Most here (including me) are well past doing the mask thing. Pretty well confirmed that masks do not help against the virus. HOWEVER my wife is very sensitive to pollen and the allergies really mess with her sinuses and throat. As a singer, this is doubly bad. So she wears a mask outside and has far fewer symptoms. Please do not assume that she is a Karen - she needs the mask so she can avoid the allergens.
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Came here to say this! But also that it's not necessarily psychosomatic. I don't know the size of pollen particles in the air, but they are certainly bigger than the SARS virus. Some pollen is definitely getting caught.
That being said, however! The caught pollen is now in her mask, from which she then breathes in along with any bacteria or other junk collecting on that mask. It makes practically no long-term sense to use the mask. The surgical masks aren't built for this usage, either, and there have been claims that they contain carcinogens.
I sincerely hope she finds a new, better solution. I've heard local bee pollen is a great way to slowly desensitize the body to local pollen and allergens (although it is an allergen itself). Maybe worth a try?
I agree with you! Similarly, studies on masks have shown that N95 masks are among the most effective, but only under certain conditions: that the mask is fitted, worn indoors (in a room where no one is coming and going, and all are also wearing fitted N95 masks), and the mask is replaced once an hour. Wearing one outdoors ruins the efficacy of the mask.
I'm sure it catches some of the pollen, but how well at that point? This is why I said it's not necessarily psychosomatic. Instead, I would simply try to avoid going outside a lot and have very good air filters at home. Otherwise, who are you fooling, really?
Not necessarily. Right now my driveway is covered with mesquite and paloverde pollen like snow, but it's big particles and any mask helps. Ditto for cutting bermuda grass and stirring up dust too. A good plan is to do all the outdoor stuff at once, one time during the day, and then take a shower, wash hair, change clothes so the pollen doesn't spread around the house at all.