Went to the chiropractor today. Didn't wear a mask.
I live life dangerously.
The next thing you know I'll be running with scissors. LOL!
Sorry I haven't responded to all these comments. I hope to soon.
♥ Wife, homeschooling mom, conspiracy analyst ♥
I have to be honest. I cannot make up my mind about this entire part of the pandemic. I read and listen to a number of people and am receiving very conflicting messages. I'm curious what your thinking is.
Which of these would best describe you and why?
- My state requires a mask and I'm wearing one.
- My state requires a mask and I'm not wearing one.
- My state doesn't require a mask, but I am wearing one.
- My state doesn't require a mask and I'm not wearing one.
- I am just staying home and avoiding people all the time.
I realize there are a lot of issues at play here - health, rights, etc. I'm looking at this from a primarily pragmatic standpoint. For example, I have needed to go to the chiropractor for probably two months. I simply did not want to go and expose myself so I have sucked it up and just dealt with the discomfort. David went last week for the first time in a few months, wearing a mask. The chiropractor and staff were not wearing masks. I was considering going, but now I'm even less inclined to go because the chiro isn't wearing a mask.
I will be the first to admit that I lean way on the side of caution. For example, once Thanksgiving hits we drastically reduce how much we are out and about in crowds so we avoid the flu and all of the other winter crud that proliferates once the holiday season sets in. We cut way back on public stuff from late November through March. So we were already a hand-washing, crowd-avoiding, hand-sanitizer-carrying family. But we don't skip going to the chiropractor during flu season if we really need to go (although we are extra careful about germs while there).
What is your thinking about all this? What is the biggest factor for you personally?
No judgement from me at all, even if you are going against your state's guidelines. I really just want to hear what others are thinking and doing. I'm still looking for that statement that makes the lightbulb go on for me and gives me clarity on this issue because I haven't found it to this point.
I think Illinois is tied with your state for not re-entering society. We are required to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible. What isn't obvious to everyone is - when social distancing is possible. In central IL, I wear a mask out of respect for others and because some stores demand one at the door. When I visited our second daughter in NE Indiana last week, masks were not required but my mother-in-law and I wore them in the large and very busy grocery store, because the weekend traffic was mostly from Chicago - which I felt was a potential risk. When we shopped in the quaint downtown area, we did not wear masks and that was so freeing... though the clerks/owners did wear them. It was SO FUN to be out again- I really needed the break and so did my MIL.
I'm wondering whether we should stop wearing masks for the summer. If catching the virus is inevitable, I'm wondering whether it would be better to get sick in the summertime with nice weather, clean air and sunshine... then we would have time to recover and get built up again before October & the start of flu season. I'm wondering if we should take turns getting sick now so we don't overwhelm the healthcare system in the Fall & Winter. I really wish serology testing was reliable and available. We think that my oldest daughter's family all had Covid in January. They: Mom, Dad, 2 preschoolers each had it in turn - up to a week of fever, sore throat, cough, some tummy troubles, and parents had weird conjunctivitis, which was viral, and different from previous cases. I had a couple of random symptoms around the same time, but nothing big... did I have it and was I an asymptomatic case? We would really like to know. We have several friends who had similar issues in Jan/Feb.
I also feel undecided about this one. My state isn't requiring them, thankfully. I wear one some of the time but not all the time, because honestly it drives me crazy. I can understand the logic behind wearing one inside stores (I don't agree with wearing them outside), but I also am suspicious about a lot of the information currently being touted by the media. My mask is uncomfortable and I don't feel like I can breathe well or fully when wearing it, which makes me paranoid.
Ashley! I was so happy to see you here. Good to hear from you.
I also feel like the mask would be claustrophobic. Caroline has given a hard "no" when I asked her if she wanted to go places with David that would require a mask (like Lowe's). Normally she loves going and pollinating in all the stores, but she does not want to wear a mask. I'm not sure how all that will shake out in the coming weeks and months.
Sallie
♥ Wife, homeschooling mom, conspiracy analyst ♥
I really appreciate all the thoughtful comments. I had to step away from all of this stuff for a day and focus on other things, but I've been thinking about these topics.
Since I live in a state that still has restrictions and the places I would normally want to go are still closed, I haven't had to think about it too much.
Honestly, we're simply using a lot of online ordering and curbside pickup. We have so many home projects, hobbies, work, etc. to keep us busy that we simply choose not to think about it much. We have our moments and days when we get frustrated, but what else can you do?
A huge part of this is mental and it's not going away any time soon. So I'm trying to adjust and help my child adjust. I'm far more concerned about what she's missing out on than I am concerned for myself. And I'm increasingly concerned about mental health in this country in general.
I also don't want to deal with the mask thing because it has become so political. People assume if you do or don't that you must hold to certain political beliefs. That's not necessarily true and I simply don't want to deal with dirty looks and hostility either way.
It will be interesting to circle back to this discussion in the late summer/early fall when we see how things start to develop with schools and the regular illness season.
Sallie
♥ Wife, homeschooling mom, conspiracy analyst ♥
I have to be honest. I cannot make up my mind about this entire part of the pandemic. I read and listen to a number of people and am receiving very conflicting messages. I'm curious what your thinking is.
Which of these would best describe you and why?
- My state requires a mask and I'm wearing one.
- My state requires a mask and I'm not wearing one.
- My state doesn't require a mask, but I am wearing one.
- My state doesn't require a mask and I'm not wearing one.
- I am just staying home and avoiding people all the time.
I realize there are a lot of issues at play here - health, rights, etc. I'm looking at this from a primarily pragmatic standpoint. For example, I have needed to go to the chiropractor for probably two months. I simply did not want to go and expose myself so I have sucked it up and just dealt with the discomfort. David went last week for the first time in a few months, wearing a mask. The chiropractor and staff were not wearing masks. I was considering going, but now I'm even less inclined to go because the chiro isn't wearing a mask.
I will be the first to admit that I lean way on the side of caution. For example, once Thanksgiving hits we drastically reduce how much we are out and about in crowds so we avoid the flu and all of the other winter crud that proliferates once the holiday season sets in. We cut way back on public stuff from late November through March. So we were already a hand-washing, crowd-avoiding, hand-sanitizer-carrying family. But we don't skip going to the chiropractor during flu season if we really need to go (although we are extra careful about germs while there).
What is your thinking about all this? What is the biggest factor for you personally?
No judgement from me at all, even if you are going against your state's guidelines. I really just want to hear what others are thinking and doing. I'm still looking for that statement that makes the lightbulb go on for me and gives me clarity on this issue because I haven't found it to this point.
Here is some more information on masks that I found to be helpful and a link to her video....
FEATURE ARTICLE:
Pamela A. Popper, President
Wellness Forum Health
Government workers and health authorities are recommending that people wear masks when leaving their homes, and in some states this is mandated whenever someone is in a public place or even steps outside. The public is told daily that the reason for this and many other rules and mandates is that the "best science" is being used to make these decisions and our rulers (formerly known as elected officials) are only doing what is best for public health. But is this true?
The COVID-19 virus is 0.125 µm in size, and can penetrate the surgical mask barrier. According the US National Academy of Sciences, in community settings "face masks are not designed or certified to protect the wearer from exposure to respiratory hazards."[1] Another study showed that surgical masks do not provide protection for aerosols ranging from 0.9-3.1 µm.[2]
In household settings, surgical masks do not prevent transmission of flu.[3] [4]
According to Dr. Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer in England, wearing masks can actually increase the risk of contracting the virus because virus can be trapped in the material and cause infection when the person inhales. According to Dr. Harries, members of the public should not wear masks unless they are sick, and only if advised to do so by a healthcare provider.
"What tends to happen is people will have one mask. They won't wear it all the time, they will take it off when they get home, they will put it down on a surface they haven't cleaned," she said. Furthermore, people go out and about and don’t wash their hands every time they touch something – they can’t – and then touch their mask constantly to drink water or eat, or even communicate, and this becomes a means of infection.[5]
A review of 17 studies concluded, "None of the studies we reviewed established a conclusive relationship between mask/respirator use and protection against influenza infection.[6]
Due to shortages, some people have been advised to make their own masks out of cloth. According to a hospital study in which hospital wards were randomized to medical masks, cloth masks, or a control group which included a high proportion of people who wore some type of mask, the rate of infection was highest in the cloth mask group as compared to the group wearing some type of medical mask. Transmission of viral particles through cloth masks was almost 97% as compared to medical masks at 44%. Reasons cited included moisture retention, reuse of the masks, and poor filtration, all of which actually can increase rather than decrease the risk of infection. The researchers concluded that the results "…could be interpreted as harm caused by cloth masks."[7]
A recent (2020) study in South Korea looked at the efficacy of both surgical and cotton masks for blocking transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from coughing patients. Patients were instructed to cough 5 times while wearing no mask, surgical mask, or cotton mask. The researchers reported that neither surgical nor cotton masks were effective for filtering SARS-CoV-2 from environment or the external mask surface. They also reported that there was greater contamination on the outer rather than the inner surface of the mask, which they said could be due to air leakage around the mask edge, or high-velocity coughing which might cause viral particles to penetrate the mask. They wrote that these results support the importance of hand hygiene after touching outer surfaces of the mask.[8]
Not only are the masks useless, they can also be dangerous. A woman in New Jersey crashed her car into a power pole because she was wearing an N95 mask for several hours, and insufficient oxygen and excessive carbon dioxide intake caused her to pass out, according to the Lincoln Park Police Department. She was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.[9]
"Maskme" is the name of the condition that develops as a result of wearing useless masks continually. According to Dr. Amer Jaber of Washington Square Dermatology in New York, "When you wear a mask, you seal in your breath. This creates a moist, humid environment as it traps your breath, skin oils and sweat, leading to irritation rashes and acne." He compares the condition to diaper rash, and also says that the masks themselves may irritate skin just be being in contact with the face for long periods of time. This can further irritate eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. He says, "The longer you wear the mask, the worse it is."
Jaber recommends taking off the mask whenever possible in order to let the skin breathe, and using lotions, creams and even Vaseline if necessary in order to soothe irritated skin. Masks need to be aired out and dried after use, and washed to remove oils and sweat trapped inside.
As for how to treat acne if it has already developed, Jaber recommends benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid. But he warns people to be careful since topical acne creams can cause further irritation and worsen skin conditions resulting from the constant wearing of masks.[10]
In addition to acne and skin disorders, wearing masks can cause headaches, particularly in those who are predisposed. One study concluded, "Shorter duration of face-mask wear may reduce the frequency and severity of these headaches."[11]
The orders to wear masks are not evidence-based, and rather based on misinformation, fear, and hysteria.
[1] Larson EL, Liverman CT, editors. Preventing transmission of pandemic influenza and other viral respiratory diseases: personal protective equipment for healthcare workers: update 2010. Washington: The National Academies Press; 2010.
[2] Oberg T, Brosseau LM. "Surgical mask filter and fit performance." Am J Infect Control 2008 May;36(4):276-282
[3] MacIntyre CR, Cauchemez S, Dwyer DE et al. "ace mask use and control of respiratory virus transmission in households." Emerg Infect Dis 2009 Feb;15(2):233-241
[4] Cowling BJ, Chan KH, Fang VJ et al. "Facemasks and hand hygiene to prevent influenza transmission in households: a cluster randomized trial." Ann Intern Med 2009 Oct;15(7):437-446
[5] Laguipo ABB. "Wearing masks may increase your risk of coronavirus infection, expert says." News Medical Life Sciences Mar 15 2020
[6] Bin-Reza F, Chavarrias VL, Vicoll A, Chamberland ME. "The use of masks and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: a systematic review of the scientific evidence." Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2012 Jul;6(4):257-267
[7] MccIntyre CR, Seale H, Dung TC et al. "A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers." BMJ Open 2015 Mar;5:e006577
[8] Bae S, Kim MC, Kim JY et al. "Effectiveness of Surgical and Cotton Masks in Blocking SARS-CoV-2: A Controlled Comparison in 4 Patients." Ann Intern Med 2020 Apr; DOI: 10.7326/M20-134
[9] Robert Gearty "NJ police say ‘excessive wearing’ of coronavirus mas contributed to driver passing out, crashing car." Fox News April 25 2020
[10] Martiromo M. Maskme: Suffering from acne or breakouts under your mask? Here’s what to do." Fox News May 26 2020
[11] Lim ECH, Seet RCS, Lee K-H, Wilder-Smith EPV, Chuah BYS, Ong BKC. "Headaches and the N95 Face-Mask Amongst Healthcare Providers." Acta Neurol Scand 2006 Mar;113(3):199-202
