Coronavirus prep
Replies
-
FWIW, just for consideration:
Report on NPR station a little while ago (didn't notice whether it was national or state level) says double masking is now a good idea, partly because of the new variants that are more highly contagious. The expert ** they were interviewing suggested a disposable filter-type mask next to the face because of better filtration, cloth mask over that to add layers but especially to keep fit to the face better (fewer, smaller gaps).
** I didn't catch the intro; could've been anything from a science journalist regurgitating info to a high-level epidemiologist/doctor. Don't know, sorry. 😐🤷♀️
Other comments: N95 should still be primarily reserved for health care workers & similar. KN95 are fairly available, but lots of substandard/fake ones on the market (said CDC website has a list of reliable brands). Interviewee said she wouldn't worry about double mask for (say) walking the dog, but a good idea for places like grocery stores
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.
0 -
FWIW, just for consideration:
Report on NPR station a little while ago (didn't notice whether it was national or state level) says double masking is now a good idea, partly because of the new variants that are more highly contagious. The expert ** they were interviewing suggested a disposable filter-type mask next to the face because of better filtration, cloth mask over that to add layers but especially to keep fit to the face better (fewer, smaller gaps).
** I didn't catch the intro; could've been anything from a science journalist regurgitating info to a high-level epidemiologist/doctor. Don't know, sorry. 😐🤷♀️
Other comments: N95 should still be primarily reserved for health care workers & similar. KN95 are fairly available, but lots of substandard/fake ones on the market (said CDC website has a list of reliable brands). Interviewee said she wouldn't worry about double mask for (say) walking the dog, but a good idea for places like grocery stores
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.FWIW, just for consideration:
Report on NPR station a little while ago (didn't notice whether it was national or state level) says double masking is now a good idea, partly because of the new variants that are more highly contagious. The expert ** they were interviewing suggested a disposable filter-type mask next to the face because of better filtration, cloth mask over that to add layers but especially to keep fit to the face better (fewer, smaller gaps).
** I didn't catch the intro; could've been anything from a science journalist regurgitating info to a high-level epidemiologist/doctor. Don't know, sorry. 😐🤷♀️
Other comments: N95 should still be primarily reserved for health care workers & similar. KN95 are fairly available, but lots of substandard/fake ones on the market (said CDC website has a list of reliable brands). Interviewee said she wouldn't worry about double mask for (say) walking the dog, but a good idea for places like grocery stores
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.
I have no idea; it was an aside in the conversation. Perhaps she was thinking of people in health care who are not directly caring for Covid patients in hospitals? Staff I see in doctor's offices, for example, seem to be wearing cloth or disposable masks, mostly. I don't know what staff in the non-Covid parts of nursing homes and rehab centers have. I would think any of those kinds of people would be at elevated risk. The definition of "health care" can be pretty broad . . . .0 -
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 -
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.6 -
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
-
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
-
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.6 -
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.
5 -
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
-
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
-
Here is a reason you can be glad to not live in China ATM. They are apparently rolling out anal swabs as a more accurate way of testing for COVID. Curious if it is self swab, or some poor medical personnel are having to carry out those tests.7
-
I have not been inside a store, clinic, anywhere in months. The last time I was I saw some real ridiculousness with plastic shields that were open all the way around instead of masks AND masks made of lace, which obviously don't do anything except fulfill the requirement for face covering. They think they're being cute, until it's their family members who end up dead. In person school is set to begin around here on Feb. 8th, for K through 2nd grade, with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders resuming in another 3 to 4 weeks. ugh, it feels like I am never getting out of quarantine! Every place that announces opening for appointments fills up within 15 minutes.8
-
Here is a reason you can be glad to not live in China ATM. They are apparently rolling out anal swabs as a more accurate way of testing for COVID. Curious if it is self swab, or some poor medical personnel are having to carry out those tests.
I am curious about the science behind this. It seems likely that fewer people would go for testing, which is a problem worse than accuracy concerns.
Also, don't threaten me with a good time. 😆10 -
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.
Thanks for this! For those of us who use F, 60°C = 140°F.
I haven't been feeling good about my cloth mask since seeing this graphic on another thread (and looking up the sourcing.)
I have 20 KN95 masks from my former employer but cannot breathe through them and feel sick after wearing them. (May be related to my chemical sensitivity.) I also tried one of those blue ones, and it is better than the KN95 but not as breathable as the cloth.
I'm almost never in public though - just at supermarkets, where there is 100% face covering wearing compliance (but a lesser amount of wearing CORRECTLY), and I go at times of day where I'm not within 6 feet of people for more than a few seconds.3 -
This headline perfectly describes my experience of trying to schedule a vaccine for my mother here in Massachusetts. Really disappointed in my state.
‘Debacle’: Mass. Residents Over 75 Frustrated On First Day Of COVID Vaccine Registration8 -
I am curious about all the schools doing online that I hear about on tv. My gkids schools in both Iowa & Oklahoma have been full time in person since they started in the fall, except for a 2 wk shutdown around Thanksgiving. Now instead of total school shut down, it will be by individual classrooms. I don’t really know, but it doesn’t seem to have increased the cases that much, even when Iowa was #4.
Gaiters were allowed at first, so gson got some & they were so long, we doubled them over & I sewed them to stay. But now school doesn’t allow them.
1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »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.
Thanks for this! For those of us who use F, 60°C = 140°F.
I haven't been feeling good about my cloth mask since seeing this graphic on another thread (and looking up the sourcing.)
I have 20 KN95 masks from my former employer but cannot breathe through them and feel sick after wearing them. (May be related to my chemical sensitivity.) I also tried one of those blue ones, and it is better than the KN95 but not as breathable as the cloth.
I'm almost never in public though - just at supermarkets, where there is 100% face covering wearing compliance (but a lesser amount of wearing CORRECTLY), and I go at times of day where I'm not within 6 feet of people for more than a few seconds.
@Kshama2001 I remember this infographic. Quilting cotton fabric is what I use to sew masks and I had forgotten that in the beginning coffee filters were used in the filter pocket.
Also, interesting article on the mass rollout. Totally different than what I realized. Since my parents are still "researching" the vaccine, I did not try online today and the only people that I personally know that tried, did not have a problem. But for all the bad, i doubt it was any worse than how it went in Florida. It finally took my techy son to write a software script that monitored appointment offerings and set off an alarm when one popped up. First two he lost (first, he did not have her insurance info and second, he was pouring a cup of coffee) but third one worked. But I truly feel bad for the folks that do not have computer access or skills, or don't have someone with those skills to help them.3 -
My husband is getting his first jab this coming Saturday, and I just scheduled mine for next Tuesday, Feb 02 in the afternoon.
Interesting that when we were children we used to "run" away from vaccines and shots, and now we are pleading for one....
6 -
LisaGetsMoving wrote: »I have not been inside a store, clinic, anywhere in months. The last time I was I saw some real ridiculousness with plastic shields that were open all the way around instead of masks AND masks made of lace, which obviously don't do anything except fulfill the requirement for face covering. They think they're being cute, until it's their family members who end up dead. In person school is set to begin around here on Feb. 8th, for K through 2nd grade, with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders resuming in another 3 to 4 weeks. ugh, it feels like I am never getting out of quarantine! Every place that announces opening for appointments fills up within 15 minutes.
Yeah. Someone in my FB feed (daughter of a good friend, so I follow the daughter to see grandkid photos) just posted "my body, my rules" on a thread about double-masking. 🙄 Lots of photos throughout the pandemic of her all huggy-maskless with friends/coworkers/etc. Also a rabid anti-vaxxer. I hope her child doesn't pay for that - either of those things - sincerely.)
On the shield-only front, I've seen only a very few people here, like that. I've seen quite a few mask+shield (and have some friends who do this, if they must be around others, because immunocompromised). Since it's rare here to see shield-only, I've wondered if it's folks who have actual breathing issues with masks, since one can't really tell that from visual inspection. Can't really recall circumstances where I saw them, either, i.e., whether potentially avoidable risk like grocery store, vs. maybe unavoidable ones like medical facility visit.
I have to admit, I don't pay as much attention to what other people do, as I did at first - at least not until they get close to me. (Most people here are masked, have been for a while, and the majority properly - a few slipped down below nose or on chin, when I've paid attention, but not many, and perhaps less common than at first.)2 -
I think it's important not to get too lost in the weeds on mask types, depending on your exposure and risk levels. If you are maintaining distancing and not lingering in indoor public spaces, any well fitting face covering will probably do just fine. If you work in a public space or will be spending some time in a public indoor space (like a long grocery shopping stop), it's probably a good idea to ensure you have multiple layers, or double up. Also if you live in an area where others are liable to invade the personal space you're trying to maintain. If you are at high risk or in a hot spot, you might want to consider investing in some serious, healthcare grade masks.
Gators got a bad rap when some company testing something else saw data that suggested gators did nothing. It was quickly debunked but retractions never get the same press. Gators are better than nothing and probably similar protection to a single ply cloth mask. I personally wouldn't wear either into a grocery store, but they are better than nothing and will at least physically block particles from a sneeze or cough travelling 6 feet I would guess.
If everyone would wear anything over their nose and mouth (other than the smart a** masks designed as an fu to mask rules) whenever they were in public, we'd be in a much better place right now.
I have some soft cotton masks with a gauzey inner layer that I wear outside, at work (since I rarely see anyone other than the receptionist and everyone masks), or to quickly run into a place to pickup takeout or just buy the bananas I forgot). If I'm going somewhere indoors that I think might be crowded or I'll be inside for more than 5 or 10 minutes, I have thicker masks with two layers of tighter fabric and a nose fitter. I'm thinking of buying some disposable masks to double up with my cloth masks now that these other strains might be more transmissible. But I have no known risk factors and am able to avoid other people almost entirely.7
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 398.2K Introduce Yourself
- 44.7K Getting Started
- 261K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.4K Food and Nutrition
- 47.7K Recipes
- 233K Fitness and Exercise
- 462 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.7K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.5K Motivation and Support
- 8.4K Challenges
- 1.4K Debate Club
- 96.5K Chit-Chat
- 2.6K Fun and Games
- 4.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 17 News and Announcements
- 21 MyFitnessPal Academy
- 1.5K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 3.1K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions