Good morning.
This will be my last post for a week.
I am taking my youngest son off to college this weekend and then am taking my first week off since this whole thing started 6 months ago. I need a break.
The single most important thing you can do to stem the spread of Covid-19 is to wear a mask. It’s undeniable. The science is clear. If you don’t wear one when you are around people, especially the vulnerable ones, other than in very well ventilated areas (ie: outdoors), you are risking your own health but more importantly you are risking the health of all those around you. It’s irresponsible.
Stop doubting it and stop whining about it. Previous generations were asked to go to war to protect their fellow citizens. Many more people have died protecting your rights than have died from Covid-19, but people need to stop hiding behind the selfish attitude that “it’s my right not to wear a mask”. You may not care about yourself, but all we ask is that you wear a mask to protect everyone else.
Whoopie!
Numerous studies have shown that even a cloth mask makes a big difference in terms of inhaling Covid infected particles but also with respect to spreading the particles and infecting others. Although the prevailing feeling is that “anything is better than nothing”, there are some new findings you should consider.
GATORS. These are turtleneck style masks made out of synthetic material which you can easily pull up and down. Although they seem like a great alternative to a mask, wearing them might actually be worse than not wearing a mask at all. The reason has to do with the fabric. When you breathe suspended respiratory droplets in and out, as they travel through the fabric, they actually become aerosolized, becoming much smaller particles. Larger, exhaled, coughed or sneezed respiratory particles are actually quite large, stay suspended in the air for a few a while and then fall to the ground or other surfaces. The aerosolized particles stay suspended for much longer and can be more deeply inhaled. This aerosolization does not occur with cloth masks or medical grade masks. DO YOUR RESEARCH. The better quality gators have an insertable filter.
VALVED MASKS. Many industrial N-95 masks, like those made for painting or use with chemicals, are great at stopping particles from getting in, but are not as good with respect to preventing your particles from getting out. The attraction is that breathing is a little easier but personal convenience comes at the cost of endangering others.
Otherwise, wear whatever makes you comfortable. Double layer cloth masks are better than single layer. Insertable filters help as well. Surgical masks are good as are N95 which filter out just about everything, assuming it has a nice tight seal. I would reserve the higher grade masks for situations where there is a greater chance of infection, for example if you need to go to the doctors office, a lab or the hospital.
MASK BASICS AND ETIQUETTE.
Wearing a mask protects you, protects others and shows those around you that you care about their well being. However, some people are not wearing them properly.
Cover your nose. The bug is inhaled through the nose and replicates there and it is exhaled through the nose. If the mask is below your nose, it’s effectiveness drops off dramatically. You don’t wear a bra with a breast hanging out or underwear with your peepee hanging out so don’t wear a mask with your nose exposed.
If you have a surgical mask or one that has a metal strip for the nose, make sure the strip is on top and fitted to your nose. I know this sounds pretty obvious but I have seen numerous patients wearing great masks, but they are upside down.
Don’t turn it inside out. Again, another obvious one, but with some masks, it may be hard to tell which side is in and which is out. If you go back and forth, you may be inhaling the viral particles which deposited on the surface. Stay consistent and wash regularly if they are cloth.
Stop touching it. When you inhale, viral particles deposit on the surface so if you touch the front of the mask, you’ve just contaminated your hand and can then contaminate other surfaces. If you need to re-adjust it, use the loops or straps. If you must touch the front, wash or sanitize your hands.
Have a few on rotation. Leaving them on your dash, in the sun and heat for a couple of days kills everything. Wash them regularly as well if they are cloth. Also, UV sterilizers can be helpful. You want to make sure they have UV-C rays. Not that expensive on Amazon.
If you have a mask with ear loops, simple cloth or spandex headbands with buttons can be used to pull on the loops, taking the pressure off the ears. This makes it more comfortable, especially if you wear glasses and /or a hearing aid. Make your own or you can get one from Amazon.
We are all in this together and it will take a concerted group effort to get past it. There is no getting around it. The only way past is through!
WEAR A MASK. Wear it properly covering your nose. Make sure it works (see above).
DISTANCE when you are out or around vulnerable people. “Physical distancing” not “social distancing”. We need each other.
WASH YOUR HANDS and use sanitizers as needed.
DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE.
WORK ON YOUR HEALTH.
And a new important one:
ENSURE GOOD AIRFLOW. Dilute the air by staying outside, keeping windows open or use fans indoors. The transmission rate outdoors is extremely low. When all the protests were going on a few months ago with yelling, little distancing and mask-wearing, there was a lot of concern about Covid spikes but they never happened. Being outside is the best place to be. Sun, wind… There is debate about air filters indoors. For smaller spaces with poor ventilation, if people are spending a long time together, it makes sense. I did get one for my son’s dorm room, but that is a small space that is shared. Make sure it has a HEPA filter. Check on the airflow and air quality in your workspace or kids school. Unfortunately, an estimated 30% of schools do not meet the governments own paltry air quality requirements putting all those in schools at risk. It’s another piece of the “going back to school” equation.
Have a great week.
Stay safe and be well.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻♂️🌎😷