a length-adjustable (think automobile antenna), lightweight, bifurcate-tube/filter/mask combination with robust head-straps.
The snorkel/filter assemblies attach to the mask via a standard NATO connection, enabling optional adaptation to existing NBCW fashionwear ; adapters for older/foreign model gasmasks available on request.
(and thankyou Jutta, for the new category)-- FlyingToaster, Apr 17 2020 Can there be a rigid carbon-fibre version ?
Er, how low are the overhead power lines in your part of the planet ... ? <Sniggering/>
[+]-- 8th of 7, Apr 17 2020 I seriously considered picking up a mil. gas-mask, but cartridges are difficult to find and (IIRC) only rated for a few hours (and no clue how to rejuvenate them).
Side-topically, I've considered going clean-shaven to make the piddly masks I do have more effective, but even unseen razor-burn would provide more attachment points.-- FlyingToaster, Apr 17 2020 // no clue how to rejuvenate them //
Can't be done- single use, and discard. Once unsealed, they degrade anyway irrespective of use, so one that's been opened and put aside is junk after a couple of days.
Consumer-grade non-sealing (medical type) masks are more a gesture of intent than practical protection. They'll reduce droplets and particulates, but not stop them, and besides they leave the conjunctiva completely exposed.
Bizarrely, your aquatic mask-and-snorkel suggestion works (mechanically) quite well. But since the majority of users blithely ignore the necessity for post-exposure decontamination protocols, it's all a complete waste of time.-- 8th of 7, Apr 17 2020 The snorkel should be a flexible hose held up by a drone. Then with the air intake over 6 feet above the crowds no filter is necessary.-- Voice, Apr 18 2020 Intake high up; exhaust (unfiltered) at head height ...
Of course, if you're infected, the unfiltered output is going to contaminate all those around you ...-- 8th of 7, Apr 18 2020 That's their problem.-- Voice, Apr 19 2020 It would be an interesting study to correlate height demographics with infection rates and immune system loads and conditioning. Is this another evolutionary advantage of being tall?-- RayfordSteele, Apr 19 2020 That's entirely possible. Droplets will be drawn downwards by gravity... the infective miasma will swirl around somewhere below average mouth height.-- 8th of 7, Apr 19 2020 random, halfbakery