[portlander12345]

I have a short full beard but seem to be able to form a seal. If I follow the directions for checking the seal — blocking the intake and breathing in, checking for the mask to collapse in, then blocking the outlet and checking for it to balloon out — it works. So do I have a seal or not?

[jay_kyburz]

If you want to live, lose the beard. If you are just wearing the mask for no real reason, who cares?

[portlander12345]

In case of a coronavirus outbreak I am definitely losing the beard if for some reason I have to leave the house. But I also use a respirator for semi-routine tasks like woodworking to minimize dust exposure.