GALLERY

Covid-19: Facemasks on the Range Size of Ivory Polymer Cartridge Cases

As soon as Covid-19 lockdown regulations allow, we will be able to visit the shooting range. Judging by the precautionary measures that businesses and their customers must adhere to at the time of writing, I expect that places such as shooting ranges, and visiting shooters, will be asked to adhere to similar precautions. Shooters can probably expect to wear a facemask and follow strict hygiene protocols at shooting benches and range facilities.

The biggest challenge on the range will be to keep your safety glasses fogfree. The key here is to wear a mask that fits securely over the bridge of your nose. Look for masks that have a nose bridge or one that can be shaped to fit your face. Home-made fabric masks have become popular and to help them fit better, and to prevent warm air from your breathing escaping upwards, fit the mask with pipe cleaners or twist ties by sewing these into the top so they can be formed to fit your nose better.

A tip I tried – with limited success but others may do better – is to pull the mask higher up on your nose and then use your glasses to shape it to your face. This allows for a tighter fit. Another option is to tape down the mask around the bridge of your nose and cheeks with a skin-friendly medical tape. Only use tape that is approved for contact with skin and if you have sensitive skin, it is best to avoid this method.

Additional advice I have seen is to wash the lenses of your glasses with soapy water and then shake off the excess liquid. The idea is to air-dry the lenses. The soap leaves behind a thin film that acts as a fog barrier. Alternatively, other products at your local pharmacy and optician might help.

The World Health Organisation says that wearing a mask alone is not sufficient to provide adequate protection. We must also practice social distancing and good hand hygiene practices. Make sure to take your own bottle of hand sanitiser for use at the shooting bench and remember to take all your own equipment to avoid needing to borrow somebody else’s. Use your own pen, which you can clean and throw in your

shooting bag when you have signed the registers.

Good practices to keep in mind before and after visiting public places, would be to wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when you can’t use soap and water, and at all times avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Also, clean and disinfect surfaces you use often such as benchtops and desks. – André Grobler