As someone who continues to N95 and use HEPA, I appreciate both you and Ed for continuing to mask in shared indoor air spaces and articulating the WHY you continue to do so.
Ironically, this year has been so bad w/ flu, RSV, covid, et al., I have had less eyes at me for continuing to mask at work.
I would note, I have not lost a day at work to respiratory illness of any kind since 2019. This is unlike my non-masking colleagues, who are sick multiple times a school year, and sometimes VERY sick.
Had very few sick days in my bank before I N95'd. But since 2020, I have taken 2 days - 1 for skin cancer op, 1 for family thing. Out of 45 potential sick day, I've saved 43 to my bank. It's really great!
This is why when I teach in person, I always mask - and I don't require attendance, so that any students (rightfully) concerned about the lack of a campus masking policy don't need to be there. I record all my lectures and upload them afterwards so that nobody misses out on any of the material.
I need to wear masks more, but the airport is one place where I do. People will happily cough all over you in airports/airplanes without giving it a second thought. I also don’t like to get sick, esp. because carrying something home can have more consequences for family (immunocompromised) than me.
Every time you wear a mask you’re helping to break chains of transmission and keep people safe! 😷💪 They should be totally commonplace in our culture imo, it’s great to avoid sickness!
As someone who cares for an immunocompromised mother the way the rest of the world just gave up on protecting other people against COVID infuriates me to this day.
Have had pneumonia twice (once severely) & long Covid (before vaccine availability). People laugh at me for wearing a mask in the car, but the risk of contamination from a mask is highest when removing it. If I'm going to several places in a fairly short period, it's staying on. Let them laugh....
I live in a majority Asian neighborhood south of Seattle. No one here gives a second thought, or glance, to a person masking, it's common practice among my Asian neighbors. It's helpful to have that kind of critical-mass support as person with a weakened immuned system.
I still mask up when I go out. I also noticed that for the first time in over a decade I didn’t get bronchitis or pneumonia and I still have been blessed to not get Covid so I’m not looking to stop anytime soon. They make some stylish disposable K95 masks now. Stay well 🫶🏻
Comments
Ironically, this year has been so bad w/ flu, RSV, covid, et al., I have had less eyes at me for continuing to mask at work.
N95's and HEPA work (as do opening windows!!!)
we got strep last fall and it was very time consuming and spendy to be seen and get antibiotics!
kids are the real accelerants but plenty of adults aren’t great at being sanitary!
Perhaps hiding my face had extra bonuses lol.