Community Chat

[wagirl]

Altho I am not freaking out over this thing, I am concerned. I think we don't know the half of what is going on, thanks to the politics of other affected countries and our own ostrich-types in DC--- I am putting together a box and found these masks in a kit at a military supply online store and ordered a few----just to be prepared. The N95 masks have been hard to find. And just to say--the flu has killed thousands of people---but not knowing about this new virus =-----I'll be prepared as much as I can. Keep washing your hands and take precautions with crowds-------I did the same thing when I was going thru chemo too---

[Porcelain]

More important than a mask is training yourself to not touch or rub or itch at your face. You're much safer if you completely break that habit. Helps avoid colds too.

I'm amazed at how often I touch my face throughout the day. If I were very concerned because there was an actual outbreak in my area, I would take breaking this habit very seriously.

[Alison Wonderland]

Price gouging is the free market way.

[pitdakota]

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@Stray wrote:
I was a nurse & throwing on a mask without proper hygiene education & the correct mask is useless. As someone mentioned N95 masks are air tight. If the mask gapes at the sides, there is no protection. I wore N95 masks at ground zero after 9/11 & something similar back in the days when TB was rampant. They are not comfortable but protect you from minute microscopic particulates. We also issued N95s to employees handling mail during the anthrax scare. As another poster pointed out, once the mask is moist from respiration it is not only useless but harmful as you are providing nice moist media to perpetuate the growth of bacteria/virus. Right now, the best way to protect yourself is good hygiene, hand washing & crowd avoidance. If a mask makes you feel more secure, purchase the right one and change it often.

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@Stray, they really are hot and uncomfortable aren't they?   If you have had to wear them correctly for any amount of time, one totally appreciates that.  Totally agree they are single use only and need to be changed if they become moist.  Also, as I remember they are not effective for men that have beards due to the inability to get the correct fit.   

[lovesrecess]

Shameful for pharmacies to be giving them away for free when they know they offer no protection at all for corona virus

[lovesrecess]

Probably wise to just stay in if you can. Best wishes for your next procedure.

[lovesrecess]

Also probably good to stock up on Clorox wipes. I always have several containers of them and use everywhere. I don’t even own dishcloths

[bikerbabe]

I barely pass my fit test for the N95. I feel like I can’t breathe and it triggers major anxiety. Don’t know how I’d fare having to wear one for an extended period of time. I haven’t had to care for a patient that required it (TB, for example).

[shoesnbags]

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@lovesrecess wrote:
Shameful for pharmacies to be giving them away for free when they know they offer no protection at all for corona virus

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@lovesrecessI don't believe she said that the pharmacies were recommending these for Corona virus protection.  Sounded as if these masks had been free at her pharmacy for some time.  The poster just assumed that they would work for the new virus.

[shoesnbags]

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@lovesrecess wrote:
Also probably good to stock up on Clorox wipes. I always have several containers of them and use everywhere. I don’t even own dishcloths

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@lovesrecessYou wash dishes with Clorox wipes? I actually use dishcloths instead of a sponge at the kitchen sink, because I can wash them in hot water in the washing machine.  Freshly washed dish cloths seem cleaner to me than a sponge.