No vax, no mask, multiple confirmed close contacts and no covid*.

*Nothing confirmed.

Daughter has just tested positive, so looks like covid has finally arrived. BUGGER!

Interesting article in todays Herald about how NZ government needs to review and update the use of masks to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID, influenza and bird flu and all the very evolving changes in these viruses.

An important implication of the review is that New Zealanders need better access to effective masks. Cloth face coverings and disposable medical masks can help reduce infection risk, but respirators such as N95 and FFP2 provide a significantly higher level of protection.

Winter illnesses: Are we prepared for influenza, bird flu, and another Covid-19 wave? - The Front Page

University of Otago's Michael Baker among health experts calling for better face mask use in New Zealand after international study on effectiveness

Actual study here: Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review

I still have a half box of the blue paper masks at home. Back in 2020 I did a geekzone article on the correct way to wear masks. Now I think is a good time to revisit that article.

Most non-medical persons are: 

1 - buying the incorrect mask type and size. It should be Type N95 or P2 or P3 or better and be adult or child size - one size does not fit all
2 - not fitting any mask properly to begin with - there must be no leaks in or out
3 - not washing hands prior to fitting
4 - tying their masks on incorrectly - tie bottom ties first, then top ties last and do the reverse when removing mask
5 - do not cross over the ties or loops. This squeezes the masks sides open around the cheek
6 - not washing hands after removal and sensible disposal of mask
7 - fiddling/touching the mask once fitted correctly - keep your hands away from your entire face 

As you would have read in the above study, the best type of respirators such as N95 and FFP2 provide a significantly higher level of protection than the ordinary blue paper ones and even those home made cloth ones.

Here is the link to the Health NZ website on Face Masks. Though after reading the above study I think that that website needs to be updated to reflect those findings.

Of course to get people to wear them is another ball game altogether. My advice if you have flu like symptoms and you have to leave your place of residence or you are in an area of high concentration of people eg. work, supermarkets, movie/theatre houses and all forms of public transport, wear one.

Unfortunately, public discussions about wearing masks seem to bring out the worst of the deplorables. And I don't see the current government doing anything about it. 

FineWine:

 

Interesting article in todays Herald about how NZ government needs to review and update the use of masks to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID, influenza and bird flu and all the very evolving changes in these viruses.

 

That's were they need to change the Narrative, Groups keep using the C word, and in most people turn off,

They need to make it clear that influenza has been killing people in NZ "since ages ago" and while  NZ was not traditionally a mask wearing culture, recent experience has shown that we can lower this mortality (and from other respiratory illness including CVID) by doing so....

But running out the  line of "you're all gonna die if you don't wear masks" doesn't help

Last weekend I flew down to Nelson for a short break. I chose to wear a mask on the plane for the simple reason that I didn’t want my short break impacted by any kind of respiratory illness. Whether is was COVID, the Flu or just a common cold.

FineWine:

 

IOf course to get people to wear them is another ball game altogether. My advice if you have flu like symptoms and you have to leave your place of residence or you are in an area of high concentration of people eg. work, supermarkets, movie/theatre houses and all forms of public transport, wear one.

 

Wear one on the bus every time a coconut...school kids are basically mobile disease centres .

I've been sick all week - felt like COVID, tested negatory. Just like the last time. 
The only real difference is that the last two bouts of "whatever" have been less fevery than when I got my one and only confirmed case of COVID. 

On both occasions, I have been exposed to people who have tested positive and have suffered similar symptoms, while continuously testing negative. 

On the mask subject - I will still wear a mask if I am feeling less than stellar, or if I am in a situation that I feel warrants it. 

sir1963:

 

FineWine:

 

IOf course to get people to wear them is another ball game altogether. My advice if you have flu like symptoms and you have to leave your place of residence or you are in an area of high concentration of people eg. work, supermarkets, movie/theatre houses and all forms of public transport, wear one.

 

 

Wear one on the bus every time a coconut...school kids are basically mobile disease centres .

 

Covid is rife in High School in Christchurch at the moment. The wife asked the class who feels like they have covid, 8 kids put their hands up. One even said "I got proof miss see here is my RAT test result" . 😁

2x people at an event I was at 6 days ago are confirmed as having covid.

I am wondering it it is time for another booster. Last year I was holding off having a booster until just before I traveled in December, but ended up getting my second infection in November. 

It's apparently going through the schools and families here in Blenheim right now, although I suspect anyone who has a common cold or the flue is still assumed to have COVID.  I've only had it the once while on holiday in Brazil last August after a waiter, leaking from every orifice, came to our table and insisting on leaning all over us.  Two weeks later I was in ICU with acute altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru, so that was not the best holiday I've had.

Yeah schools ATM seem to be super spreader places. I have noticed more people wearing masks at the moment. Also my health centre cancelled appointments due to staff sick and staff all wearing masks. Apparently waste water testing showed a big hike and hospital cases have risen a lot. But this is predicable due to heading into winter and few people taking precautions. 

My kids have had four colds/flus/illnesses in the last four weeks, to varying levels of severity. No positive covid tests, but we're not testing very often as the kids are rolling from one illness to another it's hardly worth the bother. 

cddt:

 

My kids have had four colds/flus/illnesses in the last four weeks, to varying levels of severity. No positive covid tests, but we're not testing very often as the kids are rolling from one illness to another it's hardly worth the bother. 

 

I don't know how effective the current tests are with the newer variants, and they are not 100% accurate anyway. Plus many people don't seem do them properly anyway.

TLD:

 

It's apparently going through the schools and families here in Blenheim right now, although I suspect anyone who has a common cold or the flue is still assumed to have COVID.  I've only had it the once while on holiday in Brazil last August after a waiter, leaking from every orifice, came to our table and insisting on leaning all over us.  Two weeks later I was in ICU with acute altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru, so that was not the best holiday I've had.

 

OMG. Having covid at high altitude. Not helpful.

I like your new avatar BTW.