I decide to comply with the mask mandate

amother

Bisque

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 2:19 am

Hey! I'm one of those nutty sheeple wearing my mask as I drive. Ha ha! Really funny!

Now do you want to know why?
I'm at very high risk of nasty consequences of COVID-19 and have been very strictly quarantining on the advice of my drs. I'm also the mother of several wonderful kids who need their mother. They also need normal childhood interaction no less than all your kids.

Rates of the virus have dropped in my area but it is still here. After many conferences with my doctors and rav the consensus is that, if we feel my kids absolutely need it, they could go to legal daycamp where they're in small groups that are very careful with SD - if I also take a level of precaution from them. (I just wish the camps would enforce what they promised...) Even following all regulations, there is definitely a level of risk so I now need a level of SD from my kids. This means that when I drive them to and from camp (the bus is too big of a risk) I wear a mask to provide some extra protection. Isn't that funny?
I also wear a mask at home when I'm anywhere near my kids (I alternated between feeding my little one in the dining room while wearing a mask, and washing my hands and eating alone in the kitchen this Shabbos). My husband wears a mask all day at work because people are constantly entering his private area with no mask or concern for SD. Aren't we a riot?!

And for the record, my team of drs include a world renowned pulmonologist, infectious disease specialist, and hematologist. These are their instructions, not my invention.

Oh, you want to know what we do about other viruses? The whole family takes the flu shot (I'm sure that's funny too). When a child (or dh) shows any symptoms of illness - you know, when they really need their mother - I need to keep my distance. DH is the one to hold and comfort them while I give advice and sympathy from my doorway. Also, constant handwashing.

I haven't had the flu in many years BH but I have gotten colds. Usually I start preemptive antibiotics immediately but I've still developed pneumonia several times. And my drs are telling me that COVID is much more dangerous for me.

I know, all of us immunocompromised people should just stay locked away. Ftr, I haven't been in a single building other than my home since March. What about my children? Apparently they should also stay locked in. And unemployment ended so dh should move out so he can continue to work. Got it.

I'm not railing against the people that raise my risk by not following simple regulations. I'm just glad to be providing you all with free entertainment.

ora_43

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 2:21 am

amother [ Fuchsia ] wrote:

I'm only posting because I can't believe how everyone jumped on OP. Masks have been criticized for not being worn properly. I've seen many people wearing their mask beneath their nose. People re-wear the disposable masks and don't wash or sterilize fabric masks every time they return home, or better, after every activity, which probably means their masks are vectors of contagion.

There are no uniform rules for the types of masks that need to be worn, or how to wear them. No studies have been done on the effectiveness of fabric masks (non hospital grade) in preventing viral spread...

(cut by me to save space)

If OP had posted a genuine question about masks, the answers here would be very different. Heck, if OP had posted a lighthearted joke about how people wear masks wrong, or how confusing the changing advice is, the answers would probably be different.

But the "joke" seems to be "if you think you need to wear a mask to not breathe in virus particles, you probably also soak your rice in bleach, lololol," so... the answers are what they are.

FTR, failing to sterilize masks doesn't make them "vectors of contagion." It's really not something to worry seriously about unless you work in a hospital, nursing home, or similar (and if you do, I'm sure you've heard PLENTY about proper use of PPE). Re-wearing a mask is much better than not wearing a mask.

Also just FTR, there have been studies about the effectiveness of fabric masks. Like this one

amother

Mustard

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 2:25 am

amother [ Bisque ] wrote:

Love your senses of humor bisque.
Hugs. ❤️ Hashem should give you koach to carry on with your sense of humor in what must be a very tough time for you and your family. YOU are a true hero Smile

And btw, We share the same Specialty docs Smile

LovesHashem

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 4:31 am

amother [ Lawngreen ] wrote:

Agree.

1. People die from car accidents way more than the virus, yet it doesnt stop people from entering a car several times a day...

2. There is no proof at all that this virus affects kids.

3. I literally can't breathe in a mask. I feel like fainting. (Yes, Im preg and low low in iron and other stuff). Sorry, wearing a mask all day is very unhealthy.

1. There were 349 car accident deaths in Israel in 2019. So far there has been 351 corona deaths and counting.

2. There's no proof it DOESN'T affect kids.

3. If you are pregnant you should NOT be wearing a mask. Because of this you ideally should not go into indoor places, or crowded outdoor places.

FranticFrummie

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 4:46 am

amother [ Mustard ] wrote:

This!

And lawngreen, my kid battled Covid for over 3 months. It was a crazy roller coaster. Bh we managed it out of the hospital in our home ‘picu’ but don’t wish this on anyone. So...

It took me 2 months to recover, and another month to feel somewhat back to normal.

I am at high risk for strokes, and have already had one TIA and one stroke, so I am terrified of getting Covid again. I also would never forgive myself if I made anyone sick just because I felt "inconvenienced".

For some people, it's "just a flu". For others, not so much.

Please remember that there are posters here who have lost direct family members. Mothers, brothers, inlaws, and more. Not to mention people who have lost close shul members and neighbors.

This thread must be extremely distressing for them to come across, and I pray that they haven't clicked and read it. Sad

amother

Babypink

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 5:16 am

I am an ER doctor in an area particularly hard hit by the Coronavirus. I have spent the past few months diagnosing and treating hundreds or perhaps even thousands of patients with varying degrees of seriousness.

Even the milder cases were unpleasant and the more serious cases were horrific. Not all the patients were old or immunocompromised. I intubated a healthy, sporty 29yo a few weeks ago.

The OP in this thread is in extremely bad taste and I honestly have a hard time believing that frum Jews would mock people taking precautions that could save lives!

Of course we all know that sheitel styles and skirt lengths are far more important in today's Judaism than pikuach nefesh, right? But this thread makes me want to cry. Sad

shabbatiscoming

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 5:19 am

amother [ Babypink ] wrote:

I reported the thread. I also thought it is in terrible taste.

FranticFrummie

Sun, Jul 12 2020, 5:30 am

amother [ Babypink ] wrote:

Thank you.

I don't post here much because I know many posters on here would judge me for wearing pants (scrubs) to work each day and don't consider me frum (enough) by their standards.

But to totally disregard an opportunity to save lives...? Pikuach nefesh was the main reason I chose a career in medicine.

I don't even feel like we're practising the same religion any more these days Crying

Thank you for speaking up. If you are saving lives, it shouldn't matter what you wear. If I needed emergency help, you could wear shorts and a tank top for all I care.