COVID-19 and MAC: What are you doing differently to protect yourself?

@alleycatkate So much great reading out there for us to reflect upon. Thank you. irene5

@lorifilipek I have known Dr Osterholm and his work for over 40 years and his interviews are always a hard read because he gives so much background before he gets to the issue at hand, but I read the whole thing. I agree that distance remains the best protection, that the effectiveness of masks alone is limited, and also with his dismay at the lack of scientific support for much of what is being released as "gospel" during this pandemic - especially by CDC and those charged with informing us.

All that said, I still wear masks as part of my Covid-19 safety practices, not as an exclusive preventive measure, because every "layer" of protection I can add will help protect me and my community. This decision is based on the increasing bodies of scientific evidence that the virus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets and that the amount of viral load (determined by exposure time & closeness) contributes to the likelihood of infection. But my safety practices also include distance, hygiene, and limiting exposure to locations where there is greater opportunity for infection.

Repeatedly, my posts have included "stay tuned for further developments" - I hope someone is studying this matter, and we will have conclusive science-based knowledge, one way or the other, in the future.

Sue

Hi all, thanks for your replies on a VERY long article! 🙂 I agree with you all that every little bit helps. I'll also continue to wear a mask, but be much more cautious about distancing.

@alleycatkate Hi Kate, I'll read the (I hope) shorter article you just posted. Thanks and Stay safe yourself! Lori

Thanks for the posted link. Didn't sound very encouraging in this virus epidemic.

Hi again All, masks can help if people talk to each other. I just read this article in Forbes that states, in part: "A new study, however, shows how long speech-generated droplets can linger in the air: not cough- or sneeze-generated droplets, but plain old conversation level emissions. ...they can stay airborne for anywhere between eight and 14 minutes." Droplets are much larger than aerosols, and can be stopped by masks. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2020/05/17/need-proof-that-masks-protect-against-covid-19-study-finds-speech-droplets-can-stay-airborne-for-minutes/#272eb7ab708c

The link to the speech study referenced in the Forbe article above is https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/06/10/2009637117#F2
A more recent Forbes article (https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2020/06/13/face-masks-may-be-the-key-determinant-of-the-covid-19-curve-study-suggests/#100d20006497) lists an epidemiological study that also suggests masks are an important part of mitigation. Here’s the link to that study, published on June 11: https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/06/10/2009637117#F2

@migizii I am trying to learn about what safety measures one should take if you are 65 with bronchiectasis? So far, the only response from my pulmonologist is to follow the CDC guidelines......no one has posted here since mid June and the country appears to be surging once again, but without the measures that were initially taken. Does anyone have specific ideas? My husband, son and his girlfriend all work in the community daily and I have been furloughed since March but will probably be asked to return to a school environment next month.

@migizii - The initial recommendations still hold - wear mask, don’t touch your face, wash hands often, use hand sanitizer, keep your distance, avoid crowds in stores too. It is very stressful just leaving the house. I also wear disposable gloves when I shop and fill your gas tank.

@migizii and @astaingegerdm, Good question, Migizii. Because of asthma and chronic bronchitis, my pulmonologist advised that I'd need to follow recommended safety precautions more closely than most because of my virus vulnerability. Self-quarantined since March, I live alone and have had groceries home delivered. Just made my 1st instore trip 7/4th for household supplies.

In addition to what Ingegerd posted, I wore a hat, eyeglasses, long sleeves, socks and slacks. A store employee, wearing a mask, got too close, wet coughed and sneezed. Once home, I stripped, gargled with Listerine, used Pataday for my eyes and Alkalol, a nasal rinse with alcohol (all otc) before showering and shampooing.

As Ingegerd posted, venturing out into the world was very stressful for me. I experienced unusual fatigue later caused by anxiety of what it would be like because people in TX have been incredibly lax from the start in adhering to infectious disease experts' guidelines.

As a career educator now retired but with grandchildren waiting for public school reopening guidelines, we have been very concerned and still waiting to hear what their school district options will be.

My heart is with you and all who will be directly affected by whatever decisions are made regarding our schools' re-openings. Just thinking about this and wondering if you might ask your doc about any additional immune boosters that could be prescribed or recommended?

I wonder if one option for you might be to contact your district to ask if there will be special provisions made for staff with compromised respiratory issues and if a statement from your physician attesting to your increased vulnerability might be possible? Not pretending to advise but just wondering about the possibility? Sincerely hope you will let us know what you learn and how things go for you going forward.