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

@kathyhg ...In addition to the usual protections for influenza, I avoid winter doctor visits and crowded areas. I no longer shake hands and use hand sanitizer in the car after visiting every site. If the community infections grow, I'll wear my mask everywhere and postpone visits with grandchildren until summer.

Aren't the typical masks in the lobby of a doctor's office not safe?

@macjane that is what I have heard also. you need n95 or better.

We've not taken any novel measures as yet though I've toyed with the idea of stocking up on brown rice and whole wheat pasta which I use lots of anyway. If things become harrowing with food shortages we can survive for a while on whole grain starchy stuff.

Related, though not spot-on topic, several years ago during "flu season" I began substituting a fist bump for an open-palm handshake, often saying as I do it, "flu season handshake," hopefully thereby minimizing the chance of the other person taking offense I usually add the verbiage regardless of the season. In Health, Don

Hopefully we won’t get to the state that cities like Milan are in now, with empty shelves in the grocery stores. I guess you never know.

Interestingly, it’s been just about impossible to get isolation masks since January here - both regular surgical masks or N95. Because of scarcity, prices have also gone through the roof.

The reason I asked about it in this forum is that it’s a respiratory flu so my impression is that people with bronchiecstasis and/or Mac would seem to be very vulnerable.

I’ve also stopped shaking hands as well but I’ve noticed that many people have stopped shaking hands!

Hello @macjane, @heathert, others. The masks you see in a doctor's office serve one purpose -- To keep the person wearing the mask from infecting "others". In a pinch, I guess I would wear it, but we already have a number of N95-type masks, bought in Dec.

Stay healthy and safe! -- Dee

@thumperguy -- Your "Flu Season Handshake" is a great idea! However, I would always wash/sanitize my hands after "fist bumping" as well.

On the subject of "touch avoidance" -- Other things to avoid touching: elevator buttons; ATM machines; and fast food Order Boards. Use your knockles instead!

--Dee

Right you are Dee. Hand Hygiene rocks.

@kathyhg, Hi. I have two N95 masks that I bought awhile back for using during construction. Paint stores like Sherwin Williams, etc. carry them also. I am out of town right now, but I do plan to stock up on food items to limit trips to the store. Will probably get a huge bag of rice and bags of dried beans in case this gets really scary. I intend to hibernate to some extent. I will be saying no to a lot of outings and mixers. I have already starting washing my hands more frequently. I also had a talk with my hubby about being more careful. Unfortunately, he isn't taking this seriously. I will just have to constantly reminding him. How about you? Have you made a 'stay safe' plan?

@thumperguy, Personally, I would start to stock up now before the public goes into panick mode.