peaceandjoy

I've come to the conclusion that my husband is a slob, lol! I'm retired, he is not. Before retiring, I worked in school with about 1,200 students and another 200 teachers and support staff. I rarely got sick, but he gets colds constantly (and is the typical male when he has one - carrying on). Not one cold for a year! Never before have I known him to not have a cold for a year. Wearing a mask, which also keeps his hands away from his face, and using hand sanitizer frequently have really made a difference for him. I'm not a germaphobe, but I do wash my hands often and carefully throughout the day, a habit that has served me well over the years.

One of the reasons I like the Jesse mask is that there is a pocket of air between your nostrils/mouth and the mask itself. It also has different sizes, with instructions on measuring from ear to ear and from the bridge of your nose to your chin. Those things make it easier to wear, I think. I use 1/8" elastic, so have never had any ear irritation.

We've talked about wearing them when out and about during flu season, as is common in some countries, regardless of mandates for Covid. I've reached an age where I really don't give a hoot what anyone else thinks, and if it keeps us from getting sick, why not? I don't smoke, rarely drink, and always wear a seatbelt, too.

sewingpup

3 plus years ago, I got diagnosed with cancer that has about a 5% survival rate at 5 years. Normally, I would do my research and make my own medical decision as to what to do. However, in this case, although I do have both a biology and nursing degree as well as a master's degree, I decided, I just did not have the time to brush up on current knowledge of cancer and the treatment and I would just have to trust the health professionals. Yeah, it was scary. But my oncologist has a least 8 years of advanced training and also several years of professional practice in addition to have having other professionals to speak to regarding my care. I actually also traveled to a major medical center to have my surgery at my oncologist recommendation. I am still here, that year of treatment and surgery was real tough. So far scans have been clear. I have completed about 12 big quilts since then and made several masks. The surgery was done by a surgeon who does about 70 of rare and difficult surgeries I had a year. There are times in our lives where it just makes sense to pick very qualified and credentialed people to go with. So glad I did not trust the local lay person who treats everything with the stuff she grows in her garden. Please folks, pick who you listen to wisely. Am I going to listen to the qualified experts on this pandemic...yep...I am choosing a couple of experienced immunologists and epidemiologist's to listen to on this covid stuff, not the eye doctor.

SusieQOH

This is a bit off topic but my husband was a preemie and never catches anything! When our sons were little I caught everything they got. Not my husband. He also never got the childhood diseases (measles etc, that all kids got back then.
I haven't had a cold since Covid started. The only thing I've had is some weird bug a couple of weeks ago but that's gone.
We're both thinking masks may be a thing we keep doing, especially during cold and flu season. So many people cough and sneeze w/o using any protection, let alone hand washing. Yuck! I don't trust other peoples' "habits" lol

SusieQOH

sewingpup- Like button!!!
Continued success for you too!!!!!!!!

cashs_mom

I agree that we do need to breathe and breathe deeply. I see people in parking lots with no one within 25 feet of them with their ,mask on. I so want to say "Take that thing off and breathe the fresh air". I think all the hiding in your house and not getting outside for sunshine and exercise has been very detrimental to a lot of people's health and well being.

sewingpup

well...I am probably one of them....If I have several stops to make, I normally just leave my mask on as taking it on and off is a risk factor in itself in cause you actually handle the outer surface. Remember, the outer surface of the mask is where things will get caught. So theoretically, if you touch the contaminated outer surface of the mask and while taking it off and then put it back on, you could have contaminated the inner surface....and then you take a breath. that is why they say to handle the mask by its straps only when taking it off. And additionally, I just don't have much of an issue breathing with a mask on. I played bassoon in high school, that took a lot of air, and I wore a mask often during my past careers. Actually, I like wearing a mask, especially during pollen season or recently during the forest fire season. Helps filter out all those particles. I do go mask less in my yard and on my walks but I do try and keep my distance from others on my walks. Ha, I am so aware of the direction of the wind these days when outside. oh, the respirators I wore for one of my jobs was the kind with the big cartridges and the silicone face pieces....the cloth/paper masks are so much lighter and more comfortable to wear.

Quiltwoman44

I don't handle the outside of my mask. one i made. i lift it off with the elastic over my ear. always. makes me so unhappy to see people, especially children, pull on their masks touching the center right where they breath in. My son doesn't think it is bad but then he hates masks. sigh.
now they are saying fabric masks are bad. What are masks made out of they approve of- metal? Oh well, we all will work it out.

JanieW

I can identify with this. I had a mastectomy in 2015. I have at least two autoimmune conditions, possibly a third. I don’t hide in my house but I am very careful about following public health protocol when I am in the public places where I need to go. I know I’m not the only person with a compromised immune system so I follow the safety precautions for their sakes as well as my own. There are kids under 12 who can’t be vaccinated yet so I consider them, too.

One of the aspects of this pandemic that makes me very sad is the realization there is a segment of society that simply doesn’t care about others.

Onebyone

One of the aspects of this pandemic that makes me very sad is the realization there is a segment of society that simply doesn’t care about others.

I realized this way before covid. One reason I'm not much of a bleeding heart to sob stories.

sewingpup

I have read studies that actually show how well fabric masks work varies greatly depending on what quality of fabrics you use, the number of layers, how well they fit, and if they are washed between usage. you do want to use closely woven fabrics....so good quality quilting cotton, not the bargain stuff with the loose weaves. Of course if you can afford to use the N95 and KN95's they are better, but they do cost more and you need to dispose of them after use..I do think some of the other masks made of fabric sold commercially also can be pretty good. Trouble is, we really haven't developed a rating system for the fabric masks like there is for the official ones. also, the officials are still in shorter supply but are starting to show up for the public