non-mask options during an airborne epidemic

[mellowtigger]

I always use my N95 elastomeric mask when I'm around people. There are some situations, though, where that option is not available. There are practical situations like eating and drinking. There are also medical exceptions like exams, dentistry, or surgery. I thought I'd mention some options I'm exploring for these situations.

For eating and drinking (outdoors only, around others), I've previously mentioned wearing a Woody Knows nostril filter. I keep it in, then I add my usual mask on top when I'm not eating/drinking (outdoors only). When I was still working in the office, I would eat my meals alone in my car rather than inside with others.

For medical procedures, I'm looking into nasal spray options. Supposedly, they can offer a few hours of reduced risk. They seem to come in 2 varieties, one for pre-exposure and one for post-exposure. Today, I bought bottles of each to try them out to see how they "feel" in my allergy-prone sinuses. And, of course, I still have my Corsi-Rosenthal box which I use after humans other than me have been inside my house. It's been used many times this year for helping to clear the air after workers' time in here. I keep my mask on while people are inside my house and while the air is clearing out after they leave.

1. pre-exposure
   • Covixyl, with Xylitol (available at Target)
   • Xlear, with Xylitol (available at Target)
   • Betadine, with Carragelose (I found at Amazon)
2. post-exposure
   • Nasomin, with iodine and fulvic acid (I found at Amazon)
   • mouthwashes, such as Listerine or Chlorhexidine, which I still need to buy somewhere

I thought I'd share, since there are no great guidelines for how mere peons in this world can protect themselves with non-prescription solutions. I don't even know what the CDC is promoting these days in their post-COVID nonsense, but The People's CDC still has this good slideshow for improving safety for in-person gatherings and another one for attending political protests. As always, a multi-pronged strategy is best.

Comments

[house_wren]

The endodontist (who I have seen far too often this year) has air purifiers in each room. The dentist does not, so I take a small portable one with me. I wish they would just put one in every room, but since they don't I'm happy to bring my own.

[armiphlage]

My dentist has air purifiers and wears a mask, which I am grateful for.

I read a review about a more compact alternative to a Corsi-Rosenthal box : a 20" box fan, and a 20x20x4" air filter. You don't even have to tape the filter to the fan, as it gets sucked right onto it. No need to peel off duct tape when it's time to replace the filter, and it's easier to fit under a desk or anywhere else near where you spend your time.

[edit: I meant to say I read a review, and then bought a fan and case of filters to make my own. It's been running for about a year non-stop (except for power outages), and my cheap IKEA air quality meter shows it's actually working to eliminate detectable particulates, even during forest fire season).