Protecting yourself during winter months with autoimmune disease

I'm so very sorry that you got Covid when you didn't wear a mask to the art class after getting the vaccine and ending up in the hospital. That's rough. How are you doing these days?

I love your bravery about always wearing a mask now. You are an inspiration and know that I'll be joining you, even when/if I attend the church services in person.

Blessings to you

My husband & I both wore N95 masks at a Mayo Clinic and on the way home. We both got Covid anyway. I’ve been told wearing a mask only prevents one from passing something on if you are ill. That wearing a mask doesn’t protect you from getting infected. After this experience, I tend to believe this.

The N95 masks don't prevent one from getting or transmitting viruses, they greatly decrease the viral load (the amount of virus that is "shared"). P100 respirators are used in isolation wards because they block 100% of the viral load (as opposed to ~95% for N95 and KN95 masks) but those are cumbersome (I have one for work). N95 masks and the vaccine work by decreasing the viral load that your immune system has to fight. They work if the covid is less severe than if you hadn't worn a mask or been vaccinated. We are used to vaccines and other preventatives being 100% effective, and the masks and mRNA vaccines work if they stop OR to decrease the spread or severity of diseases.

Thank you for your reply. I am going to have to research the P100 respirators a I truly don't know much about them. Without your input, it wouldn't have even made me give them a second look. Thank you.

That makes sense and I'm glad that you shared it. So, truly social distancing is the better way to prevent becoming sick with various things, as well as other safety precautions. Has anyone figured out the distance that is needed? I know at one point during Covid it was six feet, 8 feet, and a grocery cart length, depending on who was telling it. I'll stay home for the majority of winter, except for much needed trips out to appointments and tests. Otherwise, grocery delivery is available and I will use it. Thank you for your advice and sharing. I have much to learn and put into practice daily. Stay safe out there from the many lurking illnesses.

Have a great day.

Thank you for your information. Good to know. What about the latest Covid shot. One of my doctors says definitely get it and another is against it! Opinion?

I am getting mine on Friday, absolutely.

We wear KN95's. My daughter lives in NYC and wears one on crowded subways and has never gotten sick.

Thanks for letting me know that you wear the KN95 masks and that your daughter wears one on the crowded subways without incident. I made certain to get two boxes to last throughout winter. Do you wash down the carts in stores with a lysol wipe or just use them as is?

Blessings to you

I guess that depends on the reasons why one is in favor and the other not and based on your health. I have a friend that has rheumatoid arthritis and is immunocompromised because of meds she takes; she goes off the meds for a while before getting vaccines so they will have some effect if she is infected. Others avoid the shots due to immune response causing a vaccine reaction, or other reasons.

@happily alive yes I still grab those wipes going into stores, if still available. If I do a salad bar I also use the wipes on my hands. I am not obsessive about it but why not?

I have lupus and high antibodies for scleroderma, kidney disease, lung hyperinflation and episodes of afib. I was in the hospital with COVID and they literally could not treat me. Steroids and asthma meds set off my heart. So although my immune system has "gone awry" (quoting one doctor) the barriers to treatment- not just for COVID but flu, cold, any respiratory illness) are the reason for my vigilance. Also, with osteoporosis, a cough could mean fracture!