Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Coronavirus
Twoapenny:
--- Quote from: CB123 on May 27, 2020, 03:38:06 PM ---Hops, the research I have read is that it is all about how much exposure you have. That's why its usually fine to be 6 feet apart with no mask, but not always. It's also why the cloth mask is probably doing pretty good to protect you too.
There are a lot of patterns for masks made with t shirts and those arent so good since knit material is very porous (that's why it's so comfortable!!) I wish people would get a little more direction about that.
The key seems to be multiple layer of cloth and well fitted. Lots of gaps around your nose for example is not going to be as comprehensive of coverage. I have a couple with ties, and the ones with elastic over the ears are definitely a better fit.
I've also looked at the research about whether it lets virus particles in--apparently when masks were tested after outside exposure, the outer layer, and first inner layer had virus particles, but the inside layer did not. So likely there is some protection for the wearer even from outside particles. Likewise, the infected person wearing a mask had particle penetration through the layers of mask, but not the outside. Plus six feet distancing and you are probably getting very little exposure.
You can also add a filter layer between the 2 layers in the form of even a coffee filter or paper towel, which will of course, need to be removed and replaced after each outing. I also read that some patterns are using a layer of chiffon which I thought was an elegant touch! Some are using wire or pipe cleaners across the bridge of the nose on the mask to make it more custom fitted.
From what my nurse kids tell me, the N95 is a little trickier for the average person to use. That's hospital grade and may be a little harder to breathe in, especially during exercise.
Anyway, I'm like you--staying in for the most part. My patio guests have been my kids who live in town but only from time to time, but the one who works in ICU isnt coming anywhere near me, so I havent seen the grandkids for a long time.
CB
--- End quote ---
CB, that is all pretty much what I've been told as well. I've a couple of friends here who are paramedics and they've both said that you need hospital grade equipment for proper protection, which even medical staff here can't get, plus, as you say, it's cumbersome and just isn't something you can run around town doing your shopping in. Their advice is stay home as much as possible, wash yourself and everything else frequently, keep your distance from people whenever you can and use a mask in an enclosed space. I think even just covering your mouth with a scarf is supposed to reduce the transmission risk by up to 30%. But staying in reduces it the most. We are staying in. Lol xx
sKePTiKal:
I believe the army did some tests on mask materials and found microfiber - the heavier kind, like cleaning cloths - was the most effective outer layer for stopping droplets. It makes sense, to me, because each fiber on those cloths is super-absorbent and even grabs dust particles thoroughly.
I can't imagine how hot that mask would end up being though. I can barely make my quick run through the grocery with my multiple layer cotton mask as it is without the claustrophobia setting in - increasing my discomfort.
Hopalong:
Just watched a clarifying explanation from Dr. Michael Osterholm (head of infectious disease, U. of Minn.). Basic masks somewhat reduce risk of transmission (either way) but are NEGLIGIBLE in their protection when compared to distancing. He says people are fastening onto the idea that because masks are tangible, we're safe if we wear one. BUT: Six feet isn't enough, and distancing is the Number One Measure to reduce risk. He didn't specify how much is safe, but I'm going 8' even outdoors. He said outdoors, because movement of air clears virus particles faster, is the safest place anyone can be (as long as you're DISTANT from others).
(IOW, not being in proximity to other people is IT.) He says we don't know because this is a strange new virus, whether:
1) It will come in one wave that's still happening all over, in different strengths in different areas of the globe, and eventually go away.
2) It will remain simmering in our species until we eventually have either: 1) immunity in 60%-70% of the population, OR 2) an effective vaccine created (hopefully 18 months but that's unknown) and distributed (???)
3) It will appear gone for several months (say, most of the summer) and people will tell themselves, YAY! Back to "normal!" and then if it behaves like flu (which is unknown but feared by scientists) then a second wave, as happened in 1918, will arrive with a vengeance more deadly than the first wave.
He says we DON'T KNOW which will happen and we need to accept not knowing. Science doesn't know and your cousin can't guess and political tilts have nothing to do with anything. It is deadly. It is unknown. It is new. Science is after it. There IS hope but no room for stupidity.
Yes, wear a mask but remember they leak around the edges. He said if there are two in a room, even six feet apart, and one is infected, s/he will AEROSOLIZE virus particles just by breathing that can infect you in two minutes. Mask and all. If both of us are wearing masks, we've got maybe four minutes. Better yet: face facts and stay home and stop all non-essential excursions.
He wasn't addressing the economy or answers to that, which governments have to address. He wasn't being asked to because he's just explaining the biology of it.
This helped me. I feel clearer about it. Don't relax with a mask on, be MORE vigilant about who passes me on the street (I'm thinking of a sign I tape onto the back of my shirt saying DISTANCE PLEASE. Not kidding.) And tap into inner resources and stay home indefinitely. M and I are on the same page and I can at least go there, and the few individuals who come to my back yard are ready to do distancing and disinfection, and nobody is in my house except occasionally M.
Not fun to read but I was grateful for his detail.
hugs
hops
Hopalong:
(If anybody has HULU, he was on The View two days ago.)
Thanks, CB.
hugs
Hops
lighter:
Tupp:
I'm glad the news you might be sheltering in place for a year didn't upset ds.
You're right. Regular medical procedures have been cut back or stopped in order to cope with COVID 19 patients. A second wave, with regular patients in the middle of it, would be terrible. This isn't a good scenario in any case.
On a brighter note..... and bc I'm babbling with anxiety.....The family, staying at my dad's farm, continue to receive free cancer treatment for their son in Atlanta every Friday. There were no cancellations for his treatment. Across the street from that hospital is the hospital I had both girls at. I just looked up their website and see the hospital is up and running, pretty standard.... women's center still taking expectant and delivering mothers and treating the infants. Only 1 visitor allowed to see the new babies for one hour a day in NICU. That goes to 4 hours when they're training the visitor to care for the infant. The mothers can have only one visitor... the same visitor, through their stay, unless they're under 18yo. Then they can have 2.
Any suspected COVID 19 patients or confirmed cases have suspended visitation. In Mid March the patients had the choice to have a visitor IN their hospital room, on lockdown, with them. I guess that's not the case now.
The In Patient, OUt patient and infusion centers are suspending visitations. No one is allowed to just show up at the emergency room... they have to call their doctor or the hotline number. There are 5 hospitals in that group... all over the Country.
The rule for visiting COVID patients or suspected COVID patients is a big NOPE. No visitors whatsoever.
We're experiencing COVID in retirement homes in my County recently... 2 facilities the last time I checked... one is a few minutes from where I live. The healthcare workers tested positive and gave it to the residents.... it's assumed .
Our County has 260 confirmed COVID cases. 170 recovered. 4 deaths. The Latino community is experiencing 5 times higher numbers.
2 days ago we had "a small number" of workers at the main hospital test positive for COVID 19. The numbers are spiking back up and I don't see things getting better for a while.
I could wish things were different. That everyone would wear safety gear and look after each other. Laura Ingram was upset about the patient tracing too. WTH? How will we ever get a handle on this if people are against tracing those who have the virus and those who've been exposed?
I'm frustrated with the response here too, Tupp.
Lighter
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