"The updated guidelines recommends that Americans wear the most protective mask or respirator they can find that fits well and that they will wear consistently."
From:
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/01/14/health/cdc-mask-guidelines/
You can read the updated page here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html
Guidance has changed on various things lately, so it's just best to link to it rather than post much here.
The page links to a video on how to wear a respirator:
And also a PDF file here which has some tips people should review:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-133/pdfs/2010-133.pdf
Some good advice just in general, like never touch the front of your mask of course as it could be contaminated.
Some other info...
"How long you can wear your N95, according to experts":
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/13/health/n95-mask-wear-care-tips-wellness/
Not the easiest question perhaps, but just some things to think about. You don't want the straps to get loose. I had seen some other things about a certain number of times, as an estimate, but it really depends on how long you wear it, does it get dirty, do the straps get loose for example.
For masks in general, people need to make sure that they don't have gaps. It's very important.
One thing I am uncertain about is the part that I underlined below and it appears in the "NIOSH-Approved Respirators" section.
"Do NOT wear NIOSH-approved respirators
- If it is hard to breathe while wearing them
- If they are wet or dirty
- With other masks or respirators"
While you should not wear another mask under a respirator, I had thought you should consider wearing one over it. The CDC specifically talks about wearing a cloth mask over the cheap surgical like masks for example for extra protection as compared to just a disposable mask. But I had not seen this regarding N95s for example, I thought it would help protect you in case there was a gap and so that it could be kept cleaner. However, I have yet to wear an N95. Maybe it is too hard to breathe in them with adding an extra layer, I don't know.
I'll have to look more into that. Just looking around briefly I found some old info in a New York Times article from March 2021:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/double-masking-tips-coronavirus.html
"While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend double-masking with an N95 or KN95, you need to be sure you have the real thing. If you're not sure, or it doesn't fit well, covering it with a cloth mask could help."
But I don't see that information as coming from a medical professional in that article.
Also "Here's how you can get free home Covid-19 tests":
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/01/14/politics/free-home-covid-19-tests-wellness/
While apparently you're going to be able to get reimbursed, if you have insurance, for a certain amount of home tests, I can see that being a nightmare. First, you have to find them. And save the receipts. And then submit them. But insurers might eventually, though probably not at first based on things I had read previously, not have upfront costs. Not sure if any will be ready with no upfront costs immediately.
"Starting Saturday, many Americans can get home Covid-19 tests at no cost through their private insurance. They can obtain the tests from pharmacies, retailers and online vendors."
"How does this work?
Most Americans with private insurance can buy home tests online or in stores and have them paid for at the time of purchase or get reimbursed by submitting a claim to their insurer. So make sure you save your receipts.
The tests won't be subject to copays or deductibles.
Insurers may set up a network of preferred stores, pharmacies and online retailers where consumers can receive tests at no cost up front. People could still buy tests outside that network, but insurers would only have to reimburse up to $12 for each one.
Consumers should contact their insurers to find out if they provide direct coverage or if claims must be submitted."
"How many tests can I get?
Insurers must pay for up to eight tests per covered individual per month. So a family of four could get 32 tests each month, for instance."
It's going to be hard I have a feeling. But then there is also this:
"How do I get one of those free federal tests?
Americans can go to a new website, covidtests.gov, to order the tests, starting January 19. Tests are expected to ship within seven to 12 days of being ordered.
Initially, there will be a limit of four tests per residential household.
The White House will also set up a hotline for those who cannot order online but has not yet announced a launch date for it."
That's going to be hard too, and only four for now, but at least there you don't have anything out of pocket on day 1. But who knows how well that website will work on launch. I don't know when the tests expire either. Florida infamously let a lot of tests expire recently, though they got a reprieve about extending the expiration dates. I haven't decided if I will get any. I might help a few family members get some though. I don't really go out enough and want others to have a better chance at getting them, but there are some family members in other states that have to be around people so I want to make sure they have some, most especially for those that are around my grandmother. Then again even a negative test doesn't mean you don't have it. You could still be spreading it and not have any idea. It's just always good to be extremely careful, most especially around those that are older and have preexisting conditions for example.
But if it takes 7 to 12 days to ship, and if that doesn't include the time it takes to get to you, you're talking about getting it long, long after it would be helpful if you were exposed. (even if it got to you in 7 days that's too long) You would need to have them around already. For someone that needs to be tested a lot, I guess that works. But it might mean a lot get wasted for people that don't go out too much.
We are going to likely have people test a lot more as a lot of people just start going out more. I've noticed when I have gone out recently, people here in my area people just don't like to wear a mask. (many of those not the ones that would be testing) I guess the sane people are staying home right now during this surge. Going out to Home Depot tonight there were a lot of people that didn't have masks. Employees did, but I don't know if any of the customers did. I was really, really trying to avoid people, but it can be hard. I should have done curbside pickup, but it was too late to do that tonight and I decided I just wanted to get them in case they sold out. |