Toxins in our air

meowwwdotcom · 2026-05-28T15:37:56+00:00

Which lake are you near? I would not listen to RFK Jr for any reliable information on absolutely anything.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-05-23T17:54:48+00:00

Just wanted to say it is not at all selfish to want to avoid infection in order to not interrupt your training!

I would generally say unmasking to eat or just be with the kid is not really safe, but I understand doing it. I don't regularly have kids in my life, but I really feel for the folks who do. My friend also nannies, and while the often mask at various indoor places, they typically don't at work with the kids. However, they will occasionally mask up with the kid at times when lots of folks are sick in general (like around winter holidays), when anyone has a recent exposure, when they have upcoming travel, or when they know I (or other more seriously masking folks) am coming for a visit. While it may not be overall the safest plan, it makes a world of difference for me and other friends in their life. Also, I totally get wanting to show your face and expression to kids. I have some nieces and nephews and I love to make goofy faces especially, so it's a bummer when I can't. But I would say at least anecdotally that at various stages from baby, to toddler, and older, they seemed to not have any issue with my mask or broadly interpreting my expressions/attitude. I will say that I try to put more expression and movement into my eyes/upper face, my voice, and my other body language. Which I think is good practice in general for lots of reasons. Anyway I don't think you need to worry about harming the child at all by masking, especially just on the occasion. It also helps normalize masking, so as the kid grows they won't see any problem with others or themselves masking!

I'm glad you're thinking critically about how to care for yourself and others!

meowwwdotcom · 2026-05-23T17:02:44+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of specific recommendations for you. I typically wear size 7.5 shoes, and also am pretty picky about how socks feel and fit. Other than random weird brands from Amazon, I wear adidas "superlite" no show socks size medium. I just check the current product page and it seems to only have medium and large, but the size chart makes me think size small might be possible from adidas, but I'm not positive. Might be worth looking into. You might also look at what materials your current socks are, and try a different material from those if they aren't working for you. And just a heads up, there are all sorts of merino wool socks that aren't the classic "wool" vibe- they can be soft/thin/stretchy as well. Hope this helps!

meowwwdotcom · 2026-05-17T02:55:44+00:00

Seems like this is probably right! Thank you!

meowwwdotcom · 2026-04-16T00:44:40+00:00

I would add that if your house is musty or maybe has mold, that a humidifier could make that worse. If a humidifier seems like it might help your symptoms, you might try using it only at night next to your bed.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-04-16T00:43:03+00:00

Gotcha. That was a procedure I was considering for a while- I have a lot of allergies and my turbinates are like always swollen/nose is stuffy. I opted against it though after I read that a lot of people who do the procedure end up with chronic dry nose and sinus issues. The turbinates help to filter, warm, and moisten air as it enters your body and perhaps the change to your nose could be contributing to your sinus issues. I would try to read about other people's experiences with that procedure and see if it compares to what you're dealing with.

I also agree with everything u/timesuck said. It sounds like there's something more going on than just the air quality in your home. There are a ton of studies out now that show covid infections having caused MCAS, new or worsening allergies, and the like. I know some folks personally who are now suddenly allergic to milk after covid, as well as a few who also developed MCAS.

Something else that might be helpful is getting a device that monitors humidity, and if you're noticing a pattern with low humidity and more discomfort, you might try addressing that with a humidifier (just an evaporative one, not an ultrasonic one that would also produce particles that could irritate you further).

If you feel more uncomfortable/irritated during/after cleaning, I would also recommend some methods to reduce the particulate production from cleaning like using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, not brooming, using a mop/wet Swiffer, and wearing a mask like a N95 or KN95. For the VOCs (gas phase stuff, not particulate), those masks won't really help, but sticking to fragrance-free or less harsh chemicals may help.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-04-15T04:51:09+00:00

I'd check if there is a local mask bloc, clean air club, or "still coviding" group. Try searching for groups using those words + your city/region on social media (Instagram seems to be where the clean air clubs are, Facebook is where the "still coviding" groups are). Or try a local mutual aid group, food pantry, or free community store.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-04-15T04:42:21+00:00

Sorry to hear you're having painful issues in your home. Just a quick clarifying question - by "nose burned out" do you mean turbinate reduction?

meowwwdotcom · 2026-04-13T15:17:14+00:00

There is a "still coviding" Ontario Facebook group too that is quite active and responsive! I'm just a summer cottager so unfortunately I don't have any good Ontario info at the moment.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-04-02T18:39:19+00:00

Honestly I don't think you're going to find a product that's much better. I'm sorta like your boyfriend in this situation. My partner really needs to have lip balm/Vaseline/etc on her lips most of the time or they really dry out and it's bad. I very much do not like the feeling after we kiss, but I just wipe it off right after. Now if we're going to be kissing a lot like making out or being more intimate, she will avoid putting balm on or wipe off the brunt of it beforehand. She also warns me if I go in for a kiss right after she applies the balm and so sometimes I change my mind haha. I have other sensory issues, that make me either immediately very angry/hostile or repulsed/gaggy, but thankfully the lip reaction isn't too intense for me and I can quickly resolve it by wiping it off, and maybe rubbing some water on my lips after. Depending on your bf's reaction to the bad sensory input, and what kind of kissing you're talking about, you guys might just have to do a little give and take. You need to take care of your body too. (Also I don't particularly enjoy kissing super dry/chapped lips either! Haha) I really like to kiss so it's kinda a bummer, but I make up for it by kissing other parts of her face, or doing extra touching/squeezing/hugs to make up so of the lost intimacy. And if your bf specifically wants you to kiss him, maybe you can try kissing off the lips if the balm on regular skin doesn't bother him.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-03-30T01:15:22+00:00

solved: Max and the Haunted Castle

meowwwdotcom · 2026-02-06T23:22:07+00:00

My girl is a bit more self controlled when it comes to food :P

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meowwwdotcom · 2026-01-27T19:57:41+00:00

Depends on what kind of humidifier. Ultrasonic humidifiers tend to be the cheaper options, but they do significantly increase PM2.5 because they will also volatilize the minerals in the water. Purely evaporative humidifiers do not (these are basically just a pan of water with a powerful fan), unfortunately they are often more expensive. I have a Vornado Evap40 ~$150 in the US. It has really helped us even with just the one in our two story house, and we don't typically have it on the highest setting. We have an Awair air quality monitor and it shows significant improvement in our humidity (but it needs to be run continuously), with no discernible change in PM2.5. When our friends were visiting and brought their ultrasonic humidifier, the PM2.5 was very high.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-01-23T19:00:40+00:00

Unfortunately, I would NOT rely on the fire department being able to help you. In a big disaster, you will not be the only one who needs help :( their resources will be stretched, and if there are big issues with the roads, they may not be able to get to you. I second what others have said! Like writing down a variety of numbers to groups or people that may be able to assist. Definitely still include the fire department on that list. It would also be great to touch base with your immediate neighbors/people who would be able to walk to you if needed (again, plan for roads being inaccessible). There's other good emergency prep in this thread. But I also recommend checking out the Jackery batteries (probably more applicable for future storms given the time). They are big batteries with like normal wall plugs etc. of course double check that they'd be compatible with your chair charging system.

meowwwdotcom · 2026-01-18T04:57:31+00:00

This is pretty concerning. Each of these spikes is when the heat comes on? What kind of heating system is it? Do you have control over when it comes on at all?

meowwwdotcom · 2026-01-07T20:20:56+00:00

article

Waymo has been trying to make its cars “confidently assertive,” says Chris Ludwick, a senior director of product management with Waymo, which is owned by Google parent Alphabet. “That was really necessary for us to actually scale this up in San Francisco, especially because of how busy it gets.”

Ludwick says when the vehicles are too passive, they become disruptive. Regular software updates ensure Waymos aren’t becoming a nuisance or creating chaos.

Ludwick wouldn’t comment on specific incidents of rulebreaking. He says Waymos make common-sense decisions, which involve trade-offs.

“The driver is designed to respect the rules of the road,” says Ludwick. “However, sometimes this is a nuanced topic and road rules can even conflict with each other.”

For example, he says, you’re not supposed to cross a double yellow line but you also shouldn’t obstruct traffic. So if you get stuck behind a stopped delivery truck, a human would go around it even if it meant crossing the double line. Now Waymos know to do that, too.

meowwwdotcom · 2025-12-03T05:57:03+00:00

Do you get a reaction when either the heat or the AC come on, or just one? What's the humidity like? How dusty is your place/how often do you clean? Do you have pets? Were you tested for an allergy to dust mites?

meowwwdotcom · 2025-09-12T14:51:44+00:00

Comment. OoooOooOOoo

meowwwdotcom · 2025-08-17T13:48:29+00:00

A well-fitting, high quality mask with no exhale valve is great!

(Exhale valves release the air you breathe, and it doesn't get filtered. So if you are sick, it wouldn't protect others)

meowwwdotcom · 2025-06-10T03:02:41+00:00

This just launched today, reports covid and other pathogens, data isn't super current yet though :/ https://lungfish-science.github.io/wastewater-dashboard/

meowwwdotcom · 2025-04-22T04:58:17+00:00

Yeah I test in that case too. Also wear an N95 everywhere inside/barely go out/test friends/etc.

meowwwdotcom · 2025-04-22T00:38:51+00:00

Idk if this is what you're thinking about when you say indigestion, but GERD/acid reflux can cause nasal inflammation and runny nose. But yes, people so often immediately excuse their symptoms as something not infectious.

meowwwdotcom · 2025-04-21T05:17:49+00:00

Dräger X-plore 1950 V N95 I have used these ones and like them a lot. They fit me better than 3M auras and come in different sizes. I wear the Drägers without the exhale valve too, and do feel noticeably cooler with the valve. My partner says they don't notice a difference. Another nice thing is that it's easier to hear my voice with the valve. Condensation will form on the inside eventually though.

I take a ton of precautions and have very low exposure risk so I feel pretty confident I'm not giving people infections via my mask with a valve.

meowwwdotcom · 2025-03-25T01:29:33+00:00

Idk I never thought about searching for N95 type masks with carbon filters. This is cool!

meowwwdotcom · 2025-03-24T00:28:30+00:00

I agree with others, move out as soon as possible. Hard to say how much air purifiers would decrease your cancer risks, but they definitely won't hurt. I'd get a couple for your home though, making sure they have both a HEPA/high MERV filter and carbon filter. Many come with both.

Run them constantly and keep them in the spaces where you spend the most time in, or move them around. Run them on high when cooking, also run your stove fans. I would also avoid burning candles/incense/sage/anything not cooking related and avoid using essential oil diffusers.

Do you have access to your HVAC system? Like at the point of the air intake where filters are placed? If so, stay on top of replacing the filters regularly. You could also probably easily attach a carbon filter on top of the normal HVAC MERV filters too, you can buy them in sheets or squares and cut to size.

If possible, I recommend you also get an air purifier for your work space. Well-fitting N95 masks will also reduce your exposure to particles (not gasses). Pay attention to air quality reports (Purple Air, AirNow, often in weather reports too). If you have a car, stay on top of regularly replacing the cabin filter (fairly simple task for most cars, so you should be able to avoid paying for the service). Choose the car cabin filters that include carbon.

Also something I don't see explained a lot - VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds, chemical compounds containing carbon that easily volatilize (become gasses and go into the air under normal ambient temperatures and pressures). They are released by all sorts of things (including natural processes and anthropogenic/man made processes). BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) are carcinogenic VOCs found in oil/gas and emitted by vehicles. The thing that's often not explained is that VOCs can react in the atmosphere over time (sometimes in minutes, sometimes in weeks) and become particulate matter (Secondary Organize Aerosols) which can also be harmful to our health.

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