Mask Up for Safer Circus!
Hello Dear Danglers! This week, we’re tackling the best practices for masking up during circus training – wheeeeee! As many of us return to the studio, we’re wondering how best to stay safe and slow the spread of COVID-19. As it stands now, several things have been shown to be successful in reducing virus transmission:
- Hand washing! Grandma was right. Wash your hands frequently, and keep your fingers out of your nose.
- Distance! If you can’t get close enough to spread the virus, that’s a win.
- Outside! Air outside moves (even when it’s a billion degrees and doesn’t feel like it).
- Face coverings! In the same way coughing or sneezing into your elbow reduces the snotty nose goblins that you fling into the universe, masks help contain respiratory droplets that are produced when we expel air (coughing, sneezing, singing, talking, and even just breathing). Keeping your moisture to yourself helps keep other people safe – you could be infected, but not realize it (people shed virus for days before they show symptoms). Face coverings have been a HUGE part of New York’s strategy to get the virus under control (distance is hard when you live right on top of one another), and it’s a strategy that seems to be paying off.
Now, I know some of you have said there’s no way in hell you’ll ever train in a mask, and that’s totally fine! Everyone has to make their own decisions based on their personal health and comfort levels. That said, it looks like this virus is going to be here for a while – it may come down to you pressing pause on circus until there’s a vaccine, or giving face coverings a try and finding a way of working masked that’s right for you (and safe for those around you).
To Mask or Not to Mask
When you’re ready to return to the sky, you may find that your studio has a mask requirement. If they don’t, you may still choose to wear one for a ton of completely valid reasons. Lots of considerations are at play here – the amount of virus in a particular area, the space itself, whether you’re inside or outside, altitude, insurance requirements, and more.
Is it Safe?
Friends, no one is asking you to run the Boston Marathon in a mask. It’s worth noting that New Yorkers have had to wear masks for several months now (even while exercising) unless we are able to reliably distance. If people were regularly passing out or dying from exerting themselves in masks, the Times would have been all over that. MANY professions – from doctors and nurses to the military – wear masks and expend significant effort. If you absolutely cannot wear one because of medical issues or PTSD, you may have to pause circus training in groups until a vaccine is available.
Many of us have been training with masks, and discovered that it’s not nearly as dramatic as you might fear. The type of mask matters a lot (see below), and you may have to try a few different kinds to find the one that works for what you’re doing. You will absolutely want to ramp up your effort on your apparatus slowly (which you should be doing anyway). Stay low and slow, and go eeeeeeeasy at first.
Wearing a Mask to Train
While our understanding of all this jazz is still evolving, there seem to be some universally accepted Best Practices when it comes to face coverings.
- Wear it properly. Your mask should be snugly seated over your mouth AND nose. Use the little metal nose thingie to ensure a good fit.
- Fit matters. A poorly fitting mask defeats the purpose. If you find that surgical masks leave a gap at the sides, have a look at this video for a pro’s take on how to get a great fit. I personally prefer ear bands, but elastic that goes behind the head can work too. I haven’t had much luck with tied masks for training (but if you have, please share your secrets in the comment box below!).
- Type matters. I use different masks depending on what I’m doing. If I’m teaching, I prefer a tri-fold or an origami mask (I find they slip less while I talk). If I’m training, I like an origami or a cone shaped mask. Play around until you find a design that stays put and allows you to breathe easily & do your thing! If you’re making them yourself, do a google search for patterns – there are tons of freebies floating around. If you decide to buy, SO MANY out of work performers are making masks – ask around and support them if you can!
- Tri-fold (disposable and cloth) – these are exactly what they sound like. They should have 2-3 layers of cloth if they’re homemade, but still be breathable.
- Cone shaped – this mask is more fitted to the face.
- “Origami” (click here for a FREE PATTERN) – I really love this one – the spectacular Bev Sobelman from Versatile Arts posted about it and it’s a winner! Just use an extra layer of fabric instead of batting (I used fusible interfacing).
- N-95 – overkill, and not recommended for training.
- Valve – avoid valve masks – they offer zero protection for those around you, which is kind of the point.
- Material matters. I’ve had the best luck personally with 100% cotton + interfacing. You might find something you like more! IMPORTANT – for training, you do not want your mask to get sucked right up to your nose or mouth – that will make you panic. Get one with a bit of structure that holds the material a bit away from your face. Try the candle test to see if your mask provides good protection to others while still letting you breathe comfortably; it’s not perfect, but it can let you know if your mask is worthless (I’m looking at you, crocheted masks & bandannas).
- Procedure matters. First, wash your hands (it’s good for you regardless). Put your mask on and make sure it’s seated properly over your nose and under your chin. Adjust your ear or head straps as necessary. If your mask gets damp, head to a safe space and change it out for a fresh one. NEVER share a mask with anyone else (treat it like your underwear). If you need to drink some water or get some air, head to a safe spot, unhook an ear, and guzzle away; try not to touch the front of your mask as you put it back on. Wash it when you get home! It helps to have a “mask stash” somewhere so you’re never caught bare-faced.
Making Mask Wearing More Pleasant
Start by making sure your mask fits well and that you can breathe. Once those two boxes are ticked, have some fun with it! I mean, you may as well.
- Play with fun fabrics, colors, patterns, or statement masks! Your face covering can be really expressive and fabulous! I’ve seen everything from rhinestones to Golden Girls – there’s nothing that can’t be put on your face.
- Make your mask into an aromatherapy session! I’m not even kidding. I’ve tried peppermint essential oil (nice and cooling, but careful not to overdo it – start with a drop), lavender, grapefruit, and more. Pro tip: mint + lime = MOJITO!!!
Masks are going to be a part of our daily lives until we have either a vaccine or really effective treatments. Take this opportunity to explore this aspect of safe circus, and I think you’ll find that it’s not as horrible as you may have imagined! For those who have been training masked for a while, GOOD ON YA! Keeping our community safe and caring for one another is at the heart of everything we love about circus. Stay strong, and circus on! Love and pull-ups, Laura