[asinclair]

I believe one thing that people are missing is that the mask is a stopgap measure, something that was available right damn now. It's not suitable for longtime wear, and has shortcomings for people with compromised respiration.

We have seen other makeshift solutions: the water bottle with the bottom cut out of it is a good example. If we are going to need to control droplets, there will be a better solution that someone will come up with.

For example, a transparent bubble head appliance, with fans, could be designed to be comfortable. Think of some of the space helmets that Hollywood came up with in the 40s and 50s. (How about Mars Attacks?)

The thing is, we are currently using a less-than-optimal thing because the propeller-heads haven't come up with that something better.

[olivia3boys]

For example, a transparent bubble head appliance, with fans, could be designed to be comfortable. Think of some of the space helmets that Hollywood came up with in the 40s and 50s. (How about Mars Attacks?)

I went to visit my dad in his backyard the other day and he greeted me with a space shield type device on. It did look a lot more comfortable than a mask. And it was easier for me to read his facial expression and see his smile and hear him.