Manual Tie-On Surgical Mask

I just got connected to the machine at dialysis now. Since I’m still using the chest catheter, I usually have to wear a surgical mask while the nurse connects and disconnects me, in case I breathe on the connector and give myself an infection. The mask has always been blue or purple, with elastic earloops. Today, I got a manual tie-on mask; I’ve never seen one before. The nurse thought it was weird too. Maybe the hospital is running out of supplies?

It took me several tries to tie the mask behind my head. I’m not sure how doctors and nurses do it, maybe they have help. St. Joseph is a huge hospital. You would think they have a huge stash of medical supplies and personal protection equipment on hand. Or has the hoarding gotten so bad that hospitals are short on supplies? Now I’m wondering if I need to bring my own masks from home since I don’t want the manual tie-on one to fall off while I’m wearing it.