Coronavirus prep
Replies
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I've told some stories here to vent about bad experiences. Here's a more positive one.
My local bedroom-community post office has two stations at the counter, fortunately about 6 feet apart. Since precautions went into effect, they changed the traffic pattern so we go into the full-windowed small foyer then through one door (that used to be mostly for PO box access), into a line (with Xes on the floor at 6 foot distances) . Then people get called up to a counter where there's a plastic barrier above a pass-through space for packages & credit card swipe access. After service, one leaves out a 2nd door to the same full-visibility foyer as the in-door.
Last time I was there, the two rather petite, properly masked counter women would each finish with a customer, step up on something (stepstool?) behind the counter, reach over to spray the customer side of the counter & the card swiper with cleaner, wipe it with a cloth, step back into her spot, then call up the next customer to stand on the service X in front of her counter. Consistent, for each customer.
I don't see how they could do it better, or faster. Really good, from my perspective, best I could expect.
Lovely. This is almost exactly what happens in the banks where I am. Except it's not the ladies behind the counter doing the cleaning. We have someone on the customer side of the counter watching to see when each transaction is finished, quickly running over to spray and wipe, then the next customer is allowed to move forward.
Before this though, every customer must be wearing a mask in order to be allowed entry, temperature checked with a digital thermometer at the door, and hands sanitized before being allowed to join the line standing 6ft (2 meters) apart.4 -
juliemouse83 wrote: »autumnblade75 wrote: »Here in Illinois, the governor's mandate has been overturned - the law only allows for a 30 day public health mandate, and it's been in effect for 3x that long - and after that, my workplace has finally requested that employees wear masks. Not that they're doing a particularly good job of enforcing it, though. Supervisors have been required to wear masks for at least a month, and they've been wearing them mostly on their chins, not covering any of their breathing holes. That seems to be about the level of compliance they're seeking with employees, too. There are 3 theories: 1) The employee that caught Covid19 (just one!) died... 2) It's to shut up the employees that are asking for hazard pay... 3) It's tied to some of our coworkers vacationing in states that a new mandate requires a 2 week quarantine when returning from (but there are exemptions for essential workers, anyway, and UPS is not giving an extra 2 weeks off work just to quarantine.)
After the mask requirement at work (Wednesday) a union representative had a table set up by the door with a petition for hazard pay. So, that seems to point to theory #2. That doesn't mean we're not all curious whatever happened to the driver that got sick... If it's a breach of HIPAA to tell us if he's died, I guess passing a card and collecting donations for the widow would be, too. I don't socialize with the drivers, so I don't even know which one has been absent for the past 6 weeks.
With coworkers vacationing in Florida and New Jersey and returning to work with their naked faces and lack of social distancing, it's a wonder that more of us haven't gotten sick. I stopped wearing my masks at the beginning of June, when it started being 90 degrees inside, and volume picked up so that we were working twice the hours. After all, my mask protects all those other jerks and their lack of mask doesn't protect me... The extra discomfort isn't worthwhile in those circumstances. I've taken to spending my breaks in place so that nobody comes within 6 feet to socialize with me. My antisocial tendencies are serving me well.
Back in March, I asked not to work at the bay I had previously worked at, because there's no room to social distance, and my supervisors have mostly honored my request. But due to the nature of the work, we change bays as the trucks arrive, and at least once a week I spend at least half an hour less than 2 feet from the next guy. I still figure I'm more likely to bring it to work than catch it there - my husband still works at the hospital, after all - but they're no longer having daily briefings, and they've stopped telling him to expect to catch it.
I have not used hand sanitizer a single time since this madness started. I do my best not to touch my face, but since I'm taking the mask off to drink water every 15 minutes or so, so I don't dehydrate, I don't think I'm doing a great job of that. There's a single large container of hand sanitizer next to the bathroom that it is not feasible to visit every time I have to unmask to drink - besides, if I'm Right There, I'll just go in and wash with soap. The best part of this whole mess is that we've had paper towels and soap regularly since March. That's where they keep the wipes, too. Guess how often the equipment gets wiped, then? The SHARED equipment. Yeah.
Anyway, I guess think about that when you collect your packages from the front porch. We're choosing between keeping the PPE on, or keeping hydrated. The masks are definitely interfering with my hydration strategy.
So, here’s the thing about hand sanitizer. According to CDC guidelines, we are supposed to clean our hands when donning masks, and again before doffing them, and again after taking them off. Now, when I’m in my car, about to go into a grocery store, I don’t have soap and water, so hand sanitizer, it is. Put on the mask, sanitize. Do the shopping, sanitize. Check out? Sanitize. Get the groceries loaded? Sanitize and take the blasted mask off.
People laugh at folks wearing their masks in their car on the highway and all I can think is that maybe they didn’t have sanitizer on them. 🤷♀️
Wow!! That makes it more complicated than I realized. We keep sanitizer and wipes in the car. I use the sanitizer after returning from touching the keypad at the bank ATM. The I might occasionally wipe the steering wheel and door handles with the wipes. I actually saw a lady take her wipes with her to the ATM to disinfect the keypad before touching it. I also know a lady who washes her money everytime she gets cash. 🤔1 -
juliemouse83 wrote: »autumnblade75 wrote: »Here in Illinois, the governor's mandate has been overturned - the law only allows for a 30 day public health mandate, and it's been in effect for 3x that long - and after that, my workplace has finally requested that employees wear masks. Not that they're doing a particularly good job of enforcing it, though. Supervisors have been required to wear masks for at least a month, and they've been wearing them mostly on their chins, not covering any of their breathing holes. That seems to be about the level of compliance they're seeking with employees, too. There are 3 theories: 1) The employee that caught Covid19 (just one!) died... 2) It's to shut up the employees that are asking for hazard pay... 3) It's tied to some of our coworkers vacationing in states that a new mandate requires a 2 week quarantine when returning from (but there are exemptions for essential workers, anyway, and UPS is not giving an extra 2 weeks off work just to quarantine.)
After the mask requirement at work (Wednesday) a union representative had a table set up by the door with a petition for hazard pay. So, that seems to point to theory #2. That doesn't mean we're not all curious whatever happened to the driver that got sick... If it's a breach of HIPAA to tell us if he's died, I guess passing a card and collecting donations for the widow would be, too. I don't socialize with the drivers, so I don't even know which one has been absent for the past 6 weeks.
With coworkers vacationing in Florida and New Jersey and returning to work with their naked faces and lack of social distancing, it's a wonder that more of us haven't gotten sick. I stopped wearing my masks at the beginning of June, when it started being 90 degrees inside, and volume picked up so that we were working twice the hours. After all, my mask protects all those other jerks and their lack of mask doesn't protect me... The extra discomfort isn't worthwhile in those circumstances. I've taken to spending my breaks in place so that nobody comes within 6 feet to socialize with me. My antisocial tendencies are serving me well.
Back in March, I asked not to work at the bay I had previously worked at, because there's no room to social distance, and my supervisors have mostly honored my request. But due to the nature of the work, we change bays as the trucks arrive, and at least once a week I spend at least half an hour less than 2 feet from the next guy. I still figure I'm more likely to bring it to work than catch it there - my husband still works at the hospital, after all - but they're no longer having daily briefings, and they've stopped telling him to expect to catch it.
I have not used hand sanitizer a single time since this madness started. I do my best not to touch my face, but since I'm taking the mask off to drink water every 15 minutes or so, so I don't dehydrate, I don't think I'm doing a great job of that. There's a single large container of hand sanitizer next to the bathroom that it is not feasible to visit every time I have to unmask to drink - besides, if I'm Right There, I'll just go in and wash with soap. The best part of this whole mess is that we've had paper towels and soap regularly since March. That's where they keep the wipes, too. Guess how often the equipment gets wiped, then? The SHARED equipment. Yeah.
Anyway, I guess think about that when you collect your packages from the front porch. We're choosing between keeping the PPE on, or keeping hydrated. The masks are definitely interfering with my hydration strategy.
So, here’s the thing about hand sanitizer. According to CDC guidelines, we are supposed to clean our hands when donning masks, and again before doffing them, and again after taking them off. Now, when I’m in my car, about to go into a grocery store, I don’t have soap and water, so hand sanitizer, it is. Put on the mask, sanitize. Do the shopping, sanitize. Check out? Sanitize. Get the groceries loaded? Sanitize and take the blasted mask off.
People laugh at folks wearing their masks in their car on the highway and all I can think is that maybe they didn’t have sanitizer on them. 🤷♀️
Wow!! That makes it more complicated than I realized. We keep sanitizer and wipes in the car. I use the sanitizer after returning from touching the keypad at the bank ATM. The I might occasionally wipe the steering wheel and door handles with the wipes. I actually saw a lady take her wipes with her to the ATM to disinfect the keypad before touching it. I also know a lady who washes her money everytime she gets cash. 🤔
Because wearing a mask is to protect other people, not me - I sanitize my hands going into and leaving stores, but not the rest of the time. I wash them when I get home. I'm not worried about getting my own germs from my own mask.
I also rip my mask off the second I leave a store, in the open parking lot with sunshine, fresh air, and way more than 6' of distance. By the earpiece, of course, not going all willy nilly. I definitely only use the ear thingies to put on and take off.5 -
For us T1D's, there has been some glimmer of hope spreading around recently: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7189199/?fbclid=IwAR2_9Oaz1wJr-t_ezk4ZfUoCk-xbaZgOFYa8O_8Ed5FraogW72KimbTWsqQ
I'm not going to stop taking precautions. It doesn't make sense because it is common to have extra issues with illness. Our glycogenolysis rates increase with illness and we become uncontrollably hyperglycemic. When hyperglycemic, our immune response is poor. This is a commonly known issue with T1D and illness. And yet, somehow we seem to have some better than average outcomes. Still too little data to be conclusive, but at least there is some hope. I figured that my odds of dying are higher than average. That's probably still true... but maybe not.5 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Did everybody see the bus driver who was assaulted by a couple people, all over mask requirements; he died due to extensive brain injuries.
WTF is wrong with people???? They need extensive jail time, hopefully in a Covid ward of some kind. I'm sorry, I wouldn't wish Covid on my enemies but really, to me that'd be justice working at its best.
Is that the one in France? https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/french-bus-driver-beaten-death-after-asking-passengers-wear-face-n1233603
I recall being surprised that stuff like that was apparently happening there too.
A friend of mine took the bus recently, and she said most were wearing them, but not all. I wish the drivers were enforcing them here, or refusing to let people on. Possibly some are, some aren't.
Unfortunately the driver would rather take a chance with the possible virus vs possible physical altercation.
I don't think a physical altercation would be very likely here (you can't get on until you pay, you can't get on without a mask), at least not in the places I've taken buses. My friend said most people were wearing them, and the bus crowd tends to be older on average. Maybe in some parts of the South and West sides it would be different.
I went to the post office downtown last week and had to ask for help finding a package at the desk. There are big signs that masks are required, and everyone was wearing them and standing on the dots that social distance those in line, but then some young woman with a bike (I also doubt bikes are allowed in the building) came up and stood right next to me without a mask. I moved sideways to get away from her (I was at the counter being helped, not in line), but didn't say anything because I am conflict avoidant in public and wasn't really in the mood for the "okay, Karen" or whatever thing she was likely to say, but I was slightly annoyed their security didn't tell her to put a mask on. But since I didn't say anything, I can't really complain, I suppose. I always find it surprising when people are just so blatant in disregarding the rules, though, since I can't imagine doing that.
How does that work? Is the farebox attached to the outside of the bus? The places I've used buses, the fareboxes are inside the bus, next to the driver so s/he can see if you pay or not. And if you can't get on if you're not wearing a mask, does that mean that all the mask-wearers at a stop with one non-mask-wearer gets left behind? All the scenarios I'm imagining where this works involves a level of compliance that I wouldn't expect from someone who has already decided not to mask (e.g., the door opens for the mask-wearers, and the non-mask-wearer just doesn't get on because they're not supposed to).
Even before COVID19, a bus driver here would simply drive to the nearest police station if they were contentious persons on board. Don't know if that would work in your area, but worth a try.1 -
I've tested with my oximeter before and after wearing a cloth mask at work for 2-3 hours, including walking up a hill and stairs and restocking the break room. No change.
At times when I would typically be breathing hard it was a little uncomfortable but I was still able to catch my breath. Obviously just anecdotal but I have seen several doctors and nurses and say that people who struggle to breathe wearing a mask are claustrophobic and having a minor panic attack, and that even asthmatics and COPD patients can safely wear a mask.
Considering folks in emergency medicine have been wearing masks for extended periods of time for many decades, you would think if it was even remotely dangerous there would be numerous wide-ranging studies showing proven adverse health effects. It is also quite common in other countries during flu season, yet there is no international call to avoid masks. Seems odd if they are a health risk.
Essential workers should at least be getting breaks throughout the day where they can get a couple of minutes of fresh air. If not, the issue isn't that mask directives are a problem but that their employer is mistreating them. Which I'm sure is happening by the way.
In my office we are required to wear a mask whenever we are within 6 ft of another person and whenever it's reasonable to think you could be, like in the hallway. It's a small building, so that pretty much means all the time, except when I'm in my office with the door closed.
I have always been able to catch my breath, but sucking in air hard enough to bring the mask to my mouth - which puts it far more danger of getting wet - which isn't good for it.
I'm not claustrophobic, and I know what panic attacks feel like. I have had them.
I just do my best to limit instances where I need them. Grocery shopping once a week. No extra outings.
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T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »For us T1D's, there has been some glimmer of hope spreading around recently: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7189199/?fbclid=IwAR2_9Oaz1wJr-t_ezk4ZfUoCk-xbaZgOFYa8O_8Ed5FraogW72KimbTWsqQ
I'm not going to stop taking precautions. It doesn't make sense because it is common to have extra issues with illness. Our glycogenolysis rates increase with illness and we become uncontrollably hyperglycemic. When hyperglycemic, our immune response is poor. This is a commonly known issue with T1D and illness. And yet, somehow we seem to have some better than average outcomes. Still too little data to be conclusive, but at least there is some hope. I figured that my odds of dying are higher than average. That's probably still true... but maybe not.
That's interesting and hopeful for all of us with Hashimotos, too.
Could it get any more complicated?
I'm guessing that yes, it can and it will.5 -
The French government spent millions to make masks avsilable to everyone. We got free ones end of March in the mail and now they are sold in packages of 20 for less than a euro each. Yes, french people don't like being told what to wear though. There will always be a protest, sometimes both for and against in the same street. Ya, boo, Ya, boo.10
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ExistingFish wrote: »I've tested with my oximeter before and after wearing a cloth mask at work for 2-3 hours, including walking up a hill and stairs and restocking the break room. No change.
At times when I would typically be breathing hard it was a little uncomfortable but I was still able to catch my breath. Obviously just anecdotal but I have seen several doctors and nurses and say that people who struggle to breathe wearing a mask are claustrophobic and having a minor panic attack, and that even asthmatics and COPD patients can safely wear a mask.
Considering folks in emergency medicine have been wearing masks for extended periods of time for many decades, you would think if it was even remotely dangerous there would be numerous wide-ranging studies showing proven adverse health effects. It is also quite common in other countries during flu season, yet there is no international call to avoid masks. Seems odd if they are a health risk.
Essential workers should at least be getting breaks throughout the day where they can get a couple of minutes of fresh air. If not, the issue isn't that mask directives are a problem but that their employer is mistreating them. Which I'm sure is happening by the way.
In my office we are required to wear a mask whenever we are within 6 ft of another person and whenever it's reasonable to think you could be, like in the hallway. It's a small building, so that pretty much means all the time, except when I'm in my office with the door closed.
I have always been able to catch my breath, but sucking in air hard enough to bring the mask to my mouth - which puts it far more danger of getting wet - which isn't good for it.
I'm not claustrophobic, and I know what panic attacks feel like. I have had them.
I just do my best to limit instances where I need them. Grocery shopping once a week. No extra outings.
Why not change the mask so it can't be sucked in? Some sort of stiffening material sewn on or get the ones that look more like a duck's bill.5 -
ExistingFish wrote: »I've tested with my oximeter before and after wearing a cloth mask at work for 2-3 hours, including walking up a hill and stairs and restocking the break room. No change.
At times when I would typically be breathing hard it was a little uncomfortable but I was still able to catch my breath. Obviously just anecdotal but I have seen several doctors and nurses and say that people who struggle to breathe wearing a mask are claustrophobic and having a minor panic attack, and that even asthmatics and COPD patients can safely wear a mask.
Considering folks in emergency medicine have been wearing masks for extended periods of time for many decades, you would think if it was even remotely dangerous there would be numerous wide-ranging studies showing proven adverse health effects. It is also quite common in other countries during flu season, yet there is no international call to avoid masks. Seems odd if they are a health risk.
Essential workers should at least be getting breaks throughout the day where they can get a couple of minutes of fresh air. If not, the issue isn't that mask directives are a problem but that their employer is mistreating them. Which I'm sure is happening by the way.
In my office we are required to wear a mask whenever we are within 6 ft of another person and whenever it's reasonable to think you could be, like in the hallway. It's a small building, so that pretty much means all the time, except when I'm in my office with the door closed.
I have always been able to catch my breath, but sucking in air hard enough to bring the mask to my mouth - which puts it far more danger of getting wet - which isn't good for it.
I'm not claustrophobic, and I know what panic attacks feel like. I have had them.
I just do my best to limit instances where I need them. Grocery shopping once a week. No extra outings.
Why not change the mask so it can't be sucked in? Some sort of stiffening material sewn on or get the ones that look more like a duck's bill.
Ducks bill? Link? I'm having a hard time picturing that.
This is just regular cotton, fitted (not gathered) - one with a seam down the middle and fitted over the nose and chin. This one:
https://www.target.com/p/kids-2pk-cloth-face-masks/-/A-80332858?preselect=7990964
I've also noticed the same thing wearing my neck gaiter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086GW37B9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=10 -
Yes they are stiff material and poke out in front of you a bit like a ducks bill.
There is sort of an air gap between your mouth/nose and the fabric.
Yours truly wearing one.
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Not sure if that really shows it. A side on view would be better.0
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My sister is concerned the mask policy and usage puts her at risk. She's in healthcare. She said she feels she should be able to take her mask off between patients (for breathing) and get clean ones for each patient like she should. She is dictated by her job. Just because you haven't heard of them doesn't mean they aren't there - most of them probably aren't complaining. It doesn't mean they are concerned.
A clean N95 mask between each patient??
Wow, that would blow out the budget, even if such were available.
I wore one for 8 hour shifts for 6 weeks ( no longer required here as we are Covid free) and you don't need to take it off for breathing,
you breathe ok with it on.
I wore it almost continuously, except for lunch break and occasional time working at a desk by myself - I'm sure my pulse and o2 sats were same at end of day as usual.11 -
paperpudding wrote: »Yes they are stiff material and poke out in front of you a bit like a ducks bill.
There is sort of an air gap between your mouth/nose and the fabric.
Yours truly wearing one.
I know what you mean, like a N95/KN95 type. Those are significantly more expensive, and it's generally frowned upon to wear those here still - they are still supposed to be saved for medical workers. I've only seen then for sale once. They were the same price for 3 as a box of 10 of the surgical mask style. Since they are disposable, it gets kind of expensive.
They are also supposed to be harder to breathe through, just in my research. If I see them for sale, I may pick up a pack and try them.0 -
ExistingFish wrote: »I've tested with my oximeter before and after wearing a cloth mask at work for 2-3 hours, including walking up a hill and stairs and restocking the break room. No change.
At times when I would typically be breathing hard it was a little uncomfortable but I was still able to catch my breath. Obviously just anecdotal but I have seen several doctors and nurses and say that people who struggle to breathe wearing a mask are claustrophobic and having a minor panic attack, and that even asthmatics and COPD patients can safely wear a mask.
Considering folks in emergency medicine have been wearing masks for extended periods of time for many decades, you would think if it was even remotely dangerous there would be numerous wide-ranging studies showing proven adverse health effects. It is also quite common in other countries during flu season, yet there is no international call to avoid masks. Seems odd if they are a health risk.
Essential workers should at least be getting breaks throughout the day where they can get a couple of minutes of fresh air. If not, the issue isn't that mask directives are a problem but that their employer is mistreating them. Which I'm sure is happening by the way.
In my office we are required to wear a mask whenever we are within 6 ft of another person and whenever it's reasonable to think you could be, like in the hallway. It's a small building, so that pretty much means all the time, except when I'm in my office with the door closed.
I have always been able to catch my breath, but sucking in air hard enough to bring the mask to my mouth - which puts it far more danger of getting wet - which isn't good for it.
I'm not claustrophobic, and I know what panic attacks feel like. I have had them.
I just do my best to limit instances where I need them. Grocery shopping once a week. No extra outings.
Why not change the mask so it can't be sucked in? Some sort of stiffening material sewn on or get the ones that look more like a duck's bill.
Those stiffer masks? Even harder to breathe through. I'm following the conversation because I have questions about how dangerous my mask is to me now that UPS is finally requiring them, and it's 90 degrees OUTSIDE, hotter in the warehouse with no air conditioning. I'm stopping to drink water every 15 minutes, but certainly I am not given enough time to sanitize hands before removing the mask and then after replacing it as I am expected to be able to catch my hydration in between pieces of work flowing past me on a conveyor belt. Ha. So, I'm contaminating the mask with whatever's on my hands each time (Oh, yeah, and the recommendation is to use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty, which is pretty much all day in a warehouse - remember how you guys were all gung-ho on the sanitizer a few days ago?) and then if I'm sick, spreading a concentrated dose of my own germs on all the packages thereafter.
The past 2 days, I've been assigned outside my own area. Within 30 minutes my mask is not just damp from exhalations, but DRIPPING down my face with sweat. It would be nice not to be considered selfish not to wear a mask when my options are Maybe-if-I'm-sick-even-though-I-feel-well-someone-might-get-close-to-me-and-I-could-infect-them vs I'm-going-to-pass-out-from-dehydration-or-heat-stroke. Especially when I'm working in the far end of a trailer, 30 feet from my nearest co-worker.13 -
autumnblade75 wrote: »
Those stiffer masks? Even harder to breathe through. I'm following the conversation because I have questions about how dangerous my mask is to me now that UPS is finally requiring them, and it's 90 degrees OUTSIDE, hotter in the warehouse with no air conditioning. I'm stopping to drink water every 15 minutes, but certainly I am not given enough time to sanitize hands before removing the mask and then after replacing it as I am expected to be able to catch my hydration in between pieces of work flowing past me on a conveyor belt. Ha. So, I'm contaminating the mask with whatever's on my hands each time (Oh, yeah, and the recommendation is to use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty, which is pretty much all day in a warehouse - remember how you guys were all gung-ho on the sanitizer a few days ago?) and then if I'm sick, spreading a concentrated dose of my own germs on all the packages thereafter.
The past 2 days, I've been assigned outside my own area. Within 30 minutes my mask is not just damp from exhalations, but DRIPPING down my face with sweat. It would be nice not to be considered selfish not to wear a mask when my options are Maybe-if-I'm-sick-even-though-I-feel-well-someone-might-get-close-to-me-and-I-could-infect-them vs I'm-going-to-pass-out-from-dehydration-or-heat-stroke. Especially when I'm working in the far end of a trailer, 30 feet from my nearest co-worker.
Sounds like you just need a new employer, instead of the dangerous slave-driver you have now. (wink of irony accompanied by light sarcasm, but not aimed specifically at you....
)
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Tonight I read on FB the WM one town over there have 20 employees test Covld positive.6
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. I know what you mean, like a N95/KN95 type. Those are significantly more expensive, and it's generally frowned upon to wear those here still - they are still supposed to be saved for medical workers. I've only seen then for sale once. They were the same price for 3 as a box of 10 of the surgical mask style. Since they are disposable, it gets kind of expensive.
They are also supposed to be harder to breathe through, just in my research. If I see them for sale, I may pick up a pack and try them.
It is an N95 mask. Not like one, it is one.
Not sure if general public can get them here either - as stated in my previous post I was wearing mine at work in health professional job.
( along with other PPE not wearing in photo)
I expect they are harder to breathe comfortably in than flimsy paper or cloth masks, although the better ones have a built in filter and really, once they are on, you adjust quickly. - but they don't suck in to your face when you breathe in, the rigidity keeps an air space between your face and the material.- in response to post about that. And post about what was meant by duck bill look.6 -
canadjineh wrote: »autumnblade75 wrote: »
Those stiffer masks? Even harder to breathe through. I'm following the conversation because I have questions about how dangerous my mask is to me now that UPS is finally requiring them, and it's 90 degrees OUTSIDE, hotter in the warehouse with no air conditioning. I'm stopping to drink water every 15 minutes, but certainly I am not given enough time to sanitize hands before removing the mask and then after replacing it as I am expected to be able to catch my hydration in between pieces of work flowing past me on a conveyor belt. Ha. So, I'm contaminating the mask with whatever's on my hands each time (Oh, yeah, and the recommendation is to use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty, which is pretty much all day in a warehouse - remember how you guys were all gung-ho on the sanitizer a few days ago?) and then if I'm sick, spreading a concentrated dose of my own germs on all the packages thereafter.
The past 2 days, I've been assigned outside my own area. Within 30 minutes my mask is not just damp from exhalations, but DRIPPING down my face with sweat. It would be nice not to be considered selfish not to wear a mask when my options are Maybe-if-I'm-sick-even-though-I-feel-well-someone-might-get-close-to-me-and-I-could-infect-them vs I'm-going-to-pass-out-from-dehydration-or-heat-stroke. Especially when I'm working in the far end of a trailer, 30 feet from my nearest co-worker.
Sounds like you just need a new employer, instead of the dangerous slave-driver you have now. (wink of irony accompanied by light sarcasm, but not aimed specifically at you.... )
From anything I've heard UPS is a decent employer. Many essential jobs cannot be performed seated in an air conditioned office.
@autumnblade75 have you tried the cooling gaiter style? You can soak them in cold water over and over again.
https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Cooling-Gaiter-Wears-Cools/dp/B08BPFPQ22
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https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/bravery-of-mum-forced-to-have-all-limbs-amputated-after-contracting-covid-c-1169108
Was surprised to see this being reported all the way in Australia.
This poor, poor woman is a teacher at the middle school in the next village over from where I live. It’s the school all my children attended and I remember meeting her on multiple occasions at parent teacher evenings.
It’s been local news for a while but I don’t recall seeing it on our national news.
I can’t state strongly enough how much I admire her courage.20 -
Our Mayor in Chicago said if the young people don't start wearing masks and practice social distancing, we are going back to Phase 3 which means closing businesses, restaurants, salons and THE GYM!!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!
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autumnblade75 wrote: »ExistingFish wrote: »I've tested with my oximeter before and after wearing a cloth mask at work for 2-3 hours, including walking up a hill and stairs and restocking the break room. No change.
At times when I would typically be breathing hard it was a little uncomfortable but I was still able to catch my breath. Obviously just anecdotal but I have seen several doctors and nurses and say that people who struggle to breathe wearing a mask are claustrophobic and having a minor panic attack, and that even asthmatics and COPD patients can safely wear a mask.
Considering folks in emergency medicine have been wearing masks for extended periods of time for many decades, you would think if it was even remotely dangerous there would be numerous wide-ranging studies showing proven adverse health effects. It is also quite common in other countries during flu season, yet there is no international call to avoid masks. Seems odd if they are a health risk.
Essential workers should at least be getting breaks throughout the day where they can get a couple of minutes of fresh air. If not, the issue isn't that mask directives are a problem but that their employer is mistreating them. Which I'm sure is happening by the way.
In my office we are required to wear a mask whenever we are within 6 ft of another person and whenever it's reasonable to think you could be, like in the hallway. It's a small building, so that pretty much means all the time, except when I'm in my office with the door closed.
I have always been able to catch my breath, but sucking in air hard enough to bring the mask to my mouth - which puts it far more danger of getting wet - which isn't good for it.
I'm not claustrophobic, and I know what panic attacks feel like. I have had them.
I just do my best to limit instances where I need them. Grocery shopping once a week. No extra outings.
Why not change the mask so it can't be sucked in? Some sort of stiffening material sewn on or get the ones that look more like a duck's bill.
Those stiffer masks? Even harder to breathe through. I'm following the conversation because I have questions about how dangerous my mask is to me now that UPS is finally requiring them, and it's 90 degrees OUTSIDE, hotter in the warehouse with no air conditioning. I'm stopping to drink water every 15 minutes, but certainly I am not given enough time to sanitize hands before removing the mask and then after replacing it as I am expected to be able to catch my hydration in between pieces of work flowing past me on a conveyor belt. Ha. So, I'm contaminating the mask with whatever's on my hands each time (Oh, yeah, and the recommendation is to use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty, which is pretty much all day in a warehouse - remember how you guys were all gung-ho on the sanitizer a few days ago?) and then if I'm sick, spreading a concentrated dose of my own germs on all the packages thereafter.
The past 2 days, I've been assigned outside my own area. Within 30 minutes my mask is not just damp from exhalations, but DRIPPING down my face with sweat. It would be nice not to be considered selfish not to wear a mask when my options are Maybe-if-I'm-sick-even-though-I-feel-well-someone-might-get-close-to-me-and-I-could-infect-them vs I'm-going-to-pass-out-from-dehydration-or-heat-stroke. Especially when I'm working in the far end of a trailer, 30 feet from my nearest co-worker.
That sounds awful. Are you using a mask with ear loops or one that goes around your head? I only touch the ear loops on my mask to take it on and off.
I don't think anyone would consider you selfish for not wearing a mask in the heat when there are no people nearby. If UPS is requiring you to wear a mask regardless, I don't know what to tell you. I'd say if you are concerned about your hands being dirty, the important thing is to not touch your face, but when you're dripping with sweat that's easier said than done too. I'm sorry, I know for some people's situations there are no easy answers. I'm sure those in this thread talking about selfish people not wearing masks are referring to folks browsing in the AC in the grocery store or walking through the hall at the office, not you sweating your butt off moving all our packages along.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »canadjineh wrote: »autumnblade75 wrote: »
Those stiffer masks? Even harder to breathe through. I'm following the conversation because I have questions about how dangerous my mask is to me now that UPS is finally requiring them, and it's 90 degrees OUTSIDE, hotter in the warehouse with no air conditioning. I'm stopping to drink water every 15 minutes, but certainly I am not given enough time to sanitize hands before removing the mask and then after replacing it as I am expected to be able to catch my hydration in between pieces of work flowing past me on a conveyor belt. Ha. So, I'm contaminating the mask with whatever's on my hands each time (Oh, yeah, and the recommendation is to use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty, which is pretty much all day in a warehouse - remember how you guys were all gung-ho on the sanitizer a few days ago?) and then if I'm sick, spreading a concentrated dose of my own germs on all the packages thereafter.
The past 2 days, I've been assigned outside my own area. Within 30 minutes my mask is not just damp from exhalations, but DRIPPING down my face with sweat. It would be nice not to be considered selfish not to wear a mask when my options are Maybe-if-I'm-sick-even-though-I-feel-well-someone-might-get-close-to-me-and-I-could-infect-them vs I'm-going-to-pass-out-from-dehydration-or-heat-stroke. Especially when I'm working in the far end of a trailer, 30 feet from my nearest co-worker.
Sounds like you just need a new employer, instead of the dangerous slave-driver you have now. (wink of irony accompanied by light sarcasm, but not aimed specifically at you.... )
From anything I've heard UPS is a decent employer. Many essential jobs cannot be performed seated in an air conditioned office.
@autumnblade75 have you tried the cooling gaiter style? You can soak them in cold water over and over again.
https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Cooling-Gaiter-Wears-Cools/dp/B08BPFPQ22
UPS has it's pros and cons. I don't expect to find anything that would suit me better, even if this was a reasonable time to start job hunting. I am not looking to walk away right now, as I have been there long enough to earn 4 weeks of vacation per year, and I don't have any expectation that the next job would actually be any better. Certainly I would expect the insurance situation to be worse... I pay $0 for myself and my husband - and the coverage is better than his insurance, through the hospital (which wasn't free).
I fully accept that I have to sneak sips of water when the work allows. I've been there long enough to know that summertime means saturated clothing. I chose a physical job because I prefer it.
But.
A wet mask against your face traps bacteria against your skin. The additional steps of pulling down the mask and replacing it, even though it only takes a few seconds, is complicating my hydration strategy. I do not enjoy feeling as though I'm waterboarding myself. Even though the brand new sign on the door says "No Exceptions" many of my coworkers are still walking around bare-faced. I do not trust that the benefit of filtering my own potential viral load outweighs these risks.
And This is a Brand New Rule. For 3 of the 4 months since the State of Illinois issued the Stay At Home Order, I wore my mask voluntarily without complaint. Even though most co-workers didn't. I sewed masks for anyone who asked. I liked how sewing the masks kept me away from the computer, so I didn't see all the stupid arguments. I donated over a hundred of them, too. When it was all voluntary. Now, it's compulsory, and most of my coworkers are not covering all their breathing holes and are generally acting like it's a big joke, and I'm finding I have more anxiety inside my own mask. Anxiety that I don't have when I'm wearing a nice, clean, dry mask for 15 minutes at WalMart. And I want to emphasize that during this 4 months of free-for-all, there was only 1 case of Covid19 in the facility. A driver. That's all I know. It's long enough that he should have either died or started recovering, but there's no word about which. We've asked.
As for cooling gaiters: No. I have no way of telling the fiber content of their proprietary fabric, but I'm not willing to risk whether it filters anything. I don't want ANY wet fabric clinging to my face, but if I must choose, I'll keep with the 2 layers of quilting cotton, which, I've read, becomes more efficient at filtering as it becomes moist. There was no mention of how it handles once it's saturated, though, and most sources are saying to change your mask if it's damp. A gaiter also doesn't address my main concern about how to handle hydration. There's still cross-contamination if you haven't got time or resources to be washing your hands every time you take a sip of water. And we're still trapping bacteria against the face in a nice moist growing environment. Super.8 -
ExistingFish wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »ExistingFish wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »This article has a great visual for why we should wear masks. Petri dishes!
https://www.fox5dc.com/news/masks-dont-reduce-your-oxygen-levels-doctor-debunks-facial-covering-claim-in-experiment
The friend I walk with had settled down this week, but did say her husband found pictures online showing the size of the virus vs. standard weave of a fabric mask and was wondering what the point of wearing masks was since it could could obviously fit through... that the masks couldn’t block it at all. Had to explain that the mask doesn’t block the virus, it just keeps your droplets from spreading further than without it.
That article is ridiculous, it isn't when you first put it on, it's after hours of wear that it reduces your oxygen level.
This study has it's limitations, but it shows a reduction in blood oxygen and increase in pulse rate after 1 hour of surgical mask wear, especially for those over 35. It was on surgeons. It admittedly has limitations, but I'd put more stock in this limited study that than anecdotal "two minutes" in each mask example.
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/neuro/v19n2/3.pdf
I've seen several of those "I put on ___ masks and look at my pulse ox! except...they don't wear them for an 8-hour or 12-hour shift. They wear them for two or five minutes. Sitting. And look how the public eats it up!
@ExistingFish thanks for sharing the piece wearing masks for hours at a time impacts Oxygen levels in a negative way. I do not think there is anyone here that wears a surgical for 8-12 hour shifts that did not already know that fact. A dash into WM is a different story because it may help reduce the spread in case of major coughing fit but maybe even more it reduces the risk of pushing emotionally stressed out people into causing others physical harm in this cracking mental health pandemic.
I don't think Walmart or Kroger or Target employees are given information about the impact of long term mask-wearing before their 8-hour shifts. I mean they probably take them off for breaks and lunch, but still.
My sister is in healthcare and has to wear an N95 for her 12-hour shift, put it in a baggy, and wear it again the next day. Usually with a cloth mask over it, which makes it even harder to breathe.
I guess you mean laypeople aren't wearing them all day, but employees in direct contact with the public are.
My husband wears his N95 + cloth mask or surgical mask over it, and a face shield. For hours at a time (he works in different offices & hospitals, so usually he will have some mask free time in his car going to a different location), 5-7 days a week. He is mid hospital week, so it’s 12-14 hrs a day. No oxygen issues, no adverse effects. Same for the rest of his colleagues, most of whom are older and less fit than he. After a known exposure early on in lockdown he wore his cloth mask at all times (except eating, sleeping, and showering) for 2 weeks.
So I’m just not buying the complaints of health issues wearing them to shop or to a dr appt or what have you. I get that N95S are hot and uncomfortable outside in the heat—I hated wearing mine and wrangling my kids out of the car and into a building—So def sympathy for people having to wear them outside doing truly heavy labor. But that’s not most of us.15 -
Today, a local buffet joint had to close down. The owner is in the hospital and spouse has it, too. They didn't believe in masks for the staff or anyone. Experience had to be their teacher. Now, they're out there telling everyone this is real y'all. We should've listened and this is 10x worse than the flu. Can't see the forest for the trees. It gives me a really big pinch.
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Diatonic12 wrote: »Today, a local buffet joint had to close down. The owner is in the hospital and spouse has it, too. They didn't believe in masks for the staff or anyone. Experience had to be their teacher. Now, they're out there telling everyone this is real y'all. We should've listened and this is 10x worse than the flu. Can't see the forest for the trees. It gives me a really big pinch.
I'm all out of sympathy for the "I thought it was fake but now it is happening to ME" folks. And I feel like there are going to be many, many more in the near future.18 -
Our Mayor in Chicago said if the young people don't start wearing masks and practice social distancing, we are going back to Phase 3 which means closing businesses, restaurants, salons and THE GYM!!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!
I am in NY and we still don't have gyms open even though we are doing way better than most other states!
I work in healthcare and have to wear N95 for 12-15h a day. It does suck, but it is better than spreading the virus. I even developed a really bad face rash because of it the past few weeks. I do find it really hard to breath as I have asthma, but I am allowed to take it off during my breaks when I can go outside which helps.
I've seen a lot of people on bike paths running and biking with masks and don't know how they can do it but if they can while working out, I should be able to with light activity.11 -
Side note - really neat image to go with the post/saying!Diatonic12 wrote: »Today, a local buffet joint had to close down. The owner is in the hospital and spouse has it, too. They didn't believe in masks for the staff or anyone. Experience had to be their teacher. Now, they're out there telling everyone this is real y'all. We should've listened and this is 10x worse than the flu. Can't see the forest for the trees. It gives me a really big pinch.
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Neat info graphic from my husband’s work - shows the spider web of spread from one family gathering... not hypothetical, but real world data and information.
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janejellyroll wrote: »Diatonic12 wrote: »Today, a local buffet joint had to close down. The owner is in the hospital and spouse has it, too. They didn't believe in masks for the staff or anyone. Experience had to be their teacher. Now, they're out there telling everyone this is real y'all. We should've listened and this is 10x worse than the flu. Can't see the forest for the trees. It gives me a really big pinch.
I'm all out of sympathy for the "I thought it was fake but now it is happening to ME" folks. And I feel like there are going to be many, many more in the near future.
Yes, I feel some people need to learn for themselves. Unfortunately, it will be a hard painful way to learn. 2
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