made with two layers of organic cotton canvas, a pocket so you can insert a filter (not included), and simple tie straps.

Triple Layered 100% Cotton Face Mask with Filter Pocket – This made-in-the-USA mask comes with a flexible nose clip for a better fit and adjustable ear loops. Does not come with filters, but you can buy some separately and insert them in the mask pocket.

 Cotton Face Mask with Replaceable Filters – This mask uses activated carbon PM 2.5 filters for extra-effective particle capture. Adjustable ear loops make for a closer fit.

.

Cotton Reusable Face Masks With Filters – Here’s another option for a face mask that comes with adjustable straps, a nose bridge, and activated carbon filters for extra protections.

Activated Carbon Filter Inserts for Reusable Face Masks – If you only wear your mask a little while each day (which is what I do), these filters will last a long time. If you wear your mask a lot, the manufacturer recommends changing the filter every three days.

By the way, if you don’t have a “professional” filter, you can make one out of a coffee filter.

Here’s a short refresher course from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on why face masks are essential.

Centers for Disease Control: Wear a Mask!

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Studies and evidence on infection control report that these droplets usually travel around 6 feet (about two arms lengths). So, stay 6 feet away from anyone who you are not certain is not infected. (If you’ve quarantined with someone for two weeks and neither of you has gotten sick, you’re probably fine. If you’re getting together with friends or family to hang out, you should all wear masks and still stay 6 feet apart.)

Also, wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.

This is another important point: Cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus by people who may have it but not know it. If you have it but don’t have any symptoms, you could still spread it just by talking, coughing, sneezing, and even singing. Wear a face mask to keep your viral germs to yourself!

NOTE: The CDC says that children younger than 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing or is incapacitated should not wear a mask.

I personally expect to wear a face mask for years to come. In addition to protecting against COVID-19, my mask could also help protect me from the flu and the common cold. I never wore a mask before, but from here on out, I’m going to wear it all the time when I’m out shopping, on the subway or bus, or at a public event.

Single-Use Throwaway Masks Pollute the Seas and Could Kill Wildlife. Plus, They Create Ugly Litter.

Throwaway plastic-based masks, along with single-use plastic gloves and wipes, are quickly becoming a significant source of pollution. Environmental group OceansAsia’s recent survey of the waters around HongKong found dozens of masks washed up on shore and floating in the water.*

Opération Mer Propre (clean seas), a French nonprofit, worries that there may soon be more masks than jellyfish in the Mediterranean.* Even in my neighborhood outside Washington, D.C., every day I find throwaway masks on the ground, where they can get washed into the storm drain and end up in the Chesapeake Bay and, eventually, the Atlantic Ocean.

Most single-use masks are made from polypropylene, a plastic that does not break down. It’s already estimated that over eight million tons of plastic enter our oceans. Some of that breaks down into micro plastic. Animals eat some of it, dying in the process.

Some people are adding to the problem by just tossing their mask out the window or to the ground, where it becomes ugly litter that no one wants to pick up.

Reusable face masks last many times over. And even if they’re thrown out as litter, cotton masks will biodegrade into harmless fibers.

What To Look For In a Reusable Cotton Face Mask

There are many masks on the market. CDC recommends we wear cloth masks like the ones featured in this post to help prevent all of us from spreading the disease.

CDC does NOT recommend an “N-95” mask regularly. N-95s are what doctors and first-line responders need to protect themselves when they help people who are sick with COVID-19. Some of us with compromised immune systems and respiratory diseases might need them, too. Or if you’re getting on an airplane or otherwise will be in an enclosed space in close proximity to other people, an N-95 could be your best option, because the N-95 prevents almost all particles from coming through your mask, where you might inhale them.

However, on the whole, the CDC says if we all wear tight-fitting, multi-layered cloth masks, we’ll go a long way to protecting ourselves and each other. Here’s me in one of my masks!

Reusable Cloth – You might be able to wear a paper mask a few times, but ultimately, it will end up in the trash. Get a cloth mask you can wash and reuse frequently.

Two Layers of Fabric – Choose (or make) a mask that has at least two separate layers of cloth. When you hold your mask up to  the light, the cloth needs to be woven so tightly that you can’t see through it.

Filter Pocket – In addition to two layers of fabric, you’ll get extra protection from having a filter between the layers. Before I had an actual mask, I rolled up a cotton bandana and put a folded coffee filter between the layers. That worked really well and provided extra protection! The mask I now use most often has a pocket in the middle that I can slip a filter into. I have bought some charcoal filters that will trap really very tiny particles.

NOTE: You may have heard about using a vacuum HEPA filter for your face mask. Make sure the filter is NOT made of fiberglass, as minuscule particles of glass may break off and be accidentally inhaled. A coffee filter folded in half adds more protection. This Merv 13 Material is not fiberglass and is designed to stop tiny airborne particles, increasing your masks’ effectiveness.

Proper Fit – The mask should cover both your nose and your mouth snugly without slipping down. It should either have ear loops to hold it on properly, or two sets of ties, one to tie the top sides of the mask around the back of your head, and one set to tie the bottom sides. It should extend an inch or so beyond your nose and mouth and fit snugly under your chin. I got one mask that looked pretty nice but kept slipping down off my nose. That forced me to keep adjusting it, which wasn’t particularly safe. I had to stop using it. I personally prefer the adjustable ear loops because I can tighten them around my face better.

Enough Masks – I have three masks I rotate among: one to wash, one to wear, and one as a back-up. Some moms had told me that they have gotten seven masks for their kids, one for every day of the week. You decide how much you need.

We are not recommending masks made from recycled plastic because plastic-based fabric can shed micro-plastic when it wears out or is washed. There are so many cotton masks to choose from, there’s no need to use recycled plastic fabric.

If you want to make your own mask, here are some sew and no-sew DIY instructions.

How to Wear Your Reusable Cotton Face Mask Correctly

• Wash your hands before putting on your mask
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face; use adjustable ear loops to pull the mask tight.
• Make sure you can breathe easily

And to reiterate, make sure your mask covers your nose as well as your mouth for the max protection the mask offers.

**SOURCES**

Coronavirus face masks ‘could have a devastating effect on the environment’

More masks than jellyfish in the sea!

The post 5 Plastic-Free Reusable Cotton Face Masks To Outlast Coronavirus appeared first on Big Green Purse.

There are two ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes: reduce the number of mosquitoes in your area, and reduce your chances of being bitten.

REDUCE BREEDING

Mosquitoes breed anywhere there is standing water. The key to reducing mosquito populations is to limit the places where they can reproduce.

* Empty standing pools of water. Especially after it rains, keep an eye out for standing pools of water that provide perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Those include baby pools, watering cans, old tires, gutters and drains, buckets, and pretty much anything else that can trap water long enough for a mosquito to lay its eggs.

* Keep water moving in ponds and fountains. Use a small pump to keep water circulating, or put some fish or frogs in the pond to eat up mosquito larvae. Here’s a picture of the pond in my front yard, with the pump sitting right in the middle. (We used to keep fish in the pond, but the neighbor’s dog kept jumping in and stirring things up; the poor fish had a hard time surviving among four paws and a tail!).

* Fill in ditches, trenches and ruts. Like pools and ponds, ditches and ruts also collect water and turn into breeding swamps. Fill them in with gravel or dirt, or drain them into a larger pond where the water can circulate.

* Set traps. Traps lure mosquitoes into an inescapable container, where they lay their eggs and then die when they can’t escape. My neighbors and I use these Oak Stump Traps by Springstar to good effect. If you can get several neighbors to use the traps, you get more control throughout the neighborhood. Traps are more effective than electric bug zappers, and use less energy, too.

* Attract animals and other insects that eat mosquitoes. Bats and birds are famous for eating millions of mosquitos, but so do dragonflies. Put up bat bird houses to provide more nesting areas for these friendly creatures, and plant flower gardens to attract dragonflies.

REDUCE BITING

1) First, cover up. The less skin you expose, the less likely you are to get bitten. If you’re working in your garden, mowing your lawn, watering your bushes, or hiking in the woods, wear shoes, socks, lightweight pants, a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt with a collar, and a hat. If you’re sitting on the porch or at an outdoor event and don’t want to wear long pants or long sleeves, drape a light-weight shawl or scarf over your legs or arms. As much as possible, spray your clothes, not your skin (and launder when you get in the house).

2) Light citronella candles or run a small fan when you’re sitting outside. You may still need to squirt bug spray on your ankles and legs, but the candles will emit an aroma that helps keep mosquitoes away from your arms and face. The more candles, the better. A small rotating fan will create enough of a breeze to blow mosquitos away while you’re on your porch or patio.

3) If you’re the do-it-yourself type, pick up a bottle of an essential oil like eucalyptus, lavender, citronella, or geraniol, or try some combination. Get a 4- or 6-ounce pump bottle; add somewhere between 10 and 20 drops of each oil to a couple of ounces of water or rubbing alcohol and shake well. Spray on exposed skin, always avoiding your face. (Pay attention: some herbal oils may irritate the skin. Find one that works for you. I found lavender oil and vanilla worked well for me, which I wrote about here.)

4) Try one of the herbal repellents available in most grocery, hardware, and gardening stores, or order online. They generally cost about the same as conventional, pesticide-based sprays. Consumer Reports analyzed the effectiveness of various bug sprays, and found that Repel, which relies on lemon and eucalyptus to deter bites, is just as effective as brands that contain more toxic chemicals. (We sell Repel in our Amazon store here.)

5) If you feel you must use something stronger than essential oils, choose a product containing Picaridin, which does not seem to irritate the skin the same way DEET does. Always use the lowest concentration that will work for you. Here’s why you should never use DEET or other pesticides on infants or children. If you need a sunscreen as well as a repellent, apply them separately, rather than use one product that contains both, as the sunscreen may contain a more potent repellent than what you might normally use. Wash your hands immediately after applying.

You can find more non-toxic mosquito repellents and traps in our Amazon store here. And please, let us know what works for you!

(Disclosure: We earn a tiny commission on our Amazon store sales, which helps us continue to maintain our blog at no cost to you.)

The post Simple, Non-Toxic Ways to Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Actually, weight loss is not as much a goal for me as getting strong and staying healthy! I generally don’t have a big appetite, and I’ve gotten the message about fatty, sugary foods and how they screw up your body, so my weight has been pretty manageable over the last 10 years or so. I actually trained for the Marine Corps marathon some years back, and like to think I would have finished it, had I not blown out my knees somewhere along mile 16.

Where I need help is in the strength department. I’ve never had much upper body strength, but isn’t it about time I had the power to open a jar of spaghetti sauce without needing the help of a brawny guy? Besides, as I get older, I’d like to do what I can to ward off osteoporosis, arthritis, and other illnesses. Load-bearing exercise, like lifting weights and walking or running, helps build strong bones and muscle power. It sounds like it’s worth the effort.

There’s also the mental benefit that comes from aerobics. My 94-year-old dad is sharp as a tack, and I think it’s due in large part to the fact that he played ice hockey from the time he could lace up his skates until he was into his 60s. He continued to walk a couple of miles every day until he turned 92. I don’t plan on learning how to shoot a puck, but if I can get my heart rate up a bit, I know I’ll feel more alert.

The “Go Green, Get Fit Challenge,”which is being hosted by the EcoMom Alliance and Healthy Home Magazine, is asking all participants to set a specific goal or goals for the next three months.

Here are mine:

First, I am going to complete the DVD-based P-90X “Beach Body” Program. I attempted the whole program earlier this year, and found parts of it (especially the yoga and the biceps-triceps routines) very difficult. As part of the “Go Green, Get Fit Challenge,” I’m going to take on the whole P90X program again. This time, I promise not to use the fast-forward button to skip over the exercises I thought I couldn’t manage before.

Second, I am going to aim for one very specific goal: I want to be able to do at least 5 underhand pull-ups on a chin-up bar. Remember what I said about no upper body strength? Right now, I can’t even pull myself up off the ground one inch when I’m hanging at a dead weight. Will I be able to do 5 chin ups three months from now?

Stay tuned!

FYI,

• › In 2010, only 16.4% of women age 18 and older met the 2008 Federal Physical Activity Guidelines (US Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2012).
• › Among women age 20 and older, the following are overweight or obese: 59.3% of non-Hispanic whites; 70.8% of non-Hispanic blacks and 75.1% of Mexican Americans (CDC, 2012)
• › A 2008 Center for Disease Control study found a majority of American women overextended, depressed, anxious and isolated. (CDC 2008)
• › One in three female adults has some kind of cardiovascular disease (CDC, 2012)
• › Personal health and environmental health are intertwined and equally important, yet women often allow their personal health to take a back seat to other demands in their lives

What’s your personal physical fitness goal? Let’s reach our goals together!

The post I Joined the Go Green, Get Fit Challenge! appeared first on Big Green Purse.

The deadly disease has started to emerge in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Hong Kong, worrying public health officials and leading many consumers to wonder how they can stay safe.

Here are some suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control to help you proceed with caution.

What is Swine Flu? Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by Type A influenza viruses. Though people do not normally contract swine flu, they can become ill with the disease through contact with pigs. The illness is highly contagious and is easily passed from person to person. However, you cannot get swine flu from eating pork. Writing on Grist, Tom Philpott theorizes that the disease is linked to factory farms in Mexico, where polluted water and air from concentrated animal feed lots expose workers and nearby residents to pigs and their illnesses. Once one person is exposed, it becomes easy for the virus to spread.

How will I recognize Swine Flu if I have it? Symptoms include fever, diahrrea, runny nose, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath and irritability.

How serious is the current Swine Flu outbreak? According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of April 27, 40 cases of the illness had been reported in the U.S.: in Kansas, California, Ohio, New York City, and Texas. There have been no deaths in the U.S. to date. Mexican health authorities have confirmed 149 deaths and over 1,600 cases reported. Public health officials around the globe are tracking the disease for signs that it will turn into an epidemic, though for the moment there is no reason for alarm.

How Can I Stay Healthy?

1) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then throw the tissue away.

2) Wash your hands often with soap and hot water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (not an antibacterial sanitizer, which is ineffective against flu virus).

3) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, since that is how germs spread more easily through the body.

4) Avoid close contact with someone who appears to be sick (look for symptoms like a runny nose, cough or sneezing, and fever).

5) If you feel like you are getting sick, contact your doctor immediately. Don’t go into the office or emergency room until they are prepared for you, so you will avoid contaminating others. Stay home from work or school.

6) If you are planning to travel to Mexico, check with the CDC, the U.S. State Department or your local doctor. Since the most serious outbreaks of swine flu appear to be in Mexico, you may want to postpone your trip until you can be sure your health will not be jeopardized.

The post Does Factory Farming Cause Swine Flu? appeared first on Big Green Purse.