Wellness

[FlowerBear]

We were told all along not to wear a mask if you werent sick.  But what about all of the healthcare workers and others that wear them to avoid getting sick?  Should we not be wearing a mask also to avoid getting sick? I know some masks dont help alot but are they better than nothing? I have asthma and I am concerned.

[I am still oxox]

Where are you going and what about social distancing, I was told by my Immunologist not to wear a mask, I have asthma, afib and I am immunosuppresed.

Her best advice was to stay close to home and not expose myself at all

[Mom2Dogs]

Masks are needed by health care workers...for quite some time we have been told the masks are for sick people...steer clear of people, and keep you hands clean and off your face......it's the best remedy for staying healthy.

[SilleeMee]

Surgical masks don't keep out virus particles. That kind of PPE keeps coughing and sneezing particles from going out into the air. Health care workers wear masks to protect their patients , not because the worker is trying to keep from getting sick themselves.  Workers wear masks so they don't give any germs to their patients.

  Respirators, N95, will filter out the virus when you breathe in and it will also keep it from leaving your nose or mouth if you sneeze or cough.

Both of these PPE devices are in short supply. Don't wear them if you are not sick. Do wear them if you are sick or are health compromised and if you are around other people.

[Bibione]

I am an Italian immigrant.I get daily updates from friends and family ,plus I read every day comments from Italians on facebook.

Until a few days ago,masks were in short supplies.I have heard that some countries confiscated shippings of masks that Italy ordered and paid for.

Anyway,now that factories like Gucci are making masks now,more are available to the public.

The other day they started telling citizens on tv to wear them outside the house.On the videos I watch most Italians wear them.

I watched a segment on Italian tv where  a Chinese expert said to the popuation that they all need to wear a mask and to stay home.

My husband can wear a mask provided by his job,but he doesn't want to wear it.

[KingstonsMom]

@FlowerBear 

I'm 67 and have asthma, COPD and high blood pressure and my Dr. recommended that I try to limit contact with others, stay home if I can, if I have to go out, wear a mask, gloves, use sanitizer.

DH also has an autoimmune disease so he's under the same orders.

I'm a homebody anyway, so self isolating is working just fine for me, but if I had to go out, I would follow my Dr.'s protocol for our particular health issues.

[CelticCrafter]

If there are only certain masks that will work, why have I seen tons of posts all over Facebook sewing, quilting and crafting groups asking people to make them?

[patbz]

On CNN they just said that some medical personnel are extending the life of their N95 masks by covering the outside of the device with a homemade mask.

[Spacrazy]

@FlowerBear My granddaughter is a “new” RN (two years now) and landed her dream job at a large trauma center in a big city and she loves it. They ran out of masks yesterday and hustling to revamp protocol. I am very worried for her and her colleagues - she is not. They have a wonderful get-it-done attitude. 

This brings me to question who should have the masks - the person working inside you or someone out walking their dog?

[BlueFinch]

@FlowerBear Remember that nurses can't 'social distance' from their patients. They are  face to face, delivering care. Suctioning, turning, positioning, administering fluids, meds, etc. They handle blood and body secretions. They have to be protected. 

With a known, or suspected transmittable contagion, they wear the N95 mask. This is a more occlusive, fitted mask designed to protect the wearer. It's a mask that requires an annual test for fitting. If not used properly, it can be ineffective, too. They are uncomfortable to wear for any length of time. If you're working with one on, you begin to feel claustrophobic and like breathing is somewhat obstructed. Coming out of an isolation room, you can't wait to rip them off. 

The less protective 'surgical mask' is to protect others. It prevents some vapors and possible airway, or facial secretions for affecting others.  They do not offer protection from a virulent contagion for the wearer.  They are NOT fitted masks. They fit loosely on the face. They are nice for mowing the lawn, or other allergy inducing activities, keeping out some larger particles.  Microscopic particles? Nope, not if you get too close.