welcome to the fest

Research has found that, as with SARS-CoV-2, flu virus is exhaled in small particles by infected people while breathing, talking and coughing; and the flu virus has been found in aerosols in indoor environments, including hospitals, children’s day care centers and airplanes. As with the new coronavirus, people can spread the flu even when they don’t have symptoms, which is further indication that transmission can occur without coughing or sneezing and doesn’t require large, wet droplets.

[...]

People who want to prevent flu infection should get their seasonal flu vaccine. They should also now feel more comfortable using masks. The use of masks, along with washing hands, appears to reduce transmission of flu to others within households. Those concerned about flu infections may also want to consider limiting the time spent during flu season in crowded indoor settings, where transmission can happen more easily. - by Dr. Linsey Marr, engineering professor at Virginia Tech, whom studies the airborne transmission of viruses.

Just sharing this article because it's really good in explaning why we should wear masks, along other safety measures and how that benefits us, and causes no harm. It's way more detailed, yet direct and succint, than what I've cut and copied here, so do go take a read.

Thanks for sharing that link.

It has always puzzled me that there has been such a push back against masks. A well fitted mask is comfortable to wear and within just a few moments you forget you are wearing it. To be fair, it does take a little time to get used to the feeling and to get used to the slight increase in carbon dioxide we rebreathe.

That slight increase causes a feedback loop where we feel the need to breathe more - thus the 'it's reducing my oxygen' complaint from some upset wearers. For those people who are typically shallow breathers the effect can be unnerving. I really wish there had been a strong push to educate the public about deep breathing techniques that could help them feel more comfortable with a mask. Learning how to breathe slowly and deeply into the belly not only enhances oxygenation, it also stimulates a calming reflex in the body.

I also wish there were public service messages about how to fit your mask. I see people with these great looking masks - but the mask is constantly slipping down off their nose and that means even when it is in place it isn't providing enough protection. There should be contact with the skin to prevent air leakage.

I live in Japan, so the masks were never an issue for me. I mean, we nearly all wear them. I got my first vaccination in July, 2nd in August. I got my flu shot last week. I read too many idiotic comments on NPR posts, and tend to ignore them.

Tanagra wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:57 am

I live in Japan, so the masks were never an issue for me. I mean, we nearly all wear them. I got my first vaccination in July, 2nd in August. I got my flu shot last week. I read too many idiotic comments on NPR posts, and tend to ignore them.

As you should. What's NPR? I don't recognize the acronym, sorry.

NPR stands for National Public Radio. It's a US-based news media outlet that goes out of its way to cite its sources and back news articles with verifiable and often scientific facts. They try to be unbiased though there is a noticeable left-leaning tilt to their political segments; they cover much more than politics. They can be a good source of information for someone looking for reading material that isn't intentionally trying to be inflammatory.

Site
https://www.npr.org/

Wiki for the interested
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR

Jax-A wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 28, 2021 8:11 am

NPR stands for National Public Radio. It's a US-based news media outlet that goes out of its way to cite its sources and back news articles with verifiable and often scientific facts. They try to be unbiased though there is a noticeable left-leaning tilt to their political segments; they cover much more than politics. They can be a good source of information for someone looking for reading material that isn't intentionally trying to be inflammatory.

Site
https://www.npr.org/

Wiki for the interested
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR

oh! I think I've heard of that! Thanks for the explanation! And the links ^^

Just ran across this. Thought it was a compelling presentation.

https://liberalsarecool.com/post/661940 ... id-1-in-60

RikkiTikkiTavi wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:09 am

Just ran across this. Thought it was a compelling presentation.

https://liberalsarecool.com/post/661940 ... id-1-in-60

Very much so!!! I wanna see more women like her <3