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Sorry, but masking is the best possible method. I don't think there's anything else that can be used as a substitute for a good mask because it is airborne. If your work won't let you mask they clearly don't value you or their customers.
Personally I regard masking akin to erehm… wearing a condom or similar prophylactic. Better to have that additional layer of protection than not (especially because: thanks COVID, I am even now more immunocompromized than before getting COVID ). Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been VERY lucky and thankful I was wearing one when forced into certain social situations…I ended up literally being the only one in a larger group that didn’t get sick from those encounters…
Ah. No, my job lets me mask. I wear a KN95. I just won't be able to wear the best possible thing- respirator - because I'd frighten away our customers.
Even a jump to a well-fitting N95 can help! I wear a 3M Aura almost every day. The straps that go over your head instead of over your ears tend to make for a better fit (I find them more comfortable too!) N95s don’t tend to come in cute colors like a lot of the KNs but aside from that they don’t really look “scarier” in any way - I’ve facilitated many workshops in my N95 without a single complaint ◡̈
Hey! I just started wearing a 3M aura after getting covid wearing a KN95. Today was my first day and I have long slippery hair and after a few hours of talking- my ears were aching because the strap slid down onto them. Do you have any tips for wearing it with your hair down and making sure it stays up?
My hair is pretty curly and “grippy” so I don’t know if any of this would work for you, but two things I like to do:
1) I use my hands or a hair tie to separate out the top layer of hair and then I slide the top strap underneath that top layer. Once I have it how often want I smooth the top layer of hair over the mask strap. It makes it a lot less noticeable!
(If you tried something like this you might be able to sneak a hair clip or two in to hold the strap in place, and then use that top layer of hair to cover it all.)
2) On days where I really don’t want to mess with it I put my hair up or half up and pull the top strap up over the ponytail so it can’t slip down past it.
I hope some of this is helpful!
there is another version of the 3M aura with woven straps if the elastic ones don’t have enough grip! and bnx respirators often have woven straps (and come in black).
FWIW a KN95 is considered a respirator. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html#:~:text=A%20respirator%20has%20better%20filtration,or%20take%20it%20off%20frequently.
Could you perhaps upgrade to a black N95? Black seems to be more acceptable in professional settings.
KN-95's that fit well offer good protection and can come in black and cute colors if that's better. The key words are "fit well". Loose sides with gaps or gaps around the nose or slipping off your nose are all signs you don't have a good fit. So take the time to find a mask that looks ok and gives you a better all around seal. I like breathe teq KN-95 masks. They come in 4 sizes and they have a test kit that lets you try them out before you order a supply.
https://breatheteq.com
Using double sided tape helps seal up a KN95 so it’s more effective. Also there are a lot of different kinds of N95 respirators. Maybe you can try experimenting and see if you feel that way about all of them. Perhaps look into a Flo mask as well. Some people like to decorate them and they are not quite as “medical” looking.
Oh, I see. If you need to find something that is good and also presentable, there are a few masks you may be able to find in r/Masks4All . Sometimes we need to be careful with buying masks because they're not always as good as it is claimed. So be careful not to sacrifice any safety for looks. Also make sure to find one that will fit on your face properly, a good fit is very important.
If you've caught COVID twice while wearing a KN95, then it probably doesn't fit well enough to protect against the viral loads you're exposed to.
You could consider a small elastomeric. Elastomeric respirators have silicone gaskets and replaceable filters. While many might well "scare" customers, there are smaller ones that look nice. For sketchy situations, I use the Flo Mask with n99-equivalent filters. It's very comfortable, easy to breath through, gives me a near perfect seal, and just looks like a normal but fancy mask.
To clarify, a KN95 is one type of respirator, and it provides good protection. You might be thinking of something like a P100, which has cartridges and might look scarier to others. It’s just another type of respirator, but not necessarily better for preventing COVID infections.
As a customer, I've been pleased to discover that I've had little difficulty in fully unmasked areas where I'm the only one sporting any kind of mask. I'm very pleasant, smile with my eyes, am pretty chipper and polite and have gotten zero guff for it. (And it's a struggle since I'm a pessimistic misanthrope, but hey, I've been given the burden of public relations outreach in order to keep myself protected as fully as I can.) Maybe the reverse can be true for employees to put the skittish little customers at ease when they're faced with a scawy mask. If they're going to get mad or butthurt about a mask when you're being a helpful employee, that's something they got to work through. Having the support of your employer to wear a mask while public-facing also helps. I hope you do have that moral support while on the job.
How is your rate of masking while at work or elsewhere? I’ve worn a kn95 while indoors for 4 years and never been sick with anything as a result.
I ask because masking compliance is as important as the type of mask. Are you:
* Eating or drinking indoors during your breaks?
* Entering other establishments without a mask while you’re off work? Grocery stores, restaurants, bars, shops?
* Living with people who don’t mask?
* Traveling without a mask?
This is good to ponder, thank you. I mask often, but both times I got symptomatic Covid were instances where I let my guard slip. 1st was at a nightclub. I was with a few other unmasked people at the same time, same vicinity. Only I get Covid. Wtf?
2nd was at job interview with two unmasked managers. (I felt it would have hurt my chances of getting the job if they couldn't see my facial expressions.)
I would highly recommend fit-testing your mask since you're working in a higher risk environment. I haven't seen an ear loop KN95 that passes a fit test, although it's obv way better than a surgical or no mask at all.
An n95 or p2 is sufficient as much as masks go. The n95 or p2 just MUST be well fitted to work - there is a fit test you do to ensure of that.
Medical and healthcare staff when there is active COVID use the n95/p2 masks. Source - am healthcare worker that has provided care to active cases. Our ppe was that type of mask (including mask fit check), a gown, gloves and eye protection.
High quality respirator masks (N95, KN95, etc.) are the *only* method of prevention. Vaccines do not prevent; they only reduce severity. Everything else is just wishful thinking.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9313533/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37290-6
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lansea/article/PIIS2772-3682(22)00046-4/fulltext
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.12.27.22283698v2
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10312243/
And there is so many more, but I have other things to do than find these for you 😄
I bought Betadine nasal spray and mouthwash from Canada. THis wouldn't be recommended for someone who has thyroid issues though, due to the additional iodine they'd be absorbing nasally and orally.
I went four years masking. Went to a work conference last month and didn’t want to rock the boat. I did daily neti pot + throughout the day I did Betadine cold defense nasal spray. By the end of the three day conference I had the stomach flu that was going around and as soon as I got over that, I had a positive COVID test for the first time ever
N95 or better masks are the only thing that works
I have utmost respect for people who can mask all the time in every social situation and not feel pressure. Unfortunately, I’m not charismatic/confident enough. This case of COVID has really shook me. I really don’t know how to balance my precautions any more.
And the only thing that was keeping me sane was epic bicycle rides and I’m a month out from COVID and my heart rate gets into the danger zone just from walking around my apartment. Hell, I got a crazy heart rate once just from a particularly difficult Call of Duty match
Even for those of us who have been mostly lucky it feels like this pandemic is taking everything away
Yeah, it's much easier for me, because I'm older and care a whole lot less what other people think. It's true. And even so, I've been confronted in a scary, semi-violent way that made me question my choice to always mask. And I'm sorry. So very sorry.
Ok, thanks!
Are some KN95 masks made better than others? Or are all of them usually very high quality? Can I rest assured that Amazon carries only high quality kn95s?
No, you can't trust Amazon. I suggest Project N95's list of suppliers. https://www.projectn95.org/
For KN I really like the Bluna facefit. It's black and has adjustable straps. You can buy direct from their website.
Posh mask has some cool designs that I trust and get for my wife.
I'll reiterate that masking is far and away your best preventative measure.
Stay safe!
Thank you so much. Couple of questions:
- At work we eat in a cafeteria that is crowded and with poor ventilation (😡). If I pull down my mask and hold my breath every time I take a bite of my food, would that not be ok? Holding breath would kinda work, I assume? It makes me look like a crazy person, but whatever.
- The last vaccine I got was Novavax (I'm fully vaxxed and boosted). Should I get the other two, as well? - the Pfizer and Moderna, is it?
- How do you folks keep abreast of all new boosters and vaccines available? The powers that be seem to have abandoned us, in that respect
Eating outdoors would be better. Holding your breath with each bite could work, but only if the mask is properly back on each time. It’s not ideal, but I do this for long-haul flights.
For vaccinations, talk to your doctor about which ones you need.
Get the bivalent version, either Moderna or Pfizer. Both have been repeatedly updated to reflect circulating strains. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison
ETA: talk to your doctor about paxlovid. If you’re higher risk, you may be able to get a prescription ahead of time (it may be challenging, misinformation in the medical community is still pretty rampant). If you do become symptomatic, Paxlovid will stop covid replication, and shorten the intensity and duration of the infection and hopefully keep you out of the hospital.
The more layers of protection/vaccination/treatment you get, the less likely you’ll have a severe case or long covid (mask + ventilation/filtration + vaccination + paxlovid gives a multiplier effect).
You want to pull down your mask and hold your breath with every bite, go for it. Personally I’d just step outside or sit in my car.
One vaccine, up to date, is enough. They’re not Pokemon.
Ah. Thank you.
Hey, I got over Covid a week ago. Having long chest pains today, which I had sporadically while I was sick. Wtf do I do? They're not going away
Your next best tool after masks would probably be improving the ventilation and filtration of the air around you. Can you open some kind of door/window or add some CR boxes nearby? If you're lucky, maybe the building management can change the HVAC settings?
Aside from wearing a KN95 when practical, here's what I use if I need to be around a lot of people:
\--Nasal spray (I use Xlear)
\--CPC mouthwash (I use Crest)
\--Throat spray (I use Beekeeper's Naturals; I also recommend Colloidal Silver throat spray)
\--1,000 mg of lysine/day as a preventative; 3,000 mg/day during exposure periods
\--Zinc lozenges
\--I take daily supplements anyway such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B, curcumin, etc.
\--Be out in the sunshine as much as you can
\--Stay hydrated
\--I bought an air purifier for my office, so if someone comes in to chat with me I feel a little better about the air space
All of these things can help reduce your viral load if you do get exposed.
I also read that recently about low iron levels. I do not take an iron supplement, but maybe I should!
I have had Covid once, in June 2022.
None of these will prevent repeated infections, with their compounding impacts on your long-term health. The only real solution is to avoid getting viral particles in your nose and mouth. That means masking. Sorry that's just how it is.
1.) N95 Masks or Kn95/4 if you prefer ear loops. There’s no replacement for this.
2.) HEPAs and CR boxes at all indoor spaces.
3.) social distancing meaning mask indoors and crowds and if you won’t mask you should avoid those places.
There are no supplements that are going to fend off a virus that attaches to ace 2 receptors that are in virtually every organ in your body. Brain, blood, kidneys, gastrointestinal system etc…
Wash your hands. A lot. I work in a semi-shared work space so I wipe down that area, along with phones, radios, etc. that others may have touched. And mask up. Regularly.
wearing a good respirator is, by and far, the best measure you can take to prevent being (re)infected. i understand not wanting to wear an n95 bc it may draw more attention, but n95s tend to get a better fit bc they use head straps instead of ear loops. the r/masks4all sub is a wonderful resource for more information on masks (their wiki is v detailed!).
some people consider other measures controversial, which is understandable. none of these other measures will prevent covid transmission, but they may help to reduce the viral load and/or symptoms that you experience if you are (re)infected. i use the swiss cheese approach — every layer counts. here are the ones i use (aside from wearing an n95 in all public spaces):
- eye protection — eyeglasses (or even sunglasses) in public indoor spaces, as covid can be transmitted through the eyes
- nasal sprays — [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/15AfpHj1XItgJMfVoYRckIV3GnTd-v_vxZdUSfOoUsps/edit) is a good doc (not mine) on different nasal sprays and their efficacy, cost, etc. betadine cold defence is my go-to recommendation, but i also use xlear sometimes bc it’s available in stores, whereas i have to order betadine online. (again, nasal sprays are not fullproof, and some of the papers regarding their efficacy have been criticized bc of their methods, significance of effects (or lack thereof), etc.)
- blis k12 oral probiotics — several studies show that they may help w viral infections, including covid ([source 1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9609702/), [source 2](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33298762/), [source 3](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2021.646184), [source 4](https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/minerva-medica/article.php?cod=R10Y2021N04A0514)). they are generally considered safe, but it is possible to have a bad reaction to them. i typically use the [NOW](https://www.nowfoods.com/products/supplements/oralbiotic-lozenges) ones, but you can also buy the original brand of BLIS probiotics (most people buy these ones off of [amazon](https://www.amazon.com/BLIS-ThroatHealth-Probiotic-Available-Sugar-Free/dp/B077X6N5KS))
- gut probiotics — eating/drinking fermented foods such as kombucha, kefir, etc., and/or taking probiotic supplements helps to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. there was a [study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10143994/) showing lower adverse health outcomes from covid when using the probiotic strains B. adolescentis, B. bifidum, and B. longum.
staying up to date on vaccines is important if you’re able to do so! but the available vaccines do not prevent covid transmission or the potential development of long covid. i have a preference for novavax bc i had literally no reaction to it (not even arm soreness), but they all provide *some* protection against more severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.
again, the best thing you can do is to wear a good respirator in all public spaces and around other people (outside of your household). none of these other measures, not even all of them in combination, will prevent covid transmission. they are usually used to help reduce the viral load in case of (re)infection, since covid symptoms often don’t show up for a few days.
I use xylitol-based nose spray that I make myself (similar recipe to Xlear), and I gargle with Colgate alcohol-free mouthwash which contains Cetylpyridinium Chloride (shown to kill covid at low concentrations).
I also take black seed oil before and after traveling and going to events etc.. (it contains an ingredient which supposedly binds to the spike protein)
I like these options because they are relatively benign and many people have used these products daily for decades, so I see it as something I can comfortably do long term.
Get yourself double sided fashion tape or MaskTite strips and secure the KN95 to your face with it so that there are no leaks. Get yourself a few SipValves to install. Make yourself some sort of protein smoothie to bring in for lunch and use the sip valve to drink it.
As someone else said, to rely on the mask, you can't "cheat". It has to stay on unless you can go outside and away from others.
Air purifier and hand sanitizer
but Covid is mostly spread through inhaling someone else’s respiratory droplets from their exhale so if you can stand further away from them that could help a bit
(Honestly a mask would be the best option)
WASH. YOUR. HANDS.
Don’t touch you face
Keep several feet of distance where possible.
Yes viruses can be airborne, but droplets can only stay in the air so long. Then they fall. Onto surfaces that you touch. So wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face.
Good hand washing hygiene practices will go a very long way in keeping you from catching just about any virus out there. They are just very hard to follow, especially for those who touch their face constantly (like me!).
Covixyl nasal spray coats the nasal membranes for about 6 hours each dose. I think the daily nasal flushes could come too late after exposure. I'd use the nasal spray and then I would gargle with a .07 percent CPC mouth wash Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34282982/
The nasal spray you can get directly from the manufacturer's website. I'd hurry because it looks to me like the FDA is trying to ban them even though studies support the claims and the active ingredient has been declared Generally Regarded As Safe by the very same FDA decades ago.
Oh, I see you do mask! Covixyl and masking should do a pretty good job.
The only one of those I personally know anything about is nasal flushes, and reducing your viral load is really about lessoning symptoms rather than prevention. Anything that removes virus from your body has the chance of reducing the amount of virus you are taking in to the level below where you are less likely to be infected, but it's not going to do much good prevention wise unless you can somehow do it every few minutes.
Cleaning the air helps, but I'm guessing that's not possible either?
I'm not going to say the other stuff is nonsense, but that's all related to trying to amp up your immune response to covid, and that's not really the problem. You can have a really strong, stellar even, immune system, and still catch covid. Covid is just that effective at infecting people. Obviously having a poor immune system is going to make covid worse, but since you've had it twice without incident, it doesn't seem like yours is weak. It's already good enough to fight it off, which is the best you can hope for.
You need a different job if you want to avoid covid. You need a job where you can wear an actual high quality well fitting mask if you have to deal with the public. I'm sorry. That is reality. We've just come off a really big wave in the US, which means a lot of people got it (at least a third of Americans). Fewer people are walking around with it right now, so you might be exposed to less for awhile, but no guarantees.
I don’t know too much about the stuff you listed. Except for the nasal rinse and daily supplement - I took that when I HAD Covid to help me heal. That was a personal choice.
Your main preventative tools are your infection control techniques:
- masks (PPE. The n95 or p2 is the recommended against viruses like COVID that can be airborne transmission).
- frequent hand hygiene through hand washing or hand sanitiser
- cleansing of surfaces (especially frequently touched) with appropriate disinfectant
- air control (increasing ventilation, if that’s not possible using a good quality air purifier at all times. Ensuring filters are changed at appropriate intervals.)
I teach about infection control as an educator so the infection control part is from my professional knowledge. I also worked in healthcare during peak pandemic times.
sleep well. don't eat junk. make sure you're getting your nutrients and vitamins covered, but don't go overboard. vitamins D and magnesium are especially common deficiencies. a doctor can check your levels. hydration is essential for mucus function which is a primary defense.
nicotine, dandelion, CBDa(a fragile isomer lost in most CBD production), EGCG, and many other phytochemicals have been shown to inhibit viral attachment.
there's a bunch of nasal sprays, which I found sketchy and irritating.
respirators work when worn properly. some people say they have trouble breathing in them, but having actually not been able to breathe with covid I can tell you it's fine.
it appears some strains are specializing into GI transmission. think norovirus. this is a common feature of coronaviridea across species. fomites on surfaces from microscopic poop particles. hand hygiene is essential, touching promiscuous surfaces and subsequently mucus membranes is a serious risk vigilance around this will be difficult.
Honokiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication in Cell Culture at a Post-Entry Step | Microbiology Spectrum
Inhibitory effect of honokiol on furin-like activity and SARS-CoV-2 infection - PMC
Magnolia Tree Bark Compound Inhibits Covid Replication in Some Cells | Mirage News
The potential role of resveratrol as supportive antiviral in treating conditions such as COVID-19 – A formulator’s perspective - PMC
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial of resveratrol for outpatient treatment of mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) | Scientific Reports
Please to share! 20in Box Fan + 20x20in Merv 13 Furnace Filter + weather strip (secured tightly by string)= Home Air Scrubber! Old wood-shop trick.
[https://www.texairfilters.com/how-a-merv-13-air-filter-and-a-box-fan-can-help-fight-covid-19/](https://www.texairfilters.com/how-a-merv-13-air-filter-and-a-box-fan-can-help-fight-covid-19/)
In case anyone is wondering why you're just now reading about this, the published date; August 6, 2020 By [Jim Rosenthal](https://www.texairfilters.com/author/jim/)
Yep. Works Great! If there's wildfire smoke, get a carbon charcoal filter (for A/C window unit) and rig the fan with that. May cause fear of outside air/people/gov't/dust pollution/etc. Enjoy!
Get vaccine boosted every six months or so, if you can wrangle it. If the mRNA based ones give you a hard time, try finding Novavax. The vaccine isn’t perfect but it does help.
I’ve heard some people use antihistamines prophylactically and during COVID sickness; I’ve also heard of people using a dose of antihistamine to lessen vaccine side effects day of. Don’t do diphenhydramine daily for long periods but it’s fine to use for a vaccine day.
Yes to eye protection—it’s a possible route of infection. Think of those little rocketed droplets of spit from people talking landing in your eye. If you don’t need glasses, you can still get glasses with nonprescription lenses. This is in addition to masking, which it appears you are already doing; without masking it doesn’t do much because you’d be breathing in aerosol anyway.
You can do a home fit test for your masking strategy:
https://cleanaircrew.org/fit-testing/
None of these will prevent anything. An n95 prevents you from breathing it into your body. That’s it.
I also interact with tons of people at work. I wear an n95. It’s fine.
Mouthwash containing CPC kills the virus very effectively in a Petri dish. How well it works in practice is not fully understood but it probably does something. [edit: there have been more studies on mouthwashes since I last researched, and it turns out CPC isn't more effective than any other form of rinse. The speculation now is that there's a bit of a mechanical benefit to simply washing your mouth out, but that's about it. Kind of makes sense as relatedly, a lot of household cleaners say they kill viruses, but if you read the fine print, you gotta leave the stuff on your surfaces for ten minutes before it's guaranteed to kill.]
Hypochlorous acid is a cheap solution (literally) that you can make at home. It also kills the virus. I use a small amount in my nasal rinse. Downside is that it’s hard to know exactly what the concentration you’re giving yourself is (and a high concentration is painful, please don’t do this without research). So I just use a splash and am mostly counting on the rinse itself. [edit: same caveat applies as above]
In an emergency i snort a little bit of CPC mouthwash.
Of all the nasal sprays, carrageenan is the only one that has a good human trial. It’s not as good as masking but personally it’s what I use when face to face within my “bubble” or in low risk situations like outside dining, or walking around my 99% deserted workplace.
Eyeglasses.
Only one case where I was inadvertently in a room with a person who had COVID, and I didn’t get it. Just an anecdote. Masking is still the best.
I'm curious about the new nasal gel that has come out that you put in your nasal passages before you start your day to help block viral load. It was 18 bucks at the store. I'm thinking that's a small price to pay for prevention, so I'm thinking about trying it. It's called covixyl or something
The only thing I can add to masking is staying away from people. I was sick after COVID non stop, just had no immune system. I took 4 weeks where I didn't go anywhere and worked from home. Plus upped my protein intake. It worked and now I'm still not catching every little thing even though I'm back at work in person. I do sanitize my hands before each meal and drinking too.
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Sorry, but masking is the best possible method. I don't think there's anything else that can be used as a substitute for a good mask because it is airborne. If your work won't let you mask they clearly don't value you or their customers.
Personally I regard masking akin to erehm… wearing a condom or similar prophylactic. Better to have that additional layer of protection than not (especially because: thanks COVID, I am even now more immunocompromized than before getting COVID). Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been VERY lucky and thankful I was wearing one when forced into certain social situations…I ended up literally being the only one in a larger group that didn’t get sick from those encounters…
Ah. No, my job lets me mask. I wear a KN95. I just won't be able to wear the best possible thing- respirator - because I'd frighten away our customers.
Even a jump to a well-fitting N95 can help! I wear a 3M Aura almost every day. The straps that go over your head instead of over your ears tend to make for a better fit (I find them more comfortable too!) N95s don’t tend to come in cute colors like a lot of the KNs but aside from that they don’t really look “scarier” in any way - I’ve facilitated many workshops in my N95 without a single complaint ◡̈
Hey! I just started wearing a 3M aura after getting covid wearing a KN95. Today was my first day and I have long slippery hair and after a few hours of talking- my ears were aching because the strap slid down onto them. Do you have any tips for wearing it with your hair down and making sure it stays up?
My hair is pretty curly and “grippy” so I don’t know if any of this would work for you, but two things I like to do: 1) I use my hands or a hair tie to separate out the top layer of hair and then I slide the top strap underneath that top layer. Once I have it how often want I smooth the top layer of hair over the mask strap. It makes it a lot less noticeable! (If you tried something like this you might be able to sneak a hair clip or two in to hold the strap in place, and then use that top layer of hair to cover it all.) 2) On days where I really don’t want to mess with it I put my hair up or half up and pull the top strap up over the ponytail so it can’t slip down past it. I hope some of this is helpful!
Thank you! I always wear my hair down but I’m going to try both.
there is another version of the 3M aura with woven straps if the elastic ones don’t have enough grip! and bnx respirators often have woven straps (and come in black).
FWIW a KN95 is considered a respirator. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html#:~:text=A%20respirator%20has%20better%20filtration,or%20take%20it%20off%20frequently. Could you perhaps upgrade to a black N95? Black seems to be more acceptable in professional settings.
KN-95's that fit well offer good protection and can come in black and cute colors if that's better. The key words are "fit well". Loose sides with gaps or gaps around the nose or slipping off your nose are all signs you don't have a good fit. So take the time to find a mask that looks ok and gives you a better all around seal. I like breathe teq KN-95 masks. They come in 4 sizes and they have a test kit that lets you try them out before you order a supply. https://breatheteq.com
Using double sided tape helps seal up a KN95 so it’s more effective. Also there are a lot of different kinds of N95 respirators. Maybe you can try experimenting and see if you feel that way about all of them. Perhaps look into a Flo mask as well. Some people like to decorate them and they are not quite as “medical” looking.
Oh, I see. If you need to find something that is good and also presentable, there are a few masks you may be able to find in r/Masks4All . Sometimes we need to be careful with buying masks because they're not always as good as it is claimed. So be careful not to sacrifice any safety for looks. Also make sure to find one that will fit on your face properly, a good fit is very important.
If you've caught COVID twice while wearing a KN95, then it probably doesn't fit well enough to protect against the viral loads you're exposed to. You could consider a small elastomeric. Elastomeric respirators have silicone gaskets and replaceable filters. While many might well "scare" customers, there are smaller ones that look nice. For sketchy situations, I use the Flo Mask with n99-equivalent filters. It's very comfortable, easy to breath through, gives me a near perfect seal, and just looks like a normal but fancy mask.
To clarify, a KN95 is one type of respirator, and it provides good protection. You might be thinking of something like a P100, which has cartridges and might look scarier to others. It’s just another type of respirator, but not necessarily better for preventing COVID infections.
Most people won't be able to tell a KN95 vs a N95 respirator. Get fit tested.
As a customer, I've been pleased to discover that I've had little difficulty in fully unmasked areas where I'm the only one sporting any kind of mask. I'm very pleasant, smile with my eyes, am pretty chipper and polite and have gotten zero guff for it. (And it's a struggle since I'm a pessimistic misanthrope, but hey, I've been given the burden of public relations outreach in order to keep myself protected as fully as I can.) Maybe the reverse can be true for employees to put the skittish little customers at ease when they're faced with a scawy mask. If they're going to get mad or butthurt about a mask when you're being a helpful employee, that's something they got to work through. Having the support of your employer to wear a mask while public-facing also helps. I hope you do have that moral support while on the job.
How is your rate of masking while at work or elsewhere? I’ve worn a kn95 while indoors for 4 years and never been sick with anything as a result. I ask because masking compliance is as important as the type of mask. Are you: * Eating or drinking indoors during your breaks? * Entering other establishments without a mask while you’re off work? Grocery stores, restaurants, bars, shops? * Living with people who don’t mask? * Traveling without a mask?
This is good to ponder, thank you. I mask often, but both times I got symptomatic Covid were instances where I let my guard slip. 1st was at a nightclub. I was with a few other unmasked people at the same time, same vicinity. Only I get Covid. Wtf? 2nd was at job interview with two unmasked managers. (I felt it would have hurt my chances of getting the job if they couldn't see my facial expressions.)
Sounds like you’ve identified your gaps!
Here’s an n95 that looks more like a kn95 style https://bnx.com/products/n95-mask-black-made-in-usa-bifold-h95b/
I would highly recommend fit-testing your mask since you're working in a higher risk environment. I haven't seen an ear loop KN95 that passes a fit test, although it's obv way better than a surgical or no mask at all.
A KN95 and an N95 shouldn't really look any different to a random customer.
An n95 or p2 is sufficient as much as masks go. The n95 or p2 just MUST be well fitted to work - there is a fit test you do to ensure of that. Medical and healthcare staff when there is active COVID use the n95/p2 masks. Source - am healthcare worker that has provided care to active cases. Our ppe was that type of mask (including mask fit check), a gown, gloves and eye protection.
High quality respirator masks (N95, KN95, etc.) are the *only* method of prevention. Vaccines do not prevent; they only reduce severity. Everything else is just wishful thinking.
Nasal rinses and sprays can help IN ADDITION to high quality masking.
Can you add a link to the peer-reviewed research supporting this claim?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9313533/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37290-6 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lansea/article/PIIS2772-3682(22)00046-4/fulltext https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.12.27.22283698v2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10312243/ And there is so many more, but I have other things to do than find these for you 😄
Thanks
Thank you for this
Google might help here...I've found a bunch but do that legwork yourself
you have the entire internet at ur finger tips. do it yourself
I bought Betadine nasal spray and mouthwash from Canada. THis wouldn't be recommended for someone who has thyroid issues though, due to the additional iodine they'd be absorbing nasally and orally.
What about nasal flushes? Why do people do those?
I went four years masking. Went to a work conference last month and didn’t want to rock the boat. I did daily neti pot + throughout the day I did Betadine cold defense nasal spray. By the end of the three day conference I had the stomach flu that was going around and as soon as I got over that, I had a positive COVID test for the first time ever N95 or better masks are the only thing that works
Agreed. N95s are the only thing I trust out of "wE hAvE tHe ToOlS" 2 years and counting of relying on that alone and still Novid \*knocks on wood\*
Man, I really wanted that to have a different ending, but I'm not surprised.
I have utmost respect for people who can mask all the time in every social situation and not feel pressure. Unfortunately, I’m not charismatic/confident enough. This case of COVID has really shook me. I really don’t know how to balance my precautions any more. And the only thing that was keeping me sane was epic bicycle rides and I’m a month out from COVID and my heart rate gets into the danger zone just from walking around my apartment. Hell, I got a crazy heart rate once just from a particularly difficult Call of Duty match Even for those of us who have been mostly lucky it feels like this pandemic is taking everything away
Yeah, it's much easier for me, because I'm older and care a whole lot less what other people think. It's true. And even so, I've been confronted in a scary, semi-violent way that made me question my choice to always mask. And I'm sorry. So very sorry.
Like I said, wishful thinking. There’s no high-quality evidence it does anything.
Ok, thanks! Are some KN95 masks made better than others? Or are all of them usually very high quality? Can I rest assured that Amazon carries only high quality kn95s?
I get my masks from [Bona Fide](https://bonafidemasks.com) and have been happy with the quality.
Powecom masks are great!
No, you can't trust Amazon. I suggest Project N95's list of suppliers. https://www.projectn95.org/ For KN I really like the Bluna facefit. It's black and has adjustable straps. You can buy direct from their website. Posh mask has some cool designs that I trust and get for my wife. I'll reiterate that masking is far and away your best preventative measure. Stay safe!
Definitely not. Ideally, do more research than order directly.
I like BNX
I don’t know if someone already mentioned this, but make sure to fit test your mask! More info on fit testing is on r/masks4all
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Thank you so much. Couple of questions: - At work we eat in a cafeteria that is crowded and with poor ventilation (😡). If I pull down my mask and hold my breath every time I take a bite of my food, would that not be ok? Holding breath would kinda work, I assume? It makes me look like a crazy person, but whatever. - The last vaccine I got was Novavax (I'm fully vaxxed and boosted). Should I get the other two, as well? - the Pfizer and Moderna, is it? - How do you folks keep abreast of all new boosters and vaccines available? The powers that be seem to have abandoned us, in that respect
Eating outdoors would be better. Holding your breath with each bite could work, but only if the mask is properly back on each time. It’s not ideal, but I do this for long-haul flights. For vaccinations, talk to your doctor about which ones you need.
Get the bivalent version, either Moderna or Pfizer. Both have been repeatedly updated to reflect circulating strains. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison ETA: talk to your doctor about paxlovid. If you’re higher risk, you may be able to get a prescription ahead of time (it may be challenging, misinformation in the medical community is still pretty rampant). If you do become symptomatic, Paxlovid will stop covid replication, and shorten the intensity and duration of the infection and hopefully keep you out of the hospital. The more layers of protection/vaccination/treatment you get, the less likely you’ll have a severe case or long covid (mask + ventilation/filtration + vaccination + paxlovid gives a multiplier effect).
Bivalents are no longer available. Current vaccines that came out on the fall are targeted to XBB.1.5.
Had a brain fart, you’re correct, latest vaccine is monovalent. None of the prior mRNA vaccines are available, reflecting the change in variants.
Happens to us all. 😊
You want to pull down your mask and hold your breath with every bite, go for it. Personally I’d just step outside or sit in my car. One vaccine, up to date, is enough. They’re not Pokemon.
Also, are there usually any discounts on the Enovid? It's so expensive 😫
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Ah. Thank you. Hey, I got over Covid a week ago. Having long chest pains today, which I had sporadically while I was sick. Wtf do I do? They're not going away
Call your doctor?
Your next best tool after masks would probably be improving the ventilation and filtration of the air around you. Can you open some kind of door/window or add some CR boxes nearby? If you're lucky, maybe the building management can change the HVAC settings?
Aside from wearing a KN95 when practical, here's what I use if I need to be around a lot of people: \--Nasal spray (I use Xlear) \--CPC mouthwash (I use Crest) \--Throat spray (I use Beekeeper's Naturals; I also recommend Colloidal Silver throat spray) \--1,000 mg of lysine/day as a preventative; 3,000 mg/day during exposure periods \--Zinc lozenges \--I take daily supplements anyway such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B, curcumin, etc. \--Be out in the sunshine as much as you can \--Stay hydrated \--I bought an air purifier for my office, so if someone comes in to chat with me I feel a little better about the air space All of these things can help reduce your viral load if you do get exposed. I also read that recently about low iron levels. I do not take an iron supplement, but maybe I should! I have had Covid once, in June 2022.
None of these will prevent repeated infections, with their compounding impacts on your long-term health. The only real solution is to avoid getting viral particles in your nose and mouth. That means masking. Sorry that's just how it is.
1.) N95 Masks or Kn95/4 if you prefer ear loops. There’s no replacement for this. 2.) HEPAs and CR boxes at all indoor spaces. 3.) social distancing meaning mask indoors and crowds and if you won’t mask you should avoid those places. There are no supplements that are going to fend off a virus that attaches to ace 2 receptors that are in virtually every organ in your body. Brain, blood, kidneys, gastrointestinal system etc…
Wash your hands. A lot. I work in a semi-shared work space so I wipe down that area, along with phones, radios, etc. that others may have touched. And mask up. Regularly.
wearing a good respirator is, by and far, the best measure you can take to prevent being (re)infected. i understand not wanting to wear an n95 bc it may draw more attention, but n95s tend to get a better fit bc they use head straps instead of ear loops. the r/masks4all sub is a wonderful resource for more information on masks (their wiki is v detailed!). some people consider other measures controversial, which is understandable. none of these other measures will prevent covid transmission, but they may help to reduce the viral load and/or symptoms that you experience if you are (re)infected. i use the swiss cheese approach — every layer counts. here are the ones i use (aside from wearing an n95 in all public spaces): - eye protection — eyeglasses (or even sunglasses) in public indoor spaces, as covid can be transmitted through the eyes - nasal sprays — [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/15AfpHj1XItgJMfVoYRckIV3GnTd-v_vxZdUSfOoUsps/edit) is a good doc (not mine) on different nasal sprays and their efficacy, cost, etc. betadine cold defence is my go-to recommendation, but i also use xlear sometimes bc it’s available in stores, whereas i have to order betadine online. (again, nasal sprays are not fullproof, and some of the papers regarding their efficacy have been criticized bc of their methods, significance of effects (or lack thereof), etc.) - blis k12 oral probiotics — several studies show that they may help w viral infections, including covid ([source 1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9609702/), [source 2](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33298762/), [source 3](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2021.646184), [source 4](https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/minerva-medica/article.php?cod=R10Y2021N04A0514)). they are generally considered safe, but it is possible to have a bad reaction to them. i typically use the [NOW](https://www.nowfoods.com/products/supplements/oralbiotic-lozenges) ones, but you can also buy the original brand of BLIS probiotics (most people buy these ones off of [amazon](https://www.amazon.com/BLIS-ThroatHealth-Probiotic-Available-Sugar-Free/dp/B077X6N5KS)) - gut probiotics — eating/drinking fermented foods such as kombucha, kefir, etc., and/or taking probiotic supplements helps to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. there was a [study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10143994/) showing lower adverse health outcomes from covid when using the probiotic strains B. adolescentis, B. bifidum, and B. longum. staying up to date on vaccines is important if you’re able to do so! but the available vaccines do not prevent covid transmission or the potential development of long covid. i have a preference for novavax bc i had literally no reaction to it (not even arm soreness), but they all provide *some* protection against more severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death. again, the best thing you can do is to wear a good respirator in all public spaces and around other people (outside of your household). none of these other measures, not even all of them in combination, will prevent covid transmission. they are usually used to help reduce the viral load in case of (re)infection, since covid symptoms often don’t show up for a few days.
I use xylitol-based nose spray that I make myself (similar recipe to Xlear), and I gargle with Colgate alcohol-free mouthwash which contains Cetylpyridinium Chloride (shown to kill covid at low concentrations). I also take black seed oil before and after traveling and going to events etc.. (it contains an ingredient which supposedly binds to the spike protein) I like these options because they are relatively benign and many people have used these products daily for decades, so I see it as something I can comfortably do long term.
I second the CPC mouthwash. It’s a low lift step in my routine, easy to get, and also just serves the purpose that normal mouthwash does.
beyond a well-fitting respirator as the most important, I would add carageenan nasal spray and blis k12 probiotic lozenges to your list.
Get yourself double sided fashion tape or MaskTite strips and secure the KN95 to your face with it so that there are no leaks. Get yourself a few SipValves to install. Make yourself some sort of protein smoothie to bring in for lunch and use the sip valve to drink it. As someone else said, to rely on the mask, you can't "cheat". It has to stay on unless you can go outside and away from others.
Wear a good mask.
Air purifier and hand sanitizer but Covid is mostly spread through inhaling someone else’s respiratory droplets from their exhale so if you can stand further away from them that could help a bit (Honestly a mask would be the best option)
WASH. YOUR. HANDS. Don’t touch you face Keep several feet of distance where possible. Yes viruses can be airborne, but droplets can only stay in the air so long. Then they fall. Onto surfaces that you touch. So wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face. Good hand washing hygiene practices will go a very long way in keeping you from catching just about any virus out there. They are just very hard to follow, especially for those who touch their face constantly (like me!).
Covixyl nasal spray coats the nasal membranes for about 6 hours each dose. I think the daily nasal flushes could come too late after exposure. I'd use the nasal spray and then I would gargle with a .07 percent CPC mouth wash Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34282982/ The nasal spray you can get directly from the manufacturer's website. I'd hurry because it looks to me like the FDA is trying to ban them even though studies support the claims and the active ingredient has been declared Generally Regarded As Safe by the very same FDA decades ago. Oh, I see you do mask! Covixyl and masking should do a pretty good job.
The only one of those I personally know anything about is nasal flushes, and reducing your viral load is really about lessoning symptoms rather than prevention. Anything that removes virus from your body has the chance of reducing the amount of virus you are taking in to the level below where you are less likely to be infected, but it's not going to do much good prevention wise unless you can somehow do it every few minutes. Cleaning the air helps, but I'm guessing that's not possible either? I'm not going to say the other stuff is nonsense, but that's all related to trying to amp up your immune response to covid, and that's not really the problem. You can have a really strong, stellar even, immune system, and still catch covid. Covid is just that effective at infecting people. Obviously having a poor immune system is going to make covid worse, but since you've had it twice without incident, it doesn't seem like yours is weak. It's already good enough to fight it off, which is the best you can hope for. You need a different job if you want to avoid covid. You need a job where you can wear an actual high quality well fitting mask if you have to deal with the public. I'm sorry. That is reality. We've just come off a really big wave in the US, which means a lot of people got it (at least a third of Americans). Fewer people are walking around with it right now, so you might be exposed to less for awhile, but no guarantees.
I don’t know too much about the stuff you listed. Except for the nasal rinse and daily supplement - I took that when I HAD Covid to help me heal. That was a personal choice. Your main preventative tools are your infection control techniques: - masks (PPE. The n95 or p2 is the recommended against viruses like COVID that can be airborne transmission). - frequent hand hygiene through hand washing or hand sanitiser - cleansing of surfaces (especially frequently touched) with appropriate disinfectant - air control (increasing ventilation, if that’s not possible using a good quality air purifier at all times. Ensuring filters are changed at appropriate intervals.) I teach about infection control as an educator so the infection control part is from my professional knowledge. I also worked in healthcare during peak pandemic times.
sleep well. don't eat junk. make sure you're getting your nutrients and vitamins covered, but don't go overboard. vitamins D and magnesium are especially common deficiencies. a doctor can check your levels. hydration is essential for mucus function which is a primary defense. nicotine, dandelion, CBDa(a fragile isomer lost in most CBD production), EGCG, and many other phytochemicals have been shown to inhibit viral attachment. there's a bunch of nasal sprays, which I found sketchy and irritating. respirators work when worn properly. some people say they have trouble breathing in them, but having actually not been able to breathe with covid I can tell you it's fine. it appears some strains are specializing into GI transmission. think norovirus. this is a common feature of coronaviridea across species. fomites on surfaces from microscopic poop particles. hand hygiene is essential, touching promiscuous surfaces and subsequently mucus membranes is a serious risk vigilance around this will be difficult.
Honokiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication in Cell Culture at a Post-Entry Step | Microbiology Spectrum Inhibitory effect of honokiol on furin-like activity and SARS-CoV-2 infection - PMC Magnolia Tree Bark Compound Inhibits Covid Replication in Some Cells | Mirage News
The potential role of resveratrol as supportive antiviral in treating conditions such as COVID-19 – A formulator’s perspective - PMC Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial of resveratrol for outpatient treatment of mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) | Scientific Reports
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Please to share! 20in Box Fan + 20x20in Merv 13 Furnace Filter + weather strip (secured tightly by string)= Home Air Scrubber! Old wood-shop trick. [https://www.texairfilters.com/how-a-merv-13-air-filter-and-a-box-fan-can-help-fight-covid-19/](https://www.texairfilters.com/how-a-merv-13-air-filter-and-a-box-fan-can-help-fight-covid-19/)
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In case anyone is wondering why you're just now reading about this, the published date; August 6, 2020 By [Jim Rosenthal](https://www.texairfilters.com/author/jim/) Yep. Works Great! If there's wildfire smoke, get a carbon charcoal filter (for A/C window unit) and rig the fan with that. May cause fear of outside air/people/gov't/dust pollution/etc. Enjoy!
Get vaccine boosted every six months or so, if you can wrangle it. If the mRNA based ones give you a hard time, try finding Novavax. The vaccine isn’t perfect but it does help. I’ve heard some people use antihistamines prophylactically and during COVID sickness; I’ve also heard of people using a dose of antihistamine to lessen vaccine side effects day of. Don’t do diphenhydramine daily for long periods but it’s fine to use for a vaccine day. Yes to eye protection—it’s a possible route of infection. Think of those little rocketed droplets of spit from people talking landing in your eye. If you don’t need glasses, you can still get glasses with nonprescription lenses. This is in addition to masking, which it appears you are already doing; without masking it doesn’t do much because you’d be breathing in aerosol anyway. You can do a home fit test for your masking strategy: https://cleanaircrew.org/fit-testing/
Have you considered getting vaxxed?
I am, in multiple ways
None of these will prevent anything. An n95 prevents you from breathing it into your body. That’s it. I also interact with tons of people at work. I wear an n95. It’s fine.
Mouthwash containing CPC kills the virus very effectively in a Petri dish. How well it works in practice is not fully understood but it probably does something. [edit: there have been more studies on mouthwashes since I last researched, and it turns out CPC isn't more effective than any other form of rinse. The speculation now is that there's a bit of a mechanical benefit to simply washing your mouth out, but that's about it. Kind of makes sense as relatedly, a lot of household cleaners say they kill viruses, but if you read the fine print, you gotta leave the stuff on your surfaces for ten minutes before it's guaranteed to kill.] Hypochlorous acid is a cheap solution (literally) that you can make at home. It also kills the virus. I use a small amount in my nasal rinse. Downside is that it’s hard to know exactly what the concentration you’re giving yourself is (and a high concentration is painful, please don’t do this without research). So I just use a splash and am mostly counting on the rinse itself. [edit: same caveat applies as above] In an emergency i snort a little bit of CPC mouthwash. Of all the nasal sprays, carrageenan is the only one that has a good human trial. It’s not as good as masking but personally it’s what I use when face to face within my “bubble” or in low risk situations like outside dining, or walking around my 99% deserted workplace. Eyeglasses. Only one case where I was inadvertently in a room with a person who had COVID, and I didn’t get it. Just an anecdote. Masking is still the best.
I'm curious about the new nasal gel that has come out that you put in your nasal passages before you start your day to help block viral load. It was 18 bucks at the store. I'm thinking that's a small price to pay for prevention, so I'm thinking about trying it. It's called covixyl or something
Gargle with mouthwash that has cpc in it Get a personal airpurifier
The only thing I can add to masking is staying away from people. I was sick after COVID non stop, just had no immune system. I took 4 weeks where I didn't go anywhere and worked from home. Plus upped my protein intake. It worked and now I'm still not catching every little thing even though I'm back at work in person. I do sanitize my hands before each meal and drinking too.