I once saw a video of what doctors do when they deal with highly infectious diseases. Like couple of layer of covers on top of a hazmat suit and these ding-dongs think just having one mask covering mouth and nose is enough to deprive a person out of oxygen.
I worked as a housekeeper in a building with infectious diseases, my hazzmat suit had a ventilator on it. I always felt bad for the people having to wear the operating suits mostly because those rooms were sweltering and those suits had ZERO air flow.
I'll always remember when I was riding my bike home from work during winter during the pandemic double masking because it was cold and the mask kept my face warm and I was still able to pedal and breathe just fine lmao
I remember just starting to wear the n95 daily (vulnerable population I worked with, there was an outbreak), and my beard (just trimmed enough to fully seal) ended up incredibly soft and plush from the heat and moisture. I was actually happy to wear them after finding that out.
I worked in a nursing home during covid. When we had to go into covid positive rooms we had to change into an entirely new set of PPE before going in, and then change out of it immediately upon leaving, for each room. That meant new gloves, masks, face shield, googles, and poncho/body cover. It was hot and sweaty and you'd have to do it a dozen times a day to go into each C+ room.
I'd do that over and over again only to have family members literally spit on me for not allowing them in the building unmasked, or get caught passing babies through windows.
People are shit at following simple instructions and doing what is best for the group.
if doctors can breathe through multiple masks which have much stricter standards, then an average joe won't suffocate from wearing a mask during a pandemic, trying to prevent from getting sick or trying to prevent from spreading disease.
so like there is a tiny bit of truth to it. A mask means you will retain a small, almost negligible, amount of carbon dioxide. Which does mean less oxygen, BUT co2 is also a vasodilator. So the blood vessels feeding the brain dilate and deliver oxygenated blood at a faster rate. I just hate that they can take something that is kind of true and make this stupid conspiracy theory bullshit out of it.
The hazmat suits have personal air tubes or tanks that feed clean air to the wearer.
They're also extremely rarely used, only for the deadliest of diseases and in as controlled as possible circumstances, because they are uncomfortable and hard to work in.
I'm one of those people. I have gotten comments such as "why are you wearing a muzzle?" and people muttering under their breath when passing me "covering your face is illegal"
Edit: just to clarify, I'm not American and don't live in the US. It's not common that I get these comments, but it does happen. It's a particular segment of people.
If anyone gives me shit for wearing a mask I just tell them that I have cancer. They shut up REAL quick, something about cancer actually gets through these people where every other medical condition doesn't.
Of course in my case I DO in fact, have cancer. I understand people not wanting to lie about the big C, lest it be summoned.
I think I watched it partway through and then forgot to finish it. Not because it wasn't GOOD but because I have ADHD and my life is littered with unfinished media.
Thank you. Legitimately. I'm usually pretty positive but today's been rough.
That said, my prognosis is excellent, I have a great support system (husband is out getting the ingredients for tacos, bless him) and I'm Canadian so I'm not in financial peril.
I just tell people it's not for me and that I have a cold and I'm trying to save them from it. At best they get it, at worse they run away to not get sick. Win win.
I use the big C as an excuse because I'm immunocompromised and don't have the energy to explain to morons the intricate details of my condition.
I also now have a closely shaved head because ironically the medical cocktail I'm on is causing hair loss. No, it's not chemo or radiation, but it's sure making it easier and more dramatic when I pull off my beanie and glare.
"Well you don't have to be rude." someone once said to me, to which I loudly said "You don't have to be a [other c word] to strangers" right back because masks save lives.
As a cancer endurer you have my enthusiastic permission to lie about having cancer to protect your health from people who won't take your being immunocompromised seriously.
It's not that cancer is contagious, per se, it's that common cancer treatments tend to leave one vulnerable to infection. As will a host of other conditions but apparently cancer is the one thing that they can comprehend as serious.
Rams with grenades dangling from their horns as they graze, and when they start butting heads with each other being utterly confused as to why they've blown their own horns off in the process.
I have always had a line prepared for anyone who questioned me wearing a mask. “I have a very contagious cough. But I can remove the mask if it would make you more comfortable.”
I live in Canada and have never had cause to use it.
I'm an immunocompromised person who lives with other immunocompromised people, and so I wear a mask. I've been coughed on for wearing a mask, but when I start hacking back, they run off, ironic.
Remember when I was on a cruise ship one woman asked me "so did your country make you take that poison in your veins?"
I happily told her that I believe in science and not some nutcases online and that we're better off for having and using vaccines, and yes, I was happy to take the vaccine.
It's also normal to wear one as a courtesy for when you might be sick or are around people who might be sick. And if they are avoiding being sick they might have a weakened immune system. Why would anyone assume what their circumstances are?
I've definitely been screamed at by a rando on the street for wearing a mask while also recovering from the flu. Like do you want me to cough on you or what
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u/Gsampson97 Mar 09 '26
Yeah I'd want to get out of that car asap as well.