How to Make Mandatory Masks Work for Your Family

by Trista Arney, Staff Writer

The City of Calgary has passed a temporary bylaw requiring the use of face coverings or non-medical masks for all people over the age of 2 in any indoor publicly accessible space as well as public transit.  (There are some exceptions to the rules – full details can be found on the City website.)

Many families have questions about mask use, and while I’m not an expert on the subject, here’s some information to get you started, including: how to properly wear a mask, where to find masks, and tips on getting children to wear their masks in public spaces.

How to wear a mask

Make sure to clean hands before and after putting on a mask and after removing it.  If you are using a reusable cloth mask, seal the mask in a bag until it can be washed in hot, soapy water.  Masks should be removed and discarded or replaced when wet, torn, or dirty. 

While wearing a mask do not touch your face under the mask or on top of the mask and make sure to keep your face from nose to chin completely covered.  Masks should not be shared with another person.  Make sure that family members have different mask colours or patterns to tell fabric masks apart.

If any family members wear glasses and fogging is a concern make sure that the masks have bendable nose wire for a more secure fit.  Another trick that may reduce fogging and increase mask effectiveness is to seal the top edge of the mask with medical tape.

Where to find a mask

There are many options for non-medical face coverings in Calgary, from local small suppliers to larger companies – and even making your own!

• Hippo Hug: They have several styles of masks in various sizes available via their website with options to choose your own fabric selection or purchase one that’s already made.
• Etsy and Facebook, including Mimay’s Creations: Make sure if purchasing from a smaller or independent crafter that the masks conform to Alberta laws and have a fabric content label.
• Telus Spark or the Calgary Zoo: purchase masks from their respective gift shops to support these Calgary institutions. The Spark has an online Spark Store, in addition to the physical shop which you can access without admission to the Spark.  
• Large retail, including Old Navy and Disney: More and more large retailers have non-medical mask lines that are available in their stores or via their websites. Old Navy and The Gap already have their masks available in their online store while Disney is taking pre-orders with the first run of masks expected soon. Telus is also selling masks featuring animal faces to benefit their foundation. Norwex will be launching their own microfibre masks for adults and kids on July 26th which will be available via independent consultants or their website.
• Make your own: If you have the skills, you can also create your own face masks! This option is great if you feel confident in your crafting skills as the masks can be customized for a better fit. Find instructions from The City of Calgary, Health Canada, or this very comprehensive tutorial on Instructables.

Getting kids to wear masks

The biggest concern many parents seem to have is how to convince their children, especially the very young, to wear a mask!  Remember that children under 2 are advised to not use a non-medical mask, as they can be a choking risk.

One of the biggest tips is to try and make mask wearing fun!  Allow your children to pick out their masks if possible. Make it into a game and pretend to be ninjas or superheroes, or try wearing a Halloween mask or costume with the mask to make it into a dress-up game. The first time my son wore a face covering, we made a no-sew ninja mask out of a t-shirt. This option may not work well on the hottest days as the whole head is covered, but it got him into the idea of wearing a face covering.

Practice wearing the mask at home, slowly increasing the time, and make sure to talk to your child about why the mask is important.  Look into the mirror while wearing the face covering and talk to them about how they feel. Show your child images of other children wearing masks so they know they are not alone or let your child mask a favorite stuffy for practice.

For older kids, focus on empowering them to learn about masks on their own and involve them in risk analysis. Talk about the type of place where masks are most necessary and who you are protecting by using face coverings.  Remind them that while they may be unlikely to face severe illness from Covid-19 there are people in your life and community who might.

Another option is to reward children with outings you are comfortable with if they are able to wear their mask. Things like a trip to the library to pick out a new book to borrow, or a trip to Telus Spark or the Calgary Zoo can be real motivators.

Remember that no-one is going to be perfect at masking, least of all children. Encourage them as you would with any new skill, and try to be patient with them – and yourself!