So I’ve never been to a protest, I’ll admit. However I have A LOT of allergies, many of which are asthmatic triggers. So over time I’ve accumulated methods of keeping harmful substances away from my eyes, nose, and mouth. So, even though I’m usually too sick to attend protests, I figure I could probably help out by sharing these.
1. Goggles
I know that seems a tad obvious when you hear it, but seriously. Goggles. Get some. And the great thing about these? You can get ones that have those special yellow lenses that cut glare… like say the glare created from the lights of police vehicles, flashlights, etc.
And the great thing about goggles? They come in a bunch of different styles. Many of which you can just wear on your head for fashion….
[picture of me wearing round sunglasses on my face but dieselpunk style goggles on my head. I’m wearing a denim vest and a black ¾ shirt underneath, and I have curly brown hair and an undercut]
Like those goggles? I got em off eBay. For super cheap. They’ve lasted years. They’ve saved my eyes from many allergens. But they also look p cool when worn like that. And I’ve run errands or gone about my day with those on like that btw. Most people don’t think much of it.
(but honestly even just swimming goggles could probably do the trick)
2. Ventilator Mask
Now this is one of the things that a lot of people think ya gotta have a big bulky thing in order for it to do anything. But what if I told you that most people with health issues like mine have masks like these?
[dark red haired model wearing what looks to be a grey reusable fabric medical mask with skull and crossbones pattern, and a black circular ventilation duct to the side of the centre line. Its diameter slightly smaller than the width of a mouth]
The main brand for these are called “vogmask”, and they have several layers of air filters, including carbon filters, and there’s a ventilation duct on the side there. It’ll keep A LOT of stuff out. And it’s mostly fabric, so easy to tuck into your pocket or bag until you need it.
(Btw it comes in like. All the colours and patterns.)
And while actual vogmasks can be kinda pricy, if you get another similar ventilator mask (just make sure it says it has carbon filters), then it should work just as well. Some of the knock offs are a bit bulkier, stiffer, have two ventilation ducts, etc. but they should serve your needs just fine.
3. Dust Masks
Now these you can get at the dollar store. Or Walmart, or a hardware store or…. Basically they’re super cheap and super accessible.
[White dust mask with small circular ventilation duct in the very centre, and yellow where the elastic attaches.]
Now these are technically not designed for harmful chemicals in the air, however I’ve used them while cleaning black mold, as well as when exposed to heavy duty perfume exposure. Perfume is my worst asthmatic trigger btw. Like it can send me into a potentially life-threatening asthma attack. And there have been instances where someone sprayed a bunch of perfume in the air near me, and all I had handy was a dust mask, and the mask was enough. (I had a shitty neighbour for a while who would try to cover up the fact that she was smoking in her place by spraying a SHITTON of perfume near her entrance. It took a few weeks of complaints to get it sorted out, but in the meantime I would have to wear a dust mask anytime I got near my own door, and especially if I was in the hallway.)
So while they may not be the best, they can block a decent amount. Potentially enough to give you time to gtfo of there. Or to do whatever ya gotta do, idk.
Secondary Benefit: when you’re wearing goggles and/or a mask like that…… it’s a lot harder to tell who you are….. Just saying. And since you’re using equipment that’s designed for protection……. A lot harder for the other side to say that you’re a bunch of masked thugs. I mean you’re just trying to keep yourself safe!! If they don’t want you wearing masks and goggles, then they ought to stop using chemical warfare on citizens!! (Especially considering that some of those citizens have conditions like asthma which makes those “nonlethal” methods potentially lethal but ANYWAY)
Anyway. Hope this helps even one person out there. Stay safe everyone!!
vanhalenofficial 