If you wear at least an N95 respirator without a valve, there’s no reason to isolate.
Frankly, I find it more than a little annoying that the burden of reducing transmission is not more widely shared with the non-infected. In other words, if high-risk people want to avoid getting covid even after they’re fully vaxxed and boosted, they should just wear a respirator rather than relying on the kindness of strangers. Isolation might have made more sense when the PPE supply was limited, but that’s no longer the case.
I’ve found it really hard to find a respirator that seals (judging from the fact my glasses fog), and per microcovid.org that still leaves me with a fair amount of exposure. I imagine many others are in the same boat.
I should note that this kind of valveless elastomeric respirator might be significantly less comfortable to wear compared to respirators that have valves.
Maybe I misunderstand your statement. I don’t get why you say the burden is on those wanting to avoid rather than those who are infected. Particularly as your first statement is about an infected person taking steps to limit the spread of any residual infection they may still have.
I do have a growing sympathy with the idea that just because you have a case of COVID that necessarily means you need to stay in the leper colony for a while. BUT I’m not sure about where one draws the line on that. Each person’s case is a unique so the risk they pose to others needs to be considered on a case by case basis and we still seem to be working that out.
I do have a growing sympathy with the idea that just because you have a case of COVID that necessarily means you need to stay in the leper colony for a while. BUT I’m not sure about where one draws the line on that.
I for one would like to have at least a semi-quantitative answer to how much risk we’re (socially, legally) permitted to expose each other to as part of normal life, instead of an inconsistent, ad hoc set of rules and expectations.
For example, you can drive, but only licensed, and not when drunk: sensible.
By comparison, you have to isolate when you have covid, but not any other respiratory illness, even now that anyone who wants a vaccine (not everywhere, but at least in the US) can get one (and anyone who can’t and is vulnerable is also more vulnerable to lots of other things): becoming less sensible by the day.
My first statement was meant to provide an answer that delivers the same benefits as isolation without the isolation, regardless of the merits of isolation.
My second statement was meant to argue that isolation might be less warrated today. I see no reason for a leper colony attitude today, when there’s plenty of effective vaccines, antivirals (maybe there’s still a limited supply of these?), and PPE available. So, where one draws the line should be left up to each individual.
Want a ventless respirator to protect yourself and others? Fine.
Want a vented respirator to protect only yourself? That’s okay too.
You don’t live with high-risk people, don’t think that long covid is a risk worth worrying about, and don’t want to wear a mask, respirator, or isolate? Go for it (unless there are legal issues involved like mask mandates).
If you wear at least an N95 respirator without a valve, there’s no reason to isolate.
Frankly, I find it more than a little annoying that the burden of reducing transmission is not more widely shared with the non-infected. In other words, if high-risk people want to avoid getting covid even after they’re fully vaxxed and boosted, they should just wear a respirator rather than relying on the kindness of strangers. Isolation might have made more sense when the PPE supply was limited, but that’s no longer the case.
I’ve found it really hard to find a respirator that seals (judging from the fact my glasses fog), and per microcovid.org that still leaves me with a fair amount of exposure. I imagine many others are in the same boat.
Is that an issue from a “protect myself from others” or “protect others from me” perspective?
Both, I guess, though my primary strategy for protecting others is to not get COVID myself, so protecting myself is paramount.
The MSA Advantage 290 should fit properly (due to it’s elastomeric seal).
Thank you!
I should note that this kind of valveless elastomeric respirator might be significantly less comfortable to wear compared to respirators that have valves.
Maybe I misunderstand your statement. I don’t get why you say the burden is on those wanting to avoid rather than those who are infected. Particularly as your first statement is about an infected person taking steps to limit the spread of any residual infection they may still have.
I do have a growing sympathy with the idea that just because you have a case of COVID that necessarily means you need to stay in the leper colony for a while. BUT I’m not sure about where one draws the line on that. Each person’s case is a unique so the risk they pose to others needs to be considered on a case by case basis and we still seem to be working that out.
I for one would like to have at least a semi-quantitative answer to how much risk we’re (socially, legally) permitted to expose each other to as part of normal life, instead of an inconsistent, ad hoc set of rules and expectations.
For example, you can drive, but only licensed, and not when drunk: sensible.
By comparison, you have to isolate when you have covid, but not any other respiratory illness, even now that anyone who wants a vaccine (not everywhere, but at least in the US) can get one (and anyone who can’t and is vulnerable is also more vulnerable to lots of other things): becoming less sensible by the day.
My first statement was meant to provide an answer that delivers the same benefits as isolation without the isolation, regardless of the merits of isolation.
My second statement was meant to argue that isolation might be less warrated today. I see no reason for a leper colony attitude today, when there’s plenty of effective vaccines, antivirals (maybe there’s still a limited supply of these?), and PPE available. So, where one draws the line should be left up to each individual.
Want a ventless respirator to protect yourself and others? Fine.
Want a vented respirator to protect only yourself? That’s okay too.
You don’t live with high-risk people, don’t think that long covid is a risk worth worrying about, and don’t want to wear a mask, respirator, or isolate? Go for it (unless there are legal issues involved like mask mandates).
Relying on the kindness of strangers is generally a bad idea, because some strangers are not kind.
(Also, not everyone who is infected knows that they are.)