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Clear Masks

  • 1.  Clear Masks

    Posted 10-18-2021 12:09 AM
    Is anyone here using clear masks or masks with clear mouth windows?  I'm feeling very concerned about the children's language development, we could be wearing masks for a long time and I would like to switch over to them, just wondering if anyone else has?

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    Shonna Clark
    Director
    Altadena Children's Center
    Altadena CA
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  • 2.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-19-2021 09:13 AM
    We have the same concern and tried some with the clear plastic. We could not keep them from fogging up, even after wiping them with dishsoap as was recommended by Mx. Google. Anybody find something that actually works?

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    Trudy Eby
    Early Literacy Specialist
    School District of Lancaster
    Lancaster PA
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  • 3.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-19-2021 12:44 PM
    We tried them for a short time.  We had someone "fit" them to each teacher, so we were able to keep the window farther away from our mouths/noses.  They worked pretty well when we used the dish soap trick, but we stopped using them because we couldn't get a good seal around the rest of our faces. The families and children LOVED seeing the teachers mouths again- I am hoping that we find a solution so that we can use them again.

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    Shelly Garow-Pampreen
    Coordinator
    Phyllis Bodel Childcare Center at Yale School of Medicine
    Marlborough CT
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  • 4.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-19-2021 01:09 PM
    I bought a clear face shield from Amazon. There are two in the box, and you have to assemble them. They clean beautifully with Windex. They are light and comfortable to wear although they protect others - not yourself, as they are more open than a mask. If you are vaccinated ( and have had the booster ) I think they are the best solution. If you work with small children they absolutely need to see how words are being formed.

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    Sue Hepker
    Jacksonville FL
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  • 5.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-19-2021 01:26 PM
    Hello thanks to all who responded, the FDA has approved a mask now called SAFE and CLEAR, https://safenclear.com/product/the-communicator-surgical-mask-with-a-clear-window/  I wear them and love it, of course it can get a little condensation in the plastic part, but again if you fit it properly, it's really very nice.  The kids change when they can see our words, but most of all when they can see our SMILES!  Can you imagine a new child joining and they don't even get to see a welcoming face? ��  Well anyway, my group wanted to find their own and I encouraged them to, so we're going through that process now.  I will try the dish soap trick, thanks for the info!








  • 6.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-19-2021 01:32 PM
    We are not allowed to use the face shields as your breath escapes and falls down onto the children.

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    Trudy Eby
    Early Literacy Specialist
    School District of Lancaster
    Lancaster PA
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  • 7.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-19-2021 02:49 PM
    Aloha,
    I bought a bunch of those for my staff, but they fog up so badly that the children canʻt see lips or mouths anyway.  Not sure if thereʻs any solution to the issue.  I do agree that it is very important for young children to see adults form words with their mouths to facilitate language development.
    Aloha,

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    Catherine Awong
    Director
    Mililani Presbyterian Preschool
    Mililani, HI, USA
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  • 8.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-19-2021 05:31 PM

    We have found Safe n' Clear masks to be good and don't fog up. https://safenclear.com/



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    Abby Kurlfink
    Early Childhood Coordinator
    Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor
    Rockwood MI
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  • 9.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-20-2021 11:25 PM
    Shonna,

    I used the clear masks for a while. I think it helped the children. However, moisture and breath don't go through the plastic, so the humidity fogged it up, and I had to put a piece of tissue in the bottom to catch the dripping water. Also, since they were packaged by being folded in half, they ended up splitting. But you might want to try them anyway, maybe they have improved in the last year.

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    Denise Campbell
    Toddler Teacher
    Colorado Spgs CO
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  • 10.  RE: Clear Masks

    Posted 10-21-2021 01:15 PM
    I did briefly at the beginning but they fogged up badly so we're 9f little use. I also have tried the face Shields with limited results.