We're still months away before the vaccine is available; and even when it's available, it will be more months until enough people get the vaccine and coronavirus is eradicated.
Will you continue wearing a face mask after COVID-19 madness is over?
Arguments for wearing a face mask even if COVID-19 no longer exists:
- respiratory illnesses are one of the main causes of death for CLL patients - and that includes flu, common cold and some kinds of pneumonia - all of which are somewhat blocked by a face mask
- COV-SARS-2 vaccine may not work for some of us with CLL
Arguments for NOT wearing a face mask even if COVID-19 no longer exists:
- in some countries (predominantly Western countries, as opposed to Asian countries), wearing a face mask is considered "it's violating my freedom"
Written by
mantana
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Death violates personal freedom in a very permanent way .
I've been wearing a mask to medical appiontments for many years, after getting gastroenteritis following a specialist appointment despite carefully washing my hands. If I can't maintain social distancing in risky environments, I'll wear a mask.
If anyone objects to me wearing a mask, I can inform them that if I'm ill, wearing a mask provides greater protection to them if I'm contagious and at my cost of freedom - not theirs.
When I was first told by my Doctor that I had CLL, she glibly said "People die with CLL not from it. "
I have since learned that although this is, sort of true, it is because the death certificates usually state the Respiratory Illness that actually killed the person, and don't often mention that this was exacerbated by them having CLL and reduced immune protection.
As you say "- respiratory illnesses are one of the main causes of death for CLL patients - and that includes flu, common cold and some kinds of pneumonia - all of which are somewhat blocked by a face mask."
The last time I caught a cold it lasted for nearly a month.
Now that I have a fair collection of face masks and have got used to wearing one, I shall continue to carry one with me whenever I leave my house, and put it on if I get close to other people, particularly in closed spaces.
I will continue to wear a face mask because CLL has hold of my immunity status.
Flu can be deadly with any given strain we have circulating annually and as our immune systems can get too weak to be boosted by the vaccine. Flu can make a respiratory infection before you know it. A mask can be a preventive measure in that situation as it might well help avoid getting the flu from unknown illness of others as well as keeping me from spreading flu should I not know of my own condition.
Allergies seem to be more prevalent for me each Spring and Fall and can lead to sinus infection if not avoided by preventative measures. An antihistamine is helpful for prevention, add a saline nasal spray as a regular practice after being out and about and that is a further guard.
My last encounter (2015) with an upper respiratory ailment went into a bronchial/lung infection which took 8 weeks with 2 strong antibiotics to heal and xrays revealed I have Bronchiectasis--so YES! I will be using a mask from now on.
Nothing is 100% foolproof, but it is my responsibility to and for me and for not being a source of illness for others in my circle that will drive me to be more alert to what I can do to prevent.
Even before COVID-19, I wore a mask during flu season in elevators at work and when visiting the medical center. I never thought of it as life and death, though. I was simply trying to avoid illness that others avoid due to their immune memory from previous infections.
So, I do plan to mask when there's infectious disease spreading person to person. I do look forward to someday eating at a restaurant, or attending a concert as I did before COVID-19.
One has to ask if wearing a mask is to protect oneself or to protect others. I can understand people who are not effected with CV-19 feeling loss of freedom. I wear mask to protect myself and did so before CV-19, when I went to hospitals and crowded stores. Blessings.
Im not sure when I will feel safe without a mask. I never thought I would see a time when people would be wearing masks. I will decide when to stop in the distant future but will carry one in my bag for situations such as lifts and appointments.
My health will dictate how close to get to people. I have friends who are kissy kissy.
Hand washing not a problem but I dont think I will stop washing and wiping more than before. I wash my hands when I enter the house to make sure Im not bringing in germs and wipe the post amongst other things.
It will be interesting to see how long people wear them for. I will look at life differently from now on, Anne uk
I'll continue to wear a mask in supermarkets if it'll keep people 6 ft away from me. I'll continue the hand-washing routine too to avoid getting flu or colds as once something gets in my lungs it is slow to leave
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