Face masks for superhero lovers, 'Tiger King' fans, kids, and everyone else
Now that federal officials have changed their tune and are recommending Americans use masks in public to combat the coronavirus pandemic, many folks are left scrambling to figure out the best (and perhaps most stylish) way to cover their faces.
Wearing a mask is helpful mainly by keeping you — say, if you're infected by asymptomatic — from infecting others.
"More and more accumulation of data indicate that people who are without symptoms at all can transmit the virus," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told PBS NewsHour on Friday.
If you want to fashion a mask at home, this 45-second video from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is very helpful. According to the New York Times, experts have found "vacuum cleaner bags, layers of 600-count pillowcases and fabric similar to flannel pajamas" are effective for making at-home masks. But some folks might want to snag a mask made elsewhere.
If you want to buy a face mask or other lockdown essential online, we've looked around and collected a few good options for all kinds of folks — especially cool-looking ones that might make it easier to get a kid to put it on.
Support a good cause
If you want to help some good folks out, fancy-apron-makers Hedley and Bennett are doing a buy-one, give-one deal on the "Wake Up & Fight" masks they're making.
Price: $22 from Hedley & Bennett
The many Etsy offerings
Etsy is chock-full of face masks and it's a good time to support people trying to make an extra buck as millions of folks have recently lost their jobs. You can find pretty much any kind of mask you want, just do your best to figure out what kind of material its made out of to offer the best protection. The popular section of Etsy.com right now is almost entirely coronavirus related.
Basic cloth, with colors
Listed as a best-seller, these basic masks are washable and have lots of different designs.
Price: $14.99+ via Etsy
Cotton, re-usable, polka-dotted masks with designs
Another mask listed as an Etsy best-seller, these polka-dotted masks are selling for $13.99.
Price: $13.99 via Etsy
For the kids
Lots of these masks can be purchased in smaller sizes for kids, but this seller has designs that are especially kid-friendly and the purchase comes with the option to also buy filters.
Price: $8.71+ via Etsy
For the person obsessed with Star Wars
I mean, just look at these great Star Wars masks.
Price: $12.99 via Etsy
For the Tiger King fan
Here's an Etsy mask that pays homage to Carole Baskin's "cools cat and kittens" line.
Price: $19.99 via Etsy
For the superhero fan in your life (like, maybe your kid)
Etsy lists this as a best-seller, and its got all your favorite Marvel heroes. It's likely some masks will sell-out but if you simply search the site for superhero masks, you'll find a bunch of offerings.
Price: $14.99 via Etsy
For the basic buyer
If you're just looking for a straightforward mask in basic colors, here's an Etsy best-seller.
Price: $9.99 via Etsy
For the blingy buyer
Reviews of this blinged-out mask seem to be positive. Keep in mind, however, that this cloth mask — like many others on Etsy and elsewhere — does not have a filter and will serve mostly to help prevent you from infecting others.
Price: $24.99 via Etsy
Something stylish
Highlighted in USA Today, fashion designer Batani-Khalfani has started making really stylish masks with all kinds of interesting fabrics. Her designs appear to be all sold-out at the moment, but could also be inspiration for you making your own.
Or as GQ pointed out, there are plenty of streetwear-inspired masks for sale on the fashion site Grailed if your face mask truly has to make a statement. Just be warned, prices are likely to get out of control.
These Bape masks are going for more than $50.
Price: $50+ via Bape
Tim Marcin is an Associate Editor on the culture team at Mashable, where he mostly digs into the weird parts of the internet. You'll also see some coverage of memes, tech, sports, trends, and the occasional hot take. You can find him on Bluesky (sometimes), Instagram (infrequently), or eating Buffalo wings (as often as possible).
