What do you do when seasonal "bugs" upset holiday plans?

@pacathy Thank you. I had not thought to look for a 3M info page regarding the lifespan of the masks. Good information ......and I agree with what you have said.
I feel if the band is still tight and the foam not crumbling etc. etc. I think one can use that as a guide for usage beyond expiration date.
You also made me think of the plastic 'masks' that protect ones eyes also. I've never tried one of them but it might help to remind one not to allow ones hands/fingers to get close to ones face after touching doors etc. etc. that one always comes in contact with. Choices and decisions....and how far do we go to protect ourselves!!!???
Thanks.
Barbara

@bbeers You mentioned "I don't do nebulizing, my Pulmo Dr. doesn't see the need for it."
I take it your C Scans, without contrast, do not show mucus plugging or other concerns and the reasons, therefore, the pulmonologist doesn't see a need for you to do the nebulizing of saline???
Barbara

@pacathy Good decision, "doing it most days". So maybe not needing to do the entire vial of saline every day????? You know yourself best and what is best overall. "Go with your 'gut'" thoughts and feelings.
Routines are disturbed for various reasons but at least you noted all and got back on track. Remember, we are human and humans are not perfect!
Barbara

@formergardener Masks first - I always use N95, sometimes in the yard and garden I use the sort with the breathing valve. They are more comfortable with exertion, but much more expensive.

Second, the filter - I use an undercounter arrangement like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Premium-Drinking-Water-Filtration-System-2-Stage-with-Designer-Faucet-and-Protection-Valve-U200/313132688
But the countertop units can be used by anyone, anywhere, not just in RV's. Renters, people with limited space or who can't crawl underneath to change filters, or who don't want to do an installation.

Only a very short length of tubing runs from the housing to the tap mounted in the sink (ours is a one-piece counter and sink, so my husband had to drill a hole.) A line runs from the cold water pipe to the filter intake. No hauling water, no boiling, no pitchers. It's usually just two of us, so we change the filters about every 2-3 months.

On our unit, you use a plastic wrench (provided) to unscrew the tube, pull out the filter and replace, and reattach. I'm sure the countertop units are similar.

@blm1007blm1007 Aargh, Barbara, those eye shields would definitely be a step too far for me!

I just be sure to use hand sanitizer or hand washing frequently.

@lorrainewenn see my post to Barbara from yesterday please, and to @formergardener today.

@sueinmn Sue, when you talk about the tubing that runs from the housing to the sink and a line running from the cold water pipe to the filter intake, are you referring to the under sink filter or the counter filter unit? I’m sorry- I am a bit confused. When you say you change the filter every 2-3 months, is this with both the countertop and the under the sink filters?

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation. This could really be a game changer! I just need a little more clarification. I can tell that you are very familiar with all of this.

@blm1007blm1007 I keep the face shields for dirty jobs and for yard work in spring. I wear a mask when working outside, too, but partly due to my severe pollen allergies. I limit amount I do, but some is good for my soul- I always plant some flowers and tomatoes. As I said, if I were home with someone with a respiratory illness, I’d add one and have done it a few times with sick kids I’ve picked up at school. The likelihood of developing an infection is higher with close contact and prolonged exposure and I don’t feel need to use the shields in normal circumstances-prob shouldn’t have mentioned. The kids used to readily wear masks, but are more reluctant these days.

As to the saline, doc said a few times a week if I want, but I’m stable with almost no secretions. Until my schedule got messed up, I still did daily with rare exception because I don’t mind nebbing in a.m while I look thru emails and this site plus I’m afraid to rock boat much. I get 4 ml vials with good Rx at Walgreens now and use most of it. (I used to use half the 5ml, but with careful technique and used in 24 hrs.)
Have a good day, Barbara.

@formergardener It is ordinary plastic 1/4 inch plumbing line. Ours is vertical, and doesn't hold water, so I don't worry about frequent replacement, but if I had horizontal tubing I would replace it when I replaced the filters. It is VERY cheap, comes in 25', 50' and 100' rolls.

Filters are rated by gallons of use, I can't remember the specifics. Instead of trying to calculate, we just replace. The same would apply to a countertop unit (I don't have one.) The choice between countertop and undersink is either/or - you don't need both. I only described the countertop unit because @blm1007blm1007 was concerned about access to the undersink model for filter changing.

I forgot to mention one step - which we do as a precaution - we wash the filter housing tubes with dish detergent and a brush when changing the filters and rinse them well so no crud builds up.

Hi everyone - I'm doing the "Happy dance" today. The "seasonal bugs" seem to have finally departed, and we finally celebrated our family Christmas yesterday with all in attendance plus a BONUS - a cousin made a surprise visit from 4 hours away and stayed to visit in spite of the weather. We had not seen her since September, and we are her immediate family so it was special. And Auntie brought her guinea pigs for the little boys to play with.
Today, the roads are greatly improved and we will head out for a family adventure this afternoon. (If we end up where intended, the adults at least will be in masks - flu is everywhere right now.)
I feel blessed.