Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 7
Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I signed in to work; and went to get the person out of positions at Sector X.  The CPC who was working had just gotten someone else out 5 minutes earlier; which added to the confusion in my opinion.  During all of this; I was not wearing my eyeglasses because they fog up badly when I wear a mask for COVID.  I received a quick briefing; and during the briefing; I vaguely heard Sector Y tell the Controller who was working to 'start the Aircraft X down to FL310.'  Then I recall hearing a straight descent to FL310.  I was unable to really scan accurately because I could not see any data blocks.  Anyways; the briefing completes; and I sit down and put my glasses on and start working and scanning.  I answer a landline call or two; issue a few clearances; then look at Aircraft X who was now FL390 for FL310.  I notice that it looks like it will be close with an aircraft level at FL350; so I call Sector Y and asked them what they want me to do with the two planes and that I had just sat down.  After some back and forth; they told me to stop the guy at FL360.Well; the first Controller at Sector X should have never given a pilot's discretion clearance to FL250.  Secondly; we're supposed to comply with the SOP with ZZZ Center Sector Y; which would have the Aircraft X crossing the boundary AOB FL310; this was never done.I believe all of the relief briefings had a part to play with the lack of communication in this scenario.  Another aspect which compounded this all is that I wasn't able to wear my glasses due to the fogging up issue.  I wasn't able to properly scan before I really sat down because I trust the members on my crew.
Center Controller reported a near loss of separation and cited fogged up glasses due to wearing a face mask and poor coordination during a controller switch contributed to the event.