Coronavirus prep
Replies
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Random Covid-related musings:
1. My employer provides Medicare supplement to retirees. They just switched providers 1/1/21. The new company (Humana) sent me a package with 2 washable cloth masks, something the old one (BC/BS) never did. It seems like a smart nudge.
2. I hear/read people fussing about other wearing gaiters or bandanas, when they should be wearing official masks, because masks filter virus particles better. But I see various ads for gaiters with filters, know people who wear regular gaiters with a mask (or suitable filters) inside, and I've long worn bandana-over-mask myself. I kind of wonder why my friends (the ones who decry gaiters/bandanas) assume that's not what people are doing? (I've even mildly pointed out that I do a mask with bandana over, and had people say (kind of indignantly) "well, that's not what *those* people were doing!". Do other people have X-ray vision I don't know about, or something? 🤷♀️10 -
Random Covid-related musings:
1. My employer provides Medicare supplement to retirees. They just switched providers 1/1/21. The new company (Humana) sent me a package with 2 washable cloth masks, something the old one (BC/BS) never did. It seems like a smart nudge.
2. I hear/read people fussing about other wearing gaiters or bandanas, when they should be wearing official masks, because masks filter virus particles better. But I see various ads for gaiters with filters, know people who wear regular gaiters with a mask (or suitable filters) inside, and I've long worn bandana-over-mask myself. I kind of wonder why my friends (the ones who decry gaiters/bandanas) assume that's not what people are doing? (I've even mildly pointed out that I do a mask with bandana over, and had people say (kind of indignantly) "well, that's not what *those* people were doing!". Do other people have X-ray vision I don't know about, or something? 🤷♀️
Call it my gut feel but Im pretty sure 95%+ of the people I see with a gaiter don't have a mask on under it.11 -
I’ve seen people who work outside—construction, garbage collection, etc.— wearing gators. Looks smart to me. Warmth + a
Little protection, even though they are outside and usually distanced from others. Don’t know what’s underneath.3 -
In Belgium any type of cloth mask is now prohibited in most hospitals and the disposable blue masks are generally encouraged. Apparently hospital staff encountered too many patients and visitors wearing cloth masks that were clearly not hygienic anymore, becoming a source of bacterial infection in themselves.
Cloth masks should be washed every day with soap at a temp of at least 60°c. The reasoning behind is that this is a hurdle most people do not take and disposables will be replaced more often as they are more convenient. Normally the max time to use the disposables is 4 hours, but I do believe that many people wear them more than that, usually until one of the elastics break.5 -
Early on, when masks were not available (or would take weeks to receive), I made masks out of bandannas. My husbands employer gave them to employees for face coverings. I sewed them for us and some of his coworkers, with either elastic ear loops or ties. I hand wash ours, in very hot water with anti bacterial soap, each time we wear them. Since then, we’ve purchased commercial cloth masks. The commercial ones seem thinner, and fit looser so I’ve pretty much stuck with the ones I’ve made with bandannas. I won’t quibble with anyone wearing any face covering, as long as it correctly covers the mouth and nose. It’s better than no face covering. Nothing is 100% effective.14
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Antiopelle wrote: »In Belgium any type of cloth mask is now prohibited in most hospitals and the disposable blue masks are generally encouraged. Apparently hospital staff encountered too many patients and visitors wearing cloth masks that were clearly not hygienic anymore, becoming a source of bacterial infection in themselves.
Cloth masks should be washed every day with soap at a temp of at least 60°c. The reasoning behind is that this is a hurdle most people do not take and disposables will be replaced more often as they are more convenient. Normally the max time to use the disposables is 4 hours, but I do believe that many people wear them more than that, usually until one of the elastics break.
I've had to go to our hospital (Ontario, Canada) twice recently for diagnostic tests and they give you one of the blue disposable masks to swap out for whatever you're wearing as soon as you pass the screening questions at the entrance. I was a bit surprised that a temperature check wasn't part of screening.3 -
Re: gaitors, awhile back we ordered a pack of 4, before dh's work disallowed them. Our gaitors(not sure if they're all the same) are big enough to double and even triple up so wouldn't that qualify as good coverage as well?2
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Re: gaitors, awhile back we ordered a pack of 4, before dh's work disallowed them. Our gaitors(not sure if they're all the same) are big enough to double and even triple up so wouldn't that qualify as good coverage as well?
It would be better than single layer, but not as much protection as a KN-95, assuming it's a high quality one. Yes, early on, there was some good information out there on masks. Double layer of cotton does work well, but even with that, they are saying you should double up without a KN-95 or an N-95.
I'd be happy just to see 100% compliance on masks and people wearing them correctly.
IMHO, those little blue disposable surgical masks are not great protection. Another thing I see a lot, at least in AZ, is the visors without a mask. A visor, without a mask, isn't doing anything except keeping it out of your eyes.6 -
Just observations on masks:
I sewed and donated masks about 6 - 7 months and still do, but there is less interest need. Information at the time was that the fabric was to be a woven fabric and not a knit fabric (gaitors are all knit). The mask should be two layers of fabric thick and preferred if there is a nose wire to conform the top edge to your face and of course fit around the sides as well. Filter pockets were idea and there you wanted a second type of fabric. I don't recall the term, but apparently the fabric style reusable shopping bags were perfect for cutting up and placing inside that pocket. As for gaitor, they are single layer, knit fabric and no filter, but to be honest I see a lot of "cute" single layer knit fabric masks sold as well. When I get back to florida, our condo property is requiring masks when in public spaces and our property has no indoor common spaces other that a single elevator that I very rarely use. There I plan to use a gator if going out walking, it will meet the condo rules, though I truly see little to no jeopardy to others in the setting there, but will be easy to put down around my neck once off the property and on the quiet street. Shopping? I will use a classic two layer woven mask.
As for being a patient, I had my annual physical last thursday and bloodwork this Monday. For physical, one calls from the car and is screened (a second time as there was a online survey to be completed prior as well), then I proceeded to the locked door of the office where my mask was swapped for a new blue mask, took initial temp, and brought into waiting area. All seats remaining were about 10 feet apart. When time, weight, temp and such were done in an open hallway instead of the usual pre-appointment room, then lastly I was brought to the exam room. Johnys are not done unless necessary for an added exam, and the doctor (in convo) ended up sharing the appointment length depends a bit on the conversation. She recounted a patient that she asked about if he still goes to his drinking club and he said yes. She asked him how he drinks with a mask and his reply was that they put on the masks when they stand up. She said his appointment was very short.
Monday's bloodwork. Everyone lines up outside the building and stands on the social distance dots. There is a screener at the door and takes your temp and asks questions. Mask is then swapped and you are given a dated neon orange sticker to wear indicating you are allowed in the building for only that day. All chairs (except 2 or 3) are gone (normally 30+) and social distance dots and barriers set up. All medical orders were electronic and no signing of docs like in the past.2 -
Regarding gaiters - I rarely see anybody wearing N95's, so this is not about a comparison between gaiters and N95's, but rather between gaiters and cloth masks or the 3-ply surgical masks.
Most of what I've seen for purchase of cloth masks, as well as what my state sent out through my employer, are single cloth thickness. Not different than a gaiter. These are not intended to protect the wearer much (again: I'm not talking about nor comparing to N95's). They are merely "source control." The idea is that if I am a "source" of Covid spread unknowingly, the water droplets coming from my nose and mouth are captured by the mask or gaiter.
Nobody is saying gaiters are the same as N95's.9 -
From Mass.Gov site:
When you wear a cloth mask, it should:
Cover your nose and mouth,
Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face,
Be secured with ties or ear loops,
Include multiple layers of fabric,
Allow for breathing without restriction, and
Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
When putting on and taking off a mask, do not touch the front of it, you should only handle the ties or ear straps, and make sure you wash the cloth mask regularly. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching the mask.5 -
T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Regarding gaiters - I rarely see anybody wearing N95's, so this is not about a comparison between gaiters and N95's, but rather between gaiters and cloth masks or the 3-ply surgical masks.
Most of what I've seen for purchase of cloth masks, as well as what my state sent out through my employer, are single cloth thickness. Not different than a gaiter. These are not intended to protect the wearer much (again: I'm not talking about nor comparing to N95's). They are merely "source control." The idea is that if I am a "source" of Covid spread unknowingly, the water droplets coming from my nose and mouth are captured by the mask or gaiter.
Nobody is saying gaiters are the same as N95's.
That was the point: you wear a face covering to protect others; protection for yourself is negligible.
Personally, I don't give a *kitten* what face protection you're wearing, as long as it covers your nose and mouth and you stay 6 ft. from me. In my experience, a lot of people can't even do that, so I'm not going to expect extra precautions.10 -
T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Regarding gaiters - I rarely see anybody wearing N95's, so this is not about a comparison between gaiters and N95's, but rather between gaiters and cloth masks or the 3-ply surgical masks.
Most of what I've seen for purchase of cloth masks, as well as what my state sent out through my employer, are single cloth thickness. Not different than a gaiter. These are not intended to protect the wearer much (again: I'm not talking about nor comparing to N95's). They are merely "source control." The idea is that if I am a "source" of Covid spread unknowingly, the water droplets coming from my nose and mouth are captured by the mask or gaiter.
Nobody is saying gaiters are the same as N95's.
That was the point: you wear a face covering to protect others; protection for yourself is negligible.
Personally, I don't give a *kitten* what face protection you're wearing, as long as it covers your nose and mouth and you stay 6 ft. from me. In my experience, a lot of people can't even do that, so I'm not going to expect extra precautions.
Right... my county has a mask ordinance and we still have maybe 10%-15% compliance. I wear a mask to protect everyone else, not myself. It is irritating that others won't do the same to protect me.9 -
T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Regarding gaiters - I rarely see anybody wearing N95's, so this is not about a comparison between gaiters and N95's, but rather between gaiters and cloth masks or the 3-ply surgical masks.
Most of what I've seen for purchase of cloth masks, as well as what my state sent out through my employer, are single cloth thickness. Not different than a gaiter. These are not intended to protect the wearer much (again: I'm not talking about nor comparing to N95's). They are merely "source control." The idea is that if I am a "source" of Covid spread unknowingly, the water droplets coming from my nose and mouth are captured by the mask or gaiter.
Nobody is saying gaiters are the same as N95's.
That was the point: you wear a face covering to protect others; protection for yourself is negligible.
Personally, I don't give a *kitten* what face protection you're wearing, as long as it covers your nose and mouth and you stay 6 ft. from me. In my experience, a lot of people can't even do that, so I'm not going to expect extra precautions.
Right... my county has a mask ordinance and we still have maybe 10%-15% compliance. I wear a mask to protect everyone else, not myself. It is irritating that others won't do the same to protect me.
Yes--it's irritating, but not likely to change. This is unfortunate, but better to not waste energy on it. I just protect myself to the best of my ability.9 -
How's a hospital to judge the quality of random masks that staff procured.Curious about the bolded because I've heard that many times in the last year, but the hospital I worked at only used surgical masks or PPAP hoods. I've even heard anecdotal stories that hospitals didn't allow nurses to bring in their own higher quality masks.
For liability and other reasons, it would be a challenge for hospitals to freeform PPE during a pandemic.
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snowflake954 wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Regarding gaiters - I rarely see anybody wearing N95's, so this is not about a comparison between gaiters and N95's, but rather between gaiters and cloth masks or the 3-ply surgical masks.
Most of what I've seen for purchase of cloth masks, as well as what my state sent out through my employer, are single cloth thickness. Not different than a gaiter. These are not intended to protect the wearer much (again: I'm not talking about nor comparing to N95's). They are merely "source control." The idea is that if I am a "source" of Covid spread unknowingly, the water droplets coming from my nose and mouth are captured by the mask or gaiter.
Nobody is saying gaiters are the same as N95's.
That was the point: you wear a face covering to protect others; protection for yourself is negligible.
Personally, I don't give a *kitten* what face protection you're wearing, as long as it covers your nose and mouth and you stay 6 ft. from me. In my experience, a lot of people can't even do that, so I'm not going to expect extra precautions.
Right... my county has a mask ordinance and we still have maybe 10%-15% compliance. I wear a mask to protect everyone else, not myself. It is irritating that others won't do the same to protect me.
Yes--it's irritating, but not likely to change. This is unfortunate, but better to not waste energy on it. I just protect myself to the best of my ability.
It's the same for us here. I gave up hope in others here doing the right thing months ago. We just do what is right and best to protect our family and community, and that's all you can do. Cultivate your own garden.
My oldest had to go to an in-person class at her college yesterday. She wore a disposable surgical mask covered by a 2-ply cloth mask. That's our plans for Krogering going forward. But that's all we do anyway now. Our new normal. 'Cept it's not new. It will be a year on March 17th. Since we're so isolated we know we aren't spreading anything to anyone else. We will have to continue to protect ourselves from them. It is starting to wear on us though. I'm tired.17 -
baconslave wrote: »snowflake954 wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Regarding gaiters - I rarely see anybody wearing N95's, so this is not about a comparison between gaiters and N95's, but rather between gaiters and cloth masks or the 3-ply surgical masks.
Most of what I've seen for purchase of cloth masks, as well as what my state sent out through my employer, are single cloth thickness. Not different than a gaiter. These are not intended to protect the wearer much (again: I'm not talking about nor comparing to N95's). They are merely "source control." The idea is that if I am a "source" of Covid spread unknowingly, the water droplets coming from my nose and mouth are captured by the mask or gaiter.
Nobody is saying gaiters are the same as N95's.
That was the point: you wear a face covering to protect others; protection for yourself is negligible.
Personally, I don't give a *kitten* what face protection you're wearing, as long as it covers your nose and mouth and you stay 6 ft. from me. In my experience, a lot of people can't even do that, so I'm not going to expect extra precautions.
Right... my county has a mask ordinance and we still have maybe 10%-15% compliance. I wear a mask to protect everyone else, not myself. It is irritating that others won't do the same to protect me.
Yes--it's irritating, but not likely to change. This is unfortunate, but better to not waste energy on it. I just protect myself to the best of my ability.
It's the same for us here. I gave up hope in others here doing the right thing months ago. We just do what is right and best to protect our family and community, and that's all you can do. Cultivate your own garden.
My oldest had to go to an in-person class at her college yesterday. She wore a disposable surgical mask covered by a 2-ply cloth mask. That's our plans for Krogering going forward. But that's all we do anyway now. Our new normal. 'Cept it's not new. It will be a year on March 17th. Since we're so isolated we know we aren't spreading anything to anyone else. We will have to continue to protect ourselves from them. It is starting to wear on us though. I'm tired.
I'm with you hon, we're all so tired of being careful. People that we know and family have gotten COVID. So far we've missed the silver bullet, but it's still out there.......9 -
Response by PCP to my Vitamin D of 22. 50,000 IU D3/week for 12 weeks, then 1000 IU daily10
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NM Governor just announced yesterday that public schools can resume in person learning on a hybrid schedule starting Feb 8. It will be up to individual districts as to whether or not they will. I'm in the largest school district in the state, so it'll be interesting to see what they do...hoping the kids will be able to go back though...a couple days out of the week is better than nothing.8
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