I really do get the cheap thing. But, I have had to do this out of necessity. Over 25 years in health care wearing a mask has left ifs effects. I am to the point now where I cannot wear a mask of any kind without struggling to breath and feeling claustrophobic. I know noid colleagues that are double masking with an N95 and a surgical mask and are also wearing face shields. It is insane. The acidity from breathing in all the CO2 for years was showing up in my bloodwork - I just didn't put the pieces together. I was also getting a narcolepsy of sorts - always tired and struggled to stay awake in the middle of the day. Driving in the late afternoon became scary. I racked my brains considering everything but those damn masks. Even put myself through a sleep study and no problems there. I am just upset that I didn't figure it all out sooner.

Anyway, glad to hear you have your own solution - and it didn't cost you a dime - even better. Those gaitors are easy to pull up and down versus traditional surgical type masks. They sure do look better too. Nice when you can get them with really thin material. Plus, I like the idea of something that is cloth that I can wash myself rather than those cheap masks coming out of China. Seen some of those masks under a high power microscope and it is the stuff nightmares are made of. The masks I wear at work are made with ultra hypersensitive materials. They seem to be far cleaner than what everyone else is wearing. For everyday regular use around the Karens, I like your idea.