We now have a clearer understanding that both pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission are possible.
However, wearing cloth face masks or coverings in public in addition to physical distancing does offer protection against spread of COVID-19.
Yes. One of the most well-known studies was funded by the World Health Organization.
Published in a major medical journal, the study compared potential COVID-19 infection rates with a mask versus no mask. Face masks reduced the chances of infection by more than 80 percent. With face masks, the chance of infection was 3.1 percent compared with 17.4 percent without a mask.
- It has been thought that mask wearing mainly benefits the people around you.
- However, scientists are beginning to speculate that masks may also help the wearer.
- It is known that a lower viral dose can lead to less severe illness.
- Wearing a mask may reduce the amount of virus that gets through to the wearer.
- Less virus getting through may translate to less severe illness if you do become sick.
In fact, cloth masks can block about 40 to 60 percent of the droplets.
More than 33 million confirmed cases and nearly 1 million deaths caused by the coronavirus have been reported across the globe. Yet some people still believe the virus is either a hoax or overblown. The US alone has had over 7.2 million confirmed cases and more than 200,000 deaths. Now that President Trump has contracted the disease, I am here to encourage all of you to take it seriously.
Airborne Transmission
New evidence shows that Sars-Covid 2(aerosolized) can remain suspended in the air for several hours under experimental conditions. There are also some initial reports of detecting viral RNA in air samples from hospital settings where COVID-19 patients were admitted. Aerosols, which are less than 5 microns in diameter, are lighter and can travel much farther than respiratory droplets. An infected person could produce aerosolized virus by talking or breathing. (Let alone singing) You could then breathe in contaminated air and become infected. The mask protects you because the less virus that you breathe in, the less severe the infection.
The main method of coronavirus transmission is believed to be through contaminated respiratory droplets between people in close contact—within 6 feet of each other. It does not matter if the infected person is experiencing symptoms. Even people without symptoms sneeze and cough from time to time, and talking, laughing, singing and exhaling can also generate droplets.
Some people suggest that medical masks (also known as surgical masks) trap exhaled carbon dioxide and cause you to breathe in more CO2. The WHO says the prolonged use of surgical masks does NOT lead to CO2 intoxication or lack of oxygen.
The American Lung Association says there’s NO scientific evidence that wearing a mask weakens the immune system. However, even if someone who gets COVID-19 is young and healthy, without preexisting conditions, there’s evidence they can and do become severely ill or account for the spread of the coronavirus. For example, in California as of Sept. 27, the age group with the highest number of reported cases was 18-34, according to the CA Dept of Health.
So wear a mask. It not only protects others from you, but it protects you from others.
I decided that since I was going to continue wearing a mask, I would at least make it fun. I let my fingers do the walking, and this is what I found and purchased. I am off to a socially distanced summit this week, so these are what I am packing to take with me.
As some of you know I love to give talks as Wonder Woman. Why? Because she fights Dr. Poison and the Duke of Deception.
So I found 2 masks that will bring out the Wonder Woman super hero in me.
Batman is also available.
For less formal events (Yes one night is black tie)
I also found these. Great fun. Available in adult or children’s sizes.
At the very least, I can be color coordinated.
So much more fun than my alter ego, “the little old lady from Pasadena” This would have been me had I not cleaned up my food to eat the rainbow and to clean out all of the toxins in my life.
Since I cleaned up, this is me today. I am especially happy with my skin and hair. Not bad for 71, Eh?
As for cleaning in the age of Covid-19
Remember that whatever you read in a magazine or newspaper, look up whatever is being recommended. You look up the cleaning supplies at EWG.org.
Always use hot soapy water first. I use Dr. Bonner’s Pure CItrus Soap https://www.target.com/p/dr-bronner-39-s-18-in-1-hemp-pure-castile-soap-citrus-32-fl-oz/-/A-14393601
The reason for this is to pierce the membrane of the virus. I then use Branch Basics to do my cleaning. I have talked often about how much I love Branch basics to do my laundry, my dishes, my counters, my toilets etc. Its amazing, an A on the EWG scale and toxin free.
If you want to use an over the counter cleaning solution, these are all an A on the EWG scale for toxicity.
The two products below are A on EWG.org and on the EPA list that might meet the EPA criteria for being effective against COVID 19
Hydrogen peroxide Clorox Pet Solutions Advanced Formula Disinfecting Stain & Odor Remover The Clorox Company
Hydrogen peroxide Clorox Commercial Solutions® Clorox® Disinfecting Biostain & Odor Remover Clorox Professional Products Company
4 Other Products that are rated A on EWG.ORG but not on the EPA site:
LYSOL Hydrog Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Citrus Sparkle Zest
LYSOL Hydrogen Peroxide Action Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Oxygen Splash
LYSOL Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaning Wipes, Oxygen Splash
LYSOL Hydrogen Peroxide Bathroom Cleaner, Cool Spring Breeze
cleaners that are available on the market.
I also use white vinegar, let it sit and then use hydrogen peroxide and let it sit to clean my cutting boards. I have read that this kills anything.
Why is this important to understand?
Most commercial cleaners kill the good bacteria on your skin as well as the bad bacteria on the surface of what you are cleaning. And they have toxic scents that go into your lungs and toxic ingredients that go through your skin and into your body.
I hope that this information is helpful to everyone. Stay Safe.
If you have any questions you can email me cherylmhealthmuse@gmail.com.
One thought on “Wear a mask.”