Jackson Heights Life

This thread is so huge now... trying to summarize...

- Even crappy masks make it harder to spread. So everyone should at least be wearing crappy masks when outside their home.

- Crappy masks don't protect you from catching it (very much), but an N95 mask (or R95, P95, KN95, KF94, P2, etc) will help you from catching it, even if nobody else is wearing masks. You can find some of these on eBay.

- The virus can hang around in the air for a while (or be sucked through the air by air conditioning or fans), even after the spreader has left.

- Avoid all indoor and underground spaces when possible.

- Open multiple windows if you are in a car.

- If you live in an apartment, consider blocking the bottom of your front door so that air from the hallway can't enter your apartment.
 
- Lose weight if you are overweight. Besides affecting older people more, the virus also affects higher BMI more.

@Lilybell - Thank you. It's been months of processing difficult emotions.

The real trouble is that because of mixed messages from leaders...and the lack of 100% certain knowledge about Corona since it is new....

Random folks thus "become" experts.  And play that role. Some quite dictatorially...

Leading to even more confused messages.

An example of this is that De Blasio (etc) is saying wear masks when social distancing is impossible.

While others are screaming to wear masks always. And not let noses peak out. Even when folks are socially distanced outside.

Opposing messages abound.

Unfortunately surgical/cloth masks are not 100% Corona proof.

Yes, they decrease the risk.

But I think tests have shown there is still a % chance of catching the virus even when both folks are masked.

N95 respirator masks are the only masks that keep folks completely safe is what I have gathered. And people don't wear them in the streets...only in hospitals etc.

what...is your point?

While others are screaming to wear masks always. And not let noses peak out.

FWIW, the correct way to breathe is by breathing with your nose, not your mouth.

Some people who don't breathe with their nose actually have trouble exercising or sleeping because of that.

(That is also probably why the COVID tests swab your nose...)

Breathing through the mouth only becomes necessary when you have nasal congestion due to allergies or a cold.

i.e. you should normally be breathing with your nose.

That is also why a mask covering the nose is important.

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De Blasio (etc) is saying wear masks when social distancing is impossible.

Can you show us where De Blasio (or any leader) has stated it's not possible to wear a mask while simultaneously keeping a social distance from others? Why would anyone make such an assertion anyway? It's absurd.

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While others are screaming to wear masks always.

Can you show us where any leader has screamed that we must wear masks at all times.

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And not let noses peak out.

Considering that about 20-30% of the people I see in stores and on busy streets in the neighborhood wearing a mask wear it incorrectly, leaders should be adamant in getting the message out that the two holes in your face that compromise your nose are part of your respiratory system and should therefore be covered by a mask. How is this "screaming" about how to properly wear a mask a problem?

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Even when folks are socially distanced outside.

Show us where a leader has stated you should wear a mask outside even when no one else is near you.

No. You misunderstood my post. Random folks are telling people what to do. And often, it's mixed messages.

Of course you can wear a mask AND social distance.

Really, you can wear a spaceman suit and socially distance...as well.

But Cuomo is saying this... https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-masks-face-coverings-in-public-executive-order-governor-andrew-cuomo/

And I've decided to listen to him.

Info from random folks on the internet might not be the smartest move. 

No. You misunderstood my post. Random folks are telling people what to do. And often, it's mixed messages.

I don't think I misunderstand your post. Here is what you wrote:

The real trouble is that because of mixed messages from leaders...An example of this is that De Blasio (etc) is saying wear masks when social distancing is impossible.

We can certainly agree that random people who barely passed high school science and question the guidance experts in infectious disease feel empowered to tell others what to do (i.e. you must wear a mask at all times outside, even when no else is near you!). But where are and what are the mixed messages from leaders you posted about? And what are the mixed messages presently? What is Cuomo saying today that is different from what other leaders are saying today (or since late March)? In New York at least (we know other governors have been dismissive of mask wearing, but they are changing their tune now that the virus is impacting their states).

The only confusion that occurred about wearing a mask was back in March when the CDC and others following the CDC's lead were putting out the message that masks should be reserved for the sick and health care workers. Even the guidance to wear a face covering in public came late, which I believe likely contributed to my loved one contracting the virus.

Please understand that many more people died in the city because of the delay in changing the message to "wear a face covering when you can't socially distance, even if you aren't feeling ill," and that this isn't a topic to try to get points on to "own" people you consider internet adversaries.

There are real people behind these posts, and many people in this neighborhood (and likely users of this board) have suffered terrible personal losses that we believe can be traced back to lousy guidance back in March at the federal level, which influenced the state and local response. This is a topic to have compassion for users about, not one to focus on a need to win an internet argument about.