Community Chat

[Deree]

I've said this before in other threads.  To me it's simple common sense.  A mask is a barrier.  If I wear a mask it is logically protecting me from others AND others from me.  Same for the other person.  When they wear a mask they are protected from others and others are protected from them.  It's a 2-way street and double the barrier protection if all people wear masks. In fact, to increase the likelihood that droplets will not reach my nose and mouth I wear 2 masks one on top of the other as well as a cotton insert on the inside.  The cotton insert is also because f you have a surgical mask  your breath creates moisture inside the mask and deteriorates it so I can wash the cotton insert separately and reuse the masks.  IMO you do not need a medical expert to explain anything.

[BlueFinch]

@Ibby114 Of course, wearing a mask while driving is not indicated, but this is just another thing some people apparently feel they need to do.

I've had people pull up next to me wearing a mask, while driving all alone. Why?  

I think it might be concrete thinking. They hear -- 'stay home, but when outside the home, wear a mask.'  Maybe they don't understand the exceptions to the rule, or maybe they're just extremely fearful.   

[shoesnbags]

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@bmorechick wrote:

Morning...just a quick info piece here for those of you who choose to wear gloves while out. Remember, anything you touch in public infects the glove you have on. That glove is dirty and you should refrain from using your phone, touching your wallet, keys, purse etc.with that dirty glove as you have just transmitted those germs to those items.  I see so many people using their phone in a store with the glove still on, placing it up to their face while the germs jump from glove to phone to face.  I think its safer to just carry hand sanitizer with you at all times and use it before you handle any of your personal items while out.  I have many family member who are in healthcare and they all cringe when they see this. The gloves are labled disposable for a reason.

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@bmorechick 

You just described my husband.  I have tried to correct  him over and over, but it's like talking to a wall.  Like so many others, he somehow thinks that wearing the glove magically protects him.  I get so frustrated trying to explain cross-contamination to him. 

On a more positive note, I saw a lady at the grocery store yesterday who had her phone in her gloved hand, but the phone was in a ziplock plastic baggie. 

[Porcelain]

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@Ibby114 wrote:

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@BlueFinch wrote:

Please be careful, if you are lining your 'fashion' masks with product that makes them too occlusive.  And, wear N95 masks, if you can find them, with caution. I know people are looking for them, but they aren't indicated for social use, while maintaining a decent distance from others and using other sanitary precautions. 

Occlusive masks, like the N95 are fitted masks, that interfere with breathing. They are intended to wear into an isolation room for brief bedside treatments, or care, but not for extended periods of time. 

In fact, I just saw a photo online of a totaled car. The driver had been wearing an N95 mask long enough to finally go unconscious, crashing into a tree. Thankfully, not into someone else.

I witnessed a woman in a N95 doing a power walk in my hood, when temps were in the 90s.  She didn't even need a mask, walking alone. Exercise of this type is encouraged. I was seriously worried for her.  

The confusion over these issues is worrisome and can be unsafe. We just need masks, or scarfs that will prevent our respiratory vapors, or particles from escaping to someone nearby,  in case we're unknowingly carrying the virus. If everyone did this, with lots of hand washing, while keeping our hands off our face, we'd all be protecting one another.  

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@BlueFinch There's no reason to wear a mask when you're driving!  The masks are for when you're in a public place with people potentially around.

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I explained why my husband does.

[Deree]

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@BlueFinch wrote:

@Ibby114 Of course, wearing a mask while driving is not indicated, but this is just another thing some people apparently feel they need to do.

I've had people pull up next to me wearing a mask, while driving all alone. Why?  

I think it might be concrete thinking. They hear -- 'stay home, but when outside the home, wear a mask.'  Maybe they don't understand the exceptions to the rule, or maybe they're just extremely fearful.   

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There may be legit reasons for doing so especially given that one's hands are now presumed contaminated so the last thing you want to do is fiddle with putting a mask on your face when you arrive at your destination.  I think it's ok to have the mask on for a short drive.  Personally I find it uncomfortable and even hazardous to wear my mask while I'm driving to the supermarket so I take a bottle of hand sanitizer along and disinfect my hands when I arrive. Then I put my mask on.

[Diva on The Q]

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@Deree wrote:

I've said this before in other threads.  To me it's simple common sense.  A mask is a barrier.  If I wear a mask it is logically protecting me from others AND others from me.  Same for the other person.  When they wear a mask they are protected from others and others are protected from them.  It's a 2-way street and double the barrier protection if all people wear masks. In fact, to increase the likelihood that droplets will not reach my nose and mouth I wear 2 masks one on top of the other as well as a cotton insert on the inside.  The cotton insert is also because f you have a surgical mask  your breath creates moisture inside the mask and deteriorates it so I can wash the cotton insert separately and reuse the masks.  IMO you do not need a medical expert to explain anything.

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@Deree: You've explained it perfectly! In a simple, no-nonsense way. Better than a lot of medical professionals IMO.  

[pitdakota]