There's no doubt that mask wearing for any length of time is a challenge. My longest journey so far has been from Oregon to St. Croix. I've been traveling since last fall and over time have come up with a save-a-mask kit. First, the basics. For the best protection, N95 is the only mask to wear for plane travel. You will have the most protection from, really, any virus. The flimsy paper masks only protect you about 40%. That's why you'll see people wearing two of them. The cloths masks only protect you about 20%. I've seen people and even flight attendants wear two paper masks with a cloth mask over those. That's got to be hot! I'm just a consumer, but the gold standard of protection is the N95. If I didn't have these, I wouldn't do any air travel. So all these tips are based on N95 use and the products I purchased were from Amazon. If you wear glasses and you've experienced fogging, the below product is available on Amazon, and it really works.
LifeArt Anti Fog Cloth for Eyeglasses, Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for Screen, Goggles and Ski Masks, Nano Technology, Reusable 700 Times, Safe on All Types of Lens Coating, Streak-Free (1 Pack)
You can't do anything about the heat and moisture from your breath building up in your mask, but I carry a 1-ounce bottle of pure rubbing alcohol which you can spritz on both the inside and outside of the mask, then give it a few moments. It helps to dry out the mask a bit faster, plus you're getting some disinfecting. I usually do it in the bathroom so I'm not removing my mask in a mass public space.
Then there's that fatigue on your ears. This makes me really grumpy. I was constantly adjusting the tension of the strings and it never became comfortable. For the ladies, I use these headbands. Lots of colors to choose from.
Women Headband with Buttons for Face Masks and Covers Unisex Elastic Hair Band for Nurses Doctors and Ears Protection (1- 4 color)
There's a variety of bands/mask extenders you can buy, too. Here's just one example of the varieties to choose from.
4 Pcs Mask Strap Extender, Anti-Tightening Mask Holder Hook Ear Strap Accessories Ear Grips Extension Mask Buckle Ear Pain Relieved Four Colours
Then there's the mask lanyard. I love this one because when you need to remove your mask, you don't have to shove it into your pocket or purse (which is dirty in and of itself). The N95s have a natural crease down the middle of the mask, so when you remove the mask, it can lay flat against your chest.
FINEST+6Pcs Colorful Mask Lanyard Straps for Back of Head or Neck with Clips and Adjustable Stopper for Extending Masks Buckle Band
And the last thing I have is a pair of clear safety goggles. I don't wear glasses for distance seeing, so I wear these in public spaces. The virus has the ability to get into your nose, mouth, AND eyes.
So, yes, it is possible to travel safely during a pandemic. It's not convenient and it's not comfortable. But what's the alternative? It's been nearly 18 months since this nightmare started and it's not going away soon. We might still be posting on this topic in 2025, and if you've stayed locked up in your town, in your house, or in your own mind, you will have missed precious opportunities to continue life's adventure.