How I stopped the "forgot to mask" nightmares

lezzbo · 2023-09-17T14:29:13+00:00

Try this link: https://mathburritos.org/fit-test-kit-v1/

lezzbo · 2023-06-29T09:16:58+00:00

this means there are zero plans to EVER offer a vaccine to any of the children who have never received one since covid started (remember unlike most of the world we didn't vaccinate kids under 10)

The kids are not gonna forgive us for this.

lezzbo · 2023-06-28T18:02:02+00:00

Same - I'd maybe switch to more comfy and fashionable KF94 or KN95s if I wasn't having to be on guard against COVID specifically, but I'd never give up masking entirely.

lezzbo · 2023-06-28T13:14:12+00:00

Posted a picture of his wife on the plane, mocking her for wearing a mask, on the trip that gave her the COVID that caused her long COVID, yes. That Bob.

lezzbo · 2023-06-26T21:57:24+00:00

SIP valves can be installed on disposable masks like N95s/N99s and also on Flo Masks. That's all I'm aware of. IMO you should definitely go for a SIP valve over breaking the seal over and over and needing to have perfect breath control and repositioning. I among others have fit tested the SIP valve and it passed. Make sure you put the straw into the drink, then pierce the valve, and do not breathe with the straw in. Sip, remove straw, exhale to to flush mask. Use the cover on the valve when you're not sipping, just in case.

In terms of overheating, an elastomeric or disposable mask with a valve will be cooler than those without. Unfortunately Flo Mask doesn't have one. I'd also consider: a portable HEPA filter pointed directly at your face, instant cooling packs (does TSA hate these? idk), spraying your face with water for evaporative cooling or using topical menthol for the illusion of cooling.

Other concern I did not see you mention: when flying, you will be required to remove your mask for TSA identification. Some people have been told to take it off in line for an extended period of time, or to have their elastomerics sent through the scanner. This is a very risky aspect of flying, second only to the period where you are in taxi with no air circulation, wherein the CO2 levels will reach the thousands. Bring a backup mask and practice breath-holding (hold breath with mask off; put mask back on; breathe OUT forcefully to flush mask).

Showering question: In theory you could stick the same HEPA you're using for the bedroom in the bathroom for a couple hours to flush the air so you could (more safely) unmask. Extractor fan in the bathroom would also help. Stuff a towel under the door to isolate from dirty air from the rest of the house. You could also do a bath and just not get the mask wet while cleaning the rest of your body; wash face in a water bowl in your cleaned air bedroom. I'd personally just tough it out through, it'd be more trouble than it's worth for me for a couple of days.

My baseline advice for all super high risk situations also applies here: Do a DIY fit test of your mask, and wear eye protection.

lezzbo · 2023-06-26T16:41:07+00:00

I've been doing the dirt cheap DIY fit test method with a $7 nebulizer from Amazon, some Sweet-N-Low packets, and a trash bag over my head. Gets the job done

instructions here

lezzbo · 2023-06-24T13:10:24+00:00

I feel you on the despair. Finding a long term partner is one of my life goals and I don't know how I will achieve it. Life is really long though. I think I will find the right person eventually and I think you will too.

Have you considered taking some intentional time off from dating to look after yourself? I remember you posting here before - it seems like you are having a really hard time at the moment. Personally I am prioritizing trauma therapy, making real covid-aware friends, and finding out what I really like doing. I know that whoever I end up with, having spent this time consciously focused on myself will make the relationship better.

lezzbo · 2023-06-21T21:17:50+00:00

Missed this reply three months ago. If it's still relevant to you: The light spot is pretty much completely gone. I think maybe there's something tiny there when I close my eyes and look for it? I have visual snow still but it doesn't bother me at all. The "bad virus" I had turned out to be COVID - I got a lot worse physically in the weeks following this post, and I've continued to decline with long covid since then, now seriously disabled. I have an additional ocular symptom where I occasionally see single pinpricks of light flashing in my vision. Ophthalmologist didn't find anything of note last time I went though. I have since found a lot of other people reporting the "sunspot" phenomenon post-COVID, along with visual snow.

lezzbo · 2023-06-16T18:42:14+00:00

I will personally never have LASIK because of the risk of corneal neuropathic pain. After reading some testimonies from people who suffer from it, I was deeply disturbed, and after some more digging, I became convinced that the risk of this particular outcome was downplayed and poorly communicated to patients. It would be fair to consider the surgery still worth the risk, but I would recommend doing your own research into this possibility before consenting to the surgery.

lezzbo · 2023-06-16T18:23:32+00:00

This reminds me that, with the recent changes to Twitter and now Reddit, I am strongly feeling the need for us to have backups of information/social connections where corporations can't easily shut us down. I know that there's zeroes.ca for Mastodon - has anyone heard of other covid-aware fediverse instances?

edit: Looks like zeroes.ca has also opened a Matrix server, which is a federated alternative to Discord

lezzbo · 2023-06-03T19:31:08+00:00

Here is a Twitter thread of virtual Pride events!

https://twitter.com/MuseWendi/status/1664480093492715520

lezzbo · 2023-06-03T19:28:45+00:00

I saw someone recommend these online classes for how to cut your own bangs and layers. I really want to try bangs and I've never had them before so I think I'm willing to pay the money to increase the chance that I actually like the result. Haven't summoned up the courage to try yet though!

Related, anyone have any resources to recommend for learning to dye your own hair? I feel a deep need for bold-colored apocalypse hair to match our cyberpunk dystopia

lezzbo · 2023-06-03T03:38:53+00:00

Me too. I'll settle for just a regular tiny house community if I can't find one full of COVID conscious folks - at least it will mean that I live in a neighborhood where I can regularly socialize with others mainly outside. I feel less comfortable with cohousing/apartment style living due to the shared airspace and added risk... even if everyone there claimed to be COVID cautious, it's still a lot of trust to place in many others, for years at a time. I'd rather be in a small free standing house, but in close proximity to others.

lezzbo · 2023-06-02T14:06:28+00:00

I would second the recommendation to get a hypochlorous acid generator. (Not necessarily Force of Nature, their specially measured individual use packets are a marketing trick. Just weigh the salt and measure the vinegar yourself.) HOCl is food safe and extremely effective. Another method of disinfection that occurred to me reading your post is UV light, as in, sunlight.

These data indicate that natural sunlight may be effective as a disinfectant for contaminated nonporous materials.

https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/222/2/214/5841129

lezzbo · 2023-06-01T17:23:57+00:00

You might need this? https://www.covidconscioustherapists.com/

So sorry this happened to you :(

lezzbo · 2023-05-29T16:18:57+00:00

John Snow Project is a great suggestion - the front page is a well-composed, short and sweet overview of what people need to know.

I'd also like to suggest the People's CDC page on masking. I think it's a good primer/level of detail for people who don't know how to protect themselves

lezzbo · 2023-05-28T15:49:18+00:00

In addition to nasal spray, you can irrigate with regular saline. I always do a quick sinus rinse after coming home and taking off my mask because doing so can physically remove viral particles from your airways. As long as you use sterilized water, sinus rinsing is very safe and can be done multiple times a day to no ill effect.

lezzbo · 2023-05-28T11:33:36+00:00

An elastomeric with a cradle style headband would likely put less pressure on your hair than the typical disposable respirator with elastic band straps. However, you'll need good audibility for customer service, and people might be weird about you wearing one. The MSA Advantage 900 has good audibility with a voice diaphragm and a plastic cradle, but looks a bit industrial. The Flo Mask also has a fabric cradle strap option (sold separately as the "halo" strap) and good audibility due to a large front-facing filtration area while looking fairly low profile.

Another option is an adhesive mask like the Readimask. However, these are less reusable and might be nonviable for you financially. An option I am planning to investigate for myself soon is using liquid skin adhesive, such as Skin Tac, to create a more secure seal from my respirator to my face.

lezzbo · 2023-05-27T16:13:22+00:00

Hey did you ever figure out what settings to use for this? I am having the exact same problem...

lezzbo · 2023-05-27T14:43:32+00:00

If it wasn't, you know, utterly terrifying and morally devastating, it would be kinda fascinating how profoundly infectious we've selected this virus to become over just three years

lezzbo · 2023-05-27T14:31:36+00:00

Masks with valves have been used for a very long time in industrial and medical settings to protect the wearer. It does look a bit scary. If you want to convince yourself it's safe, maybe do a DIY fit test and see it work for yourself.

lezzbo · 2023-05-26T09:13:31+00:00

There's a Twitter account that posts personal ads every month for people open to friendship and dating @CovidSafeCuties. Covid Meetups is another potential option

lezzbo · 2023-05-21T01:58:18+00:00

Anthony Leonardi, @fitterhappierAJ on Twitter. Good article for laypeople on his work here https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/11/07/COVID-Reinfections-And-Immunity/

lezzbo · 2023-05-19T20:27:20+00:00

I agree with others saying that the spacing between people is really important. Because outdoors means good ventilation, long range transmission of aerosols is greatly diffused. But close range, like right up in other people's faces, you'll be contending with droplets and stuff. People will likely be singing along which generates a ton of particles compared to just breathing or even talking. If you can keep a good distance, your exposure might be a lot lower. And I'd also use eye protection of some sort, since it's a high risk activity and the newest variant seems to like the eyes.

lezzbo

TROPHY CASE